Globe Honors Regional Journalists, Digital Storytellers at 12th Media Excellence Awards

The 12th Globe Media Excellence Awards honored journalists and digital storytellers for community-focused reporting and digital innovation.

Globe Telecom recognized 15 journalists and digital storytellers whose work amplified grassroots issues and showed how technology and local initiatives are shaping everyday life in communities across the Philippines at the 12th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA@12).

Held under the theme “#DigitallyForward: One Barangay at a Time,” the awards highlighted the role of regional media in expanding access to technology, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to national development, with Globe reaffirming its commitment to digital inclusion and sustainability.

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The 12th edition of the Globe Media Excellence Awards honored reporting and storytelling that brought attention to how digital tools are empowering families, helping businesses grow, and enabling communities to actively participate in nation-building.

“We honor journalists and creators who capture how digital tools open doors for families, workers, and communities,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “The rapid move into digital spaces shows how ready Filipinos are to embrace change. Through GMEA@12, we reaffirm our commitment to bringing technology closer to every home so people can pursue new paths and strengthen the bonds that drive progress.”

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Integrated News Category Winners

In Radio News Report of the Year, first place went to John Paul Hervas of Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo for his report on the Department of Trade and Industry’s assistance to online businesses of Guimaras MSMEs. Rowena Capistrano of DYRF 1215 Cebu placed second for a story on barangay service delivery, while Sheila Gravinez of DYMR Radyo Pilipinas Cebu earned third for her feature on farmers shifting to digital selling.

For TV News Report of the Year, Jaira Mae Mondez-Alis of PTV Davao secured both first and second place for her feature on a DICT livelihood beneficiary and her report on Davao City’s aerial patrol effort. Queenie Grace Joligon of MyTV Cebu placed third for covering an invention developed from waste materials.

In Online News Report of the Year, Morexette Marie Erram of CDN Digital claimed first place for her report on Cebu City’s flooding concerns and also ranked third for another flooding-related piece. Jonnavie Villa of The Freeman placed second for a story on teacher migration.

The Photo of the Year category recognized Alan Tangcawan of MyTV Cebu with first and second place for images depicting flood aftermath and monsoon impact, while Ralph Lawrence Llemit of SunStar Davao earned third for a portrait of a barefoot father and daughter walking through rain and flood.

Digital Storytelling Category Winners

For Best Blog Post, Mars Mosqueda Jr. of BusinessNewsPH (Cebu) won first place for a piece on digitalizing sari-sari store operations and second for a feature on solar-powered water access. Cebu-based blogger Marjorie Maano of Dakilanglaagan placed third for her story on Piso WiFi use.

In Best Social Media Video, Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo of ABS-CBN News earned first place for a story on animal population control in Cebu City and third for a video on mangrove protection. Joanne Clarisse Espinosa of MyTV Cebu placed second for documenting a market vendor’s waste-fuel invention.

Special Awards and Community Recognition

The Newsmaker of the Year award was given to Mildred Galarpe, Editor-in-Chief of SunStar Publishing Inc. in Cebu, while Editor of the Year was presented to Cristina Alivio of SunStar Davao.

The Globe of Good Story of the Year was awarded to Queenie Grace Joligon of MyTV Cebu for “Paglaum Gikan Sa Basura: Ang Imbensyon ni Benito,” a feature on Benito Samson’s diesel-from-plastic invention. Samson’s group, Carbonhanong Alyansa, was also named Featured Community and received a ₱20,000 grant.

All first and second-place winners will receive cash prizes and an UNOSINOTRA GMEA@12 trophy made from casted sawdust composites, organic corn-based filament, and biodegradable polymer sourced from renewable corn starch, while third-place awardees will receive cash prizes and certificates.

GMEA@12 continues to reflect Globe’s sustainability pillars of Digital Enablement and Inclusion, Societal Well-being, and Climate Action, with recognized stories promoting technology access, community development, and environmental resilience.

Read more stories on how Filipino journalists and creators are making a positive impact nationwide on GoodNewsPilipinas.com.