In today’s fast-changing digital world, misinformation can spark fear in seconds, while disinformation can spread faster than the truth.
To address this, GMA Network formally launches its newest advocacy campaign, Matuto, Matuwa. Be Juan Tama, on August 26, 2025, at the GMA Network Center.
Three Kapuso programs—Amazing Earth, iBilib, and Fast Talk with Boy Abunda—are set to take the lead in imparting the knowledge, information, and values that matter.
Aside from being factual, the campaign highlights that learning should be fun and purposeful.
With the support of Anak TV Foundation, National Council for Children’s Television, World Wildlife Fund-Philippines, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph), and Philippine Women’s University, Be Juan Tama will also bring its message to schools through a nationwide GMA Masterclass series.
During the launch, the shows' hosts—Dingdong Dantes, Chris Tiu, and Boy Abunda—shared how the campaign resonates with their personal experiences and professional missions.
DINGDONG DANTES: “SANA NAKILALA MO SI JUAN TAMA.”
The Kapuso Primetime King admitted that the advocacy took on a deeper meaning for him after a conversation with his driver of 22 years, Kuya Jun.
“Last week po, kasama ko si Kuya Jun, all of a sudden, out of the blue, sabi niya, ‘Sir, yari na tayo. Parang heto na, mangyayari na.’
"Sabi ko, ‘Ano mangyayari, Kuya Jun?’ ‘Binomba na ng Russia ang Amerika.'
"And apparently, isa siyang video game. At napaniwalaan talaga, talagang kinabahan siya nang todo,” Dingdong recalled, drawing both laughter and concern from the audience.
He, too, was momentarily shaken, before he realized this was another example of how social media can sell deception.
That was, he said, when he thought about the need for “Juan Tama.”
“Kaya sabi ko kay Kuya Jun, ‘Naku, Kuya Jun. Alam mo, sana nakilala mo si Juan Tama.'
"Si Juan Tama, pinipili niya ang tamang impormasyon. Si Juan Tama, pinipili niya ang tamang content. Si Juan Tama, pinipili niya ang tamang asal,” he said.
Discernment is key in today’s media-saturated society.
For Dingdong, the advocacy starts at home, but must extend to schools, workplaces, and communities.
“Through the campaign, we are able to replicate this advocacy, of course, to a wider set of audience. Kaya very, very timely po ang Juan Tama Campaign. Kaya iniimbitahan po namin ang lahat na matuto, makisaya, at maging Juan Tama,” he added.
Dingdong also connected the campaign to another project close to his heart: disaster preparedness.
Referring to his collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense for Panatag Pilipinas, he recalled how relevant information, if presented simply and clearly, can save lives.
“The goal is to make it easily understandable," he said, "at para hindi nakaka-intimidate, through bite-size information… Sana ito yung mga information din na puwede nating mai-share para makatulong sa ating mga viewers at sa ating mga kabataan."
Read: Dingdong Dantes recalls working with Ricky Davao in GMA-7 shows
CHRIS TIU: A FATHER’S CONCERN IN THE DIGITAL AGE
iBilib host Chris Tiu said this campaign deeply matters to him as a father of two.
“Ako ngayon ay may dalawa akong anak. Dalawang daughters, nine and seven years old, and I’m worried about them, ano? Because yung mga kids natin, lumalaki sila na talaga ito na yung mundo nila. So, it worries me as to how this will affect them, especially sa emotional and mental health nila,” Chris explained.
Unlike his generation, he pointed out, today’s children are raised entirely in the digital age.
He and his peers grew up with TV, radio, and newspapers; social media came into the picture much later.
His daughters, however, are growing up in a reality where information, whether accurate or false, is very available and quite accessible.
“This is a real concern, but all the more ako naging mas passionate sa cause na ito—not just the viewers but even the content creators. Kasi ngayon, halos lahat puwede nang maging content creator.”
He also thanked the campaign's partners for joining this advocacy, saying their support will amplify the project’s message and make its impact "even more profound."
Read: Amazing Earth, Pepito Manaloto, iba pang weekly programs ng GMA-7 magsisimula nang mag-taping ulit
BOY ABUNDA: BREAKING STEREOTYPES, BUILDING CRITICAL THINKERS
For talkshow host Boy Abunda, Be Juan Tama is more than just a call to fact-check. It is the opportunity to break old stereotypes about entertainment talkshows.
“Ito yung nagbibigay sa amin sa entertainment talk shows," Boy began, "ng pagkakataon na basagin ang isang napakatanda na, napakaluma na stereotype, na kapag sinabi mong talkshow, lalo na kapag may kinalaman sa mga artista—chismis.”
He said truth and entertainment are not mutually exclusive.
“You can do an entertainment talkshow by being factual. You can do an entertainment talkshow by being truthful.
"Kaya sa Fast Talk, nangangako siguro kami that television can be compelling, work can be interesting by latching on to what is true, what is respectful, and what is fun."
Boy also talked about how Fast Talk carefully handles its interviews. Its end view: respect the stories of celebrities who trust you with theirs.
Citing examples, he explained how the team considers whether certain details—such as age, grief, or personal struggles—must be shared with permission. Because ultimately, Boy said, “a talk show is just a talk show. It cannot be more important than relationships.”
And while chismis or gossip remains entertaining, he underscored that audiences must learn to pause and verify before spreading the same.
“Kailangan ay kapag may nagsasabing, halimbawa, ‘Huy alam mo, sabi nila, buntis ito, e.’ Alam mo, ang sagot, ‘Sandali. Be Juan Tama. Na ibig sabihin, alamin mo, alamin muna ang facts bago natin ipalaganap.”
For Boy, the campaign signals a shift toward cultivating a critical audience.
“We need audience who are critical thinkers. Maganda yung conversation na ipinagpapatuloy pagkatapos ng palabas. So, maraming salamat sa inyong suporta at sana’y maging Be Juan Tama tayong lahat ngayon at sa mga araw na darating,” said the respected talkshow host.
Read: Boy Abunda's YouTube channel to feature interviews with mayors
BE JUAN TAMA, BE ONE
From Dingdong’s reminder that fact-checking must begin at home, to Chris’s concerns as a father, and Boy’s call to break stereotypes in entertainment, Be Juan Tama brings together both personal and professional convictions in the fight against misinformation.
With GMA and its partners at the helm, the message is simple yet powerful: to learn with joy, to share with truth, and to live with the right values.
As the three Kapuso figures lead the call, every Filipino is invited to do the same—matuto, matuwa, at sama-samang maging Juan Tama.