Sunday, July 20, 2008

Other features

Excellence pays off
By Ariel Sebellino
Of the Phil. Press Institute

IT MAY not have the glitz and glamour of an awards' night that we are accustomed to. I coined "subdued grandiosity" to tone down elegance and for the most part, underrate a polished expensive look that should not take away the spotlight from the essential -- the recognition of excellence. Yet everybody dressed up for its prestige.

For 12 years since the first awards program in 1997, the Annual Community Press Awards kept to its promise to remain simple but not simplistic, to adhere to austerity yet not be boring; fast-paced but uncompromising, it has not always been impervious to negligible flaws. It exactly did just that during the 2007 Community Press Awards last May 29 at the Galaxias of the Diamond Hotel Philippines in Roxas Boulevard. (The 27th-floor of this hotel venue offers a scenic and inviting nocturnal view of the bay area.)

For the first time, the show was not mixed with a sit-down dinner. Cocktails were served at the pre-function area an hour before the program. The main door to the venue of the awards was opened five minutes into the ceremony. Seats were arranged theater-type that made the production intimate. The infectious and intelligent humor of emcee Tony Velasquez of ANC made the proceedings upbeat and less stiff. He went beyond what was expected of him; in the end, as one observed, he put to shame any run-of-the-mill and flamboyant stand-up comedian with his savvy eloquence.

The problem with staging the same awards presentation every year is it begs for a better production and fresher look that would not be compared to the last one.

"You always have to outdo yourself," said one delegate.

"Only as good as the last performance," I answered back.

I thank my friends George, Laila, Nick, Kara, and Pam -- and Andee, Andrew and his team, Richel and her group for sharing the same passion and commitment I have -- and for sticking to the tried and tested companion which is excellence. And if there's any substitute for it, it's doing the best.

Congratulations to Sun.Star Davao for winning three major awards and for continuing to inspire other community newspapers.

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