Manila Bulletin Lifestyle brings home the award for “Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication” at the 16th Lasallian Scholarum Awards last March 26, 2021 for its “Private school teachers share their experiences in blended learning” feature.
Written by the Manila Bulletin’s photojournalist Noel Pabalate, the story sheds light on one of the country's unsung heroes—the school teachers. It centers on the constraints they are facing as they work through the perils of the global pandemic and them navigating the internet to continue their mission of educating young Filipinos. As a parent himself, Noel knows how important educators’ roles are, which are made more essential in our COVID times.
Much like these teachers, journalists and media professionals found it hard to perform their jobs while still following the mandated health and safety protocols. According to Noel, the most memorable part of this coverage is sourcing his subjects online.
“I can’t forget the time I talked to them, you can hear their sincerity and love for teaching in their voices,"“ Noel says. "Napapaiyak sila habang nagkukuwento kung gaano nila kamahal ang mga estudyante nila (They were tearing up talking about how much they love their students).”
“It’s important to tell this story, then and now, because despite uncertainties in our educational system during these difficult times, there are teachers who are more than willing to go beyond their personal lives and duties to educate the youth,” he continues. “I wrote about it not because I was asked to do so but to inspire many with their heartwarming stories that prove how much of a vocation teaching is—a calling that even a pandemic can’t cease.”
De La Salle University’s Lasallian Scholarum Awards recognizes outstanding coverages of Filipino youth and education stories. For its 16th edition, the ceremony focuses on pressing as well as inspirational stories, which appeared in print, on TV, and online, in the time of COVID-19, with the theme “Adapt-Ed: Youth and Education in the Time of Pandemic.”