Philippine hosts Asian TV Awards for 1st time

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Martin del Rosario and the digital film “Mystified” emerged as among the top winners at the 24th Asian Television Awards, while TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan was honored for his “outstanding contribution to Asian television.”

The Asian Television Awards was held in the Philippines for the first time this year, gathering Asian stars, directors, producers and TV executives at the red-carpet awards ceremony held at Newport Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City last Saturday.

Del Rosario was recognized for his work as lead star of the digital series Born Beautiful, receiving the Best Leading Male Performance – Digital award.

“I told myself to be nominated itself is already enough, to be recognized all over Asia… but the biggest blessing for me is the opportunity to represent my country, the Philippines,” he said.

“Mystified” stars Karylle and Diana Zubiri, on the other hand, accepted the Best Single Drama or Telemovie award.

Another Philippine entry, GMA Network and Synergy 88 Entertainment’s animated series Barangay 143, won Best Theme Song for “Alanganin” performed by Kris Lawrence and Krizza Neri.

TV5 boss Pangilinan was a special honoree for “outstanding contribution to Asian television.”

In a speech read by TV5 CEO Jane Basas, he said the award is priceless because it comes from colleagues and peers in the industry.

“It’s a validation of a journey about a decade ago, many thought as foolish to embark. We invested as a third player in a two-network town at the crux of unpredictable times and rapid seismic changes in content creation, consumption and human behavior,” he said, referring to the network battle dominated by ABS-CBN and GMA 7.

“It would not have been a worthwhile adventure though if we did not have moments of trepidation.”

The Asian TV Awards has been celebrating performance, programming and production excellence in the Asian television industry since its founding in Singapore in 1996.

The other big winners in the different categories at the 24th Asian TV Awards include Taiwanese star William Hsieh (Best Actor in a Leading Role for “First Love”), who praised the Manila hosting and “I’m surprised it’s a beautiful city, it’s my first time here, I like it here,” also saying of his award, “I’m not better, I’m just luckier.”

Indonesian pop superstar Anggun was honored with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Television Performing Arts.

“Besides my singing career, I have been doing a lot of television lately, I absolutely loved it. I’m grateful to be in the judging panel of ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ (for three seasons now) and to be in the front row discovering new talent all over Asia and being broadcasted in 19 different countries,” she said.

“You know, in the Philippines, being a judge on Asia’s Got Talent, I see a lot of Filipino singers, I know don’t know what’s going on in this country, it’s crazy, there must be something in the water, or the mangoes?” she said, as she acknowledged that Filipino Broadway icon Lea Salonga “opened a lot of doors for us.”

Nevertheless she believes that “more than ever, it’s really an important time for Asia. More than ever, the world has their eyes on Asia and Asian talent.

“The world has yet to know more and more of what’s going on here, to this new year, new decade, this is for Asia and Asian talents, may we thrive and shine not only in this beautiful continent, but also all around the world.”

Other major winners are Thailand’s Tisanart Sornsuek, Best Actress in a Leading Role for “True Life of a Drama Queen”; Best Direction (Fiction): Jeevan Nathan of Avenue 14 (Singapore); Cable/Satellite Network of the Year: Line Company Thailand; Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year: China Global Television; Best Host / Presenter – Digital: Panirin Tumwattana of Little Nirin (Thailand); Best Entertainment Presenter/Host: Alana Nichols of Follow Alana (Taiwan); Best Adaptation of an Existing Format: Masterchef Junior Thailand Season 1; Best Reality Show: My Kitchen Rules Australia; Best Original Digital Drama Series: The Deadline; Best Digital Fiction Programme/Series: Social Syndrome; Best Leading Female Performance – Digital: Chanya McClory for The Deadline (Thailand); Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Attaphan Poonsawat of The Gifted (Thailand); Best Actress in Supporting Role: Anyarin Terethananpat of Loop of Vengeance (Thailand); and Best Drama Series: Skycastle (South Korea).