By Thea Claudette Castaneda
The Glory Awards continues to honor University of the Philippines (UP) alumni who exemplify honor, excellence, and remarkable social impact in media and related fields, even amid a paradigm shift in media perception.
This year’s awarding ceremony, held on Nov. 23 at the UP Film Institute in Diliman, coincided with the UP College of Mass Communication Alumni Homecoming and the college’s 59th founding anniversary. Hosted by previous Glory Awardees Ces Drilon (2018) and Charie Villa (2022), the event highlighted the importance of truth-telling in the face of misinformation and information overload.
Joyce Pañares, managing editor of the Manila Standard and recipient of the 2024 Glory Award for Journalism, emphasized the critical role of accurate information in her acceptance speech. “In the age of misinformation and disinformation, truth-telling has become even more revolutionary; and correct and vetted information more crucial to help Filipinos make informed choices,” she said. A veteran journalist, Pañares has served as a Malacañang press corps leader and is also a dedicated educator in journalism.
Opening her speech with a reflection on media’s challenges, Pañares said: “So ang bilin po sa akin noong sinabihan ako na ako ay napili para sa Glory Awards, ‘Give an inspiring speech.’ Pero parang mahirap sa panahong laganap ang disinformation, at damang-dama natin ’yung eroded public trust sa media. Mas madaling sabihin na ‘everything’s okay with media.’ Madaling sabihin na ‘we can change the world with our stories.’ Pero the hard questions that we have to ask ourselves: ‘May interesado pa ba sa balita? Binabasa o pinakikinggan pa ba ang media, o tayo-tayo na lang ang nag-uusap?”
Pañares also commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre, which coincided with the awards night, further stressing the need for truth-telling in today’s society.
Mandy Reyes, founder of Industria Productions and recipient of the 2024 Glory Award for Allied Disciplines – Advertising, echoed similar sentiments. “Right now, there are more truth sellers than truth tellers. And I think that is the role of the institution… to strengthen, as always, here in the university, that we will be allowed or taught to think critically so that we can produce more truth tellers than truth sellers,” Reyes said.
Reyes, a pioneer in Philippine advertising, is known for directing iconic and gastronomically appealing advertisements. He also co-founded “#nowheretogobutUP,” a volunteer group dedicated to supporting UP sports teams. “Proud ako na nagawa namin ’yung ma-rebrand namin ’yung UP Fighting Maroons rather than all these commercials that you’ve seen. Mas fulfilling,” he added.
Willie Inong, popularly known as “DJ Hillbilly Willy” and winner of the 2024 Glory Award for Broadcasting, reflected on the shifting landscape of media. “This is an age of information overload, but this is also an age where broadcasting is almost obsolete,” he said, building on the points of his fellow awardees.
Inong, who has a background in pre-medicine and broadcast communication, has demonstrated excellence as a performer and innovator in radio and TV. He also serves as chair of the Good News Clinic & Hospital, a charitable mission in the Cordillera region.
The Glory Awards, established in 2017 by the UP College of Mass Communication Alumni Association, is named after Dr. Gloria Feliciano, founding dean of UP Diliman’s mass communication program (1965–1985). Each winner receives a trophy sculpted by Dr. Grace “Gigi” Javier Alfonso, TVUP director and former chancellor of UP Open University.
Photos by Jun Madrid (UP MPRO)