‘Reel Time’ documentary wins Asia-Pacific grand prize

CEBU, Philippines - Reel Time’s “Salat” (Bone Dry), a documentary made by GMA News TV highlighting child malnutrition in the Philippines, won the Grand Prize at the 2013 Unicef Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for broadcasting.

Filmed in the Tondo district of Manila, one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the country, the documentary tells the story of Mary Rose — a 10-year-old whose height and weight are comparable to that of a 5-year-old child. She lives with her five siblings, who have all been diagnosed as severely malnourished. 

Mary Rose said, “When I go to school, sometimes I get dizzy. I fall asleep on my chair inside the classroom because I haven’t eaten. I don’t get to eat because my mom doesn’t have any money.” Despite this, Mary has never stopped pursuing her two greatest dreams in life – to finish her studies and to find out what chicken tastes like.

Reel Time’s “Salat” was praised by the jurors for addressing the issue of hunger very powerfully. Dr. Javad Mottaghi, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, said that “Salat” showed the power that simple documentary style could bring to even the smallest story: “This short film is an example to all of us in the industry of how our program-making tools can be properly used with simplicity, skill and compassion.”

The Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award is given annually to the best television program produced in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on children’s rights. The award was presented last October 24 in Hong Kong.

“Salat” previously won a George Foster Peabody Award and a Silver Medal at the 2013 New York Festivals. “Reel Time” airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel 11. (FREEMAN)