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Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines
San Francisco
MESSAGE
The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and its partner
agencies join me in congratulating the Philippine American Press Club, USA on its 27th
anniversary and for organizing the 2015 Plaridel Awards Ceremony on October 8, 2015.
We truly appreciate the hard work of the PAPC in providing the Filipino community in
California and throughout the United States with news and information on important
issues and developments in the Philippines and the United States such as national
elections, overseas voting, economic and investment prospects, immigration and labor
issues, national security issues such as the West Philippine sea, among others.
I commend the annual presentation of the Torch Bearer and Plaridel Awards because
they recognize and promote service to the community, excellence in career and discipline,
and leadership qualities. The Plaridel Awards will undoubtedly inspire Filipino American
writers and publishers to further raise the bar of excellence for their profession, with a
view to deepening our community’s engagement in and appreciation of issues affecting
their lives as well as those of their families back home.
To the members of the PAPC, may you continue bringing important news and information
to our community in a relevant, timely and objective manner. I also wish to convey our
heartfelt congratulations to this year’s awardees and nominees. May you be inspired,
through your work, to further engage and empower the Filipino American community.
Congratulations to the Philippine American Press Club. Mabuhay po kayo!
San Francisco PCG
17 September 2015
447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94108, USA
Tel. No. 1-415-433-6666 Fax No. 1-415-421-2641 [email protected]
www.philippinessanfrancisco.org
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2015 Plaridel Awards
MESSAGE
Welcome to the Fourth Plaridel Awards! This institution is our collective
accomplishment, built by all the journalists who have submitted their
work, by publishers who have encouraged their reporters, correspondents
and producers, and by judges who have devoted uncompensated time
and whose only reward is the knowledge that they are helping keep
Filipino American journalism to a high standard.
Of course, we would have not been able to initiate this journey if not for
our sponsors, who continue to believe in the objective of the Plaridel
Awards and the efforts of the Philippine American Press Club, U.S.A.
May you continue to grow and prosper.
To our Torch Bearer Awardees, you are the inspiration for all this.
Mabuhay!
Esther Misa Chavez
President
2015 Plaridel Awards
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2014 Plaridel Awardees, Sponsors, Publishers and PAPC Board Members
The Plaridel Awards
Over a century ago, Marcelo H. del Pilar, a Filipino journalist
and publisher went into exile in Europe. His fearless commentaries against the oppressive Spanish rule made his exile inevitable.
Through it all, his desire to be a jour- nalist never waned and he
continued his writing while abroad. He was unrelenting in his
pursuit of truth, fairness, and the upliftment of his constituents.
Plaridel was his nom de plume, the anagram of his surname, Del
Pilar.
In him the Philippine American Press Club, U.S.A. (PAPC) has
found a hero - a person to emulate and an inspiration to Filipino
American writers and publishers everywhere who continue in
their journalistic aspirations and in service to their constituents
in the new land they now call home.
As we celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Philippine American
Press Club, U.S.A. we wish to honor our hardworking press corps,
and the media agencies they represent. They have made the vibrant Filipino American community well-informed, entertained
and involved through the years.
Torch Bearer Awards
“For bearing the torch of the Filipino ideal and keeping it aflame through the winds of
change and the passage of time.”
Ambassador Albert Del Rosario
Secretary
Department of Foreign Affairs
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ABS-CBN International
The Filipino Channel
2015 Plaridel Awards
This Year’s Keynote Speaker
Brian Flores
It was at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego when a question
in the yearbook asked, what my plans are going when I grow up.
My answer at the time was sports anchor.
Close to 20 years later after that moment I don’t anchor sports,
but I do anchor with the best news team in the Bay Area.
I am a third generation journalist. My grandfather was a newspaper reporter in the Philippines. My Dad, Ernie Flores, Jr.,
was also a newspaper journalist in the Philippines and here in
the U.S. I’m very proud of my Dad becoming the first Filipino
journalist for the Arizona Republic and San Diego Union in the
late 1960’s.
a journalism degree. My first job out of college was one-man band
journalist/anchor for KVEW in Tri-Cities, WA.
It was tough being far away from family for a few years. But I
learned a lot, and it gave me the confidence that I can do this job.
That confidence led me to coming home to San Diego and helping
launch Fox 5 San Diego in 2008 as a reporter. After working there, I
actually left “the biz” for a while to work for a Public Affairs firm in
San Diego.
It didn’t take long to get the itch to come back to news though. And
in October 2012, I got hired here at KTVU!
My Dad also started a “The Filipino Press” newspaper from his
home in National City, CA. But my love for TV reporting can be
attributed to the countless hours of news I watched on TV with
my mom.
Above all of that, my family and faith makes me who I am. I would
not be even close to the person I am now without running into a
woman who just so happened to walk into a Jamba Juice in San
Diego several years ago.
Growing up I enjoyed watching the news with Peter Jennings.
We would also watch 60 Minutes, and 20/20 and of course
Sportscenter. There was a certain comfort for me doing that,
being raised in a single-parent household.
That woman became my wife and we have three wonderful kids. So
humbled and blessed. See you on TV!
–KTVU.com
I graduated from California State University, Northridge with
2015 Plaridel Awards
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Plaridel Awards Finalists
PRINT/ONLINE
BEST INVESTIGATIVE/ IN-DEPTH STORY
This award honors in-depth or investigative stories or series that
identify and explore issues relevant to Filipinos in America.
Prosy Abarrquez-Dela Cruz, JD, Asian Journal, “Lillian Galedo’s
Clarion Leadership: Styled by Openness, Sacrifice and Progressive
Social Change”
Patricia Araneta, Positively Filipino, “T’Boli: It’s Better to Weave
Than to Leave”
Cecile Ochoa, Inquirer.net, “DACA - Confessions of a Formerly
Undocumented Youth”
BEST COMMENTARY/ EDITORIAL ESSAY
This award honors the best editorial or commentary by a columnist, editorial writer or independent contributor.
Prosy Abarrquez-Dela Cruz, JD, Asian Journal, “Unmuzzled
Voice of Leadership: Snuff Out the Fires with Truth and Justice”
Emil Guillermo, Inquirer.net, “Are You Charlie Hebdo? Or Just
Charlie Adobo?”
BEST INTERNATIONAL REPORTING
This award honors the best reporting on an international issue
related to Filipinos or the Philippines.
Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, Positively Filipino, “My Battle with Ebola”
Aurora Almendral, Positively Filipino, “Selling” My Story
BEST ENTERTAINMENT STORY
This award will be given to the best article on the journey or
success of Filipinos in the entertainment field in America or the
world.
BEST SPORTS STORY
The article will be given to the best article that spotlights remarkable sports figures independent of celebrity and also explores the
impact of their sport on ethnic communities. Judges will consider
originality of topic, unique angles, and freshness of perspective.
Myles Garcia, Positively Filipino, “Before Elorde, Before Pacquiao,
There Was Luis Logan”
Anthony Maddela, Positively Filipino, “Jordan Clarkson, the Lakers’ Fil-Am Sniper”
Malou Liwanag Bledsoe, Asian Journal, “Philippines in the International Cheerleading Stage”
Emil Guillermo, Inquirer.net, “Baseball’s Mt. Pinatubo erupts
again- Lincecum throws a 2nd No Hitter”
BEST FOOD STORY
This award will be given to the best article that explores cultural diversity and unique perspectives on Filipino cuisine. Judges
will consider originality of topic, unique angles, and freshness of
perspective.
Malou Liwanag Bledsoe, Asian Journal, “Connecting Food and
Culture to Better Health”
Allyson Escobar, Asian Journal, “Cooking Hawaiian Style: The
Art of Island Cuisine”
BEST YOUTH VOICE
This award honors reporting or commentary by young people
about their broader communities. Writers should be between
16-24.
Agnes Constante, Asian Journal, “Filipino Cultural School: Preserving and Promoting Philippine Heritage and Identity Through
the Years”
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal, “The Renaissance of Giselle “G”
Töngi”
Allyson Escobar, Asian Journal, “Passion Planner: Creating Your
Life Journey in a Notebook”
Lisa Suguitan Melnick, Positively Filipino, “Maseg: An Artistic
Tempest”
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal, “Through Telemedicine, Apl.
de.Ap and Dr. Thomas Lee are Keeping Premature Filipino Babies
from Going Blind”
Myles Garcia, Positively Filipino, “My Manila Movie Memories”
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2015 Plaridel Awards
BEST NEWS STORY
This award honors the best straight reporting of an issue, an event
or an incident that directly affects or is relevant to the Filipino
American community. Judges will consider quality and comprehensiveness of reporting and unique angles.
Agnes Constante, Asian Journal, “Maj. Gen. Taguba Shares “Unfiltered” Version of the Abu Ghraib Investigation”
Allyson Escobar, Asian Journal, “LA Mayor, Homeland Security
Chief Urge Undocumented Immigrants to ‘Step Forward’”
Cecile Ochoa, Inquirer.net, “UFW Honors Filipino Leadership in
the Delano Grape Strike”
BEST PERSONAL ESSAY
This award honors the best First Person essay. Judges will consider
quality of writing, unique angles and perspectives, research input,
and relevance to the community.
Prosy Abarrquez-Dela Cruz, JD, Asian Journal, “Intimacy”
Lotis Key, Positively Filipino, “Feeding My Filipino”
Jen Furer, TheFilAm.net, “My American Birthday”
ers an Immigrant’s Dream”
Malou Liwanag Bledsoe, Asian Journal, “Building a Stronger
Voice for the FilAm Community in SF and Beyond”
Agnes Constante, Asian Journal, “Carlene Bonnivier; Retracing
her Filipino Roots and Enriching Cultural Identity”
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal, “Rheena Mae: Crafting Pieces
Inspired by You”
BROADCAST CATEGORY
BEST COMMUNITY REPORTING
IN TELEVISION
This award will honor the exceptional coverage of an issue affecting a local Fil-Am community broadcast on a television program.
Rommel Conclara, Balitang America, “Grandson and Grandma
Create Memories Through Art”
Troy Espera, Balitang America, “Year End Special”
Ricky delos Reyes, Power Ng Pinoy, “Power ng Pinoy Returns to
Hollywood”
BEST FEATURE WRITING
This award honors the best feature story with focus on the choice
of topic, the quality of writing, research input, unique perspective
and relevance to the target market. Entries should not be more
than 2,500 words.
Giselle Töngi, KSCI- LA18, “Road to Merrie Finale on Kababayan
Today”
Myles Garcia, Positively Filipino, “Good Help is Hard to Find: The
Improbable Story of Huguette and Hadassah”
Henni Espinosa, Balitang America, “Pinoy Mortician”
Agnes Constante, Asian Journal, “Lovelyn Marquez-Prueher- The
First FilAm Teacher of the Year for California”
Christina Peczon Rodriguez, Inquirer.net, “The Life and Times of
an Absentee Mother”
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal, “Series on Female Filipinas Who
Champion Entrepreneurship”
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal, “Social Products: Why Mindanao’s Black Rice is the Next Superfood”
BEST PROFILE WRITING
This award honors the best personality profile, with emphasis on
the choice of subject, the quality of writing, research input and
the scope of the interview. Entries should not be more than 1,500
words and should be in essay form, not Q&A.
Myles Garcia, Positively Filipino, “Love Baskets for Betty”
Anthony Maddela, Positively Filipino, “Above the Law Blogger
David Lat Goes Long Form”
Prosy Abarrquez-Dela Cruz, JD, Asian Journal, “Self-worth Pow2015 Plaridel Awards
Rachelle Ocampo, et al., Makilala TV, “Episode 16: Trans Awareness-Dealing with Ignorance and Bigotry”
Adonis Tagala, Balitang America, “Meet the FilAm Navy Captain
Commanding a Major Warship Upgrade Project”
Troy Espera/Paul Henson, Balitang America, “Legacy: The Pacquiao-Mayweather Ultimate Showdown”
ROBERT HENRY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR
RADIO
Allan Alvarez, KPHI 96.7 FM
SPECIAL CATEGORY
BEST TOURISM FEATURE STORY
Sponsored by the Philippine Department of Tourism
This award will be given to the most unique or convincing article
on why “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”
Senen Siasoco, Positively Filipino, “Positively Pinatubo”
Manuel Hizon, Positively Filipino, “11 Great Beaches You Probably Haven’t Been To”
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal, “Huma Island: An Island Hideaway in the Tropical Paradise of Busuanga”
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2015 Nominees
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Prosy Abarrquez-Dela Cruz, JD,
Asian Journal
Allyson Escobar, Asian Journal
Aurora Almendral, Positively Filipino
Troy Espera, Balitang America
Allan Alvarez, KPHI 96.7 FM
Henni Espinosa, Balitang America
Patricia Araneta, Positively Filipino
Jen Furer, TheFilAm.net
Malou Liwanag Bledsoe, Asian Journal
Myles Garcia, Positively Filipino
Rommel Conclara, Balitang America
Emil Guillermo, Inquirer,net
Agnes Constante, Asian Journal
Paul Henson, Balitang America
Ricky delos Reyes, Power Ng Pinoy
Manuel Hizon, Positively Filipino
Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, Positively Filipino
Lotis Key, Positively Filipino
2015 Plaridel Awards
Anthony Maddela, Positively Filipino
Christina Peczon Rodriguez, Inquirer.net
Lisa Suguitan Melnick, Positively Filipino
Senen Siasoco, Positively Filipino
Rachelle Ocampo, et al., Makilala TV
Adonis Tagala, Balitang America
Cecile Ochoa, Inquirer.net
Giselle Töngi, KSCI- LA18
Christina Oriel, Asian Journal
About the Philippine American Press Club, USA
Ruben and Janet Napales, Edwina Aniag at the
2014 Plaridel Awards
Established in 1988, PAPC was founded
by former members of the National Press
Club of the Philippines who had immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area and saw
the need for US based Filipino American
media group. All fierce advocates for truth,
fairness, and excellence in journalism, they
realized the vital role of media education
and advocacy for the fast-growing Filipino
population. They represented a small but
influential set of local Filipino publications: Philippine News, The Eye, Filipino
Monitor, Philippine Examiner, Philippine
PAPC, along with the Philippine Consulate of San Francisco, NaFFAA and USP4GG sponsored a
talk with Pag-Asa Island Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon, Jr.
Chronicle, Filipinas Magazine, and Filipino
Guardian. We salute them all. We honor
the vision of these men and women.
Two decades later, some of those earlier
publishers and publications have come
and gone. But have since been replaced
by newer but similarly engaged publishers
and broadcasters such as ABS-CBN, Asian
Journal, Philippines Today, FilAm Star,
Filipino American Radio Network, Filipino
Gazette, GMA Pinoy TV, Manila Mail,
Inquirer.net, Philippine Headlines, Positively
Filipino, Power ng Pinoy, and San Francisco
Post.
For more info about PAPC, visit www.
papcusa.org.
Congraulations to the Winners & Nominees of
the 2015 Plaridel Awards.
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OFFICERS
Esther Chavez - President, Inquirer.net
Caroline Ocampo - Internal Vice President, Filipino American Radio
Network
Arnold Pedrigal - External Vice President, Power ng Pinoy
Mark Alegre - Internal Vice President, Worldwide Filipino Alliance
Joseph Peralta - Executive Secretary, Asian Journal
Jossie Alegre - Treasurer, Federation of Philippine American
Chambers of Commerce
BOARD MEMBERS
Edwina Aniag -FilAm Star
Rudy Asercion – National Federation of Filipino American
Associations
Maya Escudero - Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc.
Epee Rafanan - Manila Mail
Atty. Rodel Rodis
Raymond Virata –Positively Filipino
Torch Bearer Awardees with the PAPC Board
MEMBERS
Margarita Argente - Philippine News
J. Bradford Adkins -Manila Mail
Carmen Colet - Filipino Gazette
Rene Ciria-Cruz -Inquirer.net
Mandy Chavez - Correspondent, Inquirer.net
Thelma Cruz -Philippines Today
Gary De Guzman -FilAm Star
Nerissa Fernandez - ABS-CBN International
Emil Guillermo - Inquirer.net
Marilyn King -Philippines Today
Richard Lao - Manila Mail
Atty. Crispin Lozano - SF Post
Thez Santos - Manila Mail
Ness Ocampo and Mona Lisa Yuchengco at 2014 Plaridel Awards
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Fely Santiago, Asian Manila Times
Charito Benipayo, The Islander Channel-28
FOUNDERS
Willie Jurado, Dave Baquirin, Al Repato, Quezon Magawang, Prudencio Europa, Lilia Andolong, Art Madlaing, Mario Panoringan, Art Padua, George Nervez, Angelo Castro Sr., Rodel Rodis, and George Bernal.
Publications: Philippine News, The Eye, Filipino Monitor, Philippine
Examiner, Philippine Chronicle, Filipino Guardian
PAST PRESIDENTS
Willie Jurado
Sid Protacio, Manila Bulletin USA/Advent Publications
Lita Jurado, The Eye
Gerry Palabyab, Manila Bulletin USA
Fely Santiago, Asian Manila Times
Charito Benipayo, The Islander Channel-28
2015 Plaridel Awards
Ted Laguatan and PAL’s Sol Solleza
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2015 Planning Committee
Overall Chair
Esther Misa Chavez
Congratulations,
2015 Plaridel Awardees!
from
Western Union.com
Submissions
Esther Misa Chavez, Caroline Ocampo, Jojo Peralta
Souvenir Program
Raymond Virata
Event Production
Lydia Neff
Floor Direction
Lydia Neff
Lorna Dietz
Trophies & Prizes
PAPC Board
Event Reception
Jossie Alegre, Mark Alegre, Lorna Dietz, Rudy Asercion,
Joseph Peralta
Livestreaming
Raymond Virata
THE JUDGES
Rene Ciria-Cruz, Wennie Connedy, Maya Escudero,
Carol Gancia, Wilfred Galilia, Odette Keeley
Debra Pacio. Benjamin Pimentel
Adelene and Marc Ramos
PRESENTERS
Fiona Chan, Ronald Quesada, Jennifer Cabalquinto, Bobby Fan,
Marilla Revilla, Ling Gomez, Maria Henry, Edwin Lozada, Carmen
Colet, Joseph Bautista, Arnold Pedrigal, Director Pura Molintas,
Charito Benipayo and Brian Flores
SPECIAL THANKS
Deputy Consul General Jaime Ascalon
Consul Reginald Bernabe
Wendy Andong, CPA
Sonia Delen
Odette Keeley
Raymond Virata
Al S. Perez
Alexandra Drechsler
Marc Padilla - Infanta Lambanog
Maya Escudero - Hardfrescos
Mango Tours
In Memoriam
Pep Vasquez
14
2015 Plaridel Awards
Congratulations,
2015 Plaridel Awardees!
from
Philippine Airlines