Four Mindanao-based graduates of ACFJ’s photojournalism and multimedia journalism programs received citations for their reports which featured consequences of conflict in the Philippine media. Photojournalism alumna Ruby Thursday More’s still photo entitled ‘Bakwit’ (displaced persons; based on the word ‘evacuate’) won the second prize in the photography category of the Red Cross Humanitarian Awards held at The Bayleaf Intramuros, Manila, August 27.
The three other finalists were: Keith Bacongco, diploma in photojournalism graduate, for his multimedia story ‘Bakwits lament living life on the run’ published on MindaNews, August 26; Ferdinandh Cabrera, diploma in multimedia journalism graduate, for his videos ’27 Miyembro ng BIFF at 5 militar, patay sa sagupaan sa Maguindanao’ [27 members of BIFF and 5 military, killed in Maguindanao encounter] and ‘Mahigit 23, 000 residente sa 5 bayan ng Maguindanao, lumikas dahil sa bakbakan ng AFP at BIFF’ [Over 23,000 residents of 5 Maguindanao towns evacuate due to AFP and BIFF clashes] aired on GMA News, August 9 and 10, respectively; and Froilan Gallardo, diploma in photojournalism graduate for his still photo ‘Children’s Shelter’ published on Mindanews, August 22. More’s other still photo published by Mindanews on August 22 and entitled ‘Sanctuary’ was also among the final entries.
This year’s set of Red Cross Awards is the second of its kind since its launching in 2011. The entries were categorized into online, print, audio or radio, video or TV, and photography. The search was organized by the Philippine Red Cross, International News Safety Institute, The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network, Philippine Center for Photojournalism and the Rotary Club of Manila, in celebration of the International Humanitarian Month.
