News and Public Affairs’ First Vice President Nessa Valdellon and multi-awarded I-Witness host and writer Kara David. (Contributed photo)
GMA Network proudly took home 4 world medals and 5 finalist certificates at the 2016 New York Festivals, which also had Kapuso broadcast journalist Kara David as one of the award presenters at the awards ceremony held in Las Vegas April 19. GMA was the only Philippine company with medal winners this year.
The network’s News and Public Affairs Group was responsible for the 4 medalists in various categories.
I-Witness, the country’s longest running documentary program, won the bronze medal in the Community Portraits category for “Dorm 12,” where David featured aging and forgotten inmates at the Correctional Institute for Women.
Investigative news magazine Reporter’s Notebook won a bronze award in the Social Issues category for tackling urban migration in its “Hikahos sa Lungsod” episode, reported by Maki Pulido.
Front Row’s “Maestra Salbabida” took home a bronze in the Community Service Programs category, depicting a teacher in Mindoro who crosses rivers using a makeshift floating device to reach the barrio where she teaches.
GMA News TV’s Reel Time, on the other hand, earned the bronze award inthe Human Concerns category for its “Isang Paa sa Hukay” documentary on small-scale mining operations in Camarines Norte.
David, meanwhile, was the only media professional from Asia named as one of this year’s award presenters, which include prominent international media executives, talk show hosts and content creators.
On the other hand, three GMA News and Public Affairs programs received finalist certificates: Philippine TV’s first-ever bayaniserye Ilustrado, Bawal ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie and Brigada while two projects from the network’s Program Support Department were also shortlisted: Ilustrado’s opening billboard and GMA News TV’s Father’s Day plug.