Filipino pride fills the Chijmes Hall in Singapore as celebrated personalities and entities win big at theAsian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) held on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Organized by the Asian Academy of Creative Arts, the AACA honors excellence across diverse platforms, encompassing television, feature films, digital, mobile, streaming, and other technologies throughout the expansive Asia-Pacific region.
This year, the Philippines showcased its prowess with three notable figures making waves:
Asian Academy of Creative Arts Legacy Awardee: ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN Corporation, a stalwart in Filipino media, was bestowed with the privilege of being the first-ever recipient of the Asian Academy of Creative Arts Legacy Award.
Head of ABS-CBN International Productions Ruel S. Bayani accepted the honor on behalf of the company.
In his gratitude-filled speech, he acknowledged the dedication of ABS-CBN's personnel, both local and international partners, advertisers, and Kapamilyas worldwide.
Direk Ruel stated, "Our story is far from over. We shall continue to champion Filipino talent on the global stage and mentor the next generations of global storytellers.
"ABS-CBN as an organization has survived the most seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges.
"At the heart of its 70 year history as a company is our shared character. They say that character is destiny and hopefully this same character will be ABS-CBN's enduring legacy."
Clement Schwebig, the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards Chairman and President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery for India, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, presented the award to the institution.
He supported, "In 2020, ABS-CBN's government license was not renewed and was forced off-air, that's where their story could've ended but it didn't.
"They pivoted, forged partnerships, and became a major content producer."
BEST FACTUAL PRESENTER: RICO HIZON
CNN Philippines' seasoned anchor, Rico Hizon, achieved a significant milestone by clinching the Best Factual Presenter award.
Rico stood out among six distinguished news presenters from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, bagging the ultimate title of "Grand Final Winner" in combined categories.
Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, Rico wrote, "Truly honored to receive the Golden Goddess statuette as the Best Factual Presenter (Best News Anchor and Best Current Affairs Anchor in Asia categories combined) -
"Grand Final Winner at the @asianacademycreativeawards 2023 held at the Chijmes Hall in Singapore!
"This recognition is dedicated to the men and women of CNN Philippines my wife Melannie and our son Migo."
He extended his thanks to the viewers of CNN Philippines' flagship late-night news program The Final Word and acknowledged their unwavering support.
Rico concluded his post with a spirited "Animo La Salle!"
Read: Rico Hizon, from BBC to CNN Philippines; kanta ni Vice Ganda sa COVID-19, patok online
During his acceptance speech, the 57-year-old broadcaster dedicated the award to "all journalists in Asia who report balanced, unbiased, and fair news and real news."
Facing stiff competition, Rico was genuinely surprised by his victory, emphasizing that he competed against the "best of the best in Asia."
He added, "It is our responsibility to always report the truth and deliver the truth to our viewers across the country, around the world whoever watches us, and even on social media.
"Mabuhay ang Pilipinas, mabuhay ang CNN Philippines, mabuhay ang CNN International, mabuhay ang Asian Academy Creative Awards!"
Best Entertainment Host: MANILA LUZON
Adding to the Filipino triumphs, Filipino-American drag artist Manila Luzon secured the title of Best Entertainment Host for her captivating performance on Drag Den Philippines.
With a remarkable score of 19 out of 20, Manila expressed her elation by shouting "Philippines!" upon receiving the trophy.
"Well, I guess have to change my name from Manila Luzon to Manila Winzon," she remarked jokingly.
Choked up in her emotions, Manila proceeded to thank her husband Michael Alvarez, the award-giving body, series creator Rod Singh, the show’s producers, Drag Cartel Sassa Gurl and Nicole Cordoves, and her sister queens from Drag Den.
She called them the "the stars of our show...
"Thank you queens for making the risk to be on our show and to be the first drag queens to put yourself and your artistry out there on Filipino TV for all of Asia and the world to watch," she added.
Manila added that she is “so blessed” to witness the “best drag show in the world!”
Wittily concluding her speech in true Manila Luzon fashion, she quipped, "I think this trophy will make a fabulous earring,"
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