GMA Network bags honors at 25th Star Awards for TV

MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network received honors from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) at the recently-concluded 25th Star Awards for Television held at Newport Performing Arts Theater of the Resorts World Manila, Pasay City.

The network’s VP for News Programs Jessica Soho, on the other hand, received the Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award.

Primetime newscast 24 Oras, anchored by Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco, was awarded Best News Program. Vicky Morales, in turn, was named Best Female Newscaster for the network’s late-night newscast, Saksi.

Television’s longest-running documentary program I-Witness won as Best Documentary Program, while its hosts Howie Severino, Jay Taruc, Sandra Aguinaldo and Kara David won as Best Documentary Program Hosts.

Art Angel won as Best Children Show and its hosts Tonipet Gaba and Roxanne Barcelo won as Best Children Show Hosts.

The newly-launched GMA News TV (GNTV) produced the Best Documentary Special titled Pluma: Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat.

The Kapuso network’s winning streak spilled over to its entertainment programs. The 16-year-old Bubble Gang won as Best Gag Show, while Ogie Alcasid, one of the show’s mainstays, was recognized as Best Comedy Actor.

The first-ever reality sitcom starred by Michael V., Pepito Manaloto, won as this year’s Best Comedy Show.

The now-defunct series Little Star topbilled by Jennylyn Mercado, Lovi Poe, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Paolo Contis and child actor Nicky Castro won as Best Daytime Drama Series, while Eat, Bulaga!’s Allan K won as Best Male Television Host.

Child star Jillian Ward won as Best New Female TV Personality for her launching program Trudis Liit.

The weekend afternoon program Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts won as Best Youth-Oriented Show, while its lead actors Teejay Marquez and Derrick Monasterio won as Best New Male TV Personalities.

Other special awardees include German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, who received the Master Star Builder Award, and the late TV director Lito Calzado, who received the Posthumous Award.

The PMPC Star Awards, founded after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, is an award-giving body that annually recognizes outstanding artists and programs produced by the country’s TV networks.