Proving that it is the home to the most internationally-awarded programs and personalities, broadcast giant GMA Network won the most number of recognitions at the prestigious 2019 Asian Academy Creative Regional Awards, giving the Philippines 16 entries to represent the country at the Gala Finals in December.
Besting other entries from the Philippines are GMA News and Public Affairs shows led by top-notch documentary program I-Witness. Its episode, “The Island with No Land” by Howie Severino, featuring Barangay Taliptip, Bulacan is the country’s representative for “Best Affairs Programme or Series” category.
Top-rating Sunday news magazine show Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho: Iceland reigned as the “Best Infotainment Program”. The episode featured the program’s trip to Iceland where host Jessica Soho showed the beautiful sceneries of the country.
The documentary on purchasing babies online in The Atom Araullo Specials: Babies4Sale.PH emerged as national winner in the “Best Documentary Programme (one-off)” category.
Meanwhile, the Mid-term Elections Coverage of 24 Oras last May beat other local entries in the “Best News Programme” category while GMA News: Microplastics in Tahong (Green Mussels) has been honored with “Best Single News Story Report” award.
GMA News TV’s Investigative Documentaries: Confined won as the country’s entry for “Best Documentary Series” where it showed the situation of the prison cells in the country.
Biyahe ni Drew’s “Drew Hits the Road: Sustainable Tourism in Siargao” has been chosen for the “Best Lifestyle Programme” category. Biyahe ni Drew host Drew Arellano triumphed as the “Best Lifestyle, Entertainment Presenter/Host” for the episode “Drew Hits the Road: Cagayan.”
The Asian Academy Creative Awards also honored various entertainment programs of GMA-7 led by Pepito Manaloto: Ringbearer si Pepito starring multi-awarded comedian and content creator Michael V. He is also recognized as the “Best Comedian” for Smart Shoes.
Studio 7’s Musikalye won the national award in “Best Music or Dance Program” category while “StarStruck First Elimination” is the country’s entry for “Best Non-Scripted Entertainment.” Meanwhile, the trailer for “Love You Two” has been chosen to compete for the “Best Promo or Trailer” category.
Capping of the list of Kapuso winners is Synergy88 Entertainment Media’s Barangay 143. The first Filipino anime series which aired on GMA 7, Barangay 143 won as the country’s representative for the following categories: “Best Animated Programme or Series (2D or 3D)”, “Best Drama Series”, and “Best Theme Song or Title Theme” for the song “Liga ng Buhay” by Thyro, Yumi & Shehyee.
Asian Academy Creative Awards is one of the most prestigious awards for creative excellence, honoring programs and actors across 20 nations that excel “in craft and technical disciplines across multiple platforms including television, digital streaming, and emerging technologies.”
The winners of the regional awards will represent the Philippines in the finals round of the 2019 Asian Academy Creative Awards in Singapore this December. Each winner will go through an International Round of Judging where judges from all around the world will view and score the entries.
The ultimate winner in each category will receive the prestigious “Goddess of Creativity” trophy—a statuette designed and produced by the Society Awards in New York.