December 12, (QUEZON CITY) – An affirmation of its mission to be “In the Service of the Filipinos Worldwide” ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) recently earned its fourth consecutive set of awards for championing the cause of the overseas Filipinos (OFs), at the 2014 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards.
ABS-CBN TFC’s “JuanEUKonek,” hosted by Danny Buenafe, Rose Eclarinal and Gene Alcantara won Best TV Show for its vivid portrayal of the rich and diverse lives of Filipinos in the continent. It tackles the triumphs and travails of Filipinos as they cope with life far from their motherland Philippines and as they embrace the cross-cultural values of their second home that is Europe.
Edgardo Garcia, Managing Director for ABS-CBN Middle East and Europe says that the award comes at a perfect time when TFC speaks of the “Galing ng Filipino” as part of its anniversary year. Garcia says: “I am proud of the fact that the TFC team in the Middle East and Europe do not only herald the ‘Greatness of the Filipino’ but also exemplify this by way of the excellent programs they create especially to address the needs of our kababayans in the region.”
For Middle East and Europe Bureau Chief Danny Buenafe, “this recognition will further motivate us to do what is right for OFs, especially in Europe. With meager resources and cultural diversities, we aim to go beyond the news, telling the story of our kababayans and sharing distinct Filipino values worthy of emulation. My special thanks to Rose Eclarinal, our Program Producer, whose vision and persistence for a magazine talk show for Global Filipinos, paid off.”
Meantime, TFC’s graduation plug “Full of Gratitude” (written and produced by Promo Producer Kristine Hurtado-Montalvo) which shows Filipino students narrating their “thank you’s” for their loved ones who made sacrifices to ensure their future, won Best in Advertisement.
Edgar Legaspi, Global Content Head proudly says this is TFC’s fourth consecutive award since 2011 and only proves that the team has been on the right track in terms of content development. “This award only affirms that we are doing something right as far as reflecting the sentiments of and tailor-fitting programs and promotional materials for OFs, is concerned. We are humbled and at the same time challenged to always do our best with our kababayans in mind.”
ABS-CBN also won the Best TV Show award for “My Puhunan,” hosted by multi-awarded broadcast journalist Karen Davila, for its inspiring episode on OFs living in Dubai who made it big in business.
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas with the support of the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) on the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos chaired by the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) formed the MAM Awards as part of the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and the International Migrant’s Day. According to CFO Secretary Imelda Nicolas “we aim to recognize the significant role of the media in raising public awareness on issues related to Filipino migration, the challenges of migration and development, and advocate the cause and promote a positive image of Filipinos overseas through the MAM Awards.”
The rest of the winners who present and address issues faced by Filipinos overseas are: PH, “Korea Act To Prevent Sham Marriages” by Jonathan Hicap for Best Print Award; “OFW Pinoy Star” published by Luz Campos-Mesenas for Best Print Award (Magazine); “Connecting Two Cultures – Australia and the Philippines” by Renato Perdon for Best Print Award (Book); “Pinoy Life Radio” hosted by Aileen Alonzo and Jun Concepcion for Best Radio Award (Regular); “Documented” directed by Jose Antonio Vargas for Best Documentary;www.positivelyfilipino.com edited & published by Mona Lisa Yuchengco for Best Interactive Media (Website); & “OFWs in Hong Kong” from www.ofwsinhongkong by Jun Concepcion for Best Interactive Media (Blog)
In 2011, TFC’s Citizen Pinoy” won Best in Television Journalism Award (Regular TV Program category). The following year, TFC’s “A Mother’s Story” won for Best Film, “TNT” for Best Documentary; on-air plug “Bida Ang Pasko On Duty” for Best Advertisement and ABS-CBN’s “Krusada” for its “Lipad ng Pangarap” episode. In 2013, TFC’s on-air plug “Isang Katuparan ng Pangarap” won for Best in Advertisement while abs-cbnnews.com won for Best Interactive website.
The panel of judges is composed of various migration and media institutions, which include the IAC of PMRW and CFO, members of the academe, the OF sector and media. The winners will be awarded in formal ceremonies which will be held in SSS Hall, Quezon City, Philippines on December 18, 2014.
“Juan EUKonek” is aired every first Sunday of the month on TFC in the Middle East and Europe and over ABS CBN News Channel (ANC) on the first Saturday after the TFC airing. “My Puhunan” is aired Wednesdays on TFC worldwide (Thursdays Australian Daylight Savings Time o ADST, New Zealand Daylight Savings Time or NZD, Guam and Japan Time)
For more details on the awards, visit www.cfo.gov.ph. To connect with fellow global Filipinos, visit www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC or follow @KapamilyaTFC on Twitter and Instagram. (Juan EU Konek photo courtesy of Joseph Rosales)
