ABS-CBN News at the Bantog Awards for Science Communication, September 10, 2024.

MANILA — Following its numerous stories on extreme weather, disaster preparedness and resilience and other science and technology-related tales, ABS-CBN News bested other local news organizations as the most outstanding science and technology advocate in this year’s Bantog Awards for Science Communication.

The awards are given by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to exemplary tellers of sci-tech stories and content.

ABS-CBN science editor Anjo Bagaoisan and lead science reporter Raphael Bosano received the award on behalf of the organization Tuesday at the awards event in Pasay City.

Both highlighted the importance of making science stories more understandable and palatable in the era of climate change.

“Our commitment is to continue is to continue doing what we do, to ensure that Filipinos are well-prepared and resilient to the changing times,” Bosano said.

Bosano was also declared winner of the Best Science and Technology News Story (text format) category for his various stories published on news.abs-cbn.com.

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Nominated in the same category is fellow science reporter Izzy Lee and resident meteorologist Ariel Rojas.

All three were also nominated in the Best Science and Technology News Story (audiovisual format) category.

Bosano and Rojas garnered additional nominations in the Best Science and Technology News Video (short-form video format).

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Over the past year, the Kapamilya newsroom through its team focused on developments in climate, health, environment, and science and technology (CHEST) worked to bring these beyond television and daily coverage, such as via mobile video and online explainers.

Bagaoisan, Bosano, Lee, and Rojas, along with education and health reporter Arra Perez, are part of ABS-CBN’s Science/CHEST team.

Bagaoisan assured ABS-CBN’s presence in telling stories wherever the audience may be.

“We will continue to tell stories about science in bigger and other platforms,” Bagaoisan said.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum acknowledged the vital role the media play especially during climate and natural disasters.

“Your commitment has been most valuable in empowering Filipinos to make informed decisions and staying safe during typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Your accurate and prompt reporting has provided critical information to local government units and vulnerable communities,” Solidum said.

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Through the Bantog Awards, the science and technology chief said he hopes to “inspire and cultivate a new generation of science communicators-individuals who will continue to illuminate the tangible benefits of science and technology and its impacts to Filipinos.”

The 2024 Bantog Awards saw more than 90 entries from various media organizations, the DOST said.

Undergoing rigid screening from a panel of science communicators and academicians, the entries were trimmed to 63 nominations where 12 winners emerged.

The Bantog Awards were last given in 2018, also its first year, when ABS-CBN News reporters Michael Delizo and Bettina Magsaysay were recognized as outstanding science and technology media professionals in television.

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