Straits Times journalists win 2 golds, 3 silvers at Asian Media Awards
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(From left) SPH Media English, Malay and Tamil Media Group editor-in-chief Wong Wei Kong, Straits Times deputy interactive graphics editor Marcelo Duhalde, Straits Times executive photojournalist Ong Wee Jin, Straits Times correspondent Judith Tan and SPH Media chief executive Chan Yeng Kit.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
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SINGAPORE – Of all the rare medical conditions Straits Times health correspondent Judith Tan has written about, the report that sticks in her memory is about a woman with an illness that makes her “turn into stone”.
The newsroom veteran, who has been a journalist for 36 years, unearthed the case of undergraduate Raphaella Gautama for the broadsheet’s Medical Mysteries series, which began in April 2024.
Ms Gautama, who was 20 at the time the report was published on Feb 9, 2025, suffers from a condition that is slowly “turning her into stone”
Her condition – fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva – affects about one in a million people worldwide, and the median life expectancy is 56 years.
Ms Tan, 61, said: “Doctors Ms Gautama consulted did not know what it was or how to diagnose it, and she was in limbo for two years as they tried to find out.
“Despite her condition, she was determined not to let it define her.”
On Nov 5, the Medical Mysteries series
Ms Raphaella Gautama suffers from a disorder that causes her muscle and tissue to gradually change into bone, causing stiffness and limiting her movement.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Ms Tan has filed more than 25 reports for the Medical Mysteries series.
The citation for the award said: “For patients and their families, the stories offer validation – they are not just imagining their condition – and an avenue for advice and support.
“For doctors, they highlight previously unknown symptoms or manifestations of the diseases, and have helped to shape more accurate diagnoses and treatment strategies.
“For readers, the experiences put a human face on these mysterious conditions, show the resilience of the human spirit and help inspire us all.”
All in, The Straits Times swept up two golds and three silvers at the awards, which are organised by the World Association of News Publishers, or Wan-Ifra. There were 228 entries in this edition.
SPH Media chief executive Chan Yeng Kit, (front row, second from right) and English, Malay and Tamil Media Group Editor-in-chief Wong Wei Kong (second row sixth from left) with SPH Media winners and attendees at the Wan-Ifra Awards.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
The awards aim to recognise publishers that have adopted digital media and mobile strategies in response to how people consume news and information.
In total, titles under the SPH Media banner clinched three golds and seven silvers.
Marvellous Morsels, a multimedia project by senior executive photojournalist Neo Xiaobin and executive producer Ashleigh Sim, bagged a silver in the Best Lifestyle Photography category.
The idea to photograph food through a microscope
What began as an idea for a Christmas gift wrapper eventually became a multimedia project that included photos in print, a video, an interactive online page and an Instagram quiz, Ms Sim said.
She said that when she showed Ms Neo and other colleagues samples of how food looked under a microscope, no one could guess what they were.
As they were researching locally grown produce, Ms Sim said, they were surprised to discover that Singapore had home-grown vanilla bean pods, edible flowers and even green-lipped mussels, a by-product of fish farming.
The ice plant, with its sparkling, frost-like appearance, captivates with its unique beauty. The resilient plant with succulent leaves, which thrives in Singapore's warm climate, features in Marvellous Morsels.
ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
The photos were taken using a stereo microscope at the Nikon Imaging Centre at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Ms Sim said, thanking the centre’s engineers for making the microscopic visuals possible.
Executive photojournalist Ng Sor Luan was awarded gold in the Best Lifestyle Photography category for her work on how experts at S.E.A Aquarium’s Aquarist Lab in Resorts World Sentosa breed jellyfish
A batch of moon jellies, a crowd favourite, being slowly released into their display habitat at S.E.A Aquarium.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Executive photojournalists Ong Wee Jin and Lim Yaohui took home silver for Best in Climate Photography for the photo essay titled Harvest Moon Thrills Singapore Skygazers
The Straits Times was awarded gold for Best Technology News Story for its interactive graphic on the Punggol Digital District
The Harvest Moon seen from the Gardens by the Bay on Sept 18, 2024.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
The Harvest Moon seen from Pagoda Street in Chinatown on Sept 18, 2024.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The team comprising Ms Alyssa Mungal, Ms Charlene Chua, Ms Chee Wei Xian, Ms Claire Xu, Ms Hannah Ong, Mr Mark Cheong, Ms Nikita Pereira and Mr Osmond Chia worked on the project.
The project walks readers through a 3D model of Singapore’s answer to Silicon Valley, showcasing its features and what they can expect when the nation’s first smart district opens in 2026.
Deputy interactive graphics editor Marcelo Duhalde, who collected the award on the team’s behalf, said that the project took around three months to complete.
The interactive piece centres on robots and food delivery, he said, as it is something people can relate to.
“Using two robot ‘personas’ also helped us simplify complex ideas while keeping the story engaging,” he said.
Straits Times editor Jaime Ho said: “We are heartened, once again, to be recognised for the range of exceptional work that we do.
“Awards such as these will always be necessary affirmation of our journalism; beyond that, we hope that our work from day to day continues to also inspire our audiences.”
Honour Roll
The Straits Times
Best Technology News Story – Punggol Digital District: Singapore’s blueprint for future smart districts (Gold)
Best Health News Story – Medical Mysteries series (Silver)
Best Lifestyle Photography – Marvellous morsels. Food like you’ve never seen it before (Silver)
Best Lifestyle Photography – Blooming sea jellies (Gold)
Best in Climate Photography – Harvest Moon thrills S’pore skygazers (Silver)
The Business Times
Best Young Audience Initiative – thrive (Silver)
Berita Harian
Best Climate Infographics – Awakening Asia’s Sleeping Giant, Lake Toba – How climate change is affecting volcanoes (Silver)
Marketing and Media Solutions
Best Revenue Diversification Project – From showroom to sales: The Car Expo 2025 (Silver)
Content Lab
Best Advertising Initiative – Singapore Dreamin’ (Silver), Building Singapore (Gold)
