It's a double victory for DZRH at the 20th Gandingan Awards!
Special on Saturday anchor Cesar Chavez bagged the Best AM Radio Program Host, while Magandang Umaga Pilipinas’ Angelo Palmones was recognized as the Best News Anchor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños Community Broadcasters’ Society (ComBroadSoc) Gandingan Awards 2026 on Saturday, April 25.
This year, the student organization-led university-based media recognition program carries the theme, “Pakinggan, Tinig ng Kalikasan.” The award-giving body recognized national, local, and community-based media organizations, programs, and practitioners who continue to take action against the continued environmental mistreatment.
Director of the UPLB Media and Communication Office and Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs of the UP System, Mark Lester Del Mundo Chico, urged media practitioners to broaden their perspective and practice active listening when it comes to the challenges on environment mistreatment.
"Sa bawat bagyo na lalong lumalakas, sa bawat ilog na unti-unting namamatay, sa bawat komunidad na nawawalan ng tahanan, may kuwento, may babala, may panawagan," he emphasized.
"Ang tanong: anong ginagawa ng midya? Maaaring ginagawa natin ang lahat. Pero sabi ng iba, hindi sapat lamang ang pag-uulat ng sakuna; hindi sapat ang pagbilang ng pinsala ng nawalan o namatay. Ang kailangan natin ay midyang nagpapaliwanag, nag-uugnay at higit sa lahat, nagpapakilos. Midyang nagbibigay-boses hindi lamang sa tao, kundi sa kalikasan. Sapagkat ang laban para sa kalikasan ay laban din para sa tao," he added.
With over 200 nominees, Chavez and Palmones were recognized under the award-giving body's General Awards (Hosts and Personalities).
During Chavez' acceptance speech, he emphasized the changes in his hometown, pointing out the lack of trees and the dried-up rivers.
"Sabi kanina ni Director Chico, ang Gandingan ay hamon sa media para hindi lang nagdadala ng balita, kundi upang maging kasangkapan ng kaunlaran. Ang aking simpleng tugon: Sir, at the UP Community Broadcasters' Society, tuloy-tuloy niyo lang ang pag hamon sa media upang higit na maging mapang-bantay at makabuluhan ang programang ito," he stated.
Meanwhile, Palmones jokingly said that the recognition motivates him to wake up early to deliver the news, stating that most people are not awake yet when he goes live on air.
"With this, sana gigising kayo para kasama ko kayo tuwing umaga sa paghahatid ng makabuluhang balita," he said.
Special on Saturday airs every Saturday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Meanwhile, Magandang Umaga Pilipinas airs from Monday to Friday, from 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM.
