By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

Far Eastern University (FEU) students’ radio public service advertisement (PSA) ‘Hero’ was hailed among the finalists of the 46th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) under the Best Student Public Service Radio Ad category last October 8.

The team consists  second-year Communication students Gabriel Andre Bernal and Angeline Provido, along with fourth-year Interdisciplinary Studies student Cholyn Ballesteros.

‘Hero’ was the students’ final project for their Introduction to Communication course last academic year, which also won Best Radio PSA at the Tamaraw Media Awards 2024.

The students agreed to submit their work to CMMA as per the suggestion of their class adviser and consultant Nikko Visperas. 

“Sir Nikko Visperas was our class adviser and our creative consultant for this project, and he had also submitted the works of all our other classmates to CMMA during the second semester last school year,” Provido stated in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

Tasked to integrate social issues in Filipino Media, Ballesteros initially proposed the concept for the PSA to highlight media professionals’ bravery, branding them as ‘heroes.’

“Journalists and media professionals put their own safety on the line to uncover and report the truth, often in dangerous and hostile environments. Media professionals face threats of violence, imprisonment, harassment, or even death for exposing injustice or corruption. Despite these dangers, they continue their mission, driven by a commitment to public service and the values of free speech and truth,” she explained.

According to Provido, ‘Hero’ aims to shed light on the realities of the environment in which aspiring communication practitioners like them must face in the future.

“We chose to talk about the plight of suppressed journalists in dictatorial governments, as well as how it impacts their families and how it reflects the kind of society that we now have,” she said.

Furthermore, the group hopes to encourage support and recognition for journalists.

“With this PSA, we would like to raise attention and ask the public to back our journalists who put their lives on line daily so that truth will win at any cost against those in power,” Bernal stressed.

Moreover, the students expressed their optimism in qualifying for the finals.

“It testifies to the hard work, collaboration, and passion of my team in this project. I stand proud for the message we have crafted and how that has resonated with the values that we intended to point to,” Bernal stated.

They also emphasized how such a feat serves as testimony to the green-and-gold talent and the media’s role in promoting the truth.

“It showcases the talent and creativity of Tamaraw students, proving we can produce meaningful work beyond the classroom. Being recognized at the CMMA fills us with pride and this shows the importance of media and communication in promoting truth and accountability,” Ballesteros added.

The final result for the Best Student Public Service Radio Ad has yet to be announced.

CMMA is an annual event by the Catholic Media Association that recognizes excellence in Catholic journalism and communication. It accepts works completed by its members in the previous calendar year.

(Photo courtesy of FEU IAS Department of Communication Facebook Page)