OMNI News Celebrates International Recognition for Impactful Reporting

OMNI News has garnered international acclaim, winning the prestigious 2025 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards for Best TV Special Report. The award recognizes the program “Pagbangon: Iba’t Ibang Mukha ng Pagpapatuloy,” which reflects on the tragic events of Lapu-Lapu Day in Vancouver and the community’s response. This poignant report, produced by Arvin Joaquin and Paula Saraza, highlights the diverse voices within the community as they navigate grief and resilience.

The special, hosted by Rhea Santos, features contributions from journalists including Theresa Barrera, Pat Fernandez, Keisha Balatbat, and Theresa Redula. In her acceptance speech delivered in Manila, Santos expressed a mix of gratitude and sorrow, stating, “The OMNI News Filipino team in Canada receives this award with mixed emotions, grateful to be recognized for our work yet heartbroken for lives lost and many families still in grief who will have a difficult and different Christmas this year.”

Celebrating Cultural Narratives and Community Impact

The 2025 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards celebrate the vital contributions of journalists, filmmakers, and content creators in shaping perceptions and highlighting the experiences of overseas Filipinos. Santos emphasized the importance of providing news in Filipino, stating, “A Filipino program in language in Canada, alongside English newscasts in the country, will make you think about how our stories will matter in North America. But for a country whose strength is diversity, multiculturalism, Filipinos who chose to live in Canada still crave news in their own language.”

OMNI News, a part of Rogers Communications, is among 18 winners from 17 countries recognized for their role in raising awareness about the Filipino diaspora. Alongside the award for Best TV Special Report, Marieton Pacheco, Senior Manager at OMNI News, received the title of Best Media Advocate at this year’s ceremony.

Another notable Canadian recipient, the Kababayan Multicultural Centre, was honored for Best Website, showcasing the growing recognition of media that serves multicultural communities.

As OMNI News continues to highlight stories that resonate with Filipinos in Canada, Santos reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to addressing significant issues from both Canada and the Philippines. She noted, “As a Canadian news organization, we will continue sharing stories that are important for Filipinos in Canada as well as monitoring important issues from our home country, the Philippines.”

The recognition from the Philippine government underscores the impact of OMNI News in fostering understanding and connection within the Filipino community, both locally and abroad.