Sunstar Davao wins 5 out of 11 awards at 2025 Atma

THREE journalists from SunStar Davao proudly brought home five of the 11 awards for media professionals, while four others were also finalists at the prestigious 2025 Archbishop Thibault Media Awards (Atma), held on Saturday afternoon, May 31, 2025, at Martin Hall, Ateneo de Davao University.

Allan Joseph Albior, lifestyle writer and social media head, won the Mulieris Dignitatem Award for his story “Unyielding Vision, Triumph Over Adversity” and the Fratelli Tutti Award for “Bagobo Klata’s Culture in the Modern World.”

Albior said he is very thankful to his family and friends for making him confident in what he does and for reminding him that he is on the right path. He also expressed gratitude to his editors and fellow writers at SunStar Davao for their support.

He said it is an honor to win two awards at the Atma, especially since this is his first recognition in his two years in the media industry. He described it as a meaningful validation of his work. 

Albior shared that both stories were written two years ago. The story about the Bagobo Klata tribe was the first in-depth piece he had written, while the story of Monique Grenaderos was particularly inspiring to the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) community, as she is diagnosed with congenital glaucoma. 

He said he never imagined that these stories would be recognized by Atma.



“This is just the beginning of my journey in storytelling, one that I hope inspires readers and touches lives. I know that journalists play a vital role in our society, we inform the public, tell factual stories, and, most importantly, serve as the voice of the voiceless,” he said.” 

Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan, editor at SunStar Davao, won the Evangelii Gaudium Award for her story “Sisterly Love” and the Laborem Exercens Award for “Rains Bring Hope to Farmers.”

She said she did not expect to win two awards and thanked ATMA for recognizing her work.


She said that the job of a journalist is often “misunderstood, criticized, sometimes outright dismissed,” but added that gestures such as the ATMA awards renew a journalist’s sense of purpose. 

She then thanked her SunStar Davao family and the journalism mentors who molded her into who she is today. She dedicated the award to her mother, who has always been her number one fan; to her children, for their love and belief in her; and to her supportive siblings and friends.



“You remind us that journalism — at its core — is about service. It’s about giving voice to the voiceless, shedding light where there is silence, and telling stories that help communities understand, connect, and grow. Thank you for affirming that what we do matters — that truth-telling, even when difficult, is worth it,” she said. 



Cristina E. Alivio, editor-in-chief of SunStar Davao, won the Populorum Progressio Award for her story “First Badjao Teacher.” She expressed her gratitude to Melody Adjari for sharing her story with SunStar Davao, saying that her life and success not only inspire her tribe but also encourage other Indigenous Peoples to pursue education and their dreams despite the challenges brought by poverty.

“These awards Sunstar Davao has received are a testament that we, as journalists, should not only be guardians of freedom and democracy but also trumpets of the goodness of the Lord to echo His loving kindness and peace,” she said. 


Stories by other SunStar Davao journalists were also named finalists in the Atma. Albior’s story A Radiant Gem of Resilience and Joy was a finalist in the “Familiaris Consortio Award.” Alivio’s story How Safe Is Our Space? Victim of Catcalling, Harassment in Public Places revealed a harrowing experience and called for active intervention by law enforcers. David Ezra Francisquete’s story Embracing Humanity: A Tale of Triumph was also a finalist in the “Mulieris Dignitatem Award.”

Karl Brayan Porras’ story Davao Chocolate Featured in Chocolate Trade Fair was a finalist in the “Laborem Exercens Award.” Rojean Grace G. Patumbon’s story HELP!: Longtime Bucana Residents Seek Help from Concerned Officials Over Possible Relocation to ‘Unknown Area’ was a finalist in the “Egra Migrantes Award.” Ralph Lawrence Llemit’s story TFD Soldier’s Viral Act of Kindness was a finalist in the “Evangelii Gaudium Award,” while his entry More Green Spaces was a finalist in the “Communio et Progressio Award.”

Patumbon’s story Emerging Crisis: Encroachment Threatens Vital Watersheds in Sitio Kalatung and Alivio’s Baha, Baha, Pano Ka Ginawa? were both finalists in the “Laudato Si’ Award.” Meanwhile, Albior’s stories Bagobo Klata’s Culture in the Modern World and Preserving Heritage: A Struggle and a Hopeful Journey, along with Alivio’s First Badjao Teacher, were finalists in the “Archbishop Clovis Thibault Special Award.”

Despite the challenges journalism faces in the modern world, SunStar Davao continues its mission to deliver stories that inform, inspire, and ignite positive change. 

Atma is the relaunch of the Davao Catholic Mass Media Awards, which celebrates exceptional journalism that aligns with Catholic values and core. Atma was launched on August 27, 2024, and features 13 categories, including the highest award for an outstanding article. 

Archbishop Clovis Joseph Thibault was the first archbishop of Davao City when it became an archdiocese in 1949. RGP