Reel Time wins Peabody Award in New York

MANILA, Philippines - Top-rating GMA News TV documentary program Reel Time received the prestigious 2013 George Foster Peabody Award at an awards ceremony held last May 20, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. This is the Philippines’ third Peabody Award and also the third Peabody Award for GMA News and Public Affairs.

Program manager Nowell Cuanang together with the Reel Time production team behind the award-winning episode Salat (Bone-dry) — executive producer Sharon Masula, director Aaron Mendoza and researcher Mike Cristobal — were all present to receive the Peabody, considered the broadcast media’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.

“This award is for all children in the world who are victims of malnutrition. Our subject Mary Rose, in spite of hunger, remains hopeful and still continues to dream,” shared Cuanang, who was overwhelmed by the award being one of only two Asian entries together with Japan’s NHK to be included in this year’s list of winners. 

The 2013 Peabody Awards’ theme was achieving excellence and overcoming mediocrity. Dr. Horace Newcomb, Lambdin Kay, chair of the Peabody Awards, elaborated this in his speech (http://peabodyawards.com/2013/05/island-of-excellence-praised-in-peabody-awards-ceremony/) when he addressed the 39 recipients, â€œYour work is the measure and the model of what should be achieved,” Newcomb, overseeing his final Peabody Awards before he retires, used his speech to urge the electronic media industry to use the medium to produce quality work: “We need information and analysis. We need entertainment that moves us deeply and opens us to new possibilities, delights us with our own humanity in all its glory and amuses us with our failures. We need documentaries that push the scene with new eyes, not fakery that pretends to be reality.”

ABC’s Good Morning America host Robin Roberts drew a standing ovation during the ceremony when she accepted the award for a documentary that chronicled her struggle against a rare blood and bone marrow disease.

US networks CBS News, ABC News and PBS led the list of winners, with two trophies each. GMA News TV’s Reel Time was truly proud to stand in such esteemed company.

Reel Time’s George Foster Peabody award-winning Salat has opened the eyes of many, here and abroad, including senatorial frontrunner Grace Poe — who was inspired to set up an elementary school lunch program after watching the documentary.

Reel Time airs Sunday nights on GMA News TV Channel 11.