The press, in its quest to reflect the most significant events of our daily lives and to glimpse, along the way, those life stories worth telling, feels proud when its professionals dignify it with quality work, as our public deserves. This is the case with the Ubiquel Arévalo Morales Provincial Journalism Contest, held in Las Tunas, whose 2025 winners were recently announced.

Las Tunas, Cuba.– The jury, composed of Yuset Puig Pupo (president), Juan Morales Agüero, Gianny López Brito, Niria Cardoso Estrada, and Ada Cristina Higuera Tur, awarded colleagues István Ojeda Bello, Yaidel Miguel Rodríguez Castro, Yordanis Rodríguez Vega, Rosa María Ramírez Reyes, and Evelyn Charité Guides Rivera.

István, a reporter for the newspaper 26, won the award for his work The Cauto River, the Rebellion of the Waters, a moving report that reflects the devastation in the Cauto River basin after Hurricane Melissa. The beauty of the language, finely woven through narration and description, captivates the reader. The photos and videos taken by the author complement the exquisite journalistic work. Meanwhile, Yaidel, from Radio Cabaniguán, stood out for his commentary The Real Cost of Blackouts, a piece that bravely and perceptively addresses an issue that resonates deeply in the hearts of Cubans.

Yordanis, from Radio Libertad, was honored for his report Electrical Recovery a work that recognizes the electrical workers who contributed to the recovery efforts in Puerto Padre after “Melissa.” Also from that same station, Rosa María Ramírez Reyes was awarded for The Wait, Pain, and Hope, a chronicle that demonstrates immense sensitivity and courage, reflecting in a unique way the feelings carried within the family of one of the Cuban doctors held captive in Africa. In both cases, the works also serve as examples of the use of sound resources in the service of the narrative.

Likewise, recent graduate Evelyn Charité addresses Arelis' story through the testimony The Echo of My Silence. This work exposes such a painful issue: gender violence, especially since our country is sadly one of those with the highest rates of such evil.

Ubiquel Arévalo Morales was an exemplary journalist who died at only 32 years of age on May 26, 1989. However, his legacy lives on in all those who, day after day, through committed and insightful journalism, elevate the profession.