GMA wins 2 golds at 2009 New York Festivals

GMA 7 gained international acclaim with two Gold World Medals, a Silver and two Bronze World Medals at the 2009 New York Festivals for Television Programming and Promotion.

The Gold World Medal in the category of Coverage of an Ongoing Story went to Jiggy Manicad’s 24 Oras coverage of Corporal Abeto. The report detailed the fierce encounter of rebel groups MILF and the Abu Sayyaf against the marines and the PNP Provincial Mobile Group during last year’s ARMM elections in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. The encounter took the life of Corporal Angelo Abeto after a mortar exploded right on his head. This was first reported by Manicad over the leading primetime newscast on Aug. 13, 2008.

24 Oras also took home the Silver World Medal in the Best Newscast Category for its coverage of Lanao Attacks. It documented the assault made by the MILF in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on Aug. 18, 2008.

Q-11’s Inno Sotto: A Special Fashion Documentary bagged the Gold World Medal Award for the Biography/Profiles Category. The documentary revealed the beginnings of Inno Sotto as a couturier and how he became the Master of Philippine Couture.

Meanwhile, Reporter’s Notebook’s Pinays for Export: The Asian Sex Trafficking Trail was awarded the Bronze World Medal for Best Public Affairs Program. Reporter’s Notebook followed the trail of Pinays, who are among the most trafficked women in the world, and in the process exposed the truth behind this global exploitation.

Q-11’s Chef to Go with its Pesco Vegetarian Meal episode was awarded the Bronze World Medal for the Magazine Format Category.

A number of GMA programs were also given finalist certificates in their respective categories — Joaquin Bordado for the Action/Adventure category; Emergency’s Jumper Kids/Battered Children for the Social Issues/Current Events Category; and I-Witness’ Crystal Mountain for the Community Portraits Category.

Four programs from Q-11 were also recognized with finalist certificates — The Sweet Life for the Magazine Format Category; Ang Pinaka’s Ang Pinaka Sikat na Pinoy sa Internet still for the Magazine Format Category; News On Q’s Batasan Blast for the Coverage of Breaking News Category; and Draw The Line’s Ormoc Cult, Early Marriage and Trafficking episode for the Social Issues/Current Events Category.