NEW YORK, New York (The Adobo Chronicles, New York Bureau) – It was a big misunderstanding. Rappler CEO Maria Ressa arrived at Columbia University in New York City to receive yet another award for her supposed journalistic skills and advocacy, particularly for standing up to what she is calling a “dictator” in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

But alas, Ressa misread the award letter. It was from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia) in Bogota.  The South American  school awarded Ressa a Courage Award for her and her online outfit’s coverage of Duterte’s war on drugs.

Luckily for Ressa, the Dean of the Journalism School at Columbia — fellow anti-Dutertard Sheila Coronel — is a very good friend. So Coronel let Ressa address the 2019 graduates of the school. Just to save face.

Meanwhile, in Bogota, the Colombia University gave Ressa the award in absencia.

All’s well thta ends well!