Rappler’s Ruben Nepales wins National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards

Rappler’s Ruben Nepales won several prizes at the 18th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism (NAEJ) Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. Nepales’ honors in the nationwide journalism competition included first prizes in online categories, Celebrity News, and Celebrity Feature.

Held at the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, December 7, the NAEJ Awards drew a record number of entries, including from The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and leading entertainment publications, from Variety to The Hollywood Reporter.

“I am proud and honored to represent the Philippines in a journalism contest dominated by mainstream American media outlets,” said Nepales. He bagged honors for his “Only IN Hollywood” pieces that appeared in Rappler.

Nepales won the top prize in Celebrity News, Online for his piece, “At 62, Demi Moore finally feels ‘liberated’ from her own self.” The judges commented, “Three photos of her side by side give a sense of her transition. The headline provides a strong sense of the value of the story. The lead paragraphs pull you in with a personal story.”

The veteran Filipino entertainment journalist’s other first prize was in the Celebrity Feature, Online category, for “Colin Farrell opens up on his son’s Angelman syndrome, starts a foundation.”

“A wonderful in-depth, intimate interview with Collin Farrell and his work on behalf of those afflicted with Angelman Syndrome, including his son,” the judges said of the piece.

Nepales scored second prize in Entertainment Blog by an Individual or Group Tied to an Organization for his “Only IN Hollywood.

The University of Santo Tomas alumnus was a finalist in three categories: Soft News, TV/Streaming for “Netflix’s ‘Adolescence,’ each filmed in one shot, grapples with male rage”, TV/Streaming Feature, Creatives for “Nude scenes ‘incredibly liberating,’ says ‘Hacks’ star Hannah Einbinder”, and Film Feature, Actors for “At 62, Demi Moore finally feels ‘liberated’ from her own self.”

The Los Angeles-based Filipino writer was announced as a multiple finalist when the nominations were announced last October 27. He previously won first prizes in Non-Fiction Book for Through a Writer’s Lens, and Film Feature on Actors, Online, in the 14^th and 16^th NAEJ Awards, respectively.

A Golden Globe Awards voter since 2004, Nepales is a staunch supporter of Filipino talent in various fields. He is married to Janet R. Nepales, also a journalist, with two children, Bianca Nepales and Rafaella Angelica.

Check the full list of winners here. – Rappler.com