Rappler’s Ruben Nepales wins honors in Southern California Journalism Awards

Held at the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the Southern California Journalism Awards drew more than 2,500 entries, breaking last year’s record

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler’s Ruben V. Nepales won several prizes Sunday, June 22, in the 67th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. Nepales’ honors in the journalism competition included first prize in the category–Columnist or Critic, Foreign Correspondents, for his “Only IN Hollywood.”

The judges’ comment cited Nepales’ column on Colin Farrell and his devotion to an older son, who has Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder: “A compelling look at how a father’s love knows no bounds when it comes to awareness for his son’s disability and life outlook.”

Held at the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the Southern California Journalism Awards drew more than 2,500 entries, breaking last year’s record.

“I am proud and honored to represent Rappler and the Philippines in a journalism contest dominated by mainstream American media outlets,” said Nepales.

The veteran Hollywood journalist won other prizes in other categories for foreign correspondents. He garnered second place under Personality Profile for his piece, “Colin Farrell opens up on his son’s Angelman syndrome, starts a foundation.”

In Entertainment News or Feature, Nepales scored third prize for his piece, “Jodie Foster on ‘True Detective: Night Country’ – her 1st TV show in almost 50 years.”

The University of Santo Tomas alumnus’ “Play highlights Fil-Am family life in US, served with adobo and lumpia,” on Nicolas Pilapil’s acclaimed play about a multigenerational Filipino American household, God Will Do the Rest — a collaboration of Artists at Play and Latino Theater Company — was also a finalist in this category.

In another category, Film Feature (Online), Nepales’ “When Bond goes queer” bagged third prize. The Rappler writer competed with journalists from Entertainment Weekly, Variety, and IndieWire in this field.

The Calasiao, Pangasinan native was a finalist for one of the awards’ top honors, Entertainment Journalist of the Year. Nepales’ fellow nominees were Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter; Holly Gleason, Freelance; Owen Gleiberman, Variety; and Chris Willman, Variety, who won.

The Los Angeles-based Filipino journalist was announced as a multiple finalist when the nominations were announced last May 13.

A Golden Globe Awards voter since 2004, Nepales recently covered the Cannes Film Festival for Rappler. He is a staunch supporter of the Filipino talent in various fields.

Nepales is married to Janet R. Nepales, also a journalist, with two children, Bianca Nepales and Rafaella Angelica. – Rappler.com

The complete list of winners can be found here: https://lapressclub.org/.