Brigada finalist at 2013 Japan Prize

MANILA, Philippines - GMA News TV’s news-magazine program Brigada was pronounced a finalist at the prestigious Japan Prize, an international contest for educational media. Anchored by multi-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, Brigada is the only Philippine nominee this year across all categories. Brigada airs every Monday at 8 p.m.  

Brigada’s entry is composed of two documentaries on child labor. Reporter Micaela Papa’s moving report titled Gintong Krudo (Black Gold) tells the stories of impoverished children who swim through the dirty waters of the Navotas Fishport to collect and sell spilled petroleum oil. Armed only with foam, pails and a makeshift boat, they are exposed every day to the dangers of drowning in a sea of trash and harmful chemicals.

Steve Dailisan’s Sipa ng Pag-Asa (Kicks of Hope) is an inspiring story on the lives of young garbage collectors in Payatas who dream to rise from poverty using their talent in football. They may not be the best football players out there, but their unwavering determination and pure heart for the game give their impoverished community a sense of pride and hope.

Brigada will be competing with programs from Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Japan, Taiwan and United Kingdom.

Established in 1965, the Japan Prize “aims to contribute to the development of educational broadcasting and media worldwide by awarding audiovisual materials that show high quality educational effects.” Each finalist is evaluated based on its ability to contribute to education from a long-term perspective. The Japan Prize defines education as “the endeavor to cultivate self-learning, self-thinking, and the power of empathy to further the development of an individual’s natural qualities and to foster the growth of a better society.”

The awarding ceremony will be held  on Oct. 24 in Tokyo, Japan.