Oblate Priest wins journalism award in the Philippines
December 6th, 2011
Fr. Eduardo Vasquez, OMI (Photo credit: UCANews)
Father Eduardo Vasquez, OMI has been recognized by the US Embassy for his video documentary work. He was awarded the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellowship for Professional Development for his outstanding work in journalism. President Benigno Aquino presented the award at a ceremony in Makati City.
The US embassy instituted the fellowship in 1988 to commemorate Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino Jr’s accomplishments in journalism and public service, and to honor former president Corazon (Cory) Aquino’s contributions in strengthening the country’s democratic institutions. They were the parents of the current president.
Being recognized as a fellow also involves participation in a US exchange program — the International Visitor Leadership Program — which promotes international understanding through the exchange of information and ideas between people of the US and other countries.
Father Vasquez was chosen as a fellow for his social work and public service through the media group i-Watch, which he founded in Upi, Maguindanao in 2006.
The group is a documentary team from the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) composed of poor people, trained by Father Vasquez in the field of video production. Over the past few years it has produced documentaries dealing with socio-political, cultural and environmental issues.
The nature of his work has put Father Vasquez’s life at risk many times, especially when he was assigned to cover conflicts in Pikit, North Cotabato and Datu Piang, Maguindanao from 2008 to 2010, where he documented the plight of displaced civilians and victims of human rights violations.
Thanks to UCANews for this information)
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