Cebu's media community celebrated a remarkable achievement as its journalists, digital storytellers, and editors received top honors at the 12th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA@12). The ceremony, held recently, spotlighted regional media practitioners across the Philippines whose work powerfully addressed community concerns and championed digital inclusion.
Cebu Media Takes Center Stage in National Awards
With the theme #DigitallyForward: One Barangay at a Time, the awards recognized 15 journalists and creators. Their stories effectively demonstrated how technology and grassroots initiatives are transforming daily life in various regions. The event underscored the vital role of local media in the country's digital transformation.
Leading the pack of honorees were editors from SunStar Publishing Inc.. Mildred Galarpe, the editor-in-chief, was celebrated as the Newsmaker of the Year. Meanwhile, Cristina Alivio from SunStar Davao earned the prestigious Editor of the Year award.
Dominance in News and Visual Storytelling Categories
Cebu-based organizations and individuals made a strong showing across multiple categories. In the Integrated News segment, MyTV Cebu and Radyo Pilipinas Cebu secured several placements. Cebu outlets also ruled the Online News Report of the Year category.
Morexette Marie Erram of CDN Digital clinched first place for her investigative report on Cebu City's flooding issues and placed third for another related story. Jonnavie Villa from The Freeman earned second place for a report focusing on teacher migration.
The power of visual narrative was also on full display. Alan Tangcawan of MyTV Cebu won both first and second place in the Photo of the Year category for his compelling images documenting flood aftermath and monsoon impacts. Ralph Lawrence Llemit, a photographer for SunStar Davao, took third place for a poignant portrait captured during heavy rains.
Excellence in Digital and Social Media Storytelling
The Digital Storytelling Category featured prominent wins for Cebu's writers and creators. Mars Mosqueda Jr. of BusinessNews.ph (Cebu) secured first place for a story on digitizing sari-sari store operations and second for a feature on solar-powered water access. Cebu blogger Marjorie Maano of Dakilanglaagan placed third for her piece on the use of Piso WiFi.
Social media stories set in Cebu City also garnered awards. Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo of ABS-CBN News won first place for a video on animal population control in the city and third for a story on mangrove protection. Joanne Clarisse Espinosa from MyTV Cebu placed second for her documentation of a market vendor's innovative waste-to-fuel invention.
The top honor, the Globe of Good Story of the Year, was awarded to Queenie Grace Joligon of MyTV Cebu. Her winning piece, Paglaum Gikan Sa Basura: Ang Imbensyon ni Benito, featured Cebuano inventor Benito Samson and his innovation of creating diesel from plastic waste. Samson's group, Carbonhanong Alyansa, was named the Featured Community and received a P20,000 grant to support their work.
Commitment to a Digitally Inclusive Future
During the event, Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, emphasized the awards' purpose. She stated that they recognize how regional media help communities navigate the Philippines' ongoing digital shift.
We honor journalists and creators who show how digital tools open doors for families, workers and communities, Crisanto said. Through GMEA@12, we reaffirm our commitment to bringing technology closer to every home.
Winners who placed first and second received cash prizes and the unique UNOSINOTRA GMEA@12 trophy, crafted from sustainable materials. Third-place awardees were given cash prizes and certificates of recognition.
