Rappler writer receives Hildegarde journalism award

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler writer and researcher Fritzie Rodriguez was recognized at the 10th Hildegarde Awards, where St Scholastica College honored “outstanding women in communication and media” on Tuesday, March 8.

Rodriguez received the Hildegarde award for outstanding achievement in the print and online journalism category for her article, “The long road to an LGBT anti-discrimination law.”

Rodriguez said she wrote the story to help more Filipinos realize that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights are human rights.

“The discussion on LGBTs is not only about marriage equality, but also about providing equal legal and social protection and respect for every Filipino regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Rodriguez said in her short speech.

“Ang award na ito ay para sa mga Filipino LGBT na nagnanais ng tunay na malaya at mapagpalaya na Pilipinas (This award is for Filipino LGBT who are yearning for a truly free and liberating Philippines),” she added.

Rodriguez shares the award for the same category with Bulatlat’s Dee Ayroso for her article, “Lumad women, our place is in the struggle,” and ABS-CBN Online’s Inday Varona-Espina for “They’re killing teachers and children, Mr President.”

Rodriguez is the 3rd Rappler writer to receive the award, after Rappler Indonesia bureau chief Natashya Guiterrez for her article, “SAF 44: The women they left behind“; and New York-based Shakira Sison for her essays.

Rodriguez also reaped recognition for her articles on women and children from Save the Children’s Media Awards and the EU Peace Journalism Awards last year. 

The Hildegarde Awards “were envisioned as a way through which women’s ways of doing media can be documented over time so that these best practices can serve as models and duplicated by future media practitioners.” It is named after 12th century Benedictine saint Hildegarde von Bingen.

This year’s Hildegarde Lifetime Achievement Awards in Media and Communication were given to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Malou Mangahas for their well-researched reports and documentaries depicting the real conditions of the country’s marginalized sectors.

The other awardees for the following categories were as follows:

Outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism

Television

• Red Alert, ABS-CBN
• Front Row, GMA
• Reel Time, GMA News TV
• Leading Women, CNN

Radio

• Magandang Gabi Dok, DZMM
• Radyo Negosyo, DZMM
• Veritas Pilipinas

Outstanding achievements in advertising

• Nido Fortified, “For our #1 lolas” by Publicis Manila Inc.
• Bench, “Love all kinds of love” by Bench Advertising and Promotions
• McDonald’s Philippines, “Love namin kayo” by Leo Burnett Manila

Outstanding achievements in development communication

• Save the Children’s “Lahat Dapat”
• Teach Buld Peace Movement’s “#WhyPeace”
• Aisa Mijeno’s “S.A.L.T.”

– Rappler.com