GMA News pillar and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Mike C. Enriquez renewed his ties with GMA Network at a contract signing held on Feb. 24.
Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, and SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores.
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Enriquez, who has been with GMA since 1995, affirmed his long-standing commitment to the Kapuso Network. “Higit sa lahat, ito ay nagpapakita ng pagtitiwala ng pamunuan ng Network. Ito naman ay hamon din na huwag basagin ang tiwala nila na maging totoo sa ating sinasabi na magbalita ng walang kinikilingan at walang pinoprotektahan.”
Enriquez co-anchors GMA’s flagship newscast, 24 Oras, and hosts the investigative public affairs program Imbestigador. He can also be heard on Super Radyo DZBB’s Saksi sa Dobol B and its ongoing election special Ikaw na Ba? The Presidential and Vice Presidential Interviews.
For their part, GMA top management praised the veteran broadcaster for his journalistic expertise and continued loyalty to the Network.
“Hindi pa ako pumapasok dito [sa GMA], institusyon na si Mike sa News,” shares Gozon. “Sa madaling salita, talagang si Mike ang embodiment ng News natin dito. Sa loyalty hindi matatawaran si Mike.”
Duavit, meanwhile, says, “Nariyan yung pagtitiwala sa isa’t isa. Nariyan ‘yung pagtanaw ng pinagsamahan at pagnanais na pahabain pa ito lalo. Nagpapasalamat kami kay Mike at patuloy ang kanyang pagtitiwala.”
This year, Enriquez added another feather to his cap after receiving the Adamson Media Award 2016. The award was given in recognition of his role as a voice for the poor and the marginalized through his various programs on television and radio.
Together with his 24 Oras co-anchors Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales, Enriquez was also among the awardees at the Gawad Bagani 2016 Gawad Para sa Makabagong Mandirigma sa Larangan ng Telebisyon by the University of the East. The award-giving body recognizes the “warriors” in mainstream media or those who fight against social injustice rooted in poverty.
Enriquez concurrently serves as GMA Network Consultant for Radio Operations.
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Kapuso shows finalists at New York Festivals
GMA Network leads the Philippine finalists in the prestigious 2016 New York Festivals’ “World’s Best TV and Films” Competition as nine of its entries are shortlisted this year.
Topping the list of finalists are GMA’s news and public affairs programs.
The country’s longest running documentary program I-Witness is a finalist under the Community Portraits category for “Dorm 12”, a touching episode where Kara David interviewed aging inmates at the Correctional Institute for Women. Investigative news magazine show Reporter’s Notebook’s “Hikahos sa Lungsod”, meanwhile, is nominated in the Social Issues category for tackling urban migration in the Philippines.
Front Row’s “Maestra Salbabida” is shortlisted in the Community Service Programs category. The episode centered on the invaluable dedication of Elizabeth Miranda, a teacher from Mindoro Occidental who crosses rivers using a makeshift floating device or salva vida to reach the barrio where she teaches.
Earning a nod from the New York Festivals as well is the first-ever bayaniserye on Philippine primetime TV, Ilustrado. Topbilled by Alden Richards as the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, Ilustrado is a finalist in the Mini Series category.
GMA News TV programs received finalist status, as well. Bawal ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie is vying for the Best Interview award for its “Yaman ng Palawan” episode. Brigada’s “Ginto ng Smokey Mountain”—a special report on how kids scour the former landfill for gold —is a finalist under the Community Portraits category. “Isang Paa sa Hukay”, produced by documentary show Reel Time, is nominated in the Human Concerns category. The episode told the story of small-scale mining in Camarines Norte.
Two projects from the network’s Program Support Department were also shortlisted: Ilustrado’s opening billboard (OBB) in the Entertainment Program Opening Title category and GMA News TV’s Father’s Day plug in the Graphic Design: Promotion/Open and IDs category.
The New York Festival’s “World’s Best TV and Films” competition recognizes TV programs and films from over 50 nations.
Last year, the Kapuso Network brought honor to the Philippines as it took home a total of eight awards: four World Medals and four Finalist Certificates for its News and Public Affairs programs.