STAR lensman bags award

He gave it his best shot and brought home the trophy.

STAR photojournalist Ernie Peñaredondo bagged the top prize in the photography category of the 2004 Lasallian Scholarum Awards, an annual competition recognizing outstanding media coverage of Filipino youth and education.

Peñaredondo received his trophy designed by renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina and P25,000 in ceremonies held Friday at the Rigodon ballroom of the Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Saying he "did not expect to win the top award" for his photograph titled "Happy Feet, Wet Faces," Peñaredondo nonetheless expressed glee over his award.

The winning photograph shows a group of schoolchildren smiling broadly, even as they wade down a flooded street, shoes in hand.

Peñaredondo said the other photographs entered into the competition were top-caliber and he knew the competition would be tough.

"I’m really very happy to have won this, my first award, while working for The STAR," Peñaredondo said, "and I would like to thank my STAR family for all the support they have given me and for the fact that this is where I learned how to be a photojournalist."

Peñaredondo comes from a family of photojournalists who have also won their share of awards over the years.

His father, Tunying, works for the Daily Tribune, while his brother, Allan, is a freelance photographer.