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Wenilyn Sabalo from the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu and Ryan Delos Reyes Francisco from the University of the East - Caloocan were chosen as the awardees for the Communication and Technology categories of this year's GMA Network Excellence Awards. Read more:

Wenilyn Sabalo from the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu and Ryan Delos Reyes Francisco from the University of the East - Caloocan were chosen as the awardees for the Communication and Technology categories of this year's GMA Network Excellence Awards (GNEA). The awarding ceremony was held on Friday, July 19, at the GMA Network Center.

Present at the event were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, YesPinoy Foundation Chairman Dingdong Dantes, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier Cruz, GMA New Media Inc. SVP and Chief Technical Officer Raymund Sarmiento, GNEA Ambassador Benjamin Alves, and News and Public Affairs personality Atom Araullo. The finalists for both categories were also in attendance.

"Sobrang saya po kasi unexpected po talaga. Alam ko na ang ibang finalists ay may credibility to win. I just prayed and if it's God's will, then it is God's will. Sobrang amazing ng experience dito sa GNEA," says Ryan, who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in BS Computer Engineering, after his name was called.

Journalism graduate and Magna cum Laude Wenilyn couldn't believe that she was the awardee for the Communication category.

"Feeling blessed and thankful po ako na nakarating ako dito kung nasaan ako ngayon. Hindi po ako makapaniwala kasi sabi ko ire-represent ko lang ang school namin. Kung ano mangyari, si Lord na ang bahala."

In an interview after the event, Dingdong shared how GNEA helps provide graduates with more opportunities.

"Maganda that it can open more doors para sa mga estudyante or mga graduates na ito kasi siyempre bukod sa nire-recognize ang kanilang excellence, makikita nila na kunwari in the lines of communication and engineering, definitely may lugar sila dito sa GMA. And by recognizing them, mas na-e-empower natin sila."

Meanwhile, Benjamin explained how he screened the finalists as he was one of the panelists for the Communication category together with Atom and Public Affairs First Vice President Nessa Valdellon.

Benjamin Alves is still GNEA Ambassador for the fourth year

"Hindi naman siya mahirap, pero matagal siyang proseso. I get the documents a few days before, and I try to read all of it to give everybody a fair chance kasi this is 20 years of their work on paper, so I try to give them that respect para pagdating nila dito, I kind of know who they are, and they continue to surprise me with their interviews."

He adds, "These kids are already excellent and they are already recognized as excellent students in their school, so it's just nice that we give that respect to them and we give them more opportunities to be recognized."

For Atom, it was a privilege to be with these members of the next generation.

"I feel privileged to these very young, eager minds, very passionate as well, na kung tutuusin ay susunod na generation na. Lalo na sa trabaho natin, ang bilis ng pagdaloy ng ideas, it's always changing. I always say that these guys, even if they're just starting out, they're on equal footing as the rest of us lalo na sa communication industry."

Congratulations, Wenilyn and Ryan!