Veteran journo feted ‘MassKara Legacy Award’

BACOLOD CITY – Veteran journalist and mentor Allen V. del Carmen was honored with the MassKara Legacy Award for his decades of “writing, teaching, mentorship, and service to journalism.”

Having mentored hundreds of journalists across various universities, newsrooms, and writing workshops, his work has helped shape the character of reporting in Western Visayas and Negros Island.

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Del Carmen was also recognized as a pioneer of The Visayan Daily Star, Today’s News and Views (the forerunner of SunStar-Bacolod), Negros Weekly Magazine and Negros Now Daily, and for his contributions to sports journalism.

“To many in the industry, Allen V. del Carmen is regarded as a father of modern journalism in Western Visayas and Negros Island,” the recognition read.

As a journalism educator, he introduced the service-learning pedagogy which incorporates community service as part of the academic content at the University of St. La Salle and organized civic engagement activities for journalism students to various remote and urban barangays in Negros toward greater civic and citizenship awareness.

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In 2015, he organized for the United Board of Christian Higher Education (based in Hong Kong) the International Service-Learning Engagement which brought over 200 university students and faculty across Asia to conduct post-Yolanda (Haiyan) rehabilitation in Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Capiz provinces.

As a media and civic engagement researcher, he has presented research papers in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, India and the Philippines. He has also served as a visiting journalism lecturer at universities in Myanmar and Indonesia.

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The award was presented during the MassKara Media Appreciation Night at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Monday, Oct. 19.

Unable to attend the ceremony due to flu, Del Carmen’s response was read by journalist Nanette Guadalquiver.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized not only for the stories I have written and edited over about five decades. What makes this citation heartwarming is your recognition of my efforts not just as an editor and writer, but also as a researcher and educator who has made a lifetime commitment to help young people discover the joys and tribulations of newspapering,” Del Carmen said.

“Today, we see the fruits of the labor of reporters, journalists, and editors, many of whom are my former students. I am thankful to have had this opportunity to serve Bacolod and Negros,” he added.

Del Carmen noted that he is guided by an adapted quote from American educator Jennifer Montgomery: “Helping young people find their way in the world is one of the greatest contributions a journalism educator can make.”

A Legacy Mover Award was also presented to Rodney Mitz Ascalon, president of the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. and director of the MassKara Festival.

“Every great festival has a face. Every successful celebration has a team. And every movement that brings people together has someone willing to carry its vision forward,” the organizers said.

“For MassKara Festival 2026, that responsibility has rested on the shoulders of a leader who has helped guide a celebration deeply woven into the identity of Bacolod City.”

“This is more than recognition for a festival director. It is a tribute to a leader, a partner, and a fellow traveler in the continuing story of MassKara,” the organizers added.

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Ascalon departed for the United States on Tuesday, where he is set to permanently reside.

Other honorees during the event included the Bacolod City Communication Office, Capitol Brats, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, Negros Press Club, Negros Bloggers, Bacolod Online Media and Influencers Circle, and the City Hall Press Corps. /jpv