Radyo Sagada 104.7 FM, the first and sole Indigenous People’s (IP) community radio station in the country, received the Ka Louie Tabing Memorial Achievement Award in Community Broadcasting at the 18th Gandingan Awards 2024 of the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society (ComBroadSoc).
The Gandingan Awards is an annual award-giving ceremony of the UP ComBroadSoc, an organization based at the College of Development Communication (CDC). It was held at the Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall on May 4, 2024. It was themed “Agrikultura: Kwento ng Hamon at Pag-asa.”
Established in 2010, Radyo Sagada 104.7 FM is the first IP community radio station established in the Mountain Province and the only surviving one in the Philippines. A member of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters – Asia Pacific (AMARC-AP), the radio station utilizes participatory approaches to affect positive social change and amplify the voices of the IP communities in Sagada through its public affairs, school-on-the-air and entertainment programs, tackling agriculture and other development issues.
In a speech, Ms. Gwen Gaongen, radio station manager, discussed the various political and administrative challenges faced by community radio stations. She said that she hoped that the award would ignite the spirit of free and independent community broadcasting in the country.
Dr. Trina Leah T. Mendoza, chair of the Department of Development Broadcasting and Telecommunication (DDBT) of CDC, presented the award with UPLB and CDC officials and faculty members, namely: Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto P. Cereno, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration Eugene Raymond P. Crudo, Office of Public Relations Director and Gandingan Awards Founder Mark Lester del Mundo Chico, College of Agriculture and Food Science Dean Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr., CDC Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol, CDC College Secretary Liza A. Cabrera, and UP ComBroadSoc Adviser Guien Eidrefson P. Garma.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) dominated the Gandingan Awards, where its “DOSTv: Science for the People” bagged the two major awards, the UP ComBroadSoc’s Choice for Gandingan ng Agrikultura and the Gandingan ng Kaunlaran: Most Development-Oriented Radio/TV Station/Online Platform this year.
On behalf of Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Dr. Richard P. Burgos, director of the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), received the awards with his team. In his speech, he assured that the recognition would inspire them to further advance DOST’s championship of science communication, bringing the Philippines’ scientific innovations in agriculture and other fields closer to the Filipino people.
He also acknowledged DOST’s partnership with UPLB through the Harmonized Science Communication Framework for Filipinos developed by CDC, which all DOST offices nationwide will soon use.
Various mainstream and community media organizations, programs, and journalists also clinched awards in six other categories, namely the General Awards for Radio, Television, Online, and Personalities and the Core Awards for Programs and Personalities.
The Gandingan Awards also worked with a partner community, the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), a confederation of family farmers in the Philippines established in 1986 after the EDSA Revolution.
The organization is made up of farmers, fisherfolk, women, indigenous people, and youth. Part of the event’s proceeds will be used for a public service initiative with the organization.
Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. graced the event with his presence. In his welcome remarks, he praised the Gandingan Awards for continually encouraging media practitioners to use their platforms to highlight development issues in the country, particularly in amplifying the voices of farmers and fisherfolk, who have a crucial role in attaining food security amid the climate crisis.
On the other hand, in her message, Dean Tirol emphasized the crucial role of communication and media practitioners in telling the stories of key stakeholders in the agriculture sector, promoting and mobilizing support for agricultural innovations, and effecting positive social change in society.
Meanwhile, in his reflection message, Director Chico hoped that the Gandingan Awards this year would unfold and honor the stories of change of the various actors in the agriculture sector who tirelessly toil to bring food to the tables of every Filipino.
Since its inception in 2007, the Gandingan Awards have continually served as a platform to encourage media practitioners to orient their reportage toward development and improving the lives of the Filipino people.
The Gandingan Awards 2024 Trade Fair was also held from April 29 to May 4 at the Basketball Court beside Baker Hall. Various local small and medium-sized enterprises participated in it. (Miguel Victor Durian)
This article was originally published on the UPLB website.
