08 March 2013, 1:18 p.m. – HOW TO make television form a “positive culture” as espoused by Thomasian values was the mission of this year’s USTv Awards for Television, held at the Plaza Mayor Thursday night.
“We, at USTv, don’t assess or evaluate the acting craft of the TV personality or how showbiz is done; rather, we search for the projection of our true Thomasian values,” said Benjamin Zoilo Mario Ravanera III, president of the Student Organizations and Coordinating Council (SOCC).
“These Thomasian values are never out of date, and are significant in shaping the well-being of the students of this University, and eventually, our youth,” he said in remarks during the USTv ceremonies.
The ninth edition of the USTv awards featured new categories such as Best Investigative Program, Best Sports Personality, and Best Network Foundation. “Unessential” categories were scrapped, such as the Best Actor and Best Actress Awards. This year’s competition had a total of 33 categories and 90 nominees.
ABS-CBN daytime drama series “Be Careful with My Heart,” earned the Students’ Choice for Best Local Daily Soap Opera, while GMA-7’s noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga” received the first Student Leaders’ Choice Award for Best Television Program for helping people in need while bringing joy and laughter to the Filipino audience.
Actress Angel Locsin won the Student Leaders’ Choice Award for Best TV Personality, not only for her craft but also for her participation in charitable institutions and activities.
“Siguro kung ano man ang narating ko ngayon, hindi ko maaabot kung wala ang tulong sa akin ng UST, so maraming salamat po sa inyo,” Locsin said.
ABS-CBN dominated the night, garnering a total of 20 awards, mostly in the entertainment genre. GMA-7 earned a total of 10 awards, while TV-5 took home one trophy for “Talentadong Pinoy” as Best Reality Show.
There were no nominees for the Students’ Choice of Catholic Program, but special citations were given to “The Word Exposed,” hosted by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and GMA News TV’s “San Pedro Calungsod Documentary Drama Special.”
“Dream High” (ABS-CBN) earned the Students’ Choice of Foreign Soap Opera while “Failon Ngayon” and “The Bottomline” won Best Investigative Program and Best Public Affairs Talk Show, respectively. Meanwhile, “Matanglawin” (ABS-CBN) got its fifth win for Best Educational Program.
Other winners for ABS-CBN were: “The Buzz” (seventh win for Best Entertainment News Program), Boy Abunda (Best Entertainment News Program Host), Ted Failon (third win for Best Male News and Current/Public Affairs Host), TV Patrol (fifth win for Best Local News and Current/Public Affairs Program), “Ako ang Simula” (Public Service Program), Callalily’s “Minsan” (Local Music Video) and “The Healing” (Local Full-length Film).
Meanwhile, Kris Aquino received the Students’ Choice of Talk Variety Show Host. “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” and host Luis Manzano won Best Game Show and Best Game Show Host, respectively. “It’s Showtime” won Best Variety Show and host Anne Curtis won as Best Variety Host.
“Maalaala Mo Kaya” got its ninth straight win for Best Drama Program, while the ABS-CBN Foundation was named Best Network Foundation.
Meanwhile, GMA-7’s “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” won its sixth straight award for “Best Magazine Program,” while Jessica Soho earned the Students’ Choice Award for Female News and Current Affairs Host. i-Witness (GMA 7) got its seventh win for Best Documentary Program.
GMA-7’s
“Bubble Gang” won its eighth straight award for Best Gag Show, while “Pepito Manaloto” got the Students’ Choice Award for Situational Comedy. Chris Tiu was named Sports Personality of the Year.
Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., vice rector of the University, underscored the importance of evaluating media critically, claiming that the USTv Students’ Choice Award “has virtually set the standard for awards.”
“[The USTv] recognizes the importance of the students’ collective voice in urging television networks to produce quality programs that are family-centered and value-oriented. Fully conscious of the power of media to shape society, Thomasian students once again expressed their approval of television programs and personalities that mirror these values,” Ang said.
Ang added that responsible viewing demands sustained reflection and understanding of the message that TV shows send subliminally to viewers.
“TV, like any tool of human creativity, may be used or abused; it may represent or misrepresent; lead or mislead; communicate or miscommunicate; construct or deconstruct,” he said. “I believe that our students are well aware of their increasing responsibility to critically evaluate media and its impact on Filipino culture.” Marianne S. Lastra and John Joseph G. Basijan
