A FAMILY-oriented drama series was the biggest winner in the 8th USTv Students’ Choice Awards held last night at the Medicine Auditorium.
This year’s USTv awards had the theme “Promoting Positive Values in Pop Culture on Television.”
ABS-CBN top-rater “100 Days to Heaven” was the Students’ Choice of Daily Local Soap Opera, besting powerhouse primetime shows “Mara Clara” (ABS-CBN) and GMA Network’s “Amaya.”
Jodi Sta. Maria of 100 Days to Heaven was the Students’ Choice of Supporting Actress in a Daily Local Soap Opera.
The night’s biggest winner was 8-year-old child Xyriel Manabat, who bagged the Students’ Choice of Actress in a Daily Local Soap Opera also for 100 Days to Heaven. Manabat won against Angel Locsin (“Imortal,” ABS-CBN) and Julia Montes (Mara Clara).
Aside from the three awards, 100 Days to Heaven got a special citation for promoting values among television viewers.
“A special citation is given to 100 Days to Heaven for its exemplary depiction of the Filipino family and positive values on television, serving as a potent medium to promote positive values to Thomasian young men and women,” the citation said.
The story of 100 Days to Heaven revolves around Anna Manalastas (portrayed by Coney Reyes), owner of a toy company who died in a car accident. Because she treated people badly during her life, Manalastas was barred from entering heaven. But instead of throwing her to hell, heaven’s guardian gave her a chance to correct her mistakes and make peace with people she had hurt within 100 days. Manalastas was allowed a sojourn back to life, but as a child. The role was portrayed by Xyriel Manabat.
Public Affairs director Giovanna Fontanilla said the awards show was a concrete effort of UST to herald Catholic values.
“[This] is a strong statement that USTv is a pioneering effort of the University to promote Catholic values,” Fontanilla said.
ABS-CBN network continued to dominate the entertainment genre, with the Students’ Choice of Catholic Program going to “Banal,” a religious documentary on Pope John Paul II. The documentary, shown last May 22, 2011, was starred by Jaime Fabregas and child actor Zaijan Jaranilla.
“Spongebob” (ABS-CBN) was the Students’ Choice of Full Animated Program, while “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho” (ABS-CBN) bagged the Students’ Choice of Foreign Soap Opera.
“Gandang Gabi Vice” and “Showtime” were the Students’ Choice of Talk Variety Program and Reality Show, respectively.
“Maalalala Mo Kaya” meanwhile got its 8th straight win for the Student’s Choice of Drama Program.
Other winners from the Kapamilya network were “The Buzz” (Entertainment News Show), “Sports Unlimited” (Sports Program), “The Bottomline” (Public Affairs-Talk Show Program), “Matanglawin” (Education Program), “Sports Unlimited” (Sports Program), Sarah Geronimo (Local Music Video Artist under Viva Records), Jhong Hilario (Supporting Actor in a Local Soap Opera for Mara Clara), and Coco Martin (Actor in a Local Soap Opera for “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin”).
The Student’s Choice of Male News and Current Affairs Program Host was Anthony Taberna, for his show “Iba Balita” on Studio 23, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN.
Sister company MYX was the Student’s Choice of MTV Channel.
Overall, ABS-CBN got 17 trophies in 29 categories, plus two special citations.
Meanwhile, the news and current affairs sphere was still dominated by GMA Network.
“24 Oras” received its second straight win as the Students’ Choice of Local News and Current Affairs Program, while “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” won its fifth Students’ Choice of Magazine Program. “I-Witness” got its sixth Students’ Choice of Documentary Program.
“Wish Ko Lang” notched the Students’ Choice of Public Service Program. Jessica Soho meanwhile was the Students’ Choice of Female News and Current Affairs Host.
Other awardees from GMA were “Eat Bulaga” (Variety Show) and “Bubble Gang” (Gag Show).
The Students’ Choice of Value-Laden TV Advertisement went to Lucky Me Noodles for “Tunay na Lalaki.” The Students’ Choice of Local Music Video was “Walang Natira” by Gloc 9 featuring Sheng Belmonte.
Emerging media outfit TV5 has a lone winner. It notched the Students’ Choice of Game Show for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
The awards night, which was scheduled to take place at the Plaza Mayor, was moved to the Medicine Auditorium due to heavy rains. Reden D. Madrid and Maria Arra L. Perez with reports from James Bryan J. Agustin
