The Manila Bulletin (MB) bagged three awards in the 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) print category for Best Digital Ad Public Service, Best Opinion Column, and Best Editorial Cartoon in an awarding ceremony held on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021.
MB’s "Pasko ng Pag-asa 2020" emerged as the "Best Digital Ad Public Service", besting three other entries. The ad illustrated how Christmas remains to be a source of hope despite numerous hardships that have been experienced by many since the onset of the pandemic.
“The concept is entitled ‘Pasko ng Pag-Asa (A Christmas of Hope).’ We were all affected by the pandemic including our company, so this (video) shows that we’re here with you in good times and in bad times,” Johndel Semilla, writer and creator of the video, said.
MB also secured the "Best Opinion Column" for a column piece entitled "Through Untrue" by Fr. Rolando V. Dela Rosa.
CMMA regards opinion columns as part of a widely-read and deeply-digested section of a newspaper that allows readers to choose what provides them good impact on their understanding and beliefs. Fr. Bel San Luis SVD’s column entitled "World Alive" was also listed under the same category.
MB also won "Best Editorial Cartoon" for "Maundy Thursday, The Power of Servant Leadership" which was created by Roni Santiago.
CMMA described an editorial cartoon as the most thought-provoking part of a newspaper as the message is conveyed at a glance. Out of 11 entries, Manila Bulletin was chosen among the finalists before being announced as the winner for "Best Editorial Cartoon".
A photograph by Alvin Kasiban entitled "Eased Restriction" was also nominated under the Best News Photograph category.
MB Publisher Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. expressed gratitude to the CMMA for conferring the awards and recognition to the MB entries.
"We thank you for giving a venue for the appropriate recognition of artistic talent in photography and in the creative arts," he said.
CMMA is a not-for-profit professional development organization, founded in 1946, to provide managers in all areas of media development and production with the tools they need to lead now and into the future.
The Archdiocese of Manila, through His Eminence the late Archbishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, organized the CMMA in 1978, in observance of the International Social Communication Day (established by the Universal Church to stress the importance of mass media and to instill a sense of responsibility in communicators).
It was first given out in 1978, and since then, the CMMA has been held every year onwards.