The Freeman bags major press freedom awards

The 11th Cebu Press Freedom Week kicked off with a bang with The Freeman grabbing three major awards in its opening rites yesterday.

Clad in bohemian-inspired outfits complimented by rattling maracas, The Freeman employees ended up being judged the liveliest delegation, most colorful contingent, and star of the parade. Sunstar Daily bagged the biggest contingent award while Bombo Radyo was awarded for being the early bird. Sunstar Daily was also the first runner-up in the liveliest delegation and most colorful delegation categories. The awards were given during the program following a parade from the Provincial Capitol to the University of the Visayas gymnasium.

Cebu's main thoroughfare, Jones Avenue, beamed in color as print and broadcast practitioners and staff employees braved the early morning sun with their cheers, gimmicks and floats.

Ramon Isberto, head of the public affairs arm of SMART and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, was the chairman of the board of judges.

Despite the long parade and a warm atmosphere, employees of different media outfits still enjoyed the array of raffle draw prices such as appliances, mobile phones and gift certificates, courtesy of corporate sponsors led by SMART and PLDT and of public officials including Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Reps. Raul del Mar and Eduardo Gullas. A Mass was also celebrated prior to the program.

An added spice to yesterday's event were the search for Gayest of the Press and the Miss Press Freedom.

The Freeman's Ryan Mark, police beat reporter and entertainment writer and columnist, was declared the Gayest of the Press. First runner up was Edmund Lagahit, a drama talent of Bombo Radyo Philippines; second runner-up was Oscar Pineda of Sunstar and third runner-up was Rolex Roma of dyKC.

Ryan Mark got the judges' nod when he answered, "I would hire the best lawyer in town. It is the only way that I can defend my rights in the court of justice," when asked what he would do if he is thrown in prison for a criminal offense.

Meanwhile, Cebu Daily News' Tanya Chica won as this year's Miss Press Freedom with Sun Star Daily's Sharmaine Rodriguez as first runner-up. Chica also won over The Freeman's Shalimar Canales and GMA-7 Cebu's Cecille Quibod.

The candidates were judged based on intelligence, beauty, bearing, and audience impact. They were also asked to sing tunes that would depict their life - Chica crooned Sixpence None The Ritcher's "Kiss Me", Rodriguez did The Little Mermaid theme "Part Of Your World", Canales belted Lea Salonga's "Something More" while Quibod sang Mariah Carey's "Hero".

Other activities lined up for the weeklong celebration include lectures and forums on issues affecting the media. Today, noted columnists Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star and Salve Asis of Pilipino Star Ngayon will face Cebuano journalists in a forum on covering the entertainment beat. - Joeberth M. Ocao