GMA Network wins 18 recognitions at 36th CMMA

Philippine broadcast industry giant GMA Network received multiple honors for its value-laden programs and special projects at the 36th Catholic Mass Media Awards held last October 29 in Manila.

The big winners in the television category were GMA-7’s weekend primetime newscast 24 Oras Weekend (Best News Program) for its Yolanda Coverage and family sitcom Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kuwento (Best Comedy Program); GMA News TV’s original series on education Titser (Best Drama Series/Program) and pioneering documentary program Reel Time (Best Public Service Program); and GMA News’ comprehensive coverage of the first-ever joint papal canonization St. John Paul II: We Love You (Best Special Event Coverage).

Receiving special citations for television, meanwhile, were GMA-7’s multi-awarded documentary program I-Witness, the Philippines’ first and only nature and wildlife series Born To Be Wild (Best Adult Educational/Cultural Program), and the youth-oriented programs Tropang Potchi and Binoy Henyo (Best Children and Youth Program). Also cited were GMA News TV’s highly-acclaimed flagship newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (Best News Program) and weekly news magazine program Brigada (Best News Magazine); GMA News’ Bantay Kaban ng Bayan, which traced the anatomy of the pork barrel scam (Best TV Special); and GMA Cebu’s Visita Iglesia (Best Religious Program).

As an affirmation of their commitment to Serbisyong Totoo, GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB also took home awards for the radio programs Imbestigador sa DZBB (Best Public Service Program) and Bangon Na Bayan (Best News Commentary).

Furthermore, GMA Marketing and Productions, Inc., the Network’s sales and marketing arm, bested entries from other creative agencies by gaining the top prize for KFC’s “Munting Sakripisyo” (Best TV Ad – Branded) while So Lucky’s “Kahati ng Kahapon” received a special citation in the same category. Both winners were among GMA’s Christmas short films for 2013 and were created in partnership with KFC and Columbia International Food Products, Inc., respectively.

Also recognized in the Music Category was “Pagbangon” (Best Secular Song) – an initiative of GMA News, produced by the Program Support Department, written by Joseph Saguid, composed by Edward Mitra, and sung by Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose. “Pagbangon” tells of the resilience of the Filipino people and reminds everyone to help his fellowmen in times of crisis.

Since 1978, the prestigious Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) has been giving out recognition to students, professionals, and organizations that made use of mass communication in promoting Christian values among Filipinos.

Released November 3, 2014