JILLIAN Ward
For broadcast journalists Karen Davila and Jessica Soho, being chosen by thousands of children around the country as role models is at once heartening and surprising, especially since they were up against glitzy show biz stars.
Davila and Soho were two of 25 TV personalities who received the Anak TV “Makabata” Star award from the Southeast Asian Foundation of Children and Television (SEAFCTV). The recipients were chosen through a nationwide poll among the Filipino youth.
An ABS-CBN TV and radio anchor, Davila said it was good to know that the youth’s TV viewing was not limited to entertainment shows. “The fact that kids picked people from news and public affairs means that they also care about current events,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer at the recent Anak TV award ceremonies. “It means that our opinions matter to them, that they hold us in high regard.”
ZAIJAN Jaranilla
Among the local awards being given in the industry today, Davila said Anak TV meant the most to her. “I intend to continue being a role model by never compromising my integrity, journalistic standards and ideals,” she said.
ANAK TV spokersperson Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski delivers a message.
TV sweetheart
Soho, GMA 7 vice president for news programs, likewise said she was amazed that she was ranked high “among TV hunks and sweethearts.” She told the Inquirer: “It makes me feel good that they watch the news even if they’re about something bad most of the time.”
Other Makabata Stars are Kim Chiu, Boy Abunda, Anne Curtis, Ryan Agoncillo, Kara David, Gerald Anderson, Kim Atienza, Sarah Geronimo, Arnold Clavio, Toni Gonzaga, Noli de Castro, Angel Locsin, Ted Failon, Vicky Morales, Zaijan Jaranilla, Judy Ann Santos, Coco Martin, Bernadette Sembrano, Vhong Navarro, Vic Sotto, Jodi Sta. Maria, Anthony Taberna and Richard Yap.
RICHARD Yap
Curtis, a Kapamilya artist, considered the Anak TV trophy a reminder for all the honorees to continue imparting good values to young followers. “I promise to pass on the message that dreams do come true if you have faith in yourself and put God above all things,” she said.
JODI Sta. Maria
David, a Kapuso news anchor, dedicated the award to all Filipino children. “They have the tiniest voices, but they speak the truth,” she said. “They may be the weakest members of our society, but they’re the ones who gives us strength.”
Kid-friendly shows
Anak TV also honored child-sensitive and family-friendly TV programs, or shows that kids can watch with minimal adult supervision.
CHERYL Cosim
More than 3,000 jurors around the country—representing the youth, parents, educators, NGOs, educators, government, business and media people, among other sectors—screened the programs. The final roster was approved by the SEAFCTV board after rigid scrutiny based on moral slant, artistic merit, educational content and cultural relevance.
According to Davila, TV networks can help enforce child-friendly and beneficial programming by producing current affairs programs and documentaries that tackle serious issues that affect the youth.
“They may not earn the same ratings or earn much money, but these shows are needed to help educate the younger generation,” Davila pointed out.
ANNE Curtis accepts the Anak TV Makabata Star award.
Soho said producers should always be conscious about program content. “We must keep in mind that there will always be kids watching. Personally, I see to it that every story I present has a lesson for them,” she said.
JESSICA Soho
Anak TV seals
This year, 109 programs received Anak TV Seals: 25 are from ABS-CBN; 24 from Net 25; 21 from GMA 7 and GMA News TV; 19 from UNTV; nine from TV5; seven from Light 33; two from PTV; one each from Studio 23 and IBC. Four of the trophy presenters were Anak TV president Elvira Yap-Go, chair Edgardo Roces, secretary general Mag Cruz Hatol and former officer Bob del Rosario.
Given Anak TV seals of approval were:
ABS-CBN: “Ako ang Simula,” “Arangkada,” “Bida Kapampangan,” “Derecho,” “Gandang Umaga Kapamilya,” “Go, Diego, Go,” “Halad sa Kapamilya-Cebu,” “I Got It,” “Junior MasterChef,” “Maayong Buntag Mindanao,” “Magandang Umaga South Central Mindanao,” “Mag-TV na Amiga-Bacolod,” “Mag-TV na Atin To-Baguio,” “Mag-TV na Ato Ni-Cagayan de Oro,” “Mag-TV na Oragon-Bicol,” “Mag-TV na Sadya Ta-Davao,” “Marhay na Aga Kapamilya,” “Matanglawin,” “Naimbag nga Morning Kapamilya,” “Rated K,” “Salamat Dok,” “Sikat Ka Iloilo,” “The Morning Show-Bacolod,” “The Penguins” and “Why Not?”
KIM CHIU
ISAY Alvarez, guest performer
Studio 23: “Biyaheng Bulilit”; PTV—“Power to Unite” and “Signs and Wonders”; TV 5: “Alagang Kapatid,” “Batibot,” “Bilang Tao,” “Handy Manny,” “Mickey Mouse Club House,” “Mondu Manu,” “Pidol’s Wonderland,” “Pinoy Explorer” and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”; IBC: “Biyaheng Langit.”
GMA 7 and GMA News TV: “Aha!,” “Daldalita,” “I-Bilib,” “Kap’s Amazing Stories,” “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” “Kusina Master,” “Pinoy MD,” “Tropang Pochi,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Agenda,” “Ang Pinaka,” “Born to be Wild,” “Brigada,” “Day Off,” “Diyos at Bayan,” “Good News,” ” I-Juander,” “Idol sa Kusina,” “Jesus the Healer,” “Pop Talk” and “Sarap Pinoy.”
VHONG Navarro
NET 25: “5 Girls and a Dad,” “Ang Iglesia ni Cristo,” “Ang Pagbubunyag,” “Ang Tamang Daan,” “Aprub,” “Convergence,” “Global 3000,” “Iglesia ni Cristo and The Bible,” “In Focus,” “In Good Shape,” “Journal News,” “Landmarks,” “Landmarks Revisited,” “Mata ng Agila,” “Moments,” “Pambansang Almusal,” “Pananampalataya, Pag-asa at Pag-ibig,” “Pasugo,” “Red Carpet,” “Sessions on 25th St.,” “Stories of Faith,” “The Message,” “Tomorrow, Today” and “Tribe.”
UNTV: “A Song of Praise,” “Ating Alamin,” “Bidang Pinoy,” “Bread and Butter,” “Campus and Challenge,” “Cook, Eat Right,” “Doc on TV,” “Easy Lang
KAREN Davila
’Yan,” “Estranghero,” “Ito ang Balita,” “Kaagapay,” “KNC Show,” “Law Profile,” “Mapalad ang Bumabasa,” “Munting Pangarap,” “Serbisyo Publiko,” “Sports 37,” “Spotlight” and “Truth in Focus.”
Light 33: “Gabay at Aksyon,” “Light Up,” “Midnight Prayer Helps,” “Pisobilities,” “PJM Forum,” “Road to Emmaus Village” and Solemn Sessions.”
VICKY Morales
Top favorites
Anak TV also tallied the top favorite programs in Filipino households and came up with: 1) “TV Patrol”; 2) “Walang Hanggan”; 3) “Eat Bulaga!”; 4) “Matanglawin”; 5) “It’s Showtime”; 6) “24 Oras”; 7) “Be Careful with My Heart”; 8) “Maalaala Mo Kaya”; 9) “Wish Ko Lang” and “Princess and I”; 10) “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”
Anak TV spokesperson Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworksi hosted the program, during which SEAFCTV also launched the Anak TV Fun Walk, set at the University of the Philippines grounds on Jan. 27, 2013.
Photos by Arnold Almacen