2024
Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Reporter, The Philippine Star, Quezon City. Marc covers the Philippine Senate and foreign affairs. He also writes human interest stories, highlighting issues and people from the LGBTQ community, marginalised women and elderly World War II sex slavery victims.
Jhen Solis, Digital Media Content Manager, Brigada Mass Media Corporation, General Santos, Mindanao. Jhen worked her way up as a television journalist, covering terrorism, bombings, kidnappings and natural disasters, and also tracked several of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao bouts overseas. Along her journey to working in digital media, she learnt to use writing, documentary films and multimedia to tell stories that make a difference, focusing on neglected issues and marginalised voices.
2023
Mav Gonzales, News Producer, GMA Network, Manila. As an eight-year-old child reporter, Mav tasted scoring a scoop when she ambushed Broadway star Lea Salonga for an interview. She has grown up to report with distinction on sports, politics and breaking news. Covering Millennials and Gen Z for GMA’s documentary programme i-Witness, she is confident news organisations can attract younger audiences with the right content and approach.
Vinafel Araneta-Pilapil, News Head and News Anchor, People’s Television Network Inc, Davao, Mindanao. Vina rose from reporter to news editor over 12 years at ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs before moving to state-owned PTV in 2020, and was a Mindanao winner in the Philippines’ Globe Media Awards this year. She is focused on exploring ways to expand public media’s impact in public service. Concerned that food production is not keeping up with population growth in her country, Vina hopes to discuss the issue of food security with AJF 2023 Fellows.
2022
Aileen Rae Pena Perez, Social Media Manager, GMA Network Inc, Quezon City. When it comes to embracing change in journalism, Aileen shows you how. She runs a team of young journalists putting out online content, growing GMA Network’s social media viewership from two million to nearly 121 million across all platforms. Her interests are travelling, movies, books, music, art, and painting.
2021
Ferdinandh B. Cabrera, Freelance Multimedia Journalist, Mindanao. Ferdh is a veteran frontline journalist who has covered religious and political conflict and natural disasters. His work appears for GMA news, Mindanews, Licas, Agence France Presse and Associated Press.He also produces advocacy videos for various NGOs and international agencies. He enjoys outdoors adventures, water sports, biking, photography and cooking.
Mara Cepeda, Philippines Correspondent, The Straits Times. Mara is a seasoned journalist specializing in stories on politics, governance, foreign policy, and women’s rights. She was previously with Rappler, one of the newsrooms in the Philippines that faced the wrath of the Duterte administration. She is determined to pursue truth in journalism and improve her skills to produce stories that “make it harder for politicians to escape accountability for their actions”. She enjoys reading, Netflix and playing with her dogs.
2019
Victoria Tulad, Senior News Correspondent, GMA Network. After more than eight years as a TV journalist, Victoria relishes being remembered for stories she put her heart and soul into and has the awards to show for it, including one for a documentary about three young dumpsite scavengers. She wants to learn lessons from Singapore’s mass rapid transport system work for the Philippines. Her interests are reading, travelling, mountain climbing, watching Korean dramas and making documentaries.
2018
Bombo Roger Gencianeo is station manager of Bombo Radyo Philippines-Cebu, a top news and public affairs radio station in Cebu City and Cebu province. He has worked hard to connect with listeners and the issues that matter to them. For his AJF research project, he wants to examine how radio can play a role in raising and spreading awareness of ASEAN. Bombo Roger enjoys volunteering, reading and travelling.
Raul Dancel is the Philippine Correspondent for The Straits Times, Singapore’s main English-language newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings. He worked in the Philippines before joining The Straits Times in 2007. He covered the tragedy of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and the siege of the city of Marawi by Islamist militants in 2017. His research project is about Filipinas lured to Singapore by job offers and tricked into vice.
2017
Dennis Jay Santos is a veteran reporter from Davao, Mindanao, one of the most dangerous places in the Philippines to be a journalist. Now a contributor to Agence France-Presse, he has covered the long-running armed conflict in Mindanao, violation of human rights and extra-judicial killings. While in Singapore he wants to develop a set of guidelines for the safety of journalists in conflict zones.
2016
Timothy James M. Dimacali. Science and Technology Editor, GMA News Online. A self-described and unabashed science geek, TJ reports on science and is a science fiction writer as well. He wants to identify best practices for science reporting, including weather and general science reporting in the Philippines. He aims to write a policy paper that would be useful to news organisations as well as government agencies.
2015
Natashya Gutierrez. Multimedia reporter at Rappler, which has become the third widest-read online news site in the Philippines. She has written investigative pieces on politics, women’s rights and other issues. In Singapore, she would like to work on a feature and mini-documentary on the relationship between abortion laws and women’s empowerment.
2014
Kris Danielle Panti Suarez. Science and nature editor for Manila-based Rappler.com, a new social news network. Also produces content as a multimedia reporter.
Arlene B. Burgos. Head of social media and mobile at ABS-CBN digital, the top Philippine news website. Also teaches journalism at Ateneo de Manila University.
2013
Edwina M. Aguilar. TV producer and writer at ABS-CBN Corporation, Quezon City, covers socio-political topics especially transparency and accountability issues in government. Project: Urban planning of Singapore.
2012
Julius Mariveles. Supervisor and news chief of a radio station serving Negros , dyEZ Aksyon radio (English, Filipino, Hiligaynon), Bacolod. President of Negros Press Club. Project: Future of AM Radio.
2011
Imelda Abano. Correspondent, Business Mirror, Baguio City. Writes on human rights, women and children, and other social issues. Topic: Social media.
Regina Bengco. Senior reporter, Malaya Business Insight, Manila. Covers the Philippines President, labour, business and other economic issues. Topic: Libel laws and online media.
2010
Gallardo Froilan. Photo/video editor for Mindanews, a community news website run as a journalists’ cooperative in Mindanao. Wants to document the new breed of Filipino immigrants in Singapore.
2009
Mildred Galarpe. Editor at Sun.Star Publishing, Cebu City. Plans to research media adjusting to the internet.