Already a digital powerhouse, GMA Public Affairs continues to produce various original, innovative programs that not only inform but also bring hope and "Serbisyong Totoo" to netizens throughout these challenging times.
Available on various online platforms, these online shows include Quarantined with Howie Severino, Stand for Truth, Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong, Sumbungan Ng Bayan Libreng Payo Online, Frontliners: A Brigada Special Online Series, RTx, Survivors, and ECQusina: Pinoy Kusina Stories Ngayong Quarantine. Some of these original shows feature stories that highlight Filipinos’ strength and ingenuity, as well as offer public service that is a trademark of GMA News and Public Affairs.
GMA News pillar and a COVID-19 survivor himself Howie Severino hosts the online talk show Quarantined with Howie Severino. Here, Howie interviews newsmakers, experts, and celebrities using video call applications. Fresh episodes of Quarantined with Howie Severino are premiered every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. on GMA News’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, keeping netizens abreast of the latest news is GMA News and Public Affairs’ pioneering mobile journalism newscast Stand for Truth. Anchored by award-winning broadcast journalist Atom Araullo with GMA resident political analyst Richard Heydarian, Stand for Truth focuses on data-driven reports for the millennial audience.
Stand for Truth continues to gain traction since it premiered last April 2019 with its pool of millennial reporters Nico Waje, Manal Sugadol, Shai Lagarde, Izzy Lee, Eduard Faraon, Mj Geronimo, Bhea Docyogen, Jm Encinas, and Anthony Esguerra. The digital newscast livestreams from Monday to Friday, 9:00 p.m., via its Facebook page and GMA News and Public Affairs’ YouTube channel.
Promoting discernment among netizens is Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong. Originally launched in 2018 as part of GMA ONE Online Exclusives, the program aims to demystify fact-checking and help the public understand the importance of being discerning in the information age. Videos are premiered on GMA Public Affairs Facebook page and YouTube channel once or twice a week.
Relaunched last January, Sumbungan ng Bayan Libreng Payo Online offers free legal advice and consultation through an online platform. Last month, it began its Facebook Live session with host Oscar Oida addressing complaints with the help of a guest lawyer or government official. The online show is now available on GMA Public Affairs’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Frontliners: A Brigada Special Online Series features inspiring stories of the country’s frontliners here and abroad. It mirrors the challenging fight against COVID-19 and the resilience of the Filipino people, their sacrifices, and heroism in the face of the pandemic. Its first episode was made available last April 6 on GMA Public Affairs’ Facebook and YouTube channel.
Award-winning documentary brand Reel Time, on the other hand, produced RTx that shows the resilience and heroism of our OFWs despite the economic and social challenges brought about by the COVID-19 virus. RTx looks into the most pressing issues affecting our kababayans worldwide such as repatriation, unemployment, financial aids, rescue, and homecoming among others. Through RTx, OFWs also share their stories of hope and bayanihan. First aired last May 10, fresh episodes of RTx are uploaded weekly on GMA Public Affairs’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.
From the team behind TV program Tunay na Buhay comes Survivors, an online show that celebrates the inspiring stories of COVID-19 survivors. Each story paints a picture of hope, of faith, and of rising again. Each story tells netizens the experience of a fighter whose battle with the virus made him a stronger person. Available every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. on GMA Public Affairs’ Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as Tunay na Buhay’s Facebook page, Survivors first aired online on May 12.
Last but not the least, ECQusina: Pinoy Kusina Stories Ngayong Quarantine is an online campaign of GMA News TV’s Pinas Sarap that began last May 14 via the show’s Facebook page. It underscores Pinoy creativity in showcasing dishes made from the most common food items during the ECQ. Every Thursday at 4:00 pm, host Kara David shares a recipe through Facebook Live while celebrities demonstrate their kitchen expertise every Friday. Netizens are also encouraged to send their ECQusina dishes to be featured on Pinas Sarap’s Facebook page and IGTV.
With more than 44 million followers across all its online platforms, GMA Public Affairs has been a primary innovator in social media promotions for TV programs in the Philippines. It continues to cement its digital presence as it produces more original online shows that inform and inspire Filipinos all over the world.
