DVDMFI to Honor Local Media Practitioners

The Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Davao under the Davao Verbum Dei Media Foundation, Inc. is set to honor outstanding works of local media practitioners in the revived Catholic Mass Media Awards now dubbed as Archbishop Thibault Media Awards on May 31, 2025, at 3:00 P.M., Martin Hall, Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto St., Davao City.

Archbishop Thibault Media Awards (ATMA), launched last Aug. 27, 2024, aims to recognize the work of Davao journalists who promote the teachings of the Church, that highlight stewardship, integration of faith, and justice, human rights promotion while adhering to the ethical standards of journalism.

In his message, Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, DD explained that the award is in honor of the first Archbishop Clovis Joseph Thibault PME who became the first bishop of Davao when Davao became a prelature in 1949.

“What is now the Archdiocese of Davao began 75 years ago as a Prelature Nullius with its first Bishop, Bishop Clovis Thibault PME who, in fact, became the first Archbishop of Davao when Davao was elevated into Archdiocese,” he said.

The proposed awards totaled 13, with 12 special awards and 1 highest award – Archbishop Clovis Thibault Special Award – the highest award given to an outstanding article that embodies the themes and contents of the Church teachings.

Meanwhile, the other 12 awards were named: Laudato Si Award, Fratelli Tutti Award, Familiaris Consortio Award, Mulieris Dignitatem Award, Populorum Progressio Award, Inter Mirifica Award, Christus Vivit, Laborem Excercens Award, Erga Migrantes Award, Evangelii Gaudium Award, Communio et Progressio Award, and Dignitas Infinita Award.

Screening Committee Chair Dr. Joseph Laroscain, head of the Communications Department of the Ateneo de Davao University revealed that they received more than 30 entries from all platforms: newspaper, radio, television, social media– are vying to bag any of the categories and the most coveted highest award which is the Archbishop Clovis Thibault Award.

During the last meeting of the ATMA Steering Committee, Rev. Fr. Ritsche J. Gamaya, managing director of DVDMFI expressed his gratitude to all collaborators of ATMA such as the Catholic Schools of Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College, San Pedro College, Assumption College of Davao, Stella Maris Academy, John Paul II College, among others under the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS), Davao Light and Power Company, and Davao City Water District, the business sector under the Davao City Chamber and Industry, Inc., Davao Doctors College, European Chamber of Commerce, Inc.