CBC’s Taruc, Philippine Reporter among 39 Ethnic Press awardees

CBC’s Taruc, Philippine Reporter among 39 Ethnic Press awardees

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By Rachelle Cruz

The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada hosted its annual award ceremony, a tradition of the last 37 years, at Queen’s Park on Friday, Nov. 14. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, presented the certificates to media practitioners and individuals who made long-term contributions to ethnic press and their communities in Canada.

Marivel Taruc, CBC reporter and TV host, receives award from Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

“I think tonight we celebrate excellence, in the craft of journalism. By telling your stories, accurately, objectively, and compellingly, you set new standards for this noble profession. So keep up the good work, thank you so much for being here,” she said in her opening remarks.

Recipients included 15 publishers/editors, nine journalists, 12 individuals and three directors of electronic media. President and CEO of NEPMC, Thomas Saras celebrated Canada’s Other Voices,

“First of all, they are all journalists. As you know they are very hard working people. It’s exactly the same energy and enthusiasm that it takes for the Anglophone or mainstream media. And there’s no recognition by anyone from the system for these people. So to this extent, the organization, every year recognizes a number of them for either long years of service, or for their own editorials, or even for the production, the way they are producing. And this way, we are encouraging them and we are engaging the institutions, the Canadian institutions, and to some extent there is a recognition from the state for the job they are doing,” Saras said.

Publisher and editor Hermie Garcia receives award for The Philippine Reporter in the newspaper category. Photos: John Saras.

There were 39 recipients of awards out of whom were two Filipino Canadians. The NEPMCC has more than 750 members coming from more than 600 publications, broadcast and online media organizations.

Filipino-Canadian journalist and broadcaster Marivel Taruc of CBC was honoured for her dedication to media and service to all Canadians,

“This one is very special to me because it comes from the Filipino community, that’s where I was nominated and it’s a recognition of the representation of the community as well, so because of that, that’s what makes it even more special. I stand there and I represent one community but I can tell the stories of so many other communities because we are so lucky to live in such an ethnically diverse city like Toronto,” she said

Marivel Taruc with husband Trevor Pilling and daughter Maia. (PHOTO: HG)

“So whether it be about the caregiver program or whether it be about a celebration in a community I’m lucky enough to be able to cover that whole spectrum and give voice to these communities who may not otherwise have that in the mainstream media. So I’m lucky enough to have that privilege,” she added.

In the Newspapers category, The Philippine Reporter was awarded for Best Editorial, Free Expression, and Long Years of Service to the Filipino-Canadian communities,

“Of course we are very pleased, we are very happy, myself, my family and my staff and it’s a great recognition for our hard work, for our dedication especially my staff, my writers, everybody in the team. And it’s good to be in the company of the ethnic media, especially that Toronto is a very diverse community, and it’s good to have ethnic media people being recognized, especially with the presence of the lieutenant governor,” Hermie Garcia, editor of TPR humbly expressed.

From left, Norman Garcia, Kalayaan Garcia de Vera, Hermie and Mila Garcia. (PHOTO; JOHN SARAS)