GMA News Online journalists win at Journalism for an Equitable Asia Awards

Two GMA News Online journalists took home the second prize at the 2019 Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award ceremony held virtually on Wednesday.

Senate beat reporter Donabel Magsino and senior content producer Jessica Bartolome were recognized for their in-depth piece "A Very Long Summer,"

The piece put a spotlight on the farmers in Morong, Rizal who were heavily affected by El Niño.

"We dedicate this to the farmers who welcomed us into their community, into their homes, for five months. They were very open when they shared their lives and their struggles with us, and we hope that we did it justice," Dona and Jess said at the virtual awarding ceremony.

After thanking the award-giving bodies, Asia Centre and Oxfam Asia, "for recognizing the importance of this story, not just for the community of farmers in Rizal, but all the farmers in the Philippines who still face hardships every day," the winners promised to keep tracking such important issues.

"We vow to continue tackling important issues such as this and shed light on topics that would help us create a more equitable Asia," they said.

Istanbul-based journalist Didem Tali won the first prize, while Nutcha Tantivitayapitak of Thailand won third prize.

Hosted by Asia Centre and Oxfam in Asia, the prestigious award aims to recognize journalists who use their "skills and voice to expose social issues of inequality."

The award received over 100 submissions from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

This isn't the first time "A Very Long Summer" won recognitions for the reporters. In June, "A Very Long Summer" garnered a nomination from the 2020 Society of Publishers Asia Awards for Editorial Excellence under the Excellence in Feature Writing category.

In July, the piece was also given the UPLB Gandingan award for Most Development Oriented Online Feature. — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News