May 2014 Kapuso Magazine

GMA Network Reports P2.851 Billion Recurring Revenues for Q1 2014 GMA Shares Peabody Award with Yolanda Survivors

Miracles Unfold in GMA’s

MAY 2014

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Contents COVER STORY

UPDATES

GMA Network Reports P2.851 Billion Recurring Revenues for Q1 2014

GMA News & Public Affairs

Wins Peabody for Yolanda Coverage

RATINGS

Selling GMA Programs to the World: Roxanne Barcelona GMA Network Ups Lead in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in April NEW PROGRAM

Miracles Unfold in GMA’s

Basta Every Day Happy Brings Brighter Mornings to Pinoys UPDATES

Dreams Really Do Come True

8-9 10 ONTHECOVER: MIGUEL TANFELIX AND DAVID REMO GMA Kapuso Magazine (Electronic) is a monthly publication of GMA Network, Inc. published by the Corporate Affairs Division, 16th Floor, GMA Network Center, EDSA cor.

Timog, Ave., Diliman, Q.C. Trunkline No. (632) 982-7777.

SPECIAL

GMA Shares Peabody Award with Yolanda Survivors

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SPECIAL

Elmo Magalona Bonds with Young Scholars for 20th Birthday

MAY ISSUE

11 12-13

ISSUE NO. 28

GMA Network Excellence Award Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan Targets 75,000 Grade 1 Pupils

UPDATES

GMA Network Reports P2.851 Billion Recurring Revenues for Q1 2014

GMA TOP EXECUTIVES (L-R) EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon and GMA Marketing and Productions President and COO Lizelle G. Maralag

GMA Network recorded recurring revenues of P2.851 billion in the first quarter of 2014, down 4 percent versus the same period last year, without the impact of electionrelated advertisements.

With political ads from last year’s midterm elections boosting the Network’s earnings in 2013, consolidated revenues during the first quarter of this year dropped 12 percent versus a year ago.

Effective management helped the Network reduce its operating expenses by less than one percent to P2.363 billion in between periods.

The company’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) decreased by 31 percent to P823 million, while net income settled at P325 million or P276 million lower than 2013.

GMA International, which manages the operations and distribution of the Network’s international channels, and GMA News TV, the country’s number one news channel, posted positive results, while local regional sales proved to be an emerging revenue source.

Despite its performance in the first quarter, the Network’s management remains optimistic in reaching its targets for the year. “We expect better numbers in the next few months as our top advertisers have already committed their placements,” said GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon.

quarter. In June, Filipinos based in the states of Alabama and Louisiana in the US will have wider access to GMA Pinoy TV.

“Moreover, we are confident that our diverse line-up of upcoming shows will help us regain our lead in nationwide ratings and boost our earnings for the coming months,” Gozon added.

GMA Worldwide, the Network’s global syndication and distribution arm, sold over 1,095 hours of programs and movies for airing in Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, South Korea and the US in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, GMA paid out cash dividends to its shareholders worth P1.312 billion at 27 centavos per share on May 19.

Since its July 2007 IPO launch, the Network has released P14.239 billion cash dividends, consistently paying out at a high percentage compared to its net income. Each GMA common share has already earned P2.93 or an average of 5 percent per year based on the IPO price of P8.50.

Business Developments In keeping with its thrust of bringing Filipinos abroad closer to home, GMA International reinforced its broadcast services in Texas and Georgia in the US, as well as in the cities of Canberra, Sydney and Gold Coast in Australia during the

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

In Qatar, GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International are launching via a new carrier in May.

GMA Records, on the other hand, kept its winning streak with Julie Anne San Jose’s self-titled album’s 9-time Platinum Record Award from its sales of over 135,700 units from August 15, 2012 to February 28, 2014.

The album of My Husband’s Lover male lead stars Tom Rodriguez and Dennis Trillo dubbed, “TomDen” clinched a Gold Record Award from its sales of over 14,000 units from October 12, 2013 to February 28, 2014.

The Network finished various transmission upgrades in the regions during the quarter as it continues to expand its reach across urban and rural areas. On March 12, 2014 GMA commissioned a new relay station in Daet, Camarines Norte and has ongoing transmission projects in Lanao del Norte, Tuguegarao and Butuan.

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RATINGS

Selling GMA Programs to the World: Roxanne Barcelona Kapuso programs are making waves in international territories, thanks to GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI), the Network’s syndication arm, which has sold over 1,095 hours of programs and movies for airing in various countries as of Q1 2014.

When I first came here, we would not seriously sell because GMA was not producing its own content. Through the years, we built up our production capability and our client base.”

GWI distributes programs and films to most of the major broadcasters and pay TV operators in Hawaii, Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Brunei, Romania, Italy, USA, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Alaska and Africa.

“Southeast Asia is still our biggest market. Malaysia was the top buyer in 2012 and they have been consistently one of our best clients. Last year, Vietnam and Cambodia emerged as our markets for our distribution sales,” Ms. Barcelona says.

Fueling GMA Worldwide’s success is its hardworking Vice President Roxanne Barcelona.

On the success of GWI, Ms. Barcelona says, “I’m proud of how GWI has grown.

GMA Network Ups Lead in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in April GMA Network continued to increase the gap in TV ratings in the viewerrich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in April, according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

For the period April 1 to 30 (April 20 to 30 based on overnight data), GMA recorded a total day audience share of 37 percent, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 32.2 percent by 4.8 points, and ahead of TV5’s 10.5 percent by 26.5 points. Urban Luzon makes up 77 percent of the total urban television households in the country.

Relative to March 2014, GMA’s total day margin over ABS-CBN and TV5 grew from 4 to 4.8 points, and from 24.7 to 26.5 points, respectively.

In Mega Manila, which accounts for 60 percent of the urban TV household population in the country, GMA registered a 38.5 percent total day household average, up by 8.6 points from ABS-CBN’s 29.9 percent, and up by 27.1 points from TV5’s 11.4 percent.

GMA’s lead over ABS-CBN and TV5 also increased from 7.8 to 8.6 points, and from 25.2 to 27.1 points, respectively, compared to March 2014.

GMA’s lead in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila was driven by its strong performance in the morning block. It also

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continued to lead its rival networks in the afternoon and evening blocks in the said areas.

GMA is likewise closing the gap with ABS-CBN due to GMA’s significant lead in the morning block.

MEGA MANILA 21 GMA programs in the top 30 RANK

PROGRAM NAME

1

PACQUIAO BRADLEY 2 VINDICATION

2

MAGPAKAILANMAN

3

KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO

4

INANG YAYA (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

RANK

PROGRAM NAME

5

CELEBRITY BLUFF

1

PACQUIAO BRADLEY 2 VINDICATION

7

HULOG NG LANGIT EAT BULAGA’S SPECIAL LENTEN PRESENTATION

2

MAGPAKAILANMAN

3

KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO

5

INANG YAYA (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

8

CARMELA

9-10

MARLEY & ME (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL) PEPITO MANALOTO ANG TUNAY NA KWENTO

URBAN LUZON

19 GMA programs in the top 30

8

CELEBRITY BLUFF

9

PEPITO MANALOTO ANG TUNAY NA KWENTO

11

MARLEY & ME (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL) HULOG NG LANGIT EAT BULAGA’S SPECIAL LENTEN PRESENTATION

11-12

VAMPIRE AND DADDY KO

15

BUBBLE GANG

16

KAMBAL SIRENA

12-14

17

PANALANGIN (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

19

VAMPIRE ANG DADDY KO

18

IMBESTIGADOR

21

PANALANGIN (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

19

RHODORA X

22

KAMBAL SIRENA

20

24 ORAS

23-24

24 ORAS

22

A WALK TO REMEMBER (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

25

IMBESTIGADOR

26

BUBBLE GANG

23

KAPUSO MO JESSICA SOHO (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

27

RHODORA X

24

A 100-YEAR LEGACY

28

25

BANAL NA PAGLAKBAY (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

A WALK TO REMEMBER (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

29

29

EAT BULAGA

KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO (HOLY WEEK SPECIAL)

CARMELA

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

NEW PROGRAM

Basta Every Day Happy Brings Brighter Mornings to Pinoys Throw away all the negative vibes as happiness becomes contagious in GMA’s new morning talk/variety program Basta Every Day Happy, airing weekdays at 11 AM.

(celebrities and non-celebrities, alike) share fun-filled conversations with the hosts.

Louie Ignacio directs the show. Created by the GMA Entertainment TV Group, this morning talk/variety program is under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth

G. Rasonable, Assistant Vice President for Talk, Magazines, Musical, Reality Productions and TV Specials Darling P. De Jesus, Program Manager Jenny CordovaReyes and Executive Producer Gladys Hernando.

Your daily dose of happiness comes every morning in Basta Every Day Happy.

The show’s hosts Donita Rose, Gladys Reyes, Alessandra De Rossi and Chef Boy Logro share their happy experiences in various segments, projects and challenges that is sure to draw fun and laughter from the viewers.

Basta Everyday Happy encourages viewers to take an active step towards happiness through the simple pleasures in life, such as stumbling upon a hilarious social media post, an amazing food discovery, completing one’s wish list, or paying things forward.

Each episode is a collection of happy moments, from parenting to family, relationships, home care, beauty, fashion, technology and travel, as guests

UPDATES

Dreams Really Do Come True Based on the article of CJ Mendoza, Social Media Specialist

And Heart Evangelista did not stop dreaming even as she awakened and worked hard, turning her fantasy to reality.

This time, that dream was to hold a solo exhibit of her paintings at the Art Space, Ayala Museum.

Heart used her real name in the title of her exhibit “I am Love Marie, the Art and Works of Love Marie Ongpauco.”

Heart, who paints as a hobby, did not get any formal education on painting yet her works show incredible skillfulness.

It was her Dad who encouraged her when she showed inclination to the arts as a young girl.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

The exhibit showcased 19 of her masterpieces. Most of her works feature a woman, sometimes sad-looking but with strong facial features. Heart’s signature elements are colors, flowers, and repetitive pattern where every stroke illuminates a detail. Truly, each canvas is Heart’s labor of love.

The Kapuso Network congratulates Heart on her accomplishment and wishes more of her dreams to come true.

Editor’s Note: All of Heart’s paintings exhibited at her show have been sold, per a news story in 24 Oras.

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COVER STORY

Miracles Unfold in GMA’s

Miracles unfold in Niño, GMA’s new primetime series, inspiring viewers of all ages to be loving and optimistic amidst life’s challenges.

Debuting on GMA Telebabad on May 26, Niño reverberates with family values and positive messages of love, faith and hope.

Niño appeals to the family as it introduces the “Naynay Commandments,” a set of values and good manners that teaches the importance of being responsible and honest.

Parents are also encouraged by these commandments to raise their children as hopeful and loving like Niño.

Miguel Tanfelix plays Niño/Miguel, a 15-year old boy with mental incapacities who becomes a beacon of hope and inspiration to his town mates. He proves that miracles happen with the help of his “Tukayo”, a Sto. Niño incarnate played by David Remo.

Award-winning director Maryo J. delos Reyes directs the series with Jules Katanyag as headwriter.

Niño is under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Vice President for Drama Redgie A. Magno, Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Program Manager Helen Rose-Sese and Executive Producer Leilani Feliciano-Sandoval.

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Other cast members: • German Moreno as Kapitan Pete • Angelu de Leon as Leny, foster mother of Niño • Neil Ryan Sese as David, foster father of Niño • Katrina Halili as Hannah, Niño’s mother • Jay Manalo as Lucio, Don Pedro’s adopted son • Dante Rivero as Don Pedro, Hannah’s father • Bianca Umali as Angelica, Niño’s best friend • Ces Quesada as Mrs. Santos, Tiny’s mother • Luz Valdez as Tia Epang, David’s aunt • Renz Valerio as Rafael, Niño’s brother • Julian Trono as Mat-Mat, Niño’s friend • Vincent Magbanua as John, Nino’s friend • Angeli Bayani as Belen, Leny’s close friend • Sandy Talag as Tiny, Niño’s chic friend • Annika Camaya as Charito, Obet’s partner • Stephanie Sol as Magda, Lucio’s girlfriend • Gerald Napoles as Obet, David’s friend • Flora Gasser as Yaya Ason, Hannah’s loyal nanny • Rafa Seguion Reyna as Rick, Lucio’s friend • Ms. Gloria Romero as Lola V, Niño’s grandmother Tom Rodriguez makes a special guest appearance as Jonathan, Niño’s hardworking father.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

COVER STORY

Bagong Katrina Halili ang mapapanood sa ‘Niño’

By Cathy Dumpit, Social Media Specialist

Kapag naririnig ang pangalang Katrina Halili, “kontrabida” kaagad ang naiisip ng mga tao.

Ito ay dahil effective si Katrina sa kanyang pagganap bilang kontrabida sa mga drama ng GMA Network. Nakita natin siya na matapang at palaban sa Langit sa Piling Mo, Marimar, Munting Heredera at sa katatapos lamang na Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig?

Hindi ibig sabihin na bago kay Katrina Halili ang mga roles na mabait at pang-bida. May mga ginampanan na rin siyang karakter na mabait at inaapi. Pero ano ba ang mas madaling i-portray para kay Katrina, ang bida o kontrabida? “‘Yung kontrabida kasi di ba lagi ‘yun ‘yung roles na binibigay sa’kin?,” ani Katrina.

Ngayong nagbabalik siya sa Primetime sa Niño, kakaibang Katrina Halili ang ating matutunghayan. “Gusto ko din naman maiba. And happy ako na binigyan na ako ng chance. ‘Yung role ko dito as Hannah is mabait naman. Mapapakita ko naman (na) kaya ko (ang bida role).”

Dahil mas nasanay siyang maging mataray at masama, nagkaroon kaya ng mga adjustments habang naghahanda siya para sa Niño? “Mas kailangan i-soften ko ‘yung itsura (ko). ‘Pag ‘yung make-up ko hindi soft, hard na naman mukha ko. Kasi matapang talaga (‘yung face ko).” Mas malaki raw ang adjustments pagdating sa kanyang looks. Pero sa paginternalize ng role, hindi naman masyadong nahirapan si Katrina. “Binasa ko lang ‘yung script ko. Siguro intindihin ko na lang ‘yung script and makikinig na lang ako ng directions.”

Ayon kay Katrina, dapat talagang abangan ng mga tao ang kanyang karakter sa Niño. “Kakaiba ‘yung role na ipo-portray ko ngayon. This time, hindi naman ako magmamaldita. Itatry ko naman na maawa sila sa’kin.” Pabiro pa nga niyang dinagdag, “Try ko lang ah! Pagbigyan na nila.”

Suportahan natin si Katrina Halili bilang si “Hannah,” ang maganda at mabait na nanay ng karakter ni Miguel Tanfelix na si “Niño.” Malapit nang mapanood sa GMA Telebabad ang Niño.

Para sa mas maraming updates tungkol sa show at sa cast nito, i-like ang official Facebook page ng Niño sa www. facebook.com/OfficialNinoGMA at i-follow ito sa Twitter @ OfficialNinoGMA.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

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SPECIAL

GMA Shares Peabody Award with Yolanda Survivors VVeneracion

Dedicating its victory to survivors of the tragedy, GMA Network earned its fourth George Foster Peabody Award in recognition of its coverage of the immense doom wrought

by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international code name: Haiyan).

The Peabody Awards, considered the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize for electronic media, took cognizance of GMA’s adversities as Yolanda ripped across central Philippines last November.

“Facing logistical challenges and sharing in the national shock in the face of what may have been the most powerful typhoon is history, GMA news teams provided desperately needed spot news coverage and information, gaining strength and perspective as they worked, and followed up with solid reporting on the aftermath, heroic acts and relief efforts,” the Peabody Awards announced on its website this April.

Recognition rites for the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards were held on May 19 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

The awards are administered by University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Only a unanimous vote from the 16-member board will merit a Peabody statuette. Of the almost 1,100 entries this year, only 46 made the cut. GMA was selected as an international honoree. “[The Peabody Award] is a precious win that the network shares with the Yolanda survivors who continue to struggle to rebuild their communities,” GMA Network said in a statement.

GMA is the only entrant from the Philippines to ever win the prestigious award, and has done so three previous times.

Its first triumph was in 1999 for its body of work made up of the i-Witness episodes, “Kidneys for Sale” and “Kamao” (Fist), both reported by Jessica Soho, and the Brigada Siete report on child labor by Jay Taruc. Its second victory was in 2010 with another i-Witness story, “Ambulansya de Paa” (Ambulance by Foot), that had Kara David as reporter. Three years later, GMA News TV’s Reel Time was honored for its “Salat” (Touch) episode.

Since its inception in 1941, the Peabody Awards has maintained an overarching goal: “to recognize stories that matter.”

AMBULANCIA DE PAA

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Marissa Flores, GMA Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs, welcomed the recognition from the Peabody Award Board. She stressed the Yolanda coverage was only made possible through the consolidated efforts of the reportorial, technical, and production personnel, especially those who experienced the typhoon’s wrath first hand.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

“Our teams went through a lot to be able to paint a compelling picture of Yolanda’s horrific impact. Despite the physical and emotional toll on them, I can say that they never wavered in their responsibility to deliver the news. They were aware that lives were on the line, and that their television reports could help make a difference,” Flores said.

Against the odds The combined submissions of five programs from GMA News and Public Affairs constitute the network’s latest Peabody victory. These are newscasts 24 Oras, 24 Oras Weekend, Saksi and State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, as well as weekly magazine show, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS).

Aside from bringing timely video images of Yolanda’s fury to television sets across the country, these shows brought attention to the numerous obstacles in the aftermath of the tragedy.

GMA journalists, cameramen and broadcast crews were already in place in Leyte, Bohol and Oriental Mindoro on Nov. 6, two days before the onslaught of the most powerful cyclone in recorded history ever to make landfall.

Even with their lead time in anticipation of the worst, Yolanda’s destructive power was simply overwhelming.

More than 6,200 people dead. Over 1,000 missing. Entire villages flattened. Food and water supplies wiped out. Cargo ships shoved inland. Hopes of survival turned to desperation.

SPECIAL Hell on Earth was unleashed, and GMA news teams were right in the middle of it.

Eerie silence Failure of communication lines was a stressful burden. Newsroom staff members in Quezon City were working against the clock trying to reach the teams of reporters Jiggy Manicad and Michaela Papa.

Both of them had managed to deliver phone patch reports from Leyte on the morning newscast, Unang Balita (First News), but became completely unreachable after as Yolanda thundered into land.

With remote broadcast from Tacloban City no longer an option, Manicad and his GMA colleagues walked six hours to Palo town where another live setup was established. Along the way, they walked through devastated neighborhoods and flooded streets strewn with fallen trees and posts.

Electricity lines were cut. Generator fuel was running low. Shelters were destroyed.

Hotels were closed. Banks and ATMs were out of cash. Roads were impassable. Panic and fear were on the streets.

Grace dela Peña-Reyes, GMA Vice President for News Operations, said logistical setbacks came from numerous fronts, rendering satellite-based and even new Internet-based, wireless video transmission technologies unusable for a while.

“Our teams on the field already had experience covering massive weather disturbances before, but to say that Yolanda gave them a hard time would be an understatement. We always want to get the best stories, but we never ever want to compromise the safety of our teams,” Dela Peña-Reyes said.

No dead air When communication was finally reestablished and broadcast links were up early that evening, Manicad was promptly able to deliver a short live report towards the end of 24 Oras.

GMA was able to show the first images of Yolanda’s destruction and sound the alarm about the plight of the affected families.

But as the remote camera panned to the GMA personnel that converged in Palo, it was clear that their situation remained dire, and time was of the essence.

GMA in Manila had wanted to send new teams to Yolanda-devastated areas, but this proved difficult, as commercial flights were unable to land their aircraft.

The Air Force, for its part, had to prioritize relief operations. Tacloban airport was shattered, forcing GMA reporter Ian Cruz and his team to stay for a while at the ruined facility as they fought off hunger.

Telling the story With the live report serving as the sparkplug for GMA broadcasts from Leyte, State of the Nation went on air an hour after 24 Oras and let Manicad deliver a more extensive report. He was joined by reporter Love Añover, who tearfully recounted how she and her teammates witnessed howling winds blowing off the roof of the Palo Cathedral.

This broadcast on Nov. 8, along with its episode six days later (Nov. 14) served as State of the Nation’s contribution to the Peabody triumph. Soho performed as remote anchor from Tacloban City in the latter airing, showing incidents of looting in the aftermath of the tragedy and faces of residents who were dealt a crippling blow.

The critical days immediately after the tragedy were closely documented in GMA Network’s submissions to the Peabody Award Board.

24 Oras Weekend’s episode the day after Yolanda hit (Nov. 9) featured Papa’s report on how her team became trapped in their hotel at the coastal village of Baras. Floodwater rose up to the second floor, with the walls and ceiling panels shaking as Yolanda howled. They also walked for hours, managed to catch a ride on a military 6x6 truck, walked some more to Tacloban before finally finding Manicad and other GMA staff. In total, the situation of Papa’s team was unknown for 24 hours.

On Sunday (Nov. 10), Soho and her KMJS team boarded a helicopter from Mactan airport in Cebu to get a broader perspective of the extent of the damage.

Footage was taken of Ormoc City, the towns of Dulag, Tolosa and Palo, then finally Tacloban. The episode also carried up-close interviews by Soho, who handed over the microphone to devastated GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

residents so they can personally relay their appeals.

Then on Monday (Nov. 11), GMA News’ flagship newscast 24 Oras featured anchor Mike Enriquez’s observations from a helicopter. His crew was able to shoot footage of a huge “Help Us” sign made out white stones, as well as looters taking sacks of rice from cargo ships on land.

Co-anchor Mel Tiangco hosted the show from the Kapuso Foundation warehouse in Quezon City as relief operations were underway.

For its part, late night newscast Saksi presented on Nov. 13 its analysis of how the state was lagging in search, rescue and retrieval operations; restoration of the rule of law in affected areas; and assistance to local governments.

Raising the bar Soho, GMA Network’s First Vice President for News Programs, noted that the Peabody Award underscores the value of impactful news reporting during disaster situations.

She said that, “The Peabody is certainly a feather on our cap, but it is also important to remember the lives lost and the lessons of Yolanda. Viewing destruction from typhoons as a mere fact of Filipino life is dangerous.”

The veteran broadcast journalist issued the statement amid disturbing trends over recent years that tropical cyclones were becoming stronger and forming more frequently.

The Filipinos’ lexicon of frightening weather disturbances is already long -Yolanda, Ondoy, Pablo, Reming Milenyo, Habagat, and more -- but will probably continue to grow in the coming years.

“Clearly there are times when the lives of our men and women in GMA are at risk during disaster coverage. Yolanda was certainly no exception. As the country learns to prepare more adequately for disasters, we at GMA also look towards building upon the Yolanda experience to make our newsgathering and reporting operations more effective, able to adequately capture relevant information, yet keeping our teams out of harm’s way.

We owe the award, and our continuous improvement in the media practice, to all Filipinos who look to us for information during times of adversity,” she said.

Soho noted that with Yolanda, Filipinos’ expectations for weather and disaster reporting are now higher, and GMA Network wants to rise to the challenge anew.

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SPECIAL

Elmo Magalona Bonds with Young Scholars for 20th Birthday Last April 29, GMA Artist Center cutie Elmo Magalona celebrated his 20th birthday with the young scholars of Our Lady of Pentecost Parish Church in Katipunan. The young actor also emphasized to his young audience the importance of having a positive self-image. The event was organized by GMA Artist Center and the Francis M Foundation.

Elmo’s birthday celebration was supported by McDonald’s Katipunan, Rexona, Francis Magalona Foundation, and FrancisM Clothing Company.

The scholars proudly hold up their drawings.

Some of them were also asked to go in front and share what they like most about themselves

The first game was the balloon relay. The fans had a great time passing the balloons as fast as they could and sitting on them to make them pop!

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Elmo and the scholars give a thumbs-up to the organizers of the event

The second game was the tower game.

The contestants were asked to make towers out of plastic cups

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MAY ISSUE

ISSUE NO. 28

GMA Network Excellence Award

(L-R) Silvestre, Soresca, Sebastian, GMA’s EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, Cay, and Jose

For thirteen years now, the GMA Network Excellence Award (formerly the President’s Medal) honors select students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, technical skill and academic performance.

The GMA Excellence Awardees for 2014 are: Aldrin G. Jose (BS Electronics and Communication Engineering) from Don Bosco Technical College; Mary Heliane M. Fabian (AB Communication) from Angeles

University Foundation (Pampanga); Iza Darlene S. Cay (BA Journalism), Ma. Angela Teresa G. Sebastian (BA Communication Research) and Isabel Patricia C. Soresca (BA Broadcast Communication) from the University of the Philippines – Diliman; Fila Guia G. Hidalgo (Communication Arts major in Media Arts) from UP – Mindanao; Rejzl Anne A. Awit (AB Communication) from UP – Cebu and the finalist of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines Jose Lemuel Silvestre (AB Mass Communication) from Far Eastern University.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges composed of select GMA Network officers and personalities: Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes, GMA Public Affairs Program Manager JM Cobarrubias and GMA Entertainment TV Program Manager Ruth Marinas for Broadcast and Journalism; GMA AVP for Channel Performance and Regional TV Research Ruth Lejarde, GMA AVP for National and Mega Manila Programming Research Venus Bartolabac and GMA Research Manager Jasmin LuistroCoronia for Communication Research; Engr. Roberto Nacar, AVP, Technical Operations Systems Support Division, Engr.

Rene Gozum, Section Head, Broadcast Services and Signal Monitoring and Engr.

Jeffrey Evangelista, Division Head, Studio Operations for ECE.

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Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan Targets 75,000 Grade 1 Pupils GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), through its Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan (UHSK) project, is providing school supplies to 75,000 Grade 1 pupils from all over the country this year.

The UHSK was initiated by GMAKF in 1997 in response to a study by the Department of Education citing the lack of school supplies as one of the major reasons behind the high dropout rate among poor Filipino children in public elementary schools.

In highly impoverished communities where the basic need for food is not even met, providing school supplies for their children is an added burden for poor parents.

Now on its 17th year, the annual schoolopening project provides incoming Grade 1 pupils from far-flung and underprivileged

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GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

public elementary schools with backpacks containing a complete set of customized school materials consisting of 5 notebooks, 2 writing pads, 2 pencils, crayon set, sharpener and eraser. Since 1997, a total of 495,259 children have experienced the joys of learning through the UHSK. The generous contributions of partners and donors and the assistance of volunteers in the repacking of the UHSK materials, enable GMAKF to reach out to as many deserving children from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For

UHSK COVERED AREAS LUZON Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Zambales, Quirino, Benguet

VISAYAS Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Oriental Mindoro

MINDANAO Lanao del Norte, Lanao Del Sur, Davao, Davao Del Norte, North Cotobato, Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Sultan Kuradarat, Sarangani

250 Pesos, a prospective donor can make an indigent Grade 1 pupil excited to go to school and look forward to learning.

The UHSK project has covered armed conflict areas of Maguindanao, Sulu and Lanao del Norte; isolated islands of Romblon, Masbate, Surigao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi; and hard to reach mountain areas of Benguet, Bukidnon, Sorsogon, Mountain Province, and Cagayan, to name a few.

In 2013, GMAKF served a total of 75,039 pupils from 859 public elementary schools nationwide.

GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

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GMA KAPUSO MAGAZINE |MAY 2014 ISSUE

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