With the theme “ALPAS: Breaking Limits, Changing the Game,” the 12th Paragala: The Central Luzon Media Awards named 18 media personalities and organizations as this year’s awardees on November 14.

Organized by the HAU Communicators’ League, this year’s Paragala aimed to recognize individuals and groups who “transcended limits” in their respective fields while urging the public to rise above misinformation, challenge superficiality, and pursue truth with courage and responsibility.

“ALPAS carries a message that resonates deeply with our time. In Filipino, Alpas means to break free, to transcend limits, and to soar towards new horizons,” said School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) Dean Dr. Alfredo Santos. 

The program showcased 12 Primary Awards and six Special Awards honoring media practitioners on both local and national levels for their contributions in journalism, digital media, entertainment, and advertising categories. 

Among the top recognitions, the Most Transformative Journalist Awards went to Reiniel Pawid of News 5 (local) and Jessica Soho of GMA’s Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (national) for their in-depth reporting and coverage.

“Napapanahon po ‘yung mga ganitong klase ng pagkilala dahil nga marami na sa atin ‘yung nabubulag at nagbubulag-bulagan sa katotohanan. Naniniwala po ako na ang journalismo pa rin ‘yung natatanging sandata para maka-Alpas tayo o ang mga Pilipino sa ganito kahirap na estado,“ Mr. Pawid stated in his acceptance speech.

In the Most Resonant Entertainment Figure category, Pinoy Big Brother: Collab Edition’s Mika Salamanca received the local award for her charitable advocacies, while Esnyr Ranollo earned the national award for his creative storytelling for the LGBTQ+ community.

For advertising, Leron Leron Sinta won Most Ingenious Advertising Agency, while TBWA – Baha for Breakfast earned Most Ingenious National Advertising Campaign.

“Finally, to future writers, directors, or creative artists here, let’s keep using creativity and storytelling to move people to act,” stated a representative of Baha for Breakfast in their speech.

The Most Catalyzing Local Social Initiative Award went to the Liwanag at Dunong Project for its empowerment efforts in Aeta communities. Adobo Magazine received the national counterpart for its “Designing Equity, Celebrating Identity” initiative.

“Ang pangarap [ng mga katutubo] ay malalim: ang maipagtanggol ang kanilang lupang ninuno at magkaroon ng marangal na pamumuhay. Mula po sa Liwanag at Dunong, ang paglilingkod ay hindi sakripisyo. Ang paglilingkod po ay isang karangalan,” a Liwanag at Dunong representative said.

HAU alumna and Pampanga-based drag artist Psychee Eve and GMA actor Dennis Trillo were hailed as Most Revolutionary Artist for the local and national categories, respectively.

“Dahil ang pananahimik ay pagkampi sa mapang-api, at ang katotohanan, balutin man ito ng takot, ito’y sisigaw pa rin. Para sa ating lahat, babae man, lalaki, bakla, ang lugar mo ay pakikibaka,“ Psychee Eve declared.

In digital media, public school teacher and vlogger Karla Reyes Ong-Bagtas (Unfiltered Life of Karla) received the Most Empowering Local Digital Voice Award, while Sassa Gurl was named Most Empowering National Digital Voice Awardee.

“At bilang isang guro, sana po patuloy tayong hindi magbulag-bulagan sa katotohanan na kulang-kulang ang suporta sa edukasyon, kaya ang bata ang nagsa-suffer. Patuloy po tayong lumaban para sa bata dahil deserve ng bata ang makapag-aral nang walang alinlangan,” stated honoree Ong-Bagtas in her speech.

Special recognitions were also awarded to

• Melai Cantiveros – Paragala Alab ng Sining at Pamana
• Chay Florentino-Hofileña – Paragala Tanglaw ng Karunungan
• Avon Ang (Altermidya) – Paragala Alab ng Plumang Mapagpalaya
• Sunshine (Directed by Antoinette Jadaone) – Paragala Lente ng Liberasyon
• Angat Buhay Foundation – Paragala Kampeon ng Masa
• Marcel Lacap – Paragala Kasapi ng Midya

Performances were delivered by Priderise, Anak Bale-balayan, Nino Joseph Aloba, and Psychee Eve.

Institutions from across Central Luzon — including Bataan Peninsula State University, La Consolacion University Philippines, Bulacan State University, Centro Escolar University, Wesleyan University-Philippines, National University–Clark, University of the Assumption, Systems Plus College Foundation, Tarlac State University, Gordon College, Baliuag University, College of the Immaculate Conception, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran Bataan — participated in the voting and selection process.

Sassa Gurl on ‘breaking through’ as Paragala’s Most Empowering Digital Voice awardee 

In an interview, Sassa Gurl expressed joy and validation over her recognition, recalling how she began content creation without a structured path.

“Wala akong clear path on how it will go. And then na-realize ko na ngayon na I’m empowering people, and para sa akin sobrang laking bagay na ‘yun. And people in Pampanga are believing on what I do, and that’s a big thing for me, for my career,” she stated.

Sassa further emphasized that the award was not solely hers. 

“Hindi ko siya pagmamay-ari. Pagmamay-ari rin ‘to ng lahat ng bumubuo ng kung sino ako at ng sumusuporta sa akin. And I know na malaking responsibility siya. Empowerment is a big responsibility,” she said, adding that she would take responsibility for her words and actions following the award.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, Sassa Gurl shared her thoughts on what “breaking through” means. She recounted her personal journey, saying that when she started as an artist and content creator, she did not know if she would succeed. 

“Finally na-break through ko na ‘yung pagiging artist ko, pagiging content creator ko. I realized na we’re approaching a new age, a new generation. And this generation is very, very different to the past generation,” she said.

She added that the new generation “demands justice, rights, and opportunities instead of waiting for them.”

“Before, naghihintay lang tayo na maabutan tayo, na mabigyan tayo, mabigyan tayo ng space, mabigyan tayo ng oportunidad. Ngayon, we take it by our hands… We demand for justice, we demand for better employment, better… we demand for rights. And that’s what breaking through is. Creating new spaces, creating, um, a healthier environment, a fair justice system, ‘di ba?” she explained.

Sassa Gurl further expressed optimism for the future as she believes the new generation is “ready to drive change.”

“I’m happy for the next generation na magkakaroon tayo kasi patalino nang patalino ang mga tao. At naniniwala ako na we will commit justice anytime soon because change is coming.”

“Ang award ko na ‘to, Empowering Voice. Everyone has it. Everyone can empower, ‘di ba? And through your voice, kahit wala ka, wala kang pera, wala kang anything, you just have to own your story. Whenever you own your story, you empower yourself, and you will break that limit na ginawa nila, and you will create your own space kung saan ikaw ang panalo,” she concluded.