Atom Araullo, Kara David among winners at 19th Lasallian Scholarum Awards

GMA Network’s Atom Araullo and Kara David were among those honored at 19th Lasallian Scholarum Awards (LSA) on Wednesday.

Organized by De La Salle University (DLSU) in partnership with the DLSU Student Media Office, LSA recognizes print, broadcast, and online journalists “for their exemplary coverage of youth and education stories” in a ceremony held at the Manila campus.

Araullo won the Outstanding Video Feature Story On Youth and Education, for “The Atom Araullo Specials” episode, “Batas Bata.” The episode focused on how the youth in Manila are involved in and brought into lifestyles of crime. The series is produced by GMA Public Affairs.

He accepted the trophy, together with the Atom Araullo staff.

Meanwhile, David was named Outstanding Media Personality.

Unable to accept the award because she was at a coverage in Antique province, David said in a video message how the LSA sparked her passion to continue sharing stories about the youth.

"Malapit sa aking puso ang Lasallian Scholarum Awards kasi ito ang una at katangi-tanging award-giving body na nagbigay parangal at pagpupugay sa aking kauna-unahang documentary, yung ‘Gamo-Gamo sa Dilim,’" she said.

"Kayo ang naging spark at inspiration para sa akin hanggang ngayon. This is a validation of our work,” David added.

The journalism chair of the UP college of Mass Communication dedicated the honor to all students and teachers, “na patuloy nagsisikap para ipalaganap ang karapatan ng mga bata sa kalidad na edukasyon.

This year’s theme, “Youth Beat,” focused on the youth’s motivation and how they stand on various issues. Through this, DLSU supports the media industry in putting the youth at the center of national discussion.

"Through the Lasallian Scholarum Awards, De La Salle University hopes to encourage these kinds of stories, ones that are anchored on truth, ones that are written or produced with the aim of bringing us back to our shared mission of helping one another and sustaining our world,” DLSU President Br. Bernard Oca, FSC said in his opening remarks at the ceremony.

This year's Board of Judges include Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Pepe Diokno, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Commissioner Dr. Arthur Casanova, Academe Foundation Executive Director Sachie Nadal Reyes, and DLSU faculty member Br. Richie Yap FSC.

Winners in the professional categories each received a sculpture especially designed and crafted by renowned artist Toym De Leon Imao.

More winners include Rhia Grana of ABS-CBN News, Margo C. Enriquez of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Patrick Kyle Adeva from Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines, and Kurt Dela Peña of Inquirer.Net.

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News