At a time when threats to press freedom persist around the world, Filipino American journalists took center stage at the 68th Southern California Journalism Awards, underscoring the influence of the Filipino diaspora in global media.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and Golden Globe Foundation members Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales were among this year’s top honorees, celebrated for work that spans public affairs and entertainment journalism.
The Los Angeles Press Club presented Ressa with the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism, recognizing her steadfast commitment to independent reporting and defense of press freedom despite sustained political and legal challenges in the Philippines. The award, named after slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, honors journalists who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and ethical standards in pursuit of the truth.
Ressa, co-founder and CEO of Rappler, has become a global symbol in the fight against disinformation and attacks on the free press, inspiring newsrooms and civil society worldwide.
Filipino American journalists Ruben and Janet Nepales also earned multiple awards, reinforcing the growing visibility of Filipino voices in Hollywood and international entertainment coverage.
Ruben won second place in the columnist or critic category for his “Only IN Hollywood” column and picked up an additional honor for entertainment news or feature. Formerly with Rappler, he now writes for Inquirer USA, continuing to spotlight diversity in film and television and champion stories of underrepresented artists in the industry.
Janet, an entertainment correspondent and journalist, was cited with second prize in news and third prize in entertainment news or feature for her coverage of major Hollywood events and global entertainment trends. In addition to her work with GMA News Online, she also contributes pieces to Asian Journal, helping bridge audiences in the United States and the Philippines and connecting Filipino and Asian talent to mainstream platforms.
The couple are long-time members of what is now the Golden Globe Foundation, and they previously served as key figures behind the Golden Globe Awards telecast when the Hollywood Foreign Press Association still oversaw the show. Ruben once chaired the HFPA while Janet held leadership roles, and both worked as executive producers on Golden Globe broadcasts before the HFPA’s operations were restructured into the foundation. Their latest honors add to a track record of journalism awards that they have been receiving year after year for their consistently acclaimed work.
“As a Filipino journalist, I was extra proud of Maria Ressa last night when Janet and I and several Fil-Ams witnessed the Nobel Prize–winning Filipina being honored with the Daniel Pearl Award for courage and integrity in journalism here in Los Angeles,” Ruben said, reflecting on the moment in a social media post.
Organized by the Los Angeles Press Club, the Southern California Journalism Awards annually spotlight exceptional reporting across print, broadcast, digital and entertainment media in one of the country’s most competitive news markets.
This year’s recognition of Ressa and the Nepaleses highlights not only the fight for press freedom but also the enduring contributions of the Filipino diaspora to global journalism.
All three have previously been honored by TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards), a testament to their ongoing impact in media and public service.
