Newsbreak stories bag JVO awards

MANILA, Philippines - In-depth human rights and governance and corruption reports topped this year’s Jaime V. Ongpin Awards (JVO) for Excellence in Journalism in a ceremony in the Asian Institute of Management held Thursday. “Trapped in a Web of Lives" by Glenda M. Gloria and “The Battle for Manila’s Gateway" by Roel Landingin, both of Newsbreak, were proclaimed the best investigative and explanatory reports for 2007. Gloria’s “Trapped in a Web of Lives" is a report about the disappearance of Jonas Burgos, son of press freedom fighter Joe Burgos. Landingin’s “The Battle for Manila’s Gateway," meanwhile, explored the NAIA 3 – Philippine International Air Terminal Co. (Piatco) controversy. “It feels really good because I was very attached to that story," said Gloria on winning the top prize, adding that doing the story enabled her to get in touch with “real people" like Edita Burgos, wife of the press freedom icon. It is the first grand prize for Gloria from the JVO, although several of her stories have won second or third prizes before. Landingin said it is also his first time bagging the top award, although he has also previously been a finalist. Gloria and Landingin both received plaques of distinction, P70,000 cash prize each, and travel grants from the Canadian and Australian embassies, respectively. Gloria was awarded the Marshall McLuhan Prize while Landingin won the Australian Ambassador’s Award. The Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism’s Prime Sarmiento, who wrote “What’s Swimming in Your Soup?" about wastewater discharges in the country’s water bodies, was awarded a plaque of merit and P10,000 cash prize. The rest of this year’s 10 finalists include two other stories from Newsbreak, three from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one from the Manila Times and one from Pinoy Weekly. Three themes dominated this year’s choice of winning investigative reports: human rights, environment, and governance and corruption. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, who facilitates the annual JVO seminar and awards, said the three themes were chosen “to encourage reporting on these urgent issues." Distinctions between investigative and explanatory reports wasn't done this year, unlike in previous years. Articles from daily and non-daily publications also weren't distinguished from each other this year. The first JVO awards were held in 1990 to honor the late press freedom advocate Jaime V. Ongpin, finance secretary during the administration of Corazon Aquino. The Open Society Foundation and the Ateneo de Manila University sponsored this year’s ceremony. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV