20/07/2026
๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ 2026 ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐๐
The University of the Philippines College of Media and Communication (UP CMC) proudly announces Melinda Quintos De Jesus, founder of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), as the recipient of the Gawad Plaridel 2026.
๐๐ก๐ โ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐โ
The jury describes De Jesus as the โconscience of Philippine mediaโโa title that reflects her lifelong commitment to truth, accountability, and ethical practice. In a profession often tested by political pressures and commercial interests, she has consistently reminded the industry of its higher calling: to serve the public good. Her work critiques not only what is reported but how news is produced, ensuring journalism remains a pillar of democracy.
โ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐
๐ซ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ: A key figure in the Mosquito Press during the Marcos dictatorship, she provided a critical voice when mainstream media was silenced.
โ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก๐๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ : Through CMFR, she institutionalized media monitoring, pioneering systematic accountability in Philippine journalism.
โ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ: She mentored generations of journalists on the โcheck and balanceโ role of the press, embodying the academic and professional rigor the Gawad Plaridel seeks to honor.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ
Named after reformist journalist Marcelo H. del Pilar, the Gawad Plaridel is the sole award in the UP System recognizing outstanding media practitioners who exemplify integrity, excellence, and public service. Since its inception in 2004, it has honored 16 practitioners from different media forms.
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐:
UP Gawad Plaridel Past Awardees:
1. Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, Print)
2. Vilma Santos (2005, Film)
3. Fidela Magpayo (2006, Radio)
4. Cheche Lazaro (2007, Television)
5. Pachico Seares (2008, Community Print)
6. Kidlat Tahimik (2009, Independent Film)
7. Eloisa Cruz-Canlas (2011, Radio)
8. Rosa Rosal (2012, Television)
9. Pete Lacaba (2013, Print)
10. Nora Aunor (2014, Transmedia)
11. Ricky Lee (2015, Film)
12. Babes Custodio (2016, Radio)
13. Tina Monzon-Palma (2017, Television)
14. Jessica Soho (2018, Journalism)
15. Bonifacio Ilagan (2019, Transmedia)
16. Manuel S. Urbano Jr. (2023, Television, Advertising, and Film)
๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
In todayโs media environment, where disinformation and misinformation proliferate, the Gawad Plaridel serves as a beacon of ethical journalism. Honoring De Jesus highlights the urgent need for media practitioners to uphold truth and accountability, reinforcing the press as democracyโs watchdog. Her recognition affirms the Collegeโs mission to uphold honor, excellence, and service in communication practice. Details on the date and venue of the awarding rites will be released soon.
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๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ญ:
๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
๐๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ง
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