Inquirer’s Orbeta clicks with Best News Photograph

Inquirer photographer Niño Jesus Orbeta shows his trophy for winning the Best News Photograph prize during the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards held Wednesday night, NOv. 14, 2018. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

The Philippine Daily Inquirer won the top award in the News Photograph category of the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) ceremonies on Wednesday night.

Sixteen other entries of the Inquirer were finalists in various categories of the annual media awards held this year at Star Theater of Star City at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City.

Photographer Niño Jesus Orbeta won the award for his entry, “Sisterhood,” which showed Australian nun Patricia Fox embracing a fellow nun.

Lyn Rillon was a finalist for four entries: “Grim Reunion,” “Fistful Panic,” “Mother’s Grief” and “Luneta Rally.”

Jeofrey Maitem of Inquirer Mindanao Bureau was also named finalist for his work “Clearing the Route.”

Four of the eight finalists in the Best Special Feature category were from the Inquirer.

These include “Where Heroes and Kin Used to Tread” by contributor Philip Lustre Jr.; “Everyday Impunity: How Documentary Photographers are Telling a Secret History” by Eric Caruncho; “Moriones: Solemn Tradition Not Festive Occasion” by Maricar Cinco of the Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau; and “Baring All: Rape Victim, Ex-‘Escort’ Now on Rescue Mission for Youths” by Jodee Agoncillo.

In the Best Investigative Report category, two of the four finalists were from the Inquirer: “Boracay Special Report” by Nestor Burgos Jr. of Inquirer Visayas Bureau and “Martial Law” by Jhesset Enano.

Reporter Aie Balagtas See was also a finalist in the Best News Coverage category for “More on Extra Judicial Killings.”

The Cebu Daily News (CDN), Inquirer’s sister company, won Best Special Feature category for the five-part series “Truth vs Deceit: Sifting Through the Lies” for Ador Vincent Mayol.

CDN also got the award for Best News Coverage for the report “Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, His Life was a Gift, a Send-Off Like No Other” by Ador Vincent Mayol, Jose Santino Bunachita, Rosalie Abatayo, Nestle Semilla and Fe Marie Dumaboc. —NESTOR P. BURGOS