Broadcast giant GMA Network remains the top choice of the Isko and Iska, proudly earning 20 recognitions across all platforms at the 17th UP BroadSoc Gandingan Awards held on May 13 at Dioscoro L. Umali Hall, UP Los Baños, Laguna.
Leading the list for the network were broadcasts Atom Araullo and Melo del Prado who were conferred as Best News Anchor and Best AM Radio Program Host, respectively. Araullo co-anchors GMA Integrated News’ flagship newscast on GTV State of the Nation, while Del Prado hosts the morning radio program Melo del Prado sa Super Radyo on Super Radyo DZBB 594. Besting other nominees as Best Field Reporter was DZBB reporter Isa Avendaño-Umali.
Several programs under GMA Public Affairs were once again honored at the Gandingan Awards. Winning Most Development-Oriented Documentary was The Atom Araullo Specials: Mata sa Dilim. Hailing triumphant as well was I Juander, which took home the Most Development-Oriented Magazine Program. Hapag: Mga Kwento ng Huli at Ani, Reporter’s Notebook Election Special was recognized as the Most Development-Oriented Investigative Story.
Winning the hearts of Isko and Iska as well was the GMA Synergy-produced Limitless: Breathe, which won the Most Development-Oriented Musical Segment/Program. The first leg of Limitless: A Musical Trilogy, Breathe saw Julie Anne San Jose traveling to Mindanao for musical performances that allowed her to explore the island’s hidden gems. Julie’s rendition of her hit song “Tayong Dalawa” for Limitless: A Musical Trilogy, in turn, received a Special Citation in the Most Development-Oriented TV Plug category.
GMA Entertainment Group’s Maria Clara at Ibarra continues to earn recognition, taking home a Special Citation in the Most Development-Oriented Drama Program category.
The network’s flagship AM and FM radio stations, Super Radyo DZBB 594 and Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! added more awards to their growing list of honors. Under the radio category, Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! prevailed as the Most Development-Oriented FM Station while its radio program Barangay Love Stories won as the Most Development-Oriented Radio Drama. Several radio programs of DZBB were also hailed as winners including Saksi sa Dobol B as the Most Development-Oriented AM Program and Kurtesiya Na, Disiplina Pa as the Most Development-Oriented Radio Plug.
Online, Atom Letter from Tawi-Tawi received a Special Citation in the Most Development-Oriented Photograph / Photo Story category.
On top of the General Awards, GMA Network reaped several Core Awards.
Mel Tiangco was conferred the Gandingan ng Kababaihan and Susan Enriquez was given a Special Citation as Gandingan ng Kabuhayan.
Earning a core award as well was Maria Clara at Ibarra, which was recognized as the Most Development-Oriented Educational Program.
GMA Public Affairs’ Born to be Wild: Born to be Kings won Most Development-Oriented Environment Program, while I-Witness: Transnene took home the Most Gender-Transformative Program award.
Completing the list of Core awardees was DZBB’s Anong Say Nyo: 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which earned the honors for the Most Participatory Program.
This year’s Gandingan Awards follows the theme “Kabuhayan, Buhay ng Bayan” as it aims to emphasize the importance of media in advancing the rights of Filipino workers under an extreme economic crisis brought about by the pandemic and other factors.