Channel Five Cleans Up at 2019 CBU Awards
The Fiftieth Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union concluded on Andres Island, Colombia today. An enduring highlight of the yearly gathering of radio and television broadcasters is the C.B.U. Awards. That event was held on Tuesday night where Belize won a majority of the distinctions in television broadcasting. Once again, our newsroom performed exceptionally well, with reporters Andrea Polanco and Hipolito Novelo being recognized regionally for excellence in various categories, including the Golden Conch Award, Climate Change Award and Best News Item. Reporter Isani Cayetano and Marleni Cuellar also received special mentions for Disaster Resilience and Best News Item, respectively. The Best Commercial Award was snagged by Great Belize Production’s Rick Romero and Joel Wesbey, for an ad that was produced for the Belize Bank Limited. This morning, we spoke with an ecstatic Hipolito Novelo who has won his first award since joining our news team in 2018.
Hipolito Novelo
Hipolito Novelo, Reporter, News 5
“Let me just start off by saying that it was a collective effort. The award is shared with Kenroy Michael who shot the video and Rick Romero who edited the video. I received an award for Best News Item for the story I did on Pok ta Pok, it focuses on the game, the ancient Mayan ball game, as well as the group of young men in Yo Creek who are keeping this sport alive. I also got special mention for my sargassum in San Pedro for investigative piece. Those two stories were done in the course of a couple of weeks, you know. My practice was that I am going to invest time in these stories and tried to tell it the best way I can.”
Isani Cayetano
“Having been recognized on the regional level, what does that mean for you from a professional point of view?”
Hipolito Novelo
“You know, when I came across to Channel Five that was one of my goals, to be recognized regionally and to be part of the CBU. It feels really good. When I was watching the ceremony last night and I notice that my name was mentioned for the Best News Item and special mention for Investigative Report, I was so excited I couldn’t stop smiling. I can’t stop smiling now.”
Isani Cayetano
“What advice would you give to any young reporter who may not necessarily be a part of the CBU for that kind of recognition, but any young reporter who aspires to making a name for him or herself in the local media?”
Hipolito Novelo
“You know, I never thought I would be here receiving these awards and so I can only advise them, dream big, you never know what may happen in life and things happen for a reason.”
