2002 Pr For Tba Season

Titus Brandsma awards Mindanaoan Journalist by Jofti A. Villena

With the theme “Journalist of the South: A Challenge in Crisis,” Mindanaoan journalist, Carolyn O. Arguillas, fittingly won this year’s Titus Brandsma Award for Outstanding Print Journalist. “Carol O. Arguillas personifies what Mindanao journalists have always wanted to do – report Mindanao events from the eyes of their fellow Mindanaoan,” declared Augusto Miclat of Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID). Her separation with a major daily broadsheet tested her credibility and biased for truthful reportage and she won. She did not allow Manila editors/deskman to put a slant or angle to stories sent by Mindanao correspondents. Carol fought editors over inaccuracies that pictured Mindanao as a war stricken area where hope is unknown and unimaginable. She is passionate to Mindanao’s viewpoint and wants it to be heard in the national debates and policy discussions especially those that decide the future of this southern island. Carol consistently argued from the perspective of Mindanaoans. Greater than this is her devotion to accuracy. She stuck to her facts in the face of pressures – deadlines or otherwise. She was always quick to lash out at colleagues who compromised the truth by accepting bribes. Thus, she knew what was her mission and to fulfill it, she teams up with kindred Mindanao journalists/media organizations in several initiatives, though short-lived because of lack of funds and marketing savvy. One of these organizations is the Mindanao News and Information Center (MNIC) and its news arm, MindaNews where she is presently working. With her helpful insights, the Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MinJourn) and the Mindanao Center for Peace and Development (MCPD) were formed. Another great contribution is her peace advocacy. Carol has done more of reporting on the Mindanaoan search for peace. A relentless critic of war in all the Mindanao conflicts she has covered, Carol sensed immediately the “effectiveness” of small pacts that were cemented in the village (peace zones, spaces for peace) over the drawn out and negotiated formal talks. She continues to support through her writings a culture of peace, cultural understanding and tri-people approach to Mindanao’s complex understanding. The initiative of Titus Brandsma Award-Philippines to focus its search on Mindanao particularly those journalists who took part in peace initiatives aims to bring to national attention these courageous journalists in their continuous struggle for TRUTH and PEACE in Mindanao. To emulate their unselfish desire to uplift the Filipino citizenry from the bond of ignorance and indifference towards their Muslim brothers.

Highly competitive and equally noble nominees make up for the roster of contenders. The nominees include: Romy Elusfa, founder of the Federation of Reporters for Empowerment and Equality (FREE-Mindanao); Allan Mediante, president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) and co-founder of Mindanao Center for Countryside Journalism; Herbie Gomez, executive editor of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily and one of the pioneers of Cagayan de Oro-based online journalism; and Mel Endrina, editor-inchief of FREE Headliner Today. Others are: Stella A. Estremera, multi-awarded investigative journalist and managing editor of Sun.Star Davao; Edgar Damalerio (deceased), managing editor of Zamboanga Scribe and a hard-hitting commentator of RPN-dxKP. Also for this year, TBAward will give Lifetime Achievement Recognition for his exemplary dedication and commitment to education and public information to Mindanaoans for more than three decades. This special award goes to Patricio Ponce Diaz, regular opinion writer of MindaNews (COMMENT). Now in his 70s, Pat Diaz is still actively writing for various publications in his residence in General Santos city. Titus Brandsma Award, initiated by the Order of Carmelite-Philippines, will open its next search on 2004.