PRESS RELEASE
GMA Network’s flagship documentary program I-Witness has been airing for 25 years!
As part of its milestone anniversary celebration, the acclaimed show gathered students from various schools for an insightful and inspiring talk session dubbed i-25: The I-Witness Talks last August 20, 2024, at the Blessed Frassati Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas.
I-Witness’ hosts Kara David, Howie Severino, Atom Araullo, Mav Gonzales, and John Consulta shared their remarkable experiences as documentarists, offering valuable advice to help attendees advance in their chosen path.
kara david: "It's never about you."
Kara reminded the aspiring documentarists that they have the power in their hands because the stories they create are powerful.
She likewise imparted one of the lessons that has made a significant impact on her as a journalist.
“Noong pumasok ako sa GMA, ang aking ama na nasa media rin dati, may bilin sa akin.
"Ang bilin niya sa akin, ‘Pag gagawa ka ng istorya, huwag mong kalilimutan ito: You are not the story. You are the storyteller. Huwag mong gagawing ikaw ang bida. It’s never about you, it’s about the people you interview.'”
Kara is the daughter of journalist/sociologist/professor Randy David.
howie severino: "documenting is important."
Howie, who's known for always bringing a video camera with him, highlighted the importance of documenting.
“Documenting is important. Documenting things is very fulfilling.
"I never stopped documenting, not just for television, but for family – taking pictures, taking videos, etc.
"So even if you don’t end up in GMA or I-Witness, you can still be the documentarist of your family, and you can be a good one if you put your minds to it.”
atom ARAULLO, mav GONZALES, john CONSULTA on the art of storytelling
Atom, meanwhile, showcased a few of the remarkable stories he made for I-Witness and highlighted the duty of bearing witness to people’s lives.
“This privilege of telling stories makes all of the risks worth it.
"No one documentary will change the world.
"Pero naniniwala ako na kapag tama ang ating pagkukuwento, malaki ang kapangyarihan nito para imulat ang mga tao at unti-unting itulak ang kasaysayan sa tamang direksiyon."
Mav talked about the intent and impact of documentaries.
“Hangga't maaari, kung gagawa ka ng dokumentaryo, yung mayroong konkretong impact sa lipunan.
"Minsan kasi iniisip natin inspirational lang yung mga documentaries, but, sometimes the inspirational translates into something that is tangible.
"And that’s what we always aim to do if we are doing a story,” she stressed.
Like Mav, John joined I-Witness last year.
During his talk, John's advice to the studnets was to always use their voices while upholding justice and fairness.
“Naniniwala ako, ang docu, tulay para magkaboses ang mga mamamayan.
"Mas maging mulat ang mga manonood sa mga napapanahong isyu, at ito ay daan sa mga makabuluhang pagbabago.
"Ang docu o storya ay may kapangyarihang magbago, very powerful iyan, kung gagamitin lamang po nang tama,” he said.
After the talk session, students were given the opportunity to ask their questions through an open forum.
There was also a meet-and-greet session afterwards.
i-25: The I-Witness Talks was hosted by Sparkle artist Rain Matienzo.
First aired on Philippine television in 1999, I-Witness was hosted by a roster of the finest journalists in Philippine media, including Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales, Cheche Lazaro, Luchi-Cruz Valdes, and the late Mike Enriquez.
For more than two decades, the GMA Public Affairs show continues to reap awards here and abroad, which include two George Foster Peabody Awards, multiple New York Festivals world medals, Asian TV Awards, Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards, and finalist status at the Emmy Awards, among others.
Catch I-Witness every Saturday at 10:15 p.m. on GMA. Global Pinoys can watch it via the international channel GMA Pinoy TV.
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