Pinoys win top Asian TV awards

By Bayani San Diego Jr. Inquirer FILIPINOS from both sides of the network wars won in major categories at the 12th Asian Television Awards, held at the Suntec International Convention Center in Singapore on Thursday. Current affairs The GMA 7 documentary show, “Reporter’s Notebook,” topped the Best Current Affairs Program category for its coverage of the war in Lebanon. It bested entries from Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. “Reporter’s Notebook” is hosted by news reporters Maki Pulido and Jiggy Manicad. Team effort Manicad, who also produced the winning episode, told the Inquirer via SMS: “It’s a team effort. The feeling [of winning] is great and humbling at the same time. Lebanon was one of the most dangerous coverages our program has [experienced so far]. We never thought we could come up with good material in that situation—especially one that would merit the attention of the Asian TV Awards.” Co-host Pulido said: “It’s a great high. It doubles the pressure to produce better stories in the interest of our countrymen.” Program manager Clyde Mercado agreed. “Serving the people through this show is rewarding enough,” he said, but this [award] is a very special bonus.” Best news program The ABS-CBN late-night newscast “Bandila” won Best News Program for its coverage of the Subic Rape Case Promulgation. It bested entries from Malaysia, Taiwan, India, as well as two Philippine news shows (GMA 7’s “24 Oras” and ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol World”). Said Maria Ressa, senior vice president of ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs: “‘Bandila’ is just a little over a year old, and we are grateful that its work has been recognized by our peers in the region and the world. We wanted to put together our ideas of nationalism with a faster production pace and more succinct and analytical reporting. ‘Bandila’ has already been named one of the Top 4 newscasts in the world by the International Academy of Arts & Sciences, making it the first time ever that a Philippine network has received this recognition at the Emmys.” Acting trophy Gina Pareño topped the Best Drama Actress category, besting performers from New Zealand, Thailand, India and Singapore. She won for portraying the troubled mother of three mentally ill children in the “Rehas” episode of ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” “We were only given 30 seconds in our thank-you speech,” recalled Pareño. “I was happy and nervous at the same time. I dedicated my award to my family and our countrymen.” The episode was megged by Jeffrey Jeturian, who also directed Pareño in the internationally acclaimed film “Kubrador.”