Championing kid-friendly programs

The Kapuso Network capped yet another award-winning year last 2017 when several of its shows and personalities were recognized by the AnakTV organization.

AnakTV (originally Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television) is an advocacy organization that promotes television literacy whose agenda is child-sensitive family-friendly TV programs.

At the AnakTV Seal Awards held last December, GMA News pillars Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales were elevated to the Makabata Hall of Fame after being voted for seven years as Makabata Stars. Vic Sotto also received the award. The three join Hall of Famers and GMA pillars Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco and Jessica Soho.

With close to half of the population in the region composed of people under the age of 18 (in the Philippines, it is pegged at 47 percent), a vast audience requires age-appropriate TV programs.

Last year’s list of AnakTV Seal awardees for GMA Network were 24 Oras and 24 Oras Weekend; Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho; Unang Hirit; and Wish Ko Lang. Joining them were I-Witness, AHA!, Pinoy MD, Born To Be Wild and iBilib.

Several GMA News TV programs were also recognized at the AnakTV Awards including Ang Pinaka, Biyahe Ni Drew, Brigada, Day Off, Good News, I Juander, Idol sa Kusina, Investigative Documentaries, News to Go, Pop Talk, Quick Response Team, Reel Time and Wagas.

Meanwhile, various programs and special coverages of GMA Regional TV (GMA RTV) were also honored by the AnakTV Foundation. Earning AnakTV Seals were GMA RTV’s local newscasts Balitang Amianan (Luzon) and Balitang Bisdak (Visayas). GMA RTV’s coverage of Baguio City’s flower festival, Kapuso Panagbenga Festival and Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival, Pit Senyor Kapuso, both earned an Anak TV Seal each.

Recognized as Male Makabata Stars were Dingdong Dantes, Alden Richards, Drew Arellano and new I-Witness host Atom Araullo. The Female Makabata Stars included Marian Rivera-Dantes, Maine Mendoza, Kara David and Gloria Romero. They were chosen by the national jury as “most credible, wholesome and worth emulating by the youth.”

Various Kapuso news and public affairs and entertainment programs were also selected as Household Favorite TV Programs namely 24 Oras; Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho; Eat Bulaga and Pepito Manaloto.

During her speech, AnakTV president Elvira Yap Go recalled the recent awarding ceremony for the best videos at the First Southeast Asia Prix Jeunesse.

“I kept expressing my gratitude for the event that gathered TV producers and child advocates in Manila for three days of activities dedicated to the children of today’s generation, whose character is being polished for tomorrow’s leadership,” she said.

The region-wide competition was well-received and participated in by Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

At the awards night held in Manila, there were 10 winners including four from the Philippines. The winning entry in the Professional Non-Fiction Category for Children 13 to 17 years old was GMA’s Iginuhit sa Tubig, an episode from the GMA News TV program, Reel Time.

“What we have started in Manila at the first Southeast Asia Prix Jeunesse will continue to blossom in Singapore next year,” Go said. “Like-minded people from all corners of Southeast Asia will continue to be involved in efforts to nurture television that enables young audiences to see, hear and express themselves and their culture.”

Because of her dedication to the cause, AnakTV has become “the vanguard of television literacy in a country that regards the TV set as the favorite appliance, surrogate parent, baby sitter and main source of entertainment and information at home.”