GMA Network’s veteran news anchor Mel Tiangco won as the Most Outstanding Female News Presenter, while senior news producer Jiggy Manicad was named the Best Male Field Reporter in the 2009 COMGUILD Awards. This is Tiangco and Manicad’s second consecutive year to win in both categories.

Tiangco co-anchors GMA Network’s flagship newscast, 24 Oras, with Mike Enriquez. She holds an impressive list of awards and recognition in public service and broadcast journalism with more than two decades of experience on television. She was first recognized by COMGUILD in 2006 as the Most Outstanding News Anchor.

“Not all professions are bestowed with public trust and with this comes greater responsibility and a mandate to adhere to truth, honesty, and integrity,” Tiangco said.

Meanwhile, Manicad celebrates his 12th year in media with this prestigious  award.

“I am truly grateful and honored to be chosen by the academe for this achievement, for the trust they have in my quality and brand of reporting. This will push me harder to do better as a journalist. I hope and pray that I will be able to live up to the public’s expectations and be a model to the students who plan to take the path of journalism in the future,” Manicad said.

The 55 panelists for the COMGUILD awards was composed of college deans (70%), and mass communication chairs (30%) from different universities nationwide. The selection of winners was based on accuracy of reporting, effectiveness, ability to handle interviews, clarity in news delivery, fairness, and impact to viewers.

The awarding was held during the 4th Annual Conference of Journalism and Mass Communication Students of the Philippines last August 2 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The event registered 1,300 participants composed of deans, professors, and mass communication students from all over the country.