Held on Oct. 24, 2025, at the New World Makati Hotel and sponsored by the Ayala Group, the event also marked EJAP’s 40th anniversary.
The board of judges was chaired by former finance undersecretary Milwida Guevara, CEO of Synergeia Foundation, joined by Cesar Purisima, Teresita Herbosa, Mercedita Sombilla, Sarah Lynne Daway-Ducanes, Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, Rodrigo Franco, Jose Ramon Albert, and Adrian Cristobal Jr.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to this year’s distinguished board of judges who lent their time, expertise, and integrity in selecting the winners of the 2024 EJAP Business Journalism Awards,” said Myla Iglesias-Acuña, EJAP president.
“To the screening committee, auditor, industry partners, Ayala Corporation, our sponsors, and EJAP members—thank you for your continued trust and support,” she added.
Winners this year:
• Louella Desiderio (The Philippine STAR) – Trade Reporter of the Year, her fourth win in five years
• Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas (The Philippine STAR) – Agriculture-Mining Reporter of the Year, his fourth career win
• Gerard de la Peña (TV5, for a piece published in The Philippine STAR) – Best Feature Story of the Year for “Airport solution tests resilience of Bulacan residents,” published Nov. 3, 2024
• Luisa Jocson (BusinessWorld) – Banking Reporter of the Year
• Beatriz Cruz (BusinessWorld) – Finance Reporter of the Year
• Lorenz Marasigan (BusinessMirror) – Telco-Transport Reporter of the Year
• Lenie Lectura (BusinessMirror) – Energy Reporter of the Year
• Meg Adonis (Philippine Daily Inquirer) – Capital Markets Reporter of the Year
• Darwin Amojelar (Manila Standard) – Macroeconomy Reporter of the Year
The Philippine STAR earned the most awards and took home the highest recognition, Business News Source of the Year.
The STAR’s business section is led by Iris Gonzales, with editors Conrado Diaz Jr., Rica Delfinado, and Lawrence Agcaoili, and assistant Elaine Briones.
“This recognition comes at a time when print media is facing challenges left and right—from government offices ghosting our requests for information, to fixers who try to keep us quiet when the going gets tough, to amateur PRs who show little respect for our profession, and to fierce competition from our unstoppable veteran colleagues online,” Gonzales said in a Facebook post.
“But here we are, still covering the economy the best way we can, with heart, hustle, and yes, the occasional typo,” she added.
As part of the event, this year’s EJAP Awards souvenir booklet included the usual event highlights and organizational updates, but also featured a special section with reflections from past presidents spanning four decades.
“As we move forward, never forget the camaraderie on which this organization was built. Don’t forget our founders, elders, and former presidents who dedicated their time and effort during their terms,” Iglesias-Acuña said.
This was followed by tributes from past leaders Ray Eñano, Cris Laraño, Ted Torres, Honey Reyes, Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, Alena Flores, Lectura, Jimmy Calapati, Jennifer Austria, Dax Lucas, de la Peña, and Paolo Montecillo.
Lucas, the founder and CEO of InsiderPH, dedicated his piece to the new generation of journalists.
“You already carry skills older generations could only wish for: adaptability to new technology, an instinct to embrace change, and the energy to work at the speed the world now demands,” said Lucas, who was the 2020 EJAP president.
“The task is not to imitate the legends of yesterday, but to build the journalism tomorrow requires. Use your advantages well, and you will find that the so-called weaknesses of your generation are, in truth, its greatest strengths,” he added.
The founding board of EJAP in 1985 included Abrino Aydinan, Arleen Chipongian-Perez, Roberto Capco, Juanito Concepcion, Ray Efiano, Dennis Fetalino, Raul Marcelo, Rosa Ocampo, Oscar Quiambao, Chi Liquicia, Corrie Salientes-Narisma, Ellen Samaniego-Marcelo, Adlai Noel Velasco, and Daniel Yu, inducted in a ceremony attended by then Prime and Finance Minister Cesar Virata.
The 2025 EJAP officers are led by Iglesias-Acuña of Malaya Business Insight as president, with Arcalas of The Philippine STAR serving as vice president for internal affairs and Austria of Manila Standard as vice president for external affairs.
The board also includes Keisha Ta-asan of The Philippine STAR as secretary, Jon Viktor Cabuenas of GMA News Online as treasurer, and Tyrone Piad of Philippine Daily Inquirer (he has since moved to Evident PH).
Serving as board members are Ruelle Albert Castro of Malaya Business Insight, Andrea San Juan of BusinessMirror, Brix Lelis of The Philippine STAR, Amojelar of Manila Standard Today, and Adonis of Philippine Daily Inquirer.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
