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Press freedom martyrs, leading journalists honored by Catholic media group


Two daughters of slain journalist Marlene Esperat flew all the way from Sultan Kudarat to accept the Titus Brandsma award for their mother. Jose Pavia, executive director of the Philippine Press Institute, plays with Esperat's grandchild after the program.- Joe Galvez
It was a night to celebrate press freedom, but Janice Seraspe, eldest daughter of slain journalist Marlene Esperat, could not help but express sadness. Janice saw her mother get shot right before her eyes in March 2005, in the wake of Esperat ’s exposes about anomalous agriculture projects. Four years later, Janice is still searching for answers on why lives need to be sacrificed in the name of press freedom. "Hindi naman ako familiar sa mga isyu tungkol sa media, pero nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit pinapatay ang mga taong katotohanan lang ang gustong isiwalat," (I’m not familiar with media issues, but I’m still wondering why people who only want to bring out the truth are killed) Janice said Wednesday evening during the Titus Brandsma Awards-Philippines program, where her mother was honored posthumously. The award is named after Blessed Titus Brandsma, a Dutch priest and crusading journalist who was killed by the Nazi during World War II. Marlene and another slain journalist, Edgar Damalerio, were chosen as the recipients of this year's Titus Brandsma Award-Philippines for Press Freedom. The award is given every two years, and is the local equivalent of a global award given by the Union Catholique Internationale dela Presse, the world forum of professionals in secular and religious media.
The heart-felt speech of Janice, who flew all the way from Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao with her baby and her younger sister to accept the award, was easily the highlight of the program. In accepting the award, Janice talked about the side of the slain journalist she knows best: Marlene as a mother. "She was a strong-willed person, so brave enough to expose graft and corrupt practices she discovered at work. But at home, she was like a sister, a best friend and most of all, she was an affectionate mother," Janice said. "Kaya nga po sobrang nami-miss namin talaga si Mommy." Janice narrated how her mom would bring her younger brother's baby clothes during out-of-town trips. "Sabi niya, 'Anak, dala-dala ko 'yan kasi nami-miss ko talaga ang bunsong kapatid mo. So kung na-feel ko na nami-miss ko siya, inaamoy ko na lang iyan kasi kailangan ito sa trabaho ko'," she shared. Although thankful for the award, which she recognized as the result of Esperat's hard work, Janice thinks the best award her family can receive is justice for her martyred mother. "Nakakalungkot talaga dahil kahit may mga naparusahan na, at large pa rin ang mga totoong may sala," Janice said. "Sana makamit namin ang genuine justice para kay mama." (It's sad because although some people have been punished, the real perpetrators are still at large. I hope we can attain genuine justice for my mother.) Three men have been convicted and sentenced with life imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of Esperat. However, the alleged masterminds, agriculture officials Osmena Montaner and Estrella Sabay, remain at large. Meanwhile, a former policeman has been sentenced to lifetime imprisonment for the 2002 killing of Damalerio. Over a hundred journalists have been killed in the line of duty since the restoration of democracy in the Philippines in 1986, based on data from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Various international media groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have tagged the country as one of the most dangerous countries for the journalism profession. Tribute to leadership, Cory
GMANews.TV's Howie Severino pays tribute to ailing former president Corazon Aquino in his acceptance speech for the Titus Brandsma-Philippines Awards in Leadership in Journalism.- Joe Galvez
Two other awards were handed out Wednesday to journalists who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in the profession, especially in promoting human rights. The Titus Brandsma Award-Philippines for Leadership in Journalism was given to GMANews.TV editor-in-chief and veteran broadcast journalist Howie Severino. Severino, known for his work in environmental reporting and television documentaries for GMA 7, paid tribute to Esperat and Damalerio as "real leaders in journalism" in his acceptance speech. "The fact that there are still fearless radio broadcasters in Mindanao means that Edgar and Marlene's spirits are still alive, driving the survivors among us to try to expose and weed out the corrupt, so that the nobility can bloom," Severino said. "I feel blessed to have my name on the same program as theirs... and to be alive," he added. Severino also paid tribute to former president Corazon Aquino, who has been confined in the hospital for over a month now due to colon cancer. "Siya ay naging simbolo ng ating mga hinaing, ng ating mga ninanais para sa ating bayan. Kung wala siya, hindi ko alam kung ano na ang nangyari sa ating bayan," (She is the symbol of our hopes and dreams for our country. Without her, I do not know what would have happened to our nation) Severino said about the ailing democracy icon, whom he called the "most unique political leader the modern world has ever known."
GMANews.TV editor-in-chief Howie Severino and television host Patricia Evangelista were given recognition by Titus Brandsma Awards-Philippines on Wednesday for their leadership in journalism and commitment to press freedom.- Joe Galvez
Newspaper columnist and television host Patricia Evangelista, meanwhile, was cited for Emergent Leadership in Journalism. "It's a great honor. To be awarded this means, maybe, I am going in the right direction," Evangelista said. "I am young enough not to be afraid. I'm also young enough to be reckless. I hope I will stay alive longer," the 23-year old journalist quipped. Evangelista said that during dangerous times when those who stand up for press freedom are silenced, the right thing to do is "to keep telling the story." "I will tell as many stories as I can. I must never forget that every person is a story," she said. A night of songs The awards program, which was attended by representatives from the Catholic Church and various media groups, also became a night of inspirational songs. Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singer Noel Cabangon performed an upbeat song on good citizenship entitled "Isang Mabuting Pilipino."
Television actress and environmentalist Chin-Chin Gutierrez moves the audience with a performance of a Visayan song about peace.- Joe Galvez
While performing, Cabangon enjoined the crowd to raise their right hand to pledge commitment to the lines of the song that said: "Ako'y isang mabuting Pilipino. Minamahal ko ang bayan ko. Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin. Sinusunod ko ang kanyang mga alituntunin." (I am a good Filipino. I love my country. I fulfill my duties and I follow her rules.) Actress and environmentalist Chin-Chin Gutierrez also gave two moving performances, both conveying the message of peace in the country. "Tonight is a celebration of people's ideals. This is what people cherish today. It is a gathering honoring the human spirit-- the spirit of freedom, truth, peace and justice," she said. - GMANews.TV
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