Monday, October 14, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENT | Finalist for 2013 Plaridel Award for Excellence in Filipino American Journalism


SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. | "A Song for My Mother," a personal essay I published in The FilAm, has been named a Finalist for the 2013 Plaridel Awards for Excellence in Filipino American Journalism. In the category of Outstanding Editorial Essay.

The annual Plaridel Awards was established last year as the first-ever coast-to-coast competition among the Filipino publishers, recognizing excellence among journalists from Los Angeles, New York and of course the Bay Area. Submissions came from publishers.

Led by Esther Misa Chavez, Philippine American Press Club President and Vice President for Sales of INQUIRER.net, the Plaridel Awards is a project of the Philippine American Press Club, and The Plaridel Awards Committee.

The winners will be announced and receive their trophies on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Lucky Chances Casino/Rene's Fine Dining in Colma, California at 6:30 PM.  Gala dinner and awards will be emceed by Joey Guila and Fresca Eriarte. Intermission by Mitch Franco. Dance Music by Willie Santa Maria's Standard Time Band. Dress Code: Cocktail Dress

For tickets, visit: www.plaridelawards.eventbrite.com

Who was Plaridel?
Over a century ago, Marcelo H. del Pilar, a Filipino journalist and publisher went into exile in Europe. His fearless commentaries against the oppressive Spanish rule made his exile inevitable. Through it all, his desire to be a journalist never waned and he continued his writing while abroad. He was unrelenting in his pursuit of truth, fairness, and the upliftment of his constituents. Plaridel was his nom de plume, the anagram of his surname, Del Pilar.

In him the Philippine American Press Club, U.S.A. (PAPC) has found a hero – a person to emulate and an inspiration to Filipino-American writers and publishers everywhere who continue in their journalistic aspirations and in service to their constituents in the new land they now call home. The Philippine American Press Club, U.S.A wishes to honor our hardworking press corps, and the media agencies they represent. They have made the vibrant Filipino American community well-informed, entertained and involved through the years.

The Plaridel Awards was named after del Pilar, whose nom de plume was Plaridel. This annual award will be given to Filipino American journalists who have proven through the years his/her dedication to the ideals of Filipino hero, nationalist, publisher and writer, Marcelo H. Del Pilar. Plaridel dedicated his life to the highest journalistic standards. His near-Quixotic drive for the well-being of his constituents never waned. And whether he was in his hometown in Pampanga or exiled in Hong Kong or faraway Spain, he was unrelenting in his pursuit of the truth, fairness in reporting, and in the upliftment of his countrymen.

Philippine American Press Club, USA
PAPC,USA was established in 1988 by former members of the National Press Club of the Philippines who had immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area and saw the need for a US based Filipino American media group. All fierce advocates for truth, fairness, and excellence in journalism, they realized the vital role of media education and advocacy for the fast-growing Filipino population. A quarter of a century later, PAPC continues the legacy of the founding members and has grown its membership to include influential Filipino American publishers with a reach well beyond North America.The group’s combined total monthly circulation in the US alone is over 2-million.

The goals of the Press Club are: (a) To preserve freedom of the press and the free flow and exchange of information in society; (b) To promote the professional advancement of Filipino American journalists and media practitioners; (b) To provide a forum for the discussion of issues of interest to its members and to initiate programs beneficial to its members and the community at large; (c) to promote cooperation and understanding among its members and the community.

PAPC is composed of members active in the media; which includes publishers, editors, reporters, correspondents and columnists of newspapers, magazines and the internet; broadcast media owners, managers, producers, directors, writers and production staff; advertising representatives of media organizations, public relations and communication professionals; and invited community leaders.

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