Pioneering change amidst the adversities brought by the pandemic, The Westernian Pioneer, the official publication of University of Batangas High School,
bagged the highly coveted Best Student Organ Award of the 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) on December 26.
Besting among five other finalists under the Student CMMA Category, The Westernian Pioneer capped the award along with the Pioneer TV’s special citation as the Best Student TV Production through a live broadcast at CNN Philippines. To recall, The Westernian Pioneer previously became one of the finalists for the prestigious award in the year 2018 and attained a special citation for the Best Student Organ in 2019 but failed to secure the title until this year’s CMMA.
The Westernian Pioneer, as a vehicle for expression, has been showcasing its love and passion for campus journalism through delivering truthful and compelling stories despite the challenges faced in this time of pandemic.
“Were it not for the burning passion and love for campus journalism, we all would have surrendered to the test of time: however, we are all bigger than the challenges that we face in the present-day Philippines,” Dr. Redentor Rodriguez, Publications Director, expressed in a Facebook post.
“We are the bearers of truth, love, and compassion. These, at the forefront of journalism are our paramount goals – that shall never ebb,” Dr. Rodriguez added. Along with the roster of finalists are the University of Santo Tomas’ The Aquinian and De La Salle University’s Eunoia who were both yearning to receive the award. On the other hand, Pioneer TV, the university’s premier online TV, earned a special citation as one of the five finalists for the Best Student TV Production under the Student CMMA category.
Dating back to 1978, the Catholic Mass Media Awards have been rewarding radio, print, advertising, and television bodies and films to stress the importance of mass media and to instill a sense of responsibility among media practitioners.