Chronicle

Journalists receive Titus Brandsma awards

FIVE INDIVIDUALS- three of them journalists- were conferred this year’s Titus Brandsma Award of the Titus Brandsma Media Center, a Carmelite Media Ministry in the Philippines, last November 27.

The Titus Brandsma Award is a biennial award given to individuals and groups, especially to journalists in print and broadcast media, who have incorporated in their work the virtues of Carmelite priest, journalist and educator Blessed Titus Brandsma who was martyred in 1942 for writing and defending the truth. He was beatified on November 3, 1985 by Pope John Paul II. 

The following awardees were chosen for their excellence in various endeavors in different categories:

Yvonne Chua, Leadership in Journalism

Yvonne Chua is a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication. She is the co-founder of Vera Files, an online investigative news agency for which she writes and edits in-depth stories.

Her expertise in data journalism proved instrumental in writing award-winning stories on corruption, leading to various reforms in government agencies.  She was also the former managing editor of Malaya, a Philippine publication.

Raymund Villanueva, Emerging Leadership in Journalism

Raymund Villanueva is the Director for Radio of multimedia production group Kodao Productions, Inc. A multi-awarded journalist, Villanueva has written articles on various issues ranging from peace and conflict to human rights and social justice.

He is a reporter for alternative media agency Bulatlat and co-anchor of the program “TalaAkayan” aired over Radyo Veritas 846.

Abner Francisco, Leadership in Community Communication

Abner Francisco is a print and radio journalist whose work involves innovative and participatory journalism, especially in North Cotabato in Mindanao.

Francisco was formerly a convener of the Watchful Advocate for Transparent, Clean and Honest Governance (WATCH) North Cotabato.

Gary Granada, Leadership in Culture and Communication

Gary Granada is an award-winning composer of pop and folk music. He is an author of books about nationalism, globalization, women’s rights and intellectual property.

Granada taught at the University of the Philippines College of Development Communication of UP Los Baños.

Fr. Franz-Josef Eilers, SVD, Leadership in Social Communication

Father Franz-Josef Eilers, SVD has been actively promoting communication in the Catholic Church especially in today’s age of technology and Internet.

Fr. Eilers is also a professor in universities such as the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay City, University of Santo Tomas in Manila, and University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Source: http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/five-individuals-receive-titus-brandsma-awards