Rappler columnist receives award for best online feature on youth

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler’s New York-based columnist Shakira Sison was recognized on Tuesday, September 15, by the De La Salle University (DLSU) for her essay on the racist and sexist remarks that Filipinos heard growing up and would not want their own children to learn.

“‘Kukunin ka ng bumbay!’ and other childhood lessons on race and gender” appeared on Rappler in March 2015. Sison’s iSpeak column appears every Wednesday.

It was chosen as the best piece in the Online Feature Story on Youth and Education category of the Lasallian Scholarum Awards.

The LSA is an annual award which, according to the official blog of DLSU, “aims to give recognition to outstanding coverage of youth and education stories by professional and campus journalists.” It has 7 categories, and is now on its 12 year.

Awardees each received a sculpture designed by renowned artist Daniel Dela Cruz as well as cash prizes.

Another essay published on Rappler – “Why we need a mental health law in PH” by contributor Hazel Delgado Planco – was nominated in the same category.

Check out the awards page for a complete list of nominees this year. – Rappler.com