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| ABS-CBN emerges as most awarded Philippine media company with 10 National Winner awards at Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023. (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN, the premiere media and entertainment company and leading content provider in the Philippines, and GMA Network, the largest and most watched broadcast network in the country, continue to champion Filipino talent, emerging as National Winners for their content and personalities across various categories at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA), making them the most awarded Philippine media companies at a national level.
The crime thriller series “Cattleya Killer” led the list of ABS-CBN winners as it emerged triumphant in three categories: Best Drama Series, Best Cinematography for Juan Lorenzo Orendain III, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Arjo Atayde. The much talked about game-changing series “Dirty Linen” was recognized as the Philippine winners in the Best Direction (Fiction) category for Onat Diaz and Best Promo or Trailer. “Flower of Evil” was hailed Best Adaptation of an Existing Format while “Drag You and Me” emerged as the Philippine winner for Best Original Production by a Streamer/OTT. “Hero City Kids Force” also won Best Children’s Programme (One Off/Series). ABS-CBN’s weekend shows were also big winners at the national level of the AACA 2023 with “ASAP Natin ‘To” as Best Music or Dance Programme and “Everybody, Sing!” clinching the award for Best General Entertainment, Game or Quiz Programme.
On the other hand, leading GMA Network's slate of AACA National Winner awards is GMA Integrated News’ flagship newscast 24 Oras which won in the Best Documentary Series and Best News/Current Affairs Programme or Series categories. Anchored by Mel Tiangco, Emil Sumangil, and Vicky Morales, 24 Oras is set to represent the Philippines in the Best Documentary Series category for its “Climate Change series (Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima)" and in the Best News/Current Affairs Programme or Series category for its Typhoon Doksuri (Supertyphoon Egay) coverage. In 2021, 24 Oras was declared the Grand Winner in the same category. Set to raise the Philippine flag once more is multi-platform leader and multi-awarded public affairs program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS), winning the Best Infotainment Programme for “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Original, TITIKMAN" where host and GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs pillar Jessica Soho, together with GMA artists and popular food vloggers explored the latest food trends from various regions across the country. This is the 5th time that KMJS was named the National Winner for the said category.
For covering South Korea’s Itaewon Tragedy, GMA Public Affairs’ daily news magazine show Dapat Alam Mo! emerged as the National Winner in the Best Single News Story category. Host Kim Atienza gave a firsthand account of the stampede that happened in Itaewon on Halloween weekend. Atienza and his team were in Korea to shoot for the show’s first anniversary but arrived in Itaewon just when the crowd crush was happening. The Atom Araullo Specials scored the National Award for Best Documentary Programme for its documentary “Anak". The winning entry shows Atom Araullo as he explores how hunger in some places in the Philippines forces parents to give up their children. Winning the National Award for Best Single Drama/Telemovie/Anthology Episode is Tadhana for its “Beautiful Revenge” episode. The award-winning drama anthology by GMA Public Affairs is hosted by Marian Rivera.
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| GMA Network champions Filipino talent with multiple National Winner awards at Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023 including 24 Oras, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, Maria Clara At Ibarra and Voltes V Legacy. (Image Source: PEP.ph/GMA Network) |
Voltes V: Legacy, the live action adaptation of the hit 70s Japanese mecha anime, clinched the National Winner accolade for Best Animated Programme or Series (2D or 3D) and Best Visual or Special FX in TV Series or Feature Film. The recently-concluded 90-episode primetime series, produced by GMA Network produced the series in partnership with Toei Company, Ltd. and Telesuccess Productions Inc., featured Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Raphael Landicho as Little Jon Armstrong, and Matt Lozano as Big Bert Armstrong. Further, GMA Entertainment Group’s groundbreaking TV series, Maria Clara at Ibarra, took home the National Award for Best Theme Song. Titled “Babaguhin Ang Buong Mundo", the song was sung by Julie Anne San Jose who also portrayed the role of Maria Clara in the hit series. It was written and arranged by Simon Peter Tan and Rocky Gacho. The series also stars Barbie Forteza, David Licauco, and Dennis Trillo.
Meanwhile, online streaming platforms making waves and strides in the Philippine entertainment scene also scored National Winner awards of their own with the Prime Video exclusive suspense thriller movie "Nanahimik Ang Gabi" being hailed as Best Screenplay, Best Actress In A Leading Role (Heaven Peralejo), and Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Mon Confiado) and the Viu Philippines Original series "K-Love" clinching Best Comedy Program, Best Comedy Actress (Isabelle Daza), and Best Actress In A Supporting Role (Sue Ramirez). "Drag Den Philippines" bested various entries as National Winner for Best Non-Scripted Entertainment while its host Manila Luzon was announced as National Winner for Best Entertainment Host. CNN Philippines senior anchor Rico Hizon is also recognized as National Winner for Best Factual Presenter. Other National Winners include "Siargao Day And Night" for Best Short Film Content", PTV's "Public Eye" for Best Lifestyle Program, and Disney+ Philippines' "A Night Of Wonder" for Best Branded Program.
The national winners were announced in an online presentation held last September 29, 2023 on AACA's social media platforms and will represent the Philippines in the Grand Awards and Gala Final on December 7, 2023 in Singapore. The Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) is Asia Pacific’s most prestigious awards for creative excellence. The best of the best from 17 countries representing the region’s content industry gather every December in Singapore to honor excellent works around the Asia Pacific region. The AACA honors excellence in craft and technical disciplines across multiple platforms including television, digital, mobile, streaming, and any other emerging technologies.
