Exceptional Lasallian student-media practitioners from the University’s Student Media Groups were recognized for their journalistic and creative achievements in the past academic year in Gawad Midya 2025, held last August 27 at the Verdure, Henry Sy Sr. Hall.
The Student Media Office’s annual award ceremony opened with remarks from Student Media Council Chairperson and Malate Literary Folio Editor in Chief Sky Luna Eda Serafica, who praised Lasallians for their contributions in service and leadership, culture and the arts, writing and journalism, and sports.
Serafica reflected on the importance of the event, recalling the plight of journalists abroad, particularly in Palestine, who continue to face persecution for publishing the truth. She expressed that “kailangan natin magbigay ng parangal at gawad para sa serbisyo sa midya, at nagsisimula [iyan] dito, sa loob ng mga paaralan, mga unibersidad, at sa kabataan.”
(We need to give awards and grants for service to the media, and that starts here, within schools, universities, and with the youth.)
The event’s guest of honor, CNN Philippines news correspondent Gerg Cahiles, delivered a speech reminding the audience that journalism is not about popularity or influence, but about truth and accountability. He explained that the role of the press is to investigate, ask tough questions, and deliver information even when it makes those in power uncomfortable.
Cahiles also said that despite the serious nature of journalism, the way it tells stories does not need to be stiff. He explained, “storytelling can be powerful, creative, and even funny, but it should always serve a purpose.” He alluded to the recent controversial interview of broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez with businesswoman and politician Sarah Discaya, which stirred public outrage and raised questions on journalistic integrity, as an example of why stories must be told with substance rather than mere spectacle.
He concluded his speech by urging journalists to call out serious issues like corruption, abuse, genocide, and dictatorships without using euphemisms that downplay them. “Journalism is not about pleasing power, it’s about checking power,” he remarked, urging his peers to remain voices of reason who call out wrongdoing with substance, not just “vibes.”
The main event bestowed 37 awards. The honor of Student Media Group of the Year for 2025 was awarded to Archers Network. The Zeal of Service Awards were conferred to Sky Luna Eda Serafica, Green & White Editor in Chief Zoila Caga, and Ang Pahayagang Plaridel Editor in Chief Kyla Mojares for their outstanding leadership and journalistic and media contributions.
Below is the full list of winners:
Outstanding University News Article
“From financial discrepancies to administrative delays: Inside CSO’s troubled LEAP operations” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Nationwide News Article
“Typhoons’ impact on Filipinos, infrastructure beyond the climate crisis” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding News Feature Article
“Naka-Alice at nakapagtago: Malalabong linya ng hustisya sa Pilipinas para sa mga nakatataas” (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Outstanding Feature Article
“Lost in translation: Reclaiming regional voices in Tagalog-centric Manila” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Sports Article
“Kaliwaang Pag-PAWN-tirya: Green at Lady Woodpushers, nagtapos sa magkaibang pahina” (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Outstanding Editorial
“Shooting the messenger” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Column
“DLSU should graduate from the ‘no-fail policy’ for Latin honors” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Special Issue
“Watering the Wilted” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Editorial Cartoon
“Nakakulong sa sariling pamantasan” by Sophia Marie D. Carmona (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Outstanding Illustration
“Butterfly Display” by Sofia Ashley Tee (Malate Literary Folio)
Outstanding Layout and Design
“GREEN & WHITE 2025 YEARBOOK” (Green & White)
Outstanding Literary Piece for Prose
“FIXATION” by Charlotte T. Lim (Malate Literary Folio)
Outstanding Literary Piece for Poetry
“Dysmenorrhea.” by Heather Layne Cunanan (Malate Literary Folio)
Outstanding Script/Screenplay
“Fork in the Kitchen” by Davina Amandine P. Garcia (Malate Literary Folio)
Outstanding Male Program Host
Samuel James R. Booc (Archers Network)
Outstanding Female Program Host
Giorgina Marie H. Arcebuche (Archers Network)
Outstanding Entertainment Feature
“64T1 RecWeek Promo Video” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Video Coverage for News & Current Affairs
“seARCHlight” (Archers Network)
Outstanding Video Coverage for Sports
“UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Finals” (Archers Network)
Outstanding Photograph for Sports
“Yukod mula sa rurok” by Josh Chandler Velasco (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Outstanding Photograph for News & Current Affairs
“Paninindigang walang barikada” by Carl Daniel Sadili (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Outstanding Special Coverage
“Halalan 2025” (The LaSallian)
Outstanding Social Media Page
The LaSallian
Media Event of the Year
Lasallian Media Week
Outstanding Faculty Adviser of the Year
Ralph Vincent D. Salazar (Archers Network)
Staffer of the Year of Ang Pahayagang Plaridel
Betzaida Ventura
Staffer of the Year Archers Network
Gercy Mandela C. Babilonia
Staffer of the Year of Green & White
Kathlyn L. Tio
Staffer of the Year of Green Giant FM
Venice L. Garcia
Staffer of the Year of Malate Literary Folio
John Francis R. Panes
Staffer of the Year of The LaSallian
Grace Erika G. Valle
Outstanding Managing Editor/Vice President for External Affairs
Hanali Septimo (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Outstanding Associate Editor/Vice President for Internal Affairs
Eloisa Limbago (Green & White)
Outstanding Editor-in-Chief/President
Alyssa K. Clemente (Archers Network)
Sustainability Excellence Award
Green Giant FM
Student Media Group of the Year
Archers Network
Zeal for Service
Maria Zoila A. Caga (Green & White)
Kyla C. Mojares (Ang Pahayagang Plaridel)
Sky Luna Eda C. Serafica (Malate Literary Folio)
