A regional correspondent for ABS-CBN News was recognized at the Cebu Metropolitan-Catholic Mass Media Awards for her environmental reporting.
Cebu-based Annie Perez received an award for Best Special/Investigative Writing - One Part (English) under the Print/Online Category.
Her submissions included an in-depth report on the Binaliw trashslide, titled "The Climate Risk Beneath Cebu’s Garbage," and an explanatory report on the mangroves of Mandaue City titled "The Multisectoral Struggle to Protect Mandaue's Last Forest."
Perez' column in the Freeman newspaper, "Verbal Variety," was also nominated for Best Column-English.
Episodes of ABS-CBN News' now-defunct "Ronda Probinsya," meanwhile, were among the nominees for Best TV Program – Special Events.
In his message during the awarding ceremony, Msgr. Agustin Ancajas, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocese Commission on Social Communication, underscored the importance of upholding ethics amid changes in the media landscape.
He said the core values of media ethics — truth, accuracy, independence, and fairness — should remain unchanged.
"We recognize real people. Real journalists, who despite the threat of fake news and AI-generated content, remain true to the principles of media ethics. You are the people with the heart who listen to the stories of others, reach out to the communities, and report responsibly to society and to God," he said.
Also present at the event were CBCP Chair of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, Cebu Archbishop Alberto "Abet" Uy, and Talibon Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon.
The CM-CMMA is a biennial event that recognizes the contributions of media practitioners from Cebu and its suffragan dioceses of Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Talibon, and Maasin.