PUSH Awards ‘not exclusive’ to Kapamilya stars

MANILA, Philippines – Celebrity supporters can register and vote on PushAwards.com whether their celebrity idols are Kapamilya, Kapuso or Kapatid. This was clearly expressed by ABS-CBN digital content head for entertainment Domileo “Domi” Espejo during the presscon to drumbeat this year’s PUSH Awards, the digital media awards of ABS-CBN, that honors stars as well as fans who are certified online hits and entertainment newsmakers. 

“The fact that we’re not excluding the Kapatid and Kapuso (artists) since we have nominees in the line-up, is a sure sign… na talagang di lang ito Kapamilya awards,” Domi said. “And we really try to include and tell all the fans to support their idols.”

He added, “In the NaviScoring that we’ve done, it was very objective. That’s why we’re ready if there are questions of how come this or that artist is not included (in the list of nominees). We can say that we have selected our nominees scientifically so talagang dun pa lang fair na. Dun sa voting po tayo magkakatalo because it depends on how your fans or supporters will participate in our voting.”

Domi also recalled that in last year’s Push Awards, Kapuso star Maine Mendoza was among the winners.

Kapamilya chief digital officer Donald Lim, on the other hand, explained how they were able to come up with the list of nominees in various categories. “I think the guidance No. 1, we created the NaviScoring system to get the Top 5; it’s that simple. In the end, it is dependent already on the fans. On our end, our bosses asked (us), ‘If someone from another network wins, is it OK with you?’ And we said that if you want this the fairest way possible then it’s very transparent.

“And we also had an audit firm which is there. So may audit talaga kaya di s’ya technical na binibilang lang. The auditing firm does the audit and makes sure that every vote is counted. As we have said, our advocacy is more on social media rather than the network… Maganda nga we follow the numbers, we wait for the fan votes and then they are audited by an independent body that’s why our conscience is clear.”

Asked if they are aware that the number of likes and following can be boosted and “bought” by a celebrity, digital content production head Richard Reynante admitted that boosting is possible but it is not enough basis for a celebrity to win.

“In the NaviScoring system, it has three columns — one is for the following, second is the engagement which determines how often a celebrity interacts with his fans or nagpo-post ba kung anuman status n’ya and the third is the mentions or the actions. Ito ‘yung sagot ng fans sa kung anuman ang ginawa ng artista nila,” he said.

“Yung boosting pwede magawa ‘yun on the first item pero ‘yung engagement, it would be difficult because a celebrity needs to hire someone to reply or post something for him then the third column is more difficult because it would depend on the fans’ reaction to what their idols have posted. That’s the component of our NaviScore so it’s not just the following but also the engagement and actions.”

In this year’s PUSH Awards, KathNiel and LizQuen, the loveteams of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, and Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, respectively, garnered the most number of nominations for the following categories — PUSH Like Group/Tandem (Facebook), PUSH Tweet/Group (Twitter), PUSH GRAM Group/Tandem (Twitter), PUSH GRAM Group/Tandem (Instagram) and PUSH PLAY Group/Tandem (YouTube).

James Reid and Nadine Lustre or JaDine are nominated in the PUSH Gram Group/Tandem category. James is also among the PUSH Play Male Celebrity nominees.

Several Kapuso stars are also included in the list of nominees. Regine Velasquez is competing under the Popular TV Performance category.

Marian Rivera is nominated in the Popular Celebrity Mommy category, her husband Dingdong Dantes for Popular Celebrity Daddy and their daughter Baby Zia is among the Popular Celebrity Baby nominees. 

Paolo Ballesteros, on the other hand, is one of the five nominees in PUSH Gram Male Celebrity. AlDub, the loveteam of Maine and Alden Richards, competes for the title PUSH Gram/Group Tandem. Alden is also the bet for PUSH Gram Music Artist. Eat, Bulaga kiddie member Bae-by Baste is nominated under the PUSH Play Newcomer. Janine Gutierrez earns a spot for Pop Female Fashion Icon and TV5’s Suklay Diva is Popular LOL Video nominee for her performance of Tatlong Bibe.

Fans and netizens can start voting for their favorites on PushAwards.com where they can also see the complete list of nominees and categories. Just log on to the site and register through your Facebook account. Only one vote per category will be accepted per day.

The nominees with the highest number of votes in each category will be declared winners and will receive a special trophy in a ceremony in October.