GMA Network further strengthens its stature as the leading and most trusted broadcast company in the Philippines, bringing home various awards from St. Scholastica’s College and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
In a ceremony held on March 8 at St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, investigative journalist Malou Mangahas was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Hildegarde Awards for Women in Media and Communication.
Mangahas was recognized for her invaluable contribution in media through the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Investigative Documentaries aired every Thursday night on GMA News TV. St. Scholastica’s College cited Mangahas’ dedication to give children, women, indigenous people, migrant laborers, and the urban poor the same attention they deserve in mainstream media.
Meanwhile, award-winning documentary programs Front Row and Reel Time were both chosen to receive the Outstanding Achievements in Broadcast Journalism award for sharing stories that reflect present day situations that are not only eye-opening but inspiring as well. St. Scholastica’s College saw how these shows have given voice to many people whose stories need to be heard and be recognized—stories that inspire and show the Filipinos’ strength and resiliency in the face of life’s trials.
The Hildegarde Award are given in honor of St. Hildegarde von Bingen of Germany, considered a feminist in the patriarchal era of medieval Europe.
The “Front Row” winning team (from left) Executive Producer JC Rubio, researcher Princess Suyat and producer Ian Carlos Simbulan
On Feb. 29, Front Row was selected as the sole recipient of this year’s Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) for Broadcast Arts given by NCCA inrecognition the show’s achievement in winning multiple international awards for its documentary on ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in 2015. The documentary won a Gold World Medal as Best Public Affairs Program in the 2015 New York Festivals and earned a Gold Camera Award in addition to winning the One World Award in the 2015 U.S. International Film and Video Festival (USIFVF).
NCCA honored other Kapuso personalities as well. Receiving an award for the third time, Superstar Nora Aunor was cited for her contribution to Philippine cinema. Aunor currently plays the role of Lola Annie on GMA’s Little Nanay. Rachel Ann Go was recognized for her role in dramatics arts.
Two Front Row documentarians were also lauded. Creative consultant Joseph Israel Laban was cited in the Cinema Category for Nuwebe, shown at the Cinemalaya 2013. The film earned him the Best Director nod in the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) held in Malaysia in 2015. Another Front Row executive producer, Roderick Cabrido, was cited for the same category. Cabrido also directed a film for the Cinemalaya entitled Children’s Show in 2014. The film won the Special Jury Award in the Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal in 2015 and earned Cabrido a Best Director award in the Fantastic Cinema Film Festival in Arkansas, U.S. in 2015.
Through “Ani ng Dangal”, NCCA recognizes individuals who have earned international awards and accolades during the past year. The annual event concludes the Commission’s celebration of National Arts Month.
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Ogie Alcasid wants to be Grace Poe’s cheerleader
In the next Presidential debate tomorrow on TV5 live from Cebu City, singer/songwriter Ogie Alcasid is volunteering to be the cheerleader for presidential candidate Grace Poe.
Ogie failed to watch the first debate in Cagayan de Oro televised live on GMA Network because he was in Australia then visiting his children with ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren.
“Sayang, hindi ko nga napanood ‘yung debate kasi nasa Australia ako, pero from what I saw, I think she did very well, so ‘yung susunod is with TV5 and I’m excited to go to Cebu. I want to be there to give moral support to Grace,” Ogie said during the press conference for Happy Truck HAPPinas on TV5.
Tomorrow’s debate will be held at the University of the Philippines Cebu.
