Kid-friendly celebs get awards

KIM CHIU. PHOTO by Dexter Cabalza

Now in its 17th year, Anak TV Seal Awards recognized role model personalities and programs which are child-sensitive and can be watched by children even with little or no adult supervision.

ABS-CBN actress Angel Locsin and broadcaster Karen Davila were elevated to the Makabata (Child-friendly) Hall of Fame for being Anak TV Makabata Stars consistently for the past eight years.

Davila said she was always excited to receive an award from the Anak TV, saying the organization was “exceptionally credible.”

“[If kids remember] me, in a world where there are so many famous… personalities, then I realize that I am making a positive impact,” the broadcast journalist said.

Davila has been active in the advocacy programs of World Vision and UN Children’s Fund (Unicef).

Meanwhile, Locsin has always been an advocate of children and women’s rights. She is also an active Red Cross ambassador.

The actress celebrates her birthdays with street children, as well. “Being part of the lives of the people, especially the kids, is what this award is all about,” she said.

Despite being in the roster for years, Locsin said she was always humbled and honored every time she receives her Anak TV award.

Davila and Locsin now share the Makabata Hall of Fame with awardees such as Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco and Korina Sanchez.

Joining this year’s Makabata Stars first-time awardees are Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, newscaster Atom Araullo and actors Enrique Gil and Alex Gonzaga.

Returning Makabata awardees include Noli de Castro, Ted Failon, Kim Atienza, Daniel Razon and wife Arlene, Dingdong Dantes and fiancé Marian Rivera, Daniel Padilla and on-screen partner Kathryn Bernardo, and Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria.

Show biz personalities Charo Santos-Concio, Boy Abunda, Coco Martin, Vhong Navarro, Vic Sotto, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Toni Gonzaga, Kim Chiu and Anne Curtis also return in the Makabata Stars roster.

Alex Gonzaga said the award would be a “reminder to be responsible actors in front and behind the camera since children look up to us.”

Her sister Toni, also a Makabata awardee, even joked that their parents would be happy since both of them were already “huwarang anak (ideal children).”

“From kids who played on the streets, [we are honored that] we grew up to be good examples for children,” the elder Gonzaga said.

For actress-host Anne Curtis, the Anak TV award serves as an inspiration “to make children happy.”

The Anak TV Seals were conferred to 109 programs with Net 25 topping the list (22), followed by GMA and GMA News TV, and ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Sports+Action (19). UNTV trails at 17, government-run networks PTV (15) and IBC (13), and TV5 got two Anak TV Seal programs.

At least 12,000 respondents across the nation voted for the Anak TV personalities and programs.

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