MANILA - Veteran broadcaster Tina Monzon-Palma is the recipient of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication's (UP CMC) Gawad Plaridel 2017.

The UPC CMC, in a statement on Friday, said the award is for Monzon-Palma's "pioneering efforts that opened doors/opportunities for women at a time when men dominated the media landscape."

The UP CMC said, throughout her 40 years in media, Monzon-Palma has kept her professional integrity.

"She was a news anchor during the Martial Law years, and remained steadfast in her craft," read the statement.

Monzon-Palma, anchor of the ABS-CBN News Channel's (ANC) nightly show The World Tonight, is currently on a sabbatical.

UP President Danilo Concepcion and UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan will present Monzon-Palma a trophy, specially designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, on August 23.

Gawad Plaridel, named after Spanish-era hero Marcelo H. Del Pilar's pen name, honors Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in their field and have performed with the "highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service."

Among the Gawad Plaridel honorees are:

- Ms. Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print),
- Ms. Vilma Santos (2005, film),
- Ms. Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo (2006, radio),
- Ms. Cecilia “Cheche” L. Lazaro (2007, television),
- Mr. Pachico A. Seares (2008, community print),
- Mr. Kidlat Tahimik (2009, independent film),

- Ms. Eloisa “Lola Sela” Canlas (2011, radio),
- Ms. Florence “Rosa Rosal” Danon-Gayda (2012, television),
- Mr. Jose “Pete” Lacaba (2013, print),
- Ms. Nora “Nora Aunor” Villamayor (2014, transmedia),
- Mr. Ricardo “Ricky” Lee (2015, film),
- Ms. Francisca “Babes” Custodio (2016, radio).

UP CMC said the "recipient of the award must believe in a vision of a Philippine society that is egalitarian, participative and progressive, and in media that is socially responsible, critical and vigilant, liberative and transformative, and free and independent."