The Philippine STAR, led by president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, was named as The Manila Overseas Press Club’s “Newspaper of the Year,” while editor-in-chief Ana Marie Pamintuan was named “Journalist of the Year” during a recent ceremony held at Fairmont Makati.
By Jose Paolo dela Cruz / Photos by Ernie Peñaredondo of The Philippine STAR
The STAR was recognized “for excellent newspaper publishing, quality journalism, the broadest range of opinions and steadfastness in speaking truth to power no matter the political climate and the economic situation.”
Pamintuan, on the other hand, was named “Journalist of the Year” for embodying “the best in Philippine journalism today – brainy, hardworking, fair and balanced, courageous, global in values, local in relevance and unyielding in the search for truth, freedom and justice.”
Alex R. Magno, who pens his “First Opinion” Column for The STAR, was also hailed as MOPC’s “Columnist of the Year” “for the excellence, depth and clarity of his columns written from the perspective of an economist and a political scientist, and for contributing to a better understanding of a broad range of issues.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award, on the other hand, was conferred to Luchi Cruz-Valdes, chief of News5 under The STAR’s sister company TV5: “For over 37 years of distinguished broadcast journalism in six major TV stations as a reporter, investigative journalist, host, news anchor, debate moderator and in many other roles,” the citation read.
The ceremony marked the first time in 78 years that the MOPC honored outstanding journalists and media organizations.
