FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY Alberto Gatmaitan Romulo stressed the immense importance of the mass media and its pervasive influence in the lives of the Filipino people and commended the essential role of the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) in recognizing the contribution of the mass media in upholding Filipino values, in inspiring integrity and responsibility in mass media, and in transforming the Philippine society through the responsible use of mass media.
Speaking at the 29th CMMA, where The Makati Science Vision, the official student publication of the Makati Science High School, was recognized as one of the five finalists in the CMMA Best Student Organ High School Category, at the Marie Eugene Theater of the Assumption, Assumption College, San Lorenzo Village, City of Makati, Secretary Romulo highlighted that the freedom of the press entails a great amount of responsibility.
On the other hand, The Makati Science Vision bowed to another school paper for the third time as The Manresan of the Manresa High School again toppled three other student publications: The Crosier, Saint Augustine School; The Judenites, Saint Jude Catholic School; and The Scout Monitor, Chiang Kai Shek College.
Organized by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila under the prodding of Archbishop Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin in 1978, the CMMA lauds exemplary works by individuals and by organizations in print, radio, cinema, television, advertising, and student publications.
In his message, Archbishop Gaudencio Borbon Cardinal Rosales of Manila said that the CMMA acknowledges men and women who have done their Christian best to serve God through mass media and who have embodied the values of Jesus Christ that He Himself taught and showed us in His life here on earth.
Cardinal Rosales also said that Pope Benedict XVI recognizes the tremendous influence of mass media in our world, but most especially, and somewhat disturbingly, on children, too.
“Indeed, some claim that the formative influence of the media rivals that of the school, the Church, and maybe even the home,” Pope Benedict XVI said.
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