NO NETWORK WAR – Kapamilya and Kapuso stars mingle at the Anak TV awards.

MANILA, Philippines — Nowhere in the local television industry can fierce competition be set aside, not merely for public display but because of a shared cause, than in the Anak TV awards.

This was again proven recently when the seals were handed out at the jampacked hall of Soka Gakkai in Quezon City, home to the awards for six years running.

Consider stalwart talents of ABS-CBN honoring winners from rival GMAMA Network and vice versa. Kapuso Cesar Montano, with 10 year-old daughter Angelina in tow, read the names of Kapamilya winners.

Other presenters such as Arnold Clavio, Julius Babao, Mike Enriquez, Toni Gonzaga, Jessica Soho, Tin Tin Bersola, and Love Añover honored winners from other stations.

Ricky Davao and Marvin Agustin did the chore of explaining the youth media training program and honoring the teachers flown in from the Visayas who have been making a difference in the lives of poor children through their partnership with Anak TV’s Support to Train Juveniles program.

Earlier on, TV 5’s newscaster Cheri Mercado had shared centerstage with daughter Christiana in introducing honoree GMA Network’s Rod Cornejo who is leaving the service after having faithfully represented the network since the foundation’s inception in 1997.

The most photographed moments were those of male and female Makabata stars playfully jamming with their colleagues and fellow winners from other channels, as though rivalry was a mere figment of their bosses’ imaginations.

It was a delight watching Clavio sparring onstage with Babao; Enriquez ribbing Coco Martin; Karen Davila in a reunion photo with Jessica Soho and Mel Tiangco.

Last year, known rivals Korina Sanchez and Mel Tiangco found themselves standing beside each other onstage and did the best thing, to the thrill of supporters: they kissed and chatted.

GMA Network’s Imbestigador Mike Enriquez routinely teased the crowd with his self-comparison with John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual and Aga Muhlach, ABS-CBN’s matinee idols.

There is unanimity in their messages of thanks, addressing the country’s parents and youth who make up the bulk of their viewers. In the end, they acknowledge that they are not merely seen on TV but that their lives are magnified, especially by the vulnerable and imitative young.

The real upside about the Anak TV awards is that there is equality in almost everything. Directors and producers are honored for their works and are routinely reminded that the industry not only pays them their dues but that they have responsibilities to their viewers.

The stars, dressed starkly casual for the only daytime awards rites in showbiz, jostle for seats with the audience. VIPs end up anywhere, at the mercy of the thick crowd, as though to remind them that the real star in this instance is the Filipino child.

(If interested in the advocacy for family-friendly television, visit anaktvweb.com or email the foundation at anaktv_seal@yahoo.com.)