Latest accolades
Sun.Star Cebu took home 4 awards at 2nd Sarihay Media Awards last Aug. 26
Awards handed out by Foundation for the Philippine Environment, which was created as a result of the debt-for-nature swap between the country and the US government that relieved the Philippines of part of its debt burden and ensured the availability of funds for the environment
SUN.STAR Cebu bagged four awards during the 2nd Sarihay Media Awards in Quezon City last Aug. 26.
It won Best Photo Essay for Alex Badayos’s photo titled “Home Sweet Home” about a sea turtle freed on the beaches of the City of Naga, Cebu and Best Cartoon for Josua Cabrera’s editorial cartoon on the need for a new solid waste dumping site.
Former Sun.Star Cebu editor Liberty A. Pinili received a certificate of recognition for Best News Story (Regional Category) for her article “Dalaguete expands habitat for fruit bats.” Sun. Star Cebu reporter Elias O. Baquero and former Sun.Star Cebu reporter Rebelander Basilan were recognized for their article “Goods for garbage.”
The awards were handed out by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE).
FPE was the result of the debt-for-nature swap between the Philippines and the US governments that relieved the Philippines of part of its huge debt burden and ensured the availability of funds for the environment.
It also expanded the arena for environmental protection for a larger community of stakeholders.
“Samu’t saring buhay”
In her welcome message, FPE chairpreson and chief executive officer Dr. Paciencia Milan, a retired president of the Visayas State University, said “Sarihay” was coined from the phrase, “samu’t saring buhay,” which translates to “diversity of life.”
“In the FPE’s 24 years as a grant-maker, fundfacilitator, and catalysts for cooperation--this is exactly what we have been working to conserve and protect–samu’t saring buhay,” Milan said.
She said that while the Philippines is one of the world’s most mega-diverse nations, it also ranks as among the most ecologically-threatened regions.
“Large-scale mining, logging, land conversion, unregulated destructive fishing practices, among others, have plagued the Philippine landscape and devastated our forests, oceans, and entire ecosystems at alarming rates,” Milan said.
Purpose
Milan said FPE not only supports, capacitates, and empowers civil society organizations, peoples and indigenous peoples orga- nizations, and local communities to conserve and protect the country’s rich natural resources, it also seeks to spread the word, and build more partnerships towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Milan said that in 2014, the 1st Sarihay Media Awards was born, where FPE honored excellence in environmental reporting.
She said the Sarihay Media Awards--with partners from government, the academe, civil society-- awards the most outstanding and responsible reporting of environmental issues, recognizing the power and influence of media in promoting deeper awareness and understanding of environment and sustainable development.