The National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) has awarded GMA Network a grant to produce a new program aimed at raising awareness about Filipino culture, social issues, and youth development.
GMA-7 is the only broadcast company among four grantees selected for the National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV) 2022 Grants Program.
The NEFCTV has chosen mental health as the central theme for the funded content, targeting audiences aged 13 to 17. GMA Network will produce a three-episode miniseries titled OK AKO, which addresses topics such as loss, anger, anxiety, bulimia, and depression through engaging and supportive stories. The series is airing on Sept. 8, 15, and 22 on GMA-7.
GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable highlights the common goal of the Network and NCCT, “We are grateful to the NCCT for choosing GMA Network as partner in this worthwhile endeavor to help positively shape the youth and their future. This project of the NCCT is very much aligned with GMA’s objective to produce programs that will help in the positive development of our young audience.”
NCCT Executive Director III Desideria Mance Atienza, on the other hand, acknowledges the influence and credibility of the grantees, “We are certain that this memorandum of agreement will further our advocacy for child-friendlier television. We understand the role of engaging our families, content creators, and citizens in building a community of child-friendly media advocates.”
Meanwhile, the other grantees also briefly explained their creative concepts such as Tropa Peeps, Lakbay Isip, and Friendship Puzzles.
“Ito ang una naming proyekto na magpo-produce kami ng isang child-sensitive television program. We aim to educate the children about their rights to be protected against sexual abuse and exploitation,” Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) Executive Director Zeny Rosales mentioned.
“We want to create a safe space for our audience. At the end of our episodes, may interactive activities wherein they can write their own diary and they can express themselves through drawings,” Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc. Company Manager Carmela Millado-Manuel added.
“Friendship Puzzles is a light drama that tackles the phenomenon of children becoming more fragile due to social media. Naniniwala kami na ang mental health ay isang usapin na kailangang laging ilatag sa policy making and media programming,” The Lovelife Project for Health and Environment Creative Executive Producer Crisaldo Pablo stated.
NEFCTV is created under the NCCT, an attached agency of the Department of Education. It is mandated to encourage the creation and broadcast of programs for Filipino youth.
To be eligible for the grant, organizations must have a proven track record, expertise in video production and broadcast of children’s television programs, and must possess a firm commitment to the advancement of children’s causes.
Hence, this upcoming project solidifies GMA Network’s unwavering responsibility to produce world-class and meaningful entertainment programs with values and purpose.
