GMA Network’s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV was honored by the 2021 Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards for its original programs that raised awareness about issues on Filipino migration, advocating for Filipinos overseas, and promoting a positive image of overseas Filipinos despite the constraints created by the pandemic.
Winning the Television Journalism Award – Best TV Special was GMA Pinoy TV’s “Entrepinoy Abroad.” Aired in October 2020, EntrePinoy Abroad was an original digital series that highlighted the stories of Filipinos abroad who, despite the challenges, boldly put up their own businesses in a foreign land and continued to persevere and promote Filipino products to the world.
The first three episodes of Entrepinoy Abroad featured different Filipinas and their food businesses in Belgium, Japan, and USA. Myey Flores-Moens talked about how she brought the Filipino tableya to Belgium, the Chocolate Capital of the World. Dolie Oda shared how her mother influenced her to be a businesswoman and how her lola’s halo-halo became a hit in Japan. Lastly, Melody Lorenzo’s story on how she tried to pursue the American dream, her failures, and how she is now enjoying the sweet victory of her pastry business called Sweet Condesa.
GMA Pinoy TV’s weekly interstitial “Global Pinoy Unlimited” won Television Journalism Award – Best Interstitial. It features updates on trailblazing, successful, and inspiring Filipinos around the world. It also spotlights relevant community news and Pinoy headliners and their significant contributions to the community.
Among the notable episodes from Global Pinoy Unlimited were “Yaya Milyonarya,” about Rosie Vargas, a loving nanny in Dubai who chose to continue serving in her job despite winning the cash price of Php 1 million in UAE Best Nanny 2018; “Kingfisher Couple,” a couple who lived off eating from garbage just to survive but eventually learned the ropes in running a boating business and are now known as the first Filipinos who own a cruise business in Dubai; and Angela Affinita, Disney UK’s Director of Brand and Creative Marketing who shared the story behind Disney’s Filipino-themed Christmas advertisement last 2020.
“We share these awards with our Kapuso Abroad whose inspiring stories of resilience and triumph in their life abroad we are privileged to cover thru Entrepinoy Abroad and Global Pinoy Unlimited,” said GMA International First Vice President and Head of Operations Joseph T. Francia. “We are grateful to the CFO for this recognition and our team at GMA International are encouraged to further strengthen our bond with our global Filipino community, especially through our ongoing #StrongerTogether campaign.”
Entrepinoy Abroad is produced by Gerald B. Vista, with Anton Taguinod as editor and Virna R. Cañete and Carol Mangalonzo as researchers. Global Pinoy Unlimited’s production team is headed by Cheri Domingo, SAVP of International Programming, in coordination with GMA’s Post Production and Program Support Departments.
The MAM Awards was conceived in 2011 by the CFO to recognize the significant role of the media in information dissemination and advocacy of migration and development. Since its launch, a total of 80 media reports, productions, and advocates from 18 countries, including the Philippines, have received the award. Winners of the 2021 CFO MAM Awards will be honored via virtual ceremonies this January.
