FOUR members of the UST Tiger Radio emerged as runners-up in the second International Student Broadcasting Championships (ISBC), where several Thomasian jocks and productions were also named finalists.
Tiger Radio’s Coleen Hufanda (Best Program/Content Director), George Medallon (Best Talk Presenter), and Karl Alvero (People’s Choice Talent), all from the UST Department of Communication, were named runners-up in their respective categories.
Medical technology sophomore Francesca Mangulabnan was the runner-up for Best Voiceover.
Asst. Prof. Faye Abugan, adviser of the Tiger Media Network, said the awards “boost UST’s presence in the international campus broadcasting scene.”
“More than Tiger Media Network, we want to put UST on the map of campus broadcasting as a pioneering university in campus broadcasting network,” Abugan told the Varsitarian.
Tiger Radio was nominated for Station of the Year and People’s Choice Station but was bested by John Carroll University (WCJU 88.7 FM) and Cornell University (WVBR 93.5 FM), respectively.
Other Thomasians who were named ISBC finalists were:
- Mylferd Joshua Supnet – Best On-Air Talent;
- Sharella Mae Anadi – Best On-Air Team;
- Kyla Nicole Lapena – Best Newcomer On-Air;
- Sofia Frederique – Rising Star;
- Abdel Rasheed Alpad – Best Sports Presenter;
- #TRloveisonair – Best Outside Broadcast;
- Adrian Molina – Best Content Creator;
- Adrian Molina – People’s Choice Content Creator; and
- Ofelia Valmocina – Best Station Website.
Abugan emphasized the importance of collaboration between UST’s radio and TV platforms — both of which operate under the Tiger Media Network — in fostering a robust “media ecosystem” within UST.
“It is an advantage for them that what we have is a network and not just a radio station, kasi both radio and TV are working together to create a media ecosystem within UST,” she said. “It really gives them all the opportunities to better their work.”
The ISBC winners were announced on a live stream on Nov. 22.
Tiger Radio competed against stations of foreign schools, including Seton Hall University, John Carroll University, University of Pretoria, University of West Georgia, and North Technical and Further Education.
Finalists were judged by an international panel of media practitioners.
Launched in October 2023 by Australian media company Ramp Media, the ISBC recognizes excellence in radio broadcasting, video and digital content creation, and e-sports broadcasting.
In the inaugural ISBC held in December 2023, Tiger Radio won six awards, namely, Station of the Year, Best Talk Presenter, Best Content Creator, Best Social Media Execution, Best Sports Presenter, and Best Content/Programme Director.
