April 17, 2015, 4:56 p.m. – THIS YEAR’S installment of
the annual USTV Awards introduced five new awards to recognize the impact of
social media among the youth.

With the theme “A New Beginning: The Youth Shaping Modern
Media for Veritas,” USTV continued to seek values-laden programs and
personalities.

“We founded the USTV with the thought that if the youth
[learn to examine correctly], ‘di na sila manunuod ng mali,” said Fr. Isidro
Abaño, founder of USTV and director of the UST Museum, in his opening remarks
at the Plaza Mayor Thursday.

ABS-CBN’s official hashtag for its Papal Visit special
coverage, “#PopeFrancis,” emerged as the Student Leaders’ Choice of Social
Media Campaign for Catholic Formation, while its “#TulongPH” won the Student
Leaders’ Choice of Social Media Campaign for Environmental Protection.

GMA Networks’ “#ThinkBeforeYouClick” campaign for proper use
of social media won the Student Leaders’ Choice of Social Media Campaign for
Social Action, while the Facebook page of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” took home
the Student Leaders’ Choice of Social Media Campaign for Socio-Cultural
Development.

TV host Drew Arellano was named Student Leaders’ Choice of
Social Media Male Personality, while GMA actress Marian Rivera was the Student
Leaders’ Choice of Social Media Female Personality.

Lopez-owned ABS-CBN bagged the most number of awards at 23,
including the Student Leaders’ Choice of TV Network and Student’s Choice of
Network Foundation for “Lingkod Kapamilya.”

The network’s late-night newscast “Bandila” bested others as
the Students’ Choice of TV News Program, while its longest-running news program
“TV Patrol” received an Award of Excellence for the same category.

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An Award of Excellence is given to a program that has been
consistently recognized by USTV for the last five years.

ABS-CBN’s “Spratly’s” was heralded the Student’s Choice of
Documentary Special. “Matanglawin” was honored with an Award of Excellence for
an Educational Program, while its host, Kim Atienza, was hailed as this year’s
Male Thomasian Media Personality.

“College of Education ang pinasukan ko sa UST when I was in
first year college, at ‘di ko akalain na decades later, ako pala ang magiging
pambansang trivia king,” Atienza said in his acceptance speech. “All my basics
I learned in UST.”

Sarah Geronimo was recognized as this year’s Thomasian
Female Personality, while ABS-CBN reporter Atom Araullo was named Student
Leaders’ Choice of Male Personality.

ABS-CBN also dominated the entertainment categories. “It’s
Showtime” bagged the Students’ Choice of Variety Show, while “ASAP” received an
Award of Excellence in the same category.

“The Buzz,” the entertainment talk show that recently ended
its run, was honored with both the Students’ Choice of Talk Show and the
category’s Award of Excellence, while “The Voice Kids” was named as the
Students’ Choice of Reality Game Show.

Host Toni Gonzaga reaped three trophies: Students’ Choice of
TV Show Host, Reality Game Show Host, and Variety Show Host. “UST is very close
to my heart because this is where we shot my first-ever commercial. Ang award
na ito ang nagva-validate sa lahat ng ginagawa namin,” Gonzaga said.

“Dream Dad” was named as the Students’ Choice of TV Drama,
while  “MMK (Maalala Mo Kaya)” was given
an Award of Excellence.

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GMA Network got 13 trophies, dominating the field of news
and media affairs.

“Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” won the Students’ Choice of
Magazine News Program and an Award of Excellence. GMA Documentary show
“I-Witness” was given an Award of Excellence for Students’ Choice of
Documentary special. Drew Arellano was also the Student’s Choice of TV News
Magazine Host for “Biyahe ni Drew.”

Like last year, GMA dominated the Comedy category. “Pepito
Manalotto” bagged the Students’ Choice of Comedy Program, while “Bubble Gang”
was recognized with an Award of Excellence in the same category.

The 11th USTV Students’ Choice Awards now uses a capital ‘V’
in its logo, symbolizing veritas or truth.

The new logo signifies the Dominican Order’s 800th year of
establishment, which will be celebrated in 2016. Kristelle-Ann A. Batchelor and
Elyssa Christine A. Lopez

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