Our congratulations to GMA Network for again achieving a feat, this time at the Asian TV Awards 2005.
GMA Network has truly established the world–class quality of its programs and talents as it garnered several honors in the Asian Television Awards 2005, the first of which is the award for The Terrestrial Channel of the Year, which GMA Network president and CEO Felipe L. Gozon personally received. The awards ceremony was held at the University Cultural Centre (UCC), National University of Singapore last Dec. 1. Since this is the first time a Philippine TV network was given this award, it is not only an honor for GMA Network but for the Philippines as well, according to Gozon. GMA also won in four other categories and got high commendations in six others.
GMA Network bested other networks from the 14 participating countries in the awards, including Japan, India, South Korea, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
From about 1,500 entries received from 129 companies in these countries to vie for awards in 33 categories, ten of GMA-7’s programs and talents were recognized and given high commendations. Michael V won in the Best Comedy Performance by an Actor category, while Nonie Buencamino bagged the Best Drama Performance by an Actor for his stint in "Magpakailanman": "Till the End of Time." I-Witness ("Buto’t Balat") won Best Social Awareness Program, and the "Eat Bulaga" Silver Special won Best Entertainment (OnOff/Annual) Special.
Meanwhile, "Reporter’s Notebook" ("Backdoor and Child Hit Man"), "I-Witness" ("Missing in Aceh"), Pinoy Abroad ("Pinoy Boxers"), "24 Oras: Camp Bagong Diwa Siege," "Encantadia" and Ms. Lorna Tolentino were also given high commendations and shortlisted as finalists for their respective categories. A total of ten out of the eleven finalists from the Philippines in the Awards were from GMA-7.
The numerous international recognition that GMA-7 continues to receive prove that the Kapuso Network truly is going global in every sense. As GMA continues to soar as the No. 1 network in the country, it makes bigger efforts to further its lead in the industry and reach out to more viewers, not only in the country but in other parts of the world as well. With GMA Pinoy TV now well on its way to conquering the globe and with QTV Channel 11 having successfully secured the No. 3 spot in Mega Manila, the Kapuso Network now also ventures into a different territory as it co-produces an Asian drama with Korea.
GMA Films recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea’s IBA Media Co. Ltd., represented by CEO Hwang Young Chul, and Joong Ang Ilbo Co. Ltd. to co-produce a Korean drama series. The companies plan to air the telenovela simultaneously in different parts of Asia, including Korea, Taiwan (GTV), Japan (Fuji TV), and the Philippines (through GMA-7). They hope to implement the plan by the middle of March 2006. In the meantime, location hunting in the country would begin on Dec. 15 and mid–January.
In keeping with GMA’s corporate purpose to enrich the lives of Filipinos everywhere with superior entertainment and the responsible delivery of news and information, the Kapuso Network continues to make every effort possible to give viewers in the country and abroad new and better choices in programming, while also showcasing how Filipino ingenuity is at par with international standards.
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The ‘legal’ daughters of Zsa Zsa, ‘legal wife’
There are two "legal" daughters of Zsa Zsa Padilla who plays the first wife in Regal Films’ festival entry "Mano Po 4: Ako Legal Wife." They are Julianne Lee and Ella Guevara, both Chineselooking so they fit their roles to a T. The girls did not need special makeups to make their eyes look more Oriental.
It used to be that girls with Chinese features hardly had the chance to make it in local showbiz because they wouldn’t click with Filipino movie/TV audiences. But this changed in the 21st century when the "Meteor Garden" fever swept the nation, and the success of the "Mano Po" movies proved that attitudes towards Chinese and Chinoys had changed!
This Filipino acceptance of performers with strong Chinese features benefited Julianne who is actually half-Filipino, half-Chinese. The young and pretty actress is currently seen in top-rating action-adventure series "Sugo," where she plays Gong Lai, the Chinoy friend of Mei Li. Julianne is also in the cast of "Mulawin, the Movie," a joint production between GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, Inc. and another festival entry.
Ella Guevara is not Chinese but she looks very much like one with her chinita features. In "Ako Legal Wife," Ella plays Anthurium Chong, the younger daughter of womanizer Elton Chong (Jay Manalo) with his insecure legal wife Chona. In the film, Anthurium shocks her father when she tells him she wants to become a "kabit" when she grows up because she has heard that mistresses lead very interesting lives!
Ever since she became a finalist in GMA’s "Starstruck Kids," life has not been the same for the precocious Ella. She has been working nonstop especially after bagging the Best Child Performer Award with her role as an abused child in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival "Sigaw."
After "Sigaw," Ella played the young Jennylyn Mercado in the blockbuster "Say That You Love Me" and the young Rica Peralejo in the comedy smash hit "Hari ng Sablay." On TV, Ella played a crucial role in the recently concluded telefantasy "Darna."
A very natural and gifted child performer, Ella is a Grade 1 pupil. In school, she’s just a normal kid but of course, she sometimes is asked to sign autographs and pose for souvenir pictures. Ella is the youngest of four children. Her oldest brother is also an actor, but on stage.
Watch out for Julianne and Ella in "Ako Legal Wife," opening on Dec. 25 nationwide.
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3rd Gender-Sensitive Film Award launched in QC
The 3rd Gender-Sensitive Film Award was launched by Quezon City last week. This is the only award of its kind in the Philippines and elsewhere. It is given during the annual Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines.
The launch, followed by a press conference, was held at Sulo Hotel with QC Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. delivering the welcome remarks. Also there to give messages of support were QC Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Usec. Teresita Castillo of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and District lV Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza.
Other speakers were Mary Ruby Palma, head of the QC Gender and Development Resources and Coordinating Office (GADRCO) who provided a brief backgrounder on the award; and noted feminist painter and sculptor Sandra Torrijos who explained the symbolism of the trophy for the winning film.
The award is given to the film that best portrays, and resolves, gender issues and biases, at the same time showing women and men working hand in hand towards development.
Last year, the Regal Films’ movie depicting the atrocities of World War ll, "Ashite Imasu: 1941," was chosen the most gender-sensitive film for 2004. The movie starred Judy Ann Santos, Raymart Santiago and Dennis Trillo (who won several awards for his portrayal of a transvestite who’s the object of affection of a Japanese officer). It was directed by multi-awarded Joel Lamangan.
The press conference that followed the launch was hosted by Rina Jimenez–David and Gregorio Banacia, head of the QC Public Affairs and Information Services Office (PAISO). The panel members were Councilor Alma Montilla, QC Cultural and Tourism Affairs Office head Atty. Victoria V. Loanzon, Mother Lily Monteverde, Judy Ann Santos, Joel Lamangan and Judge Teodoro Bay, the 2004 Most Gender-Sensitive Judge Awardee.
Although it is awarded during the 2005 MMFF-P, the Most Gender-Sensitive Film Award remains an independent confernment because it is given by the QC Government as provided for under the QC GAD Code.
The selection process will coincide with the judging for the MMFFP entries which has its own panel of judges. The steering committee for the Most Gender-Sensitive Film Award is chaired by Ms. Joy Belmonte-Alimurung.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 10, go to Mrs. Aurora Cruz-Romero who turns 75, Conchita Razon, Lydia Veneracion, Chit Gohu, Ramon Valencia, Aristides J. Baluyut, Eboy Tengco, Teddy Gordoncillo, Sabina Dacer, Betty Francisco, Lota Reyes, Wilfredo T. Siy, and ElizabethL.C. Chan...Happy wedding anniversary to former Baliuag Mayor and Mrs. Lando Salvador...
