MANILA, Philippines — Business reporters of The Philippine STAR bagged three awards at the 29th Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Business Journalism Awards.
EJAP, the premier organization of business reporters and editors in the country, in partnership with the Ayala Group announced the winners last Nov. 20 during a ceremony held online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The STAR’s Lawrence Agcaoili was named Beat Reporter of the Year for Banking, while Louella Desiderio was named Beat Reporter of the Year for Trade and Industry.
Iris Gonzales won the Best Feature Story of the Year Award for her special report, “Inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Company.”
Winners were selected based on the substance and style of their 2019 body of works.
The judges for this year’s awards are Synergeia Foundation chief executive officer Milwida Guevara, Monetary Board member Peter Favila, Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Habitan, former Energy undersecretary Josefina Patricia Magpale-Asirit, Finance country representative Michael Sagcal, ING Bank country manager Hans Sicat and Monetary Board member Bruce Tolentino.
Acting socioeconomic planning chief Karl Chua was this year’s keynote speaker, who recognized the crucial role of economic journalists in the country.