SDN – SciTech & Digital News Joins Big Media Entities in 2023 PHA-PCC Media Awards
Guest author:
- GYNNA P. GAGELONIA, Communications Manager, Philippine Heart Association
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-zoN
MANDALUYONG CITY — The 2,312-member Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC) bestowed the PHA-PCC Media Awards 2023 on nine journalists and 13 media entities on Dec. 7, 2023, at The Westin Manila in Mandaluyong City.
Two of the Philippines’ entertainment industry’s most bankable singer-host and talk show host personalities were also named PHA-PCC Media Awardees (Special Category).
The criteria for the journalists and media outfits included: news value, reportorial quality (substance, comprehensive, balanced, originality), storytelling/writing skills, analytical value (capable of reporting a complex issue in a clear and simplified manner); and impact.
The recipients in the Individual category are:
Michael Delizo (ABS-CBN/ANC), Diane Querrer (PTV 4), Connie Sison (Pinoy MD, DzBB), Annabelle Surara (Radyo Agila), Marou Sarne (DwIZ/ALIW TV23), Teresa Montemayor (Philippine News Agency), Calvin Cordova (Manila Bulletin-Cebu), Leony Garcia (WhatchaMacallit) and Dr. Freddie Gomez (MedTalk Health Talk, CNN PH).
Under the Media Entity/Show/Program category, the recipients were:
ABS-CBN, CNN PH, DzRH, GMA News Online, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, MedTalk Health Talk, Net 25, PTV 4, Radyo Agila, Philippine News Agency, Iwas Sakit, Iwas Gastos, Radyo 630 DwPM, and SDN – SciTech & Digital News.
Martin Nievera and Boy Abunda were named PHA Media Awardees (Special Category). Both Nievera, the “Philippine’s Concert King” and Abunda, the “King of Talk”, are regular advocates of the PHA Council on Heart Failure and National Heart Failure Network, and Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP) virtual forum.
“Among the bastions of truth that prevail in Philippine journalism, the Media Award recipients are a particularly passionate group that have illustrated how they have made the PHA’s mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, their own personal advocacy,” according to PHA Director II and Communications Chair Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo.
PHA President Dr. Ronald Cuyco said “what do the recipients have in common? They all lent their powerful voices and pen to the PHA to keep the PHA Healthy Lifestyle 52100 and CPR-Ready Advocacies going. In terms of mileage, we reached new heights and new depths. We have gone this far, and we owe it to you. We know, there are new frontiers that we have yet to explore but we can’t do this alone. PHA will always rely on you, our Media partners.”
Dr. Louella Santos, PHA Director III/Advocacy chair said that the PHA acknowledges the fact that the news landscape has undergone a dramatic shift, with mainstream media’s utilization of social media as additional platforms. This fast-accessibility revolution has democratized information; real-time updates, and viral stories from platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X, are readily available to anyone with an internet connection.
Such easy access, however, comes with challenges, as concerns about misinformation and echo chambers arise in the absence of established editorial standards, fact checking; thus, in an era of fake news and sloppy copies, the need for credible heart (links) health news sources (through the PHA Usapang Puso sa Puso, a monthly virtual forum via the PHA FB attended by Media and Netizens) is paramount, Segundo added.
Awardees thanked profusely the PHA-PCC for the recognition. The founder of SciTech & Digital News, Edd K. Usman, lauded the women and men of the PHA-PCC for their selfless dedication in furthering the health of their countrymen through their many advocacies.
He said the PHA-PCC Media Awards is also a clap back to the two organizations and a pat on their shoulders. (/)