Inquirer bags top awards at 44th CMMA

YEAR’S BEST Inquirer reporter Julie Alipala’s story about a Claretian priest slain by Abu Sayyaf bandits and photographer Marianne Bermudez’s shot of a man in front of a wall of messages for COVID-19 victims (above) win the best special feature and best news photograph categories, respectively, at the 44th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). Photographs by Richard Reyes and Niño Jesus Orbeta (left) received special citations. —INQUIRER PHOTOS

A photo of written messages for COVID-19 victims and a feature on a slain Claretian missionary priest won awards for the Philippine Daily Inquirer in the print category of the 44th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

Inquirer photographer Marianne Bermudez received the best news photograph award for “In Memoriam,” which showed a devotee at Quiapo Church praying beside a board containing messages from people to their loved ones who had died of COVID-19. The photo came out in the paper’s front page on May 8, 2021.

Two other Inquirer photographers, Richard Reyes and Niño Jesus Orbeta, were given special citations in the same category. Reyes’ work, “I was Sick and You Looked After Me,” showed a Jesuit priest attending to a COVID-19 patient at Philippine General Hospital. The photo came out on Sept. 2, 2021.

Orbeta, on the other hand, photographed the cross of the Shrine of Valor atop Mt. Samat in Bataan province which was silhouetted against the setting sun. “Heroic Stand” was published on April 4 this year.

Another entry from Bermudez, “They Come in Pairs,” was also a finalist in the best news photograph category.

In the best feature category, Inquirer Mindanao reporter Julie Alipala received the award for her piece titled “Fr. Rhoel Gallardo: Martyr for Peace.” Published in the paper’s Regions section on May 9, 2021, the feature focused on the slain Claretian missionary priest who sacrificed himself to protect others in an island province where terrorism and banditry were constant threats.

Ador Vincent Mayol, Inquirer Visayas desk editor, was among the finalists in the same category for his special report, “Faith Grows on Cebu Island.”

In the best opinion column category, Inquirer columnist Margaux Salcedo was named a finalist for her piece titled “First Class.”

With the theme, “Come and See,” the CMMA paid tribute to “those serving God through media.” The awarding ceremony was held virtually for the third consecutive year with the prerecorded telecast shown on Sunday night.

“We are hoping that this (CMMA) will give more avenue to all our media practitioners to continue spreading the good news through social media, through print, through radio and through TV,” Fr. Joselito Buenafe said during the awards ceremony.

The CMMA considered “love for God, love for truth, respect for natural environment, promotion of positive Filipino values and love for family and life” in choosing the winners this year. INQ