Three TV programs from the Philippines earned Gold World Awards in the International Television Broadcasting Awards of the 2009 New York Festivals. One of them is a TV special marking the first decade of Bantay Bata 163, the other is cited for providing excellent coverage of an ongoing story, and the third is a documentary that excelled in the Biography/Profiles category.

GMA-7 also won a Gold World Medal in the category of Coverage of an Ongoing Story for Jiggy Manicad's 24 Oras coverage of Corporal Abeto.

Q11, the Kapuso network's sister station, bagged the Gold World Medal Award for the Biography/Profiles Category for Inno Sotto: A Special Fashion Documentary.

The Kapuso Network is also the recipient of one Silver, two Bronze World Medals, and seven Finalist Certificates.

ABS-CBN received a Gold World Medal for Variety Special for the 10th Anniversary Special of Bantay Bata 163. Aside from that, the Kapamilya Network received three Silver World Medals and Finalist Certificates for three shows. In addition, Korina Sanchez was given a Finalist Certificate for the category Best News Reporter.

Established in 1958, NYF is an International Awards Group (IAG) that recognizes the world's best work in advertising and television programming.

KAPUSO AWARDS. Jiggy Manicad's 24 Oras report that earned a Gold World Medal detailed the fierce encounter of rebel groups MILF and the Abu Sayyaf against the marines and the PNP Provincial Mobile Group during last year's ARMM elections in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. The encounter took the life of Corporal Angelo Abeto after a mortar exploded right on his head. This was first reported by Manicad on GMA-7's primetime newscast on August 13, 2008.

24 Oras also took home the Silver World Medal in the Best Newscast Category for its coverage of "Lanao Attacks." This documented the assault made by the MILF in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on August 18, 2008.

Q Channel 11's Inno Sotto: A Special Fashion Documentary bagged the Gold World Medal Award for the Biography/Profiles Category. The documentary revealed the beginnings of Inno Sotto as a couturier and how he became the master of Philippine couture.

Meanwhile, Reporter's Notebook's "Pinays for Export: The Asian Sex Trafficking Trail" was awarded the Bronze World Medal for Best Public Affairs Program. The late-night show followed the trail of Filipinas who are among the most frequently trafficked women in the world, and in the process exposed the truth behind this global exploitation.

Q Channel 11's Chef to Go with its "Pesco Vegetarian Meal" episode was awarded the Bronze World Medal for the Magazine Format Category.

A number of GMA-7 programs were also given finalist certificates in their respective categories: Joaquin Bordado for the Action/ Adventure category; Emergency's "Jumper Kids/Battered Children" for the Social Issues/Current Events Category; and I-Witness' "Crystal Mountain" for the Community Portraits Category.

Four programs from Q Channel 11 were also recognized with finalist certificates: The Sweet Life for the Magazine Format Category; Ang Pinaka's "Ang Pinaka Sikat na Pinoy sa Internet" still for the Magazine Format Category; News on Q's "Batasan Blast" for the Coverage of Breaking News Category; and Draw the Line's "Ormoc Cult, Early Marriage and Trafficking" episode for the Social Issues/Current Events Category.

KAPAMILYA AWARDS. Incidentally, the Bantay Bata 163 10th Anniversary Special that earned a Gold World Medal in the New York Festivals also bagged the Best Special Award during the 17th Golden Dove Awards of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).