Filipino journalist bags International Journalism Award

A Filipino writer has been chosen to receive the prestigious International Award for Excellence in Journalism sponsored by International Union of Catholic Press (UCIP) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Jose Aranas, editor-in-chief of New City Magazine of the Focolare Movement is among the 43 journalists in religious and secular media who will receive an award for their exemplary contributions in the world of journalism.

Aranas was cited for his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue through his writings.

He, together with Paul Mati, a journalist in Indonesia were chosen by the jury as recipients of “Honourable Mention of International Award for Inter-religious Dialogue 2010.”

The International Union of the Catholic Press told Aranas in a letter, that “the jury took the decision considering on one hand your brilliant and exemplary presentation, and on the other hand the message you wanted to communicate through your work.”

Aranas had sent three articles on interreligious dialogues for the jury’s consideration. One, an editorial titled “To disarm the heart” highlighted the relationship between Christians and people of other faiths and the need for a continuous dialogue that is based on understanding and respect of the other.

Another article was the story of a young Muslim teacher in Maguindanao named Najiyyah, who strives to live the Golden Rule in her relationships with her Christian students. The third was an article on the 60th death anniversary of Gandhi, translated from Citta Nuova, New City magazine’s Italian edition.

Able to dialogue

Aranas believed that Church journalists should be able to engage in dialogue with people who have different convictions and not to overreact when their Christian’s beliefs are attacked.

“The Pope has always urged the faithful to a respectful and joyful proclamation of their faith, and what’s even better, to proclaim the truths that we hold onto especially Christian charity, through our lives,” he said.

Editor of Focolare’s New City Magazine, Aranas’ writings delved mostly on the topic of promoting unity and universal brotherhood, essentially at the heart of the Focolare Movement, of which he is a member.

“I have been active in the Movement for almost 12 years, and have travelled to different places in the Philippines and abroad because of the Movement,” he disclosed in an email interview.

As a writer, he has traveled throughout the country writing stories of hope that seldom featured on the papers.

“I visited the southeastern Philippines, Maguindanao included, last March, and I saw a lot of hope in the region… The Sta. Cruz Mission site in Cotobato is indeed great as they cater to the needs of the lumads, as is the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous People’s Education in Davao City which I featured in an article in the present June issue of New City Magazine…” he said.

Aranas said those are good news that should be highlighted in the media so as to bring hope to the people.

“The uplifting experiences of unity, solidarity and brotherhood are truths which media should highlight more which I have seen very present in our nation,” he said.

Passionate about writing

Now based in Tagaytay, where the New City editorial office is located, Aranas has been with New City for almost three years now but was named only editor-in-chief of the magazine just recently.

Aranas whose first article on the plight of the rural poor was published by a national paper nine years ago believed that passion should motivate one’s writing.

“I was passionate about the plight of poor people in Tagaytay dislodged by certain realtors, who then built subdivisions there. [I was motivated] to write about their situation because of our genuine concern, and a desire to defend the rural poor,” he explained.

When asked what advice he can give to aspiring Catholic writers, he said “it would be good to familiarize oneself with the Social Teachings of the Church to reflect the genuine teachings of the Church. Then ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the source of wisdom and truth before writing.”

This is Aranas’ first international award as a journalist, but the New City Magazine was a finalist in the recent Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

A Philippine-based journalist Fr. Jose Rebelo of World Mission Magazine was also cited for the International Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Aranas and the other awardees will receive their citation at the UCIP World Congress to be held on African continent, at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 12 to 19 September 2010.

Eight major awards will be handed over during the event: Gold Medal, Titus Brandsma, photojournalism, interreligious dialogue, woman issues, educommunication, solidarity with refugees and international award for excellence in journalism.

The International Journalism and Media Awards are given every three years to outstanding media professionals, publications and institutions worldwide both in secular and religious media by the International Union of Catholic Press in Geneva, Switzerland.