Manila Bulletin wins big in Catholic Mass Media Awards
Manila Bulletin's "Patawad" bagged the Best Digital Ad-Public Service in this year's Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) held virtually on Saturday.
“Patawad” (Sorry) was released on December 10, 2019, and received 1,170 views on Youtube; and 48,000 views, 592 reactions, 333 shares, and 43 comments on Facebook.
In the video, Manila Bulletin explores the true context of "Patawad," which is seeking forgiveness.
The video tells the story of a grandfather who is longing for his family, especially his son and grandson.
His son seems to be furious with him. It was later revealed in the video that the grandfather abandoned his son in the past.
As Christmas drew nearer, the grandfather was reminded that he has not apologized properly for leaving his son behind.
He went again to his son’s house pretending to be a caroller, but he was refused entry.
However, the grandfather continued to sing his heart out until his son went out to see him.
The grandfather said "patawad" sincerely and his son accepted his apologies and forgives him.
Also given special citation during the CMMA awards was Alvin Kasiban's "Happy Ending" in the Best News Photograph category.
Kasiban's photo showed 67-yearold Antonio Leongson, a COVID-19 survivor, who was given a standing ovation while being discharged from Navotas City Hospital after finally testing negative from the coronavirus disease 19 days after his confinement.
Manila Bulletin's "Kung Paano Maging Isang Ina" was also a finalist for the Best Digital Ad-Public Service.
Jansen Romero's "Sad Day at Happy Land" and "Support from
Frontliners" were finalists under the Best News Photography category.
"A Global Prayer for the Coronavirus Pandemic" by Paul Roca was a finalist for Best Editorial Cartoon.
The 42nd CMMA chose 151 finalists from a total of 304 entries in various mass media categories.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, honorary chairman of CMMA, said the awarding ceremony recognizes the "difficult but necessary work of media."
"There are many threats to their work. Now, the COVID (coronavirus). That's why we consider them as frontliners, media frontliners. There is this threat of fake news. We also have cyber-bullying and they are subject to cyber-bullying. There is the creeping effort to suppress press freedom and the freedom of expression. That is why we need to encourage them in their work and hopefully this awarding is a sign of encouragement and appreciation for the difficult job that they are
doing," Pabillo said.
He said the theme of this year's CMMA revolves around communicating the stories of parents and grandparents to children.
"Life is a journey. It is a story, at the same time also a history. In order to move on in life in this journey, we need roots and we need wings. The youth are our wings. They bring us to far and new places but the elderly, the parents, the godparents are our roots. We cannot just be flying around without being rooted or else we lose our identity. So we need our parents and grandparents that we may be well grounded and we need them to communicate their stories to us so that we can pass on to the next generation," he said.
Pabillo said the CMMA also recognizes the "media frontliners" because of the "timely" and "unbiased" reporting that enables the people to make appropriate decisions.
"They also give us hope and entertainment which we very much need in order to fight off boredom and depression in our lives," he added.