New PPI chairman elected; Sun.Star dailies top awards

LAWYER Jesus G. Dureza was elected chairman and president yesterday of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) board of trustees at the close of a two-day annual conference where various awards were handed out to the community press.

Dureza, publisher of the daily Mindanao Times, is a former congressman representing Davao City’s 1st district, and had served as presidential adviser on the peace process as well as presidential assistant for Mindanao.

He replaced Malaya publisher Jake Macasaet who was made chairman emeritus of the PPI.

Trophies were handed out in award rites at the New World Hotel in Makati to recognize exemplary newspapers outside Metro Manila.

Sun.Star in Cebu and Davao won the 2012 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards for dailies in six out of seven categories.

Sun.Star Cebu was recognized for best in climate change and biodiversity reporting, culture and arts reporting, photojournalism and best editorial page.

Sun.Star Davao was cited for best in business and economic reporting and best edited paper.

Edge Davao won for best in science and environment reporting.

Among the weekly papers, the Baguio Midland Courier won three awards for best in climate change and biodiversity reporting, in culture and arts reporting, and in business and economic reporting.

Mabuhay weekly based in Bulacan won best in science and environment reporting, and best in photojournalism.

The best editorial page prize went to the Bohol Chronicle while the Mindanao Cross in Cotabato City was cited as the best edited weekly paper. A special award was also given to Sun.Star Cebu for the best exhibit booth on biodiversity and climate change.

The keynote speaker was Adel Tamano, director of public affairs and communications of the Coca Cola Export Company. He encouraged the news media to shine a light on “positive” stories that lift up the spirits of Filipinos as part of their task of nation building.

The national association of newspapers, which includes the country’s top national dailies and provincial papers, is gearing up for its 50th anniversary next year.

Elected PPI vice chairman was Ruevivar Reyes, manager-editor of the Southern Leyte Times.

This year’s National Press forum and Annual Membership Meeting carried the theme “Watching the Watchdog: Re-examining ourselves” and tackled issues such as professional values, the impact of new technology and how newspapers are surviving in the digital age.