By Raugene Ross N. Satajo

Centralian radio broadcaster Magie Maleriado received the Social Media Advocacy of the Year for Digital award at the 10th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA) for her entry “RMN Mental Health Alert: Overthinking Indi Maayo sa Mental Health.” The awarding ceremony was held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu last March 31, 2023.

Ms. Melariado is a Senior News Writer and Newscaster for 8 years now at RMN Iloilo. She also serves as the program host of RMN Mental Health Alert that airs every Sunday at 9:00 AM. Here is the rationale of her program:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatic social and economic changes in the daily lives which amplified much more serious mental health problems.”

“In Western Visayas, Iloilo Province logs the most suicide cases in 2021 according to the data from the Police Regional Office (PRO-6). To help address this, DYRI RMN Iloilo launched its RMN Mental Health Alert program to provide venue to those in need of moral, psychological or spiritual support.”

“This is part of the initiative of DYRI RMN Iloilo in line with the campaign of the Department of Health to constantly remind those who have problems or those who knew of individuals who are at risk of committing suicides that they could seek help and avail themselves through the mental health crisis intervention services.”

In her Facebook post last March 31, 2023, Maleriado wrote,

“Thank you so much Globe for giving us the platform not just to write stories, inform and educate but also to push for our advocacies.”
“Salamat man sa tanan nga boss kag kaupdanan ko sa RMN Iloilo for launching the RMN Mental Health Alert program to provide venue to those in need of moral, psychological or spiritual support.”
“Ang akon entry nagpangibabaw sa iban kay maathag man mag-explain ang amon resource person— ang akon maalam nga classmate, Asst. Prof. Shaira Marie Jopson-Espinosa.”
“Ang Social Media Advocacy of the Year award validation sang aton kawsa sa mental health… nasuguran na kag dapat padayunon pa.”
“Mental health is as important as our physical health. Magapadayon kita. Madamao gid nga salamat sa tanan!”

Her winning piece can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/dyrirmniloilo/posts/pfbid0o4JZthsRJsekA3xgBMau9orChqyedrgxZ45FLY3JGXhHfhZ1Rj6wowA3pKVQ7SE8l

She is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Central Philippine University Batch 2013-2014 where she also teaches part-time. She was a work student at CPU during her college days.