The Bohol Chronicle bagged the “Best Editorial Page” award in the 2018 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, besting all of the weekly newspaper members of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) nationwide.
Chronicle editor-in-chief Zoilo “Bingo” Dejaresco III claimed the award during ceremonies held on the 23rd National Press Forum at the Jen Hotel in Manila on Friday night.
“The Bohol Chronicle editorials have dealt with issues that have relevance to its stakeholders. There is an objective explanation of issues and the writing is concise. More importantly, it provides a feedback mechanism for its readers, which manifests interactivity and dynamic communication and connectivity to its audience,” the PPI award states.
Two Baguio-based weeklies, Herald Express and Baguio Chronicle also took home awards, “Best Edited Newspaper” and “Best Environment Reporting,” respectively.
Cagayan de Oro’s Business Week Mindanao won “Best in Business and Economic Reporting” while Dumaguete’s Metro Post was named “Best in Photojournalism.”
The board of judges for the press awards was composed of Joyce Babe Pañares, PPI trustee and news editor of Manila Standard as chairperson; Nickel Asia Corp. vice president for corporate communication Jose Bayani Baylon; Science and Development Network Asia Pacific coordinator Joel Adriano; University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication dean Arminda Santiago; and Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines member Angelo de Silva.
“The industry is being buffeted by dizzying winds of change. Today —as in the past—any technology that accelerates information has the power to disrupt; so it is with the Internet and social media…We must adapt to the technology sooner or later if we are to survive. We have to be realistic that this world has changed and adapt to the reality on the ground,” newly-elected PPI chairman and Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo said.
The Bohol Chronicle has received multiple awards from the PPI in the past decade including “Best Editorial Page” in 2012, “Best Disaster Reporting” in 2013 and “Best in Culture and Arts” coverage in 2014.