Several individuals, schools and media institutions were recognized by an award-giving body for promoting Christian values.

“I really thank God and Mama Mary. It’s an honor to have this award,” said Fatima Soriano, a blind 17-year-old who bagged the Best Inspirational Song award for Awit ng Puso (Song of the Heart) at the 2010 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

Jesuit newpaper columnist Father Joaquin Bernas was granted the Serviam Award at the awards ceremony held on Oct. 13 at the Medicine Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

The Serviam Award is named after the “I Will Serve” motto of the late Cardinal Jaime Sin of the Archdiocese of Manila, who was responsible for launching the CMMA in 1978.

Marking International Social Communications Day, the CMMA promotes the Catholic Church’s use of mass media for evangelization and responsible communication.

Fatima added that the Catholic media needs to focus more on evangelization. “Media is the best way to spread God’s Word, especially to the masses.”

Awardees were honored in campus and mainstream print, broadcast and online media, as well as cinema and music categories.

Top prizes for radio and television media categories mostly went to either GMA 7 or ABS-CBN, the country’s leading networks. GMA 7’s Saksi and ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol World shared the award for Best TV news program.

Campus newspapers from Catholic schools La Salle, Lyceum and Southridge also won awards. The Jesuit Communication Foundation was cited Best Local Community/Parish Newspaper, Best TV Special, Best Religious Program and the Cardinal Sin Book Awards – Spirituality Category.

With its theme, New Media at the Service of the Word, CMMA honorary chairman Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila led this year’s ceremony with Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao, Bishop Gabriel Reyes of Antipolo and the CMMA board of trustees.

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