Getting an award for their work was the last thing on Raffy Tima and Marisol Abdurahman’s minds when they went to Marawi last year to make their documentary “Combat Camera Team.”
Raffy Tima and Marisol Abdurahman with their Bronze Medal award from New York Festivals Television and Film Awards
That episode of GMA News TV program Brigada recently took home a bronze medal from the prestigious New York Festivals Television and Film Awards for the Current Affairs category. This was followed by a Certificate of Creative Excellence from the US International Film and Video Festival (USIFVF).
In the documentary, Marisol featured members of the Combat Camera Team of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion who were tasked to document the operations of the Philippine Army’s combatant units. Raffy, on the other hand, followed the internally displaced residents who dream of bringing their beloved Marawi back to life.
Aside from his “Brigada” story, Raffy also made the “Inside Marawi: A Report On 360 Video,” which earned him a Silver Award in the Craft/Production Techniques: 360 Video category at the USIFVF.
Using his 360-camera and a regular camera, Raffy captured some of the crucial areas where encounters between the Maute Group and the Armed Forces took place. He also showed in his 360-video the residence which was turned into a sniper house, the tunnel system created by the terrorists, the mosques that were used as escape routes, as well as the exact area where Maute and Hapilon were killed.
He was the first journalist given the access to these areas.
Marisol reveals that her contacts welcomed the news that the Combat Camera Team documentary won. “They were very happy in the sense na nakita ’yung effort ng military kung paano tinapos ’yung giyera, ’yung sacrifices ng mga sundalo, ’yung sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan na hindi nakikita ng civilians, at kahit naming mga taga-media.”
Raffy believes anything can be a good story. “Siguro old school journalist, hindi ako ’yung masyadong forward thinking na magandang story ito kasi mas mare-recognize ako. Kung may dumating na malaking coverage I would grab that opportunity. Nasa news ako so kahit na ano pwedeng mangyari.”
For Marisol, whose Marawi coverage was also recognized by Rotary Manila, honesty in work is important. “I like to maintain my dignity as a reporter. Gusto ko kahit saan ako makita wala silang masasabi sa akin,” she ended.