DUMAGUETE CITY — Carla Camille P. Gomez, a senior correspondent with nearly 40 years of experience reporting for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other media outlets, is set to receive the Outstanding Sillimanian Award in Community Journalism. The honor will be bestowed during the 124th founding anniversary of Silliman University on August 28.

Gomez, a Silliman University alumna and veteran journalist, has dedicated more than 40 years to community journalism, reporting extensively from her base in Bacolod City and covering issues across the Negros Island Region. She currently serves as editor of the online publication Digicast Negros.

The award recognizes Gomez alongside seven other exemplary Sillimanians excelling in diverse fields, including cultural history, international development economics, medical education, neonatal-perinatal medicine, nursing professional development, education and the arts, and global business ethics.

Gomez joined the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1986 as one of its pioneering correspondents and has reported on a range of critical stories — from exposing government corruption and human rights abuses to highlighting the declining sugar industry and advocating for marginalized communities. She has also covered high-profile trials such as that of missionary priests falsely accused of murder during the 1980s.

An alumnus of Silliman University with a Bachelor of Mass Communication (1982), Gomez furthered her studies in journalism in the United States at the University of Arizona. There, she also worked as a reporter for the Tombstone Epitaph before returning to the Philippines, choosing to prioritize service to her country over more lucrative overseas opportunities.

Over the years, Gomez has contributed to various international news agencies including United Press International and Japan’s Jiji Press. She was a longtime journalist and editor at the Visayan Daily Star for 38 years, where she notably accepted pay cuts to help sustain the publication until its closure during the pandemic.

Reflecting on her career during her years at Silliman University, Gomez said, "We were taught not just to chase headlines but to craft stories that positively impact our communities. Integrity in journalism was instilled in us by our mentors."

The SU Alumni Association praised Gomez for her unwavering commitment to truth and social responsibility, highlighting her focus on stories that advance community welfare.

Her accolades include the Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Fellowship awarded by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility in 2013 and the Golden Jubilee Award from Silliman University’s College of Mass Communication in 2016.

Social activist Millie Locsin Kilayko, CEO of the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation, commended Gomez for maintaining journalistic integrity even under political pressure. Kilayko noted that Gomez chose ethical principles and resigned from a leadership position at a politically influenced newspaper rather than compromise her standards.

Gomez continues to exemplify dedication to truthful, impactful journalism, embodying the values upheld by Silliman University and the communities she serves.