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GMA News science story wins first Lasallian Scholarum Award for online journalism
(L-R) Vice chancellor for Lasallian Mission Br. Michael J. Broughton FSC, Museo Pambata president Dr. Cristina Lim-Yuson, and DLSU president Br. Ricardo P. Laguda FSC present a glass sculpture designed by artist Ramon Orlina to Shaira Panela, whose article "Circus science: Putting big ideas under the big top" won outstanding online feature story on youth and education category at the 10th Lasallian Scholarum Awards. Photo by Teejay Pusong
An article on science education in the Philippines—and how to make it fun and compelling for kids—won GMA News Online the first award to be bestowed by the Lasallian Scholarum Awards for online journalism on Tuesday.
"Circus science: Putting big ideas under the big top" by Shaira Panela, named the outstanding online feature story on youth and education, "presents the topic of science with a new sense of wonder that encourages participation of parents and children alike," Fritzie De Vera, Dean of Student Affairs at De La Salle University, said during the awards ceremony at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
This is the first time the online category was included in the awards, which was established in 2004. "This is in recognition of how social media and information technology have become an integral part of our lives," DLSU strategic communications executive director Jose Mari Magpayo said. The Scholarum Awards is an annual recognition program for outstanding media coverage of Filipino youth and education issues.
Journalism of the future
According to Panela, it is important that online journalists are recognized, as their work is just as relevant as those who work in traditional media. "Kung tutuusin, ito na 'yung journalism of the future, dahil even yung mga traditional media, TV and print, are going online. Naniniwala ako na habang mas dumadami yung audience na napupunta sa internet para maghanap ng balita, mas nagiging relevant yung ginagawa nating pagbabalita," she said in an interview with GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo.
Panela's winning article stresses the importance of science and technology education in the country's development.
"Naniniwala ako na yung basic education, kung saan dapat sinisumulan na i-educate yung mga kabataang Pilipino para mas lalong magtuon ng pansin sa science and technology, ang isa sa mga drivers para magkaroon tayo ng mas marami pang scientists sa Philippines kung saan sila ang magtataguyod ng development ng country," Panela said.
In an email to GMA News Online, Panela added, "I started to work on a piece about science education in the Philippines March 2012 for a television feature. I ended up writing about it in July. After visiting The Mind Museum in August, I found the opportunity to rewrite the story.
"I've always been an advocate of science education. I hope that many will read the stories I write. My dream is that by writing about the issues I see, the youth will eventually take action—try to have a career in science and technology."
Voices that speak out
The theme of this year's awards was "Voices That Matter," in tribute to game-changers in journalism.
"The role of media in general and social media in particular can never be underestimated. We know very well that the youth of today have found a voice through different forums and different platforms," said DLSU president Bro. Ricardo Laguda, adding that it is the role of educators to listen to the youth.
Panela also said that the internet is an excellent tool for journalists to address the youth. "Target audience ng nasa internet, eto yung mga may access sa internet. Sino ba yung may access sa internet at laging gumagamit ng internet? Yung mga nasa Facebook, sino ba sila? Siyempre yung mga kabataan.. So definitely, sila yung unang nakakatanggap ng balita online," she said.
'Salat' wins
Meanwhile, GMA News TV documentary program Reel Time's "Salat" won the award for outstanding televised feature story on youth and education. This was the first local award for the documentary, which received the 2013 George Foster Peabody Award in May, and the 2013 New York Festivals Silver World Medal in April.
"Salat" tells the story of Mary Rose, a victim of malnutrition. Program manager Nowell Cuanang told GMA News Online that Mary Rose's life has changed since the documentary was aired. Senator Grace Poe was also inspired to set up an elementary school lunch program after watching the documentary.
"Maaasahan nila na paghuhusayan namin, mas makikita nila yung totoong nangyayari sa buhay," said Director Aaron Mendoza, who received the award together with Cuanang.
Apart from the winners in the online and television categories, the following awards were announced:
"Circus science: Putting big ideas under the big top" by Shaira Panela, named the outstanding online feature story on youth and education, "presents the topic of science with a new sense of wonder that encourages participation of parents and children alike," Fritzie De Vera, Dean of Student Affairs at De La Salle University, said during the awards ceremony at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
This is the first time the online category was included in the awards, which was established in 2004. "This is in recognition of how social media and information technology have become an integral part of our lives," DLSU strategic communications executive director Jose Mari Magpayo said. The Scholarum Awards is an annual recognition program for outstanding media coverage of Filipino youth and education issues.
Journalism of the future
According to Panela, it is important that online journalists are recognized, as their work is just as relevant as those who work in traditional media. "Kung tutuusin, ito na 'yung journalism of the future, dahil even yung mga traditional media, TV and print, are going online. Naniniwala ako na habang mas dumadami yung audience na napupunta sa internet para maghanap ng balita, mas nagiging relevant yung ginagawa nating pagbabalita," she said in an interview with GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo.
Panela's winning article stresses the importance of science and technology education in the country's development.
"Naniniwala ako na yung basic education, kung saan dapat sinisumulan na i-educate yung mga kabataang Pilipino para mas lalong magtuon ng pansin sa science and technology, ang isa sa mga drivers para magkaroon tayo ng mas marami pang scientists sa Philippines kung saan sila ang magtataguyod ng development ng country," Panela said.
In an email to GMA News Online, Panela added, "I started to work on a piece about science education in the Philippines March 2012 for a television feature. I ended up writing about it in July. After visiting The Mind Museum in August, I found the opportunity to rewrite the story.
"I've always been an advocate of science education. I hope that many will read the stories I write. My dream is that by writing about the issues I see, the youth will eventually take action—try to have a career in science and technology."
Voices that speak out
The theme of this year's awards was "Voices That Matter," in tribute to game-changers in journalism.
"The role of media in general and social media in particular can never be underestimated. We know very well that the youth of today have found a voice through different forums and different platforms," said DLSU president Bro. Ricardo Laguda, adding that it is the role of educators to listen to the youth.
Panela also said that the internet is an excellent tool for journalists to address the youth. "Target audience ng nasa internet, eto yung mga may access sa internet. Sino ba yung may access sa internet at laging gumagamit ng internet? Yung mga nasa Facebook, sino ba sila? Siyempre yung mga kabataan.. So definitely, sila yung unang nakakatanggap ng balita online," she said.
'Salat' wins
Meanwhile, GMA News TV documentary program Reel Time's "Salat" won the award for outstanding televised feature story on youth and education. This was the first local award for the documentary, which received the 2013 George Foster Peabody Award in May, and the 2013 New York Festivals Silver World Medal in April.
"Salat" tells the story of Mary Rose, a victim of malnutrition. Program manager Nowell Cuanang told GMA News Online that Mary Rose's life has changed since the documentary was aired. Senator Grace Poe was also inspired to set up an elementary school lunch program after watching the documentary.
"Maaasahan nila na paghuhusayan namin, mas makikita nila yung totoong nangyayari sa buhay," said Director Aaron Mendoza, who received the award together with Cuanang.
Apart from the winners in the online and television categories, the following awards were announced:
- "On Both Sides of the Law" by Nathalie Tomada (The Philippine Star/Starweek) - Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a nationally circulated publication
- "Watch and Learn" by Danny Pata (Manila Standard Today) - Outstanding published photograph on youth and education for newspaper
- "Blaming the Victim" by Ronn Joshua C. Bautista (Philippine Collegian, UP Diliman) - Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a school organ
- "The Care of our Children" by Randy David (Philippine Daily Inquirer) - Outstanding column article on youth and education in a nationally circulated publication
- "Change Management" by Rachel Barawid (Manila Bulletin) - Outstanding feature story on De La Salle University — BM, GMA News
