GMA-7 brought home four World Medals from the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.
The Kapuso network was able to bring home one Gold Medal, one Silver Medal, and two Bronze Medals.
GMA-7 was the sole Philippine company that earned nominations in the prestigious award-giving body this year.
A virtual ceremony called the 2022 Storytellers Gala was held on April 26, 2022 (U.S. time).
The Atom Araullo Specials’ “Munting Bisig” episode won the Gold Medal in the Documentary: Social Issues category. In the episode, Atom followed the lives of children who put their lives at stake to fend for their families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Atom himself tried his hand at compressor diving in Paracale, Camarines Norte, to experience the work of "Pancho," a 15-year-old boy who had to dive into 40 feet of mud to collect soil for the chance of finding gold.
In his acceptance speech, Atom said, "Our team is absolutely thrilled to receive this award from the New York Festivals. The situation of children especially from underprivileged backgrounds continues to be a cause for concern, even as the world gradually recovers from the pandemic.
“Through this story, we hope to bring awareness to the plight of these vulnerable communities."
Julie Anne San Jose’s online musical trilogy, Limitless, won a Silver Medal in the Entertainment Special: Variety Special Category.
Julie said in her acceptance speech, “Along with every Filipino, we have shown the world that with our unshakable strength and faith, we can rise above the challenges of this global pandemic.
“Our journey in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon has brought us to many heights and we further brave our return to stage with our audience face to face and we continue to share these experiences through various platforms to spark more hope and ignite even more courage to face each tomorrow."
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho adds to its growing list of awards a Bronze Medal for the episode “Bestida ni Ranelyn.” The episode, which was under the Documentary: Health/Medical Information category, featured a six-year-old girl who longed to wear her favorite dress as she lost weight due to poverty and severe malnourishment.
Another award-winning GMA News and Public Affairs program, I-Witness, earns a Bronze Medal for Atom Araullo’s “Koronang Itim” documentary, which was nominated in the Documentary: Climate Change & Sustainability category.
The documentary investigated the sudden increase in crown of thorns called “dap-ag” in the waters of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte.
Sandra Aguinaldo’s I-Witness documentary titled “Virus Hunters” took home a Finalist certificate under the Documentary: Science & Technology category.
ALSO READ: GMA-7 earns 5 nominations in 2022 New York Festivals
The New York Festivals TV & Film Awards honors content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries.
In 2021, GMA-7 won a Bronze Medal for Reporter’s Notebook’s feature, “Mga Sugat ni Miguel.” It also earned five finalist certificates, giving the Philippines its most number of citations that year.
Also in that year, ABS-CBN received a Silver Medal for the documentary Fedelina: A Stolen Life.
ALSO READ: ABS-CBN, GMA-7 win world medals at New York Festivals 2021