GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon was selected as a member of the Advisory Board for the 2010 Asian Television Awards (ATA). He is the only Filipino who’s joining the elite group.

The ATA recognizes excellence in programming, production and performance and is the most significant and celebrated event in the Asian TV industry. Vying for the awards are terrestrial broadcasters, cable and satellite networks, and independent production houses. Winners of the Terrestrial Channel of the Year Award, Cable and Satellite Channel of the Year Award, Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year Award, and Cable and Satellite Network of the Year Award will be recognized at the ATA 2010 Gala Dinner to be held in Singapore on Dec. 9.

GMA Network won the ATA’s Terrestrial Channel of the Year Award in 2005 and is the only Philippine TV station to bring home the said honor to date.

The ATA 2010 Advisory Board comprises top executives from major broadcasters in the Asian region.

“I am honored to sit as a member of the Advisory Board for this year’s Asian Television Awards. After we won the Terrestrial Channel of the Year Award in 2005, we became all the more inspired to push for excellence in television production and programming in the country and in Asia,” said Gozon, the only Filipino in the Advisory Board.

Other members of the Advisory Board include Ten Alps Communications Asia CEO and ATA organizer Raymond Wong, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures Managing Director Man Shu Sum, New South Wales Film and TV Office Chief Executive Tania Chambers.

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The comeback of news giants!

Nov. 8 was a momentous day for ABS-CBN as it marked the return of the so-called “giants” of broadcasting, Noli de Castro and Korina Sanchez, to the network’s primetime news program “TV Patrol” where they will join Ted Failon. They were given warm and enthusiastic welcome by the Kapamilya news people.

Both Kabayan Noli and Korina were pioneers of the show. Later, Korina was replaced by Karen Davila, who we heard was offered to anchor “Bandila” but is yet deciding to accept it or not. Julius Babao has also offered to co-anchor with Karen, and he has said yes, according to Ms. Regina “Ging” E. Reyes, who is now head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs department, replacing Maria Ressa.

Ging herself is making a homecoming, being in the US for eight years, as bureau chief of ABS-CBN International. It is recalled that she started out in ABS-CBN News in 1986 as production assistant. As she climbed the ladder of success, she became known as a no-nonsense, hard-charging and terror-inducing producer. In accepting the job, Ging said, “I am taking a big risk, but maybe it’s time to get out of my comfort zone and rise up to the challenge of leading the news team. As journalists, we will continue to uphold what is true and what is right. The task is to continue and build on the legacy that Maria Ressa started.”

Meanwhile, reports reaching us say Willie Revillame’s female co-host Councilor Shalani Soledad was so “mahinhin” for a host. But most “Willing Willie” viewers are hopeful she’ll learn and perk up in due time.

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PBB hunk now in TV shows
PBB hunk Hermes Bautista, the guy who got entangled in a love triangle with fellow housemates, is now getting to be a regular fixture in TV shows. While inside Bahay ni Kuya, Hermes stood out because of his long, jet-black hair, an envy of both men and women.

In a forthcoming episode of ABS-CBN’s “Wansapanatym,” Hermes plays Apitong, a statue that turns into human at night. He will star opposite comedienne Pokwang in that episode. The show is aired every Saturday night.

Now that he is in showbiz, Hermes wants to be known as a versatile actor.

After PBB, Hermes who is managed by Backroom, Inc. and co-managed by Star Magic, appeared in “Your Song,” and was also seen in “Agimat,” starring Jake Cuenca.

A nursing graduate, Hermes went to the US to work for a while but he realized he loves his country and he’d rather stay in the Philippines.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Nov. 12, go to TAPE, Inc. executive Malou Choa-Fagar, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Atty. Teresita Cruz-Sison, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Rene Tiongco, J-Nel Bernabe, director Herminio Bautista, Christina Hermoso, Barbie Bermundo, Bobby Enciso, Reynaldo Campos, Vangie Go, Dr. Wenden Lozano, Estrella Cruz Muñoz, Mike Aguirre of PCSO, Korean star Sandara Park, NHA Chair Rico Laxa, Ron Morales of Star Magic, and MB’s Diego Cagahastian... Congratulations and best wishes to Catalin and Renee Stanciu of Abu Dhabi who are having their Christian garden wedding today at The Grove By Rockwell in Ortigas…