Philippine media giant GMA Network continues to champion Filipino talent on the global stage as it emerged National Winners across various categories at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards.
As National Winners, these Kapuso shows will represent the Philippines at the Grand Awards and Gala Final on 7 December. The AAAs honors excellence in craft and technical disciplines across multiple platforms including television, digital, mobile, streaming and any other emerging technologies.
Taking home back-to-back National awards is GMA Integrated News’ flagship newscast 24 Oras, which won in the Best Documentary Series and Best News / Current Affairs Programme or Series categories.
Anchored by Mel Tiangco, Emil Sumangil and Vicky Morales, 24 Oras is set to represent the Philippines in the Asia-wide awards’ Best Documentary Series category for its Climate Change series (Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima). The special report series presented by GMA Integrated News’ roster of award-winning reporters pushed the conversation on climate change in the national agenda. The series not only shone a spotlight on the palpable impact of extreme weather conditions on ordinary Filipinos, but also showcased tales of resilience and innovation in adapting to the threat of climate change.
24 Oras will also represent the country in the Best News / Current Affairs Program or Series category, for its Typhoon Doksuri (Supertyphoon “Egay”) coverage. In 2021, 24 Oras was declared the Grand Winner in the same category.
Infotainment
Set to raise the Philippine flag once more is multi-platform leader and multi-awarded Public Affairs program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, winning the Best Infotainment Programme for Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Original, TITIKMAN.
Host Jessica Soho, together with GMA artists and popular food vloggers, explored the latest food trends from various regions across the country. This is the fifth time that KMJS was named the National Winner for the said category.
For covering South Korea’s Itaewon Tragedy, GMA Public Affairs’ daily news magazine show Dapat Alam Mo! emerged as the National Winner in the Best Single News Story category. Host Kim Atienza gave a firsthand account of the stampede that happened in Itaewon on Halloween weekend. Atienza and his team were in Korea to shoot for the show’s first anniversary but arrived in Itaewon just when the crowd crush was happening.
Multi-awarded documentary program The Atom Araullo Specials scored the National Award for Best Documentary Programme for its documentary Anak. The winning entry showed Araullo exploring how hunger in some places in the Philippines forces parents to give up their children.
Winning the National Award for Best Single Drama/Telemovie/Anthology Episode is Tadhana for its Beautiful Revenge episode. The award-winning drama anthology by GMA Public Affairs is hosted by Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera.
Groundbreaking
Meanwhile, GMA Network’s groundbreaking live-action adaptation Voltes V: Legacy is representing the Philippines in two categories: Best Animated Programme or Series (2D OR 3D) and Best Visual or Special FX in TV Series or Feature Film.
The series was produced by GMA Network in partnership with Toei Company, Ltd. and Telesuccess Productions Inc. Acclaimed local animators from GMA’s Post Video Graphics and Audio team and Riot Inc. handled the program’s heavy CGI and other visual effects.
“Voltes V: Legacy” featured Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Raphael Landicho as Little Jon Armstrong, and Matt Lozano as Big Bert Armstrong.
Further, GMA Entertainment Group’s groundbreaking TV series, Maria Clara at Ibarra took home the National Award for Best Theme Song. Titled Babaguhin Ang Buong Mundo, the song was sung by Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose, who also portrayed the role of Maria Clara in the hit series. It was written/arranged by Simon Peter Tan and Rocky Gacho. The series also starred Barbie Forteza as Klay, David Licauco as Fidel, and Dennis Trillo as Ibarra.