The 5th Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS) Hiyas ng Sining Awards, held virtually on March 1, named GMA Network as the TV Station of the Year with several of its programs and personalities also recognized for their honorary contributions in the news and entertainment industry.
Pioneering mobile newscast Stand for Truth took home the Best Digital Newscast award in the Larangang Digital category.
In the Larangan ng Telebisyon category, Vicky Morales was named as the Best Female TV Program Host (Public Service) for the well-loved public service program Wish Ko Lang! while Willie Revillame won the Best Male TV Program Host (Public Service) for the country’s top-rating variety program Wowowin.
Dingdong Dantes won the Best Performance by an Actor (TV Series) award for his role as “Big Boss” in the Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun.
In the Larangan ng Radyo category, owena Salvacion received the Best Female Radio Broadcaster (Opinion or Public Service) award for Super Radyo DZBB’s S.O.S:. Serbisyo on the Spot.
Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit actress and Superstar Nora Aunor was conferred the Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role, under the Larangan ng Pelikula category, for her remarkable performance in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival entry Isa Pang Bahaghari.
The GEMS – Hiyas ng Sining Awards honors different shows and personalities for their contribution in the fields of writing, theatre, radio, television, and music. This year, the award-giving body focused on awarding celebrities, shows, and personalities who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and supported different community and social activities during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, several Kapuso programs and personalities were also recognized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) at the 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night (FAN), which was held virtually last February 28.
Dingdong Dantes received the FAN 2021 Actors Award for being one of the recipients of the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards for his performance in the Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun. The actor was also named as one of the recipients of the 2021 Cinemadvocate recognition for his exemplary humanitarian work and commitment to supporting the livelihood of displaced film and audiovisual workers during these challenging times.
Receiving the FAN 2021 Actors Award as well were Asia’s Multimedia Star and Centerstage host Alden Richards for winning the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards; Owe My Love star Lovi Poe for bagging the Best Actress Feature Film for Latay at the International Film Festival Manhattan; and seasoned actress and Legal Wives star Cherie Gil for securing the Best Performance Award for Kaputol at the 4th Innuendo International Film Festival.
Director Louie Ignacio was one of the Special Citation recipients for being a Lifetime Achievement Awardee at the International Film Festival Manhattan. For the Short Director category, he was recognized for his work in Biyaheng Madilim after taking home the Best Director Award at the prestigious award-giving body.
Director Rico Gutierrez, meanwhile, was one of the honorees under the Short Film category for winning the Best Short Animation Award for Ang Lihim ni Lea at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival (BUEIFF).
Legendary actress Gloria Romero was given the Ilaw ng Industriya Award, under the Gabay ng Industriya category, in honor of her service to Philippine Cinema as its guiding light and inspiration.
FDCP also recognized The Atom Araullo Specials’ “Babies4Sale.PH” episode and Brigada’s “Aeta Squadron/Female Spies” documentary for winning the Silver (Best Investigative Report category) and Bronze (Documentary History and Society category) Medals, respectively at the 2020 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.
Capping off the list of Kapuso winners is Front Row Executive Producer Alyx Arumpac who received the Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award for Aswang, which she wrote and directed. The multi-awarded documentary took home the Fipresci Prize in the 2019 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on top of winning eight other international awards in 2020. The Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award is the highest citation given by the FDCP to trailblazers and legends in the industry.