THE UNIVERSITY of the Cordilleras congratulated Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa for being the first Filipino to receive the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ressa was the university’s commencement speaker in 2019.

“Congratulations Nobel Prize Laureate Maria Ressa! The University is proud of your prestigious award and joins you in the celebration of your memorable achievement,” UC said on its Facebook page.

Ressa received the award alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov.

She is the first Filipino to ever receive a Nobel award.

The selection committee chose the two “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”