MANILA, Philippines - Breaking the typecasting of television as the “idiot box†offering nothing but momentary gratification, TV5 through its primetime programs could be credited in impacting the lives of the people that it touches. Three of its programs, Enchanted Garden, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE) Philippines and Dancing Nation: A Talentadong Pinoy Special, have been praised for bringing some of the coun- try’s pressing concerns to primetime TV.
Last year, Enchanted Garden was awarded the Gawad Muyong by the Department of Environment and Natu- ral Resources (DENR) as a result of the show’s efforts in raising public aware- ness about saving the environment. The Kapatid network’s first eco-fantasya was also recognized for bringing environ- mental issues closer to viewers.
TV5 also featured the struggles and triumphs of ordinary Pinoys. EMHE Philip- pines was recently named a finalist to the 2013 New York Festivals. Based on the original Endemol worldwide TV hit, the Philippine edition proved that lives can indeed be changed one home at a time. The cause-oriented show successfully reached out to families and communities that deserved a new lease on life, beginning with a home that they can call their own.
Another example of entertainment-cum- civic action was when 300 dancers from Laua- an, Antique emerged victorious during the first Dancing Nation: A Talentadong Pinoy Spe- cial last weekend. They won P1M in cash to help their town’s Operation: Timbang program that combats malnutrition, especially among children. The town of Laua-an beat dancers representing Alaminos (Pangasinan), Infanta (Quezon), Jose Panganiban (Camarines Norte), Tupi (South Cotabato), Rodriguez (Rizal) and Calauag (Quezon).
The Talentadong Pinoy special is more than just a dance competition and allows the partici- pating towns or communities to articulate their people’s concerns to a much greater audience.
Celebrities like Alice Dixson, Arnell Ignacio and Audie Gemora even gave their personal contributions to the featured causes.
With the success of Enchanted Garden, EMHE Philippines and Dancing Nation, TV5 proves that building a more united Philippines remains at the heart of its programs. The Kapatid network remains committed to its mission of sharing with Filipinos its own brand of bayanihan spirit.