PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was honored with the prestigious Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award for Journalism at the 73rd FAMAS Awards.
The FAMAS Awards were held at the historic Manila Hotel on Friday evening, August 22, 2025.
It was the first time the Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award was given to an organization or group of individuals.
The Dr. Perez memorial award highlighted PEP's unwavering dedication to credible reporting and its role as a trusted source in Philippine entertainment journalism.
When the award was presented at the awards night, host Sam Verzosa said: "[Ito] ay iginagawad sa mga indibidwal o grupo na nagpamalas ng hindi matatawarang kredibilidad sa kanilang larangan.
"Ang tungkulin nilang magbigay ng tamang impormasyon ay naging malaking tulong sa pag-unlad ng industriya."
Following this, a special AVP was shown to the audience of select PEP Team photos and videos through the years.
Accompanying this was the official citation for the special award for PEP.ph:
"Honoring entertainment journalist accustomed to maintaining excellent relations within the industry.
"Emulating the legacy of Jose R. Perez, this go-to source for credible and timely showbiz news is considered as a living record of Philippine showbiz and archives of relevant reporting for its commitment to deliver impactful entertainment journalism to media platforms, making it more accessible to the masses.
"It is for both journalistic excellence and camaraderie that reputed warm ties with media and industry peers that transcended its transparency and trusted bond between artists and the public.
"PEP.ph segments have been the home of real-time celebrity updates and exclusives, scoops, and considered as the number one digital entertainment site in the Philippines.
"Doctor Jose Perez Memorial Awardee, PEP.ph."
Upon receiving the award PEP Editor-in-Chief Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon expressed the team’s heartfelt gratitude for this prestigious recognition.
"The Philippine Entertainment Portal, PEP, is extremely grateful for this Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award, largely because we love Manay Ichu [the late Marichu Maceda], and also because we were cited for the reasons I am proud of—which are credibility and courage.
I think we've earned it.
"We worked hard toward these all these years, 18 or so. And, we've done nothing but try to give the facts right, to verify, not to give fake news, and as much as possible, to try new stories, new exposes...
"And also, we are cited, I believe, for the kind of archival material that we have gathered because of the hard work that we've done visually and textually.
"And, because these are all the right reasons, we are more than flattered. We are honored."
She added: "We would like to acknowledge the 73rd FAMAS celebration.
“To have stayed this long on top of the game is something to root for in the entertainment industry. And we are glad that we have made a connection, PEP and FAMAS, through this Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award."
Summit Media’s Chief Operating Officer Howard Go also takes pride in PEP as a brand that champions credible entertainment journalism.
In his words: "This recognition underscores PEP's role as an industry leader and trusted source for entertainment news and lifestyle stories for 18 years now.
"Behind the brand’s credibility is a dedicated team of journalists that bcontinue to raise the bar for entertainment reportage.
"This award is a testament to their unwavering commitment to deliver credible, informative, entertaining, and aspirational content to the Filipino audience worldwide.”