Kodao’s photo essay wins Gawad Agong 2016

A KODAO PRODUCTIONS photo essay on Manilakbayan 2015 won at the Fourth Gawad Agong para sa Pamamahayag (Agong Award for Journalism) held last December 20 during the at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Raymund Villanueva’s “Bonicris Mandagit: A Manobo bead crafter” published last November 2015 was adjudged as this year’s best photo essay.

(Read: Bonicris Mandagit: A Manobo bead crafter)

Agong’s awarding ceremonies were held during the Grand Cultural Night of the Pambansang Lakbayan ng mga Pambansang Minorya 2016 at the UP Campus Management Office Grounds.

Gawad Agong is given by the Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KATRIBU) and the Indigenous Voices in Asia-Philippines to journalists and media organizations who produce outstanding reports on Philippine indigenous peoples struggles and welfare.

“Agong” is a traditional Philippine indigenous people’s musical instrument that has come to symbolize the national minorities’ struggle for self-determination.

Adjudged this year’s best were the following:

  • Vincent Go, Union of Catholic Asian News, Gawad Agong para sa Photojournalism
  • Raymund B. Villanueva, Kodao Productions, Gawad Agong para sa Photo Essay
  • Benjie Alejandro, DZBB, Gawad Agong para sa Mamamahayag sa Radyo
  • Desiree Caluza, Vera Files, Gawad Agong para sa Print at Online
  • Lian Nami Buan, subselfie.com, Gawad Agong para sa Dokumentaryo
  • Hon Sofia Balod, Saksi GMA 7, Gawad Agong para sa Balita at Telebisyon
  • Northern Dispatch Weekly, Gawad Agong ng Pagkilala sa Natatanging Katutubong Midya
  • Kilab Multimedia, Gawad Agong ng Pagkilala para sa Natatanging Grupong Pangkultura

The award is Villanueva and Kodao’s third Agong first place award, following last year’s best radio program and another best photo essay honors.  Villanueva shared his best radio program award last year with his erstwhile Veritas 846 “Tala-Akayan” program co-host Fr. Delfo Canceran, OP and Kodao co-producers Promotion of Church People’s Response and Kapatirang Simbahan para sa Bayan.

Villanueva has also been given the Gawad Agong “Natatanging Katutubong Mamamahayag” (Outstanding Indigenous Journalist) award last year, being a member of Cagayan Valley’s indigenous group Ybanag.

A news writer and editor, photographer, radio broadcaster, poet and filmmaker, Villanueva is also the recipient of the Titus Brandsma Award for Emerging Leadership in Journalism last year. # (Featured photo by Ray ‘Bogsi’ Panaligan)