UP CMC's Gawad Plaridel to honor Pete Lacaba

MANILA, Philippines - Writer, journalist and poet Jose "Pete" Lacaba will receive this year's Gawad Plaridel from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) when the university holds the awarding ceremonies on July 24.

"He has shown unparalleled dedication to the profession of writing through a variety of forms in which he excelled - poetry, essay, fiction, feature articles, interviews, translations, adaptations, and screenplays in both English and Filipino. He also raised the bar of excellence for literary journalism to a level unprecedented in the history of Philippine contemporary journalism," UP CMC said.

UP CMC added that Lacaba "has put his considerable writing and communication skills, despite perils to his life, in the service of the Filipino struggle for social transformation, independence and progress during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s through the Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage collection and other articles and screenplays that were based on actual events and issues such as Sister Stella L., Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim and Orapronobis."

The Gawad Plaridel is an annual award given by the college to accomplished members of the media for their contribution in the industry. Past awardees include Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print), Vilma Santos (2005, film), Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo (2006, radio), Cecilia “Cheche” L. Lazaro (2007, television), Pachico A. Seares (2008, community print), Kidlat Tahimik (2009, independent filmmaking), Eloisa “Lola Sela” Canlas (2011, radio), and Florence “Rosa Rosal” Danon-Gayda (2012, television).

Lacaba is set to deliver a lecture during the awarding ceremony where he will be given a trophy designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. UP President Alfredo Pascual and UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma will present the award to Lacaba.