Gawad Plaridel 2020 will not push through because of the COVID-19 pandemic

This year's Gawad Plaridel will not push through because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UPCM) made the announcement on Facebook Thursday, saying the nomination and selection process for the awards could not proceed because of the pandemic and its resulting restrictions.

"Morover the organizers deemed it inappropriate to hold such an event amidst the suffering and struggles of the majority of Filipinos, especially those whose future has become uncertain," its statement read.

The Gawad Plaridel organizers instead, encourage media students and practitioners to "remain vigilant and keep true to ideals of maintaining a media that is free, liberative, and egalitarian — the same ideals which the UP Gawad Plaridel seeks to promote through its awardees as role models."

The annual UP Gawad Plaridel is a lifetime achievement award given to outstanding media practitioners of Journalism, Film, Broadcast, and Transmedia.

In 2018,  GMA Network Pillar Jessica Soho was the recipient of Gawad Plaridel—Outstanding Journalist Category award.

Other awardees who were honored with the award include Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, TIna Monzon-Palma, Pachico Seares, Kidlat Tahimik, Pete Lacaba, and Boni Ilagan.

The Gawad Plaridel isn't the only awards ceremony that's been cancelled because of COVID-19. In June, the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards also called off this year's edition. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News