Bayan Ko wins Quill award

MANILA, Philippines - GMA News TV’s groundbreaking political drama Bayan Ko took home a Philippine Quill Award for Excellence — the top award in the category of advocacy communication — last Monday.

In Bayan Ko, GMA News TV brought advocacy to a new level. Rather than give a straightforward presentation of facts, the channel produced its advocacy program in a format that the vast majority of the Philippine TV audience prefers — drama — with the objective of pushing for good governance. Bayan Ko tells the story of an idealistic new mayor who sets out to make a difference in his hometown but whose efforts are blocked by a powerful political dynasty.

To win a Philippine Quill means being recognized as achieving the highest Global Standard for business communication practices. Rocco Nacino, who played the role of young Mayor Joseph Santiago, accepted the award along with the producers of the series. “We hope our program Bayan Ko will continue to be a medium to promote good governance among our leaders and elected officials,” he said, noting the Bayan Ko episodes on DVD are being used now in local government seminars and political science classes all over the country.

Rocco has just been tapped to co-host GMA News and Public Affairs’ newest program Out of Control with Mariz Umali, which launches on Nov. 23, at 4 p.m. (after Startalk). The docu-reality show will focus on Filipinos with mental conditions they cannot control such as obsessions, compulsions, anxiety disorders and phobias.