Fil-Aussie journalists shine

An overseas Filipino publication became the first to receive anew Australian award that recognizes cross-cultural reporting, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

“The Filipino-Australian,” an online news site (www.thefilipinoaustralian.com) for the Filipino community in Australia, won the first New South Wales Multicultural Media Award for Coverage of Community Affairs, the DFA said.

Tarlac-native Romeo Cayabyab, the site’s publisher and editor, received the award in ceremonies held Sept. 15 at the State Parliament.  Outstanding media organizations in seven other categories were also recognized in the awards founded by Shaoquett Moselmane, a member of the New South Wales Parliament’s legislative council.

An accountant, Cayabyab migrated to Australia in 1981 and settled with his family in Minchinbury, New South Wales. A self-taught web publisher, Cayabyab first established emanila.com with multimedia specialist Rom Zamora in 1998.

A panel of 11 judges selected winners out of 140 nominations in seven other categories: Multicultural Journalist of the Year, Coverage of Community Affairs Abroad, Coverage of Indigenous Affairs, Contribution to Social Inclusion and Multiculturalism, Editorial/ News Reporting, Multicultural Photographer of the Year, and Online Innovation in News Blog or News Website Design. Tarra Quismundo