“The award itself was already overwhelming, but the moment I was standing together with other winners who had already established their names in journalism industry, it was just priceless” said 2015 Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA) Reporter of the Year for Radio Big Jay Lagang on his experience at last year’s awards night.
It was in 2014 when Lagang first worked for 105.9 Balita FM as a production assistant. “It was really my plan to work right away for a radio or television station where I can fully apply things I’ve learned and to eventually get the experience I need in order for me to survive in this kind of profession or to be ready if there are better opportunities along the way,” he explained.
Lagang’s winning piece entitled “Lumad Student Education” was about the story of hundreds of Indigeonous People (IP) who were displaced by military presence in their communities in Talaingod, Bukidnon, Kapalong, and some other parts of Mindanao. He specifically wanted his readers to understand the reasons behind the presence of hundreds of IP that flocked the city last year. “It was also my intention to give these lumads, especially the students, the opportunity to voice out their sentiments, as well as giving the other sides, the military and the local government, the avenue to express their thoughts and actions on how they plan to solve the tension”, he added.
When asked to give an advice to those who are practicing or want to get into broadcast media, Lagang mentioned that in the media industry, you got to have the real initiative and fearless heart. Also, one must set their mind that being in the media world is not equivalent to spotlight or any door to stardom. “They need to be ready to become a public servant, serving the best interest of the people, without any biases or personal interest,” he ended.
