Nov. 21 2016, 12:18 a.m. – THE VARSITARIAN, the 88-year-old official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, has been cited for helping maintain a vibrant Catholic presence in social media.
The 2016 Catholic Social Media Awards (CSMA) on Nov. 19 named the Varsitarian’s Twitter account, @varsitarianust, the “Best Catholic Organization Twitter.”
The ‘V’ bested finalists CFC Singles for Family and Life, a ministry for single men and women aged 21-40 years old; and Tanghalang Aranzazu, a Church-based theater organization.
@varsitarianust, which has more than 38,000 followers and nearly 17,000 tweets, posts breaking news and live updates daily, significantly expanding the campus paper’s reach.
The CSMA also honored author and lay preacher Bo Sanchez as the “Best Social Media Influencer.”
100% Katolikong Pinoy bagged the “Best Facebook Page” award while Kabataang Katoliko won the “Best Facebook Group” award.
The “Best App” award went to “DoCat,” which makes the social doctrine of the Catholic Church more accessible, while the “Best Blog” award was given to LoveCloud, a youth-based story-telling site.
Other winners were The Parenting Emporium for “Best Catholic Organization Instagram,” CFC Singles for Family and Life for “Best Catholic Organization Website” and “Family and Life Update: Live Life with Learning” for “Best Online Video Series.”
“Tatay Eugene” by Rommel Lopez was named “Viral Photo of the Year.”
Diocesan and parish-based recognitions were also given to the Roman Archdiocese of Manila, the Diocese of Antipolo and to the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help of Baclaran for “Best Diocesan Instagram,” “Best Diocesan Website” and “Best Parish Website,” respectively.
The finalists were judged based on the following criteria: content (60 percent), over-all social relevance (20 percent), values (15 percent) and reach (5 percent).
The CSMA, organized by Youth Pinoy in collaboration with Areopagus Communication Inc. under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Media Office, recognizes “the best social media communicators who champion good values of courage, integrity, truth, protection of the dignity of life, and love of God, country and the neighbor in the new media.”
The awarding took place at the Hotel H2O in Rizal Park.