A trailblazer in the fields of talk, documentary, and news magazine programming, GMA Public Affairs has put the Philippines on the world stage with its legacy programs and projects.
Indeed, basta GMA Public Affairs, Tatak World-Class.
But beyond the accolades, its originally-produced shows and projects continue to stir significant discussions and ignite positive actions from private and public entities here and abroad.
Highly respected and award-winning public affairs personalities Arnold Clavio and Howie Severino, together with documentarist Jun Veneracion, internationally-acclaimed director Zig Dulay and award-winning writer Anj Atienza, and Philippine TV’s New Action Hero Ruru Madrid, proudly share their thoughts on being part of this world-class team.
Setting the global stage
For Arnold, GMA Public Affairs has been instrumental in showing everyone how Filipinos are truly world-class.
“Sa mga Public Affairs program, makikita mo ‘yung pagkakataon na maipakilala ng bawat Pilipino yung galing nila. ‘Yung tatak ng world class ay talagang pagbibigay natin ng pagkakataon sa mga Pilipino na ipakita sa buong mundo na ang Pilipino, pinakamagaling ‘yan. Ang Pilipino, pinakamatalino ‘yan. Ang Pilipino, pinaka madiskarte ‘yan. At nagpapasalamat nga kami na kami talagang naging tulay para sila makilala, para sila sumikat, at para umunlad din ang kanilang buhay at mga mahal sa buhay. ’Yun ‘yung sa akin yung tatak ng pagiging world-class. ‘Yung matulungan mo ‘yung iba, ‘yung matulungan mo ‘yung kapwa Pilipino mo na umunlad ang buhay,” he shares.
From Mondays to Fridays, Arnold has to wake up extra early for “Unang Hirit” – something he has been doing in the past 25 years. But knowing that he is making a difference in the viewers’ lives keeps him going.
“Pagdating sa pagbabalita, ipagmamalaki ko ang Unang Balita dahil unang putok pa lang ng umaga, minsan may mga pasabog na rin kaming mga balita. May mga panayam kami na una mo lang napakinggan sa Unang Hirit,” he shares.
At the same time, the show has even become a medium for Filipinos to showcase their smarts and talents.
“Sa aming mga segment portion, nakikita mo ‘yung mga talent ng ating mga kababayan. Ang Unang Hirit talagang nagbigay ng oportunidad sa marami na maipakita hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas, kundi sa buong mundo ‘yung talento at saka galing nila. Kaya very inspiring ‘yung lagi kang nasa umaga. Dahil naging bahagi ka na lang ng bahay nila. Kasama ka na, kahit saan ka magpunta.”
Arnold has also been at the forefront of equally awarded public affairs shows such as “Emergency,” “Rescue,” “Alisto,” “Brigada Siete,” and “Tonight with Arnold Clavio.”
Being host to these shows for the past decades has not only impacted his career as a broadcast journalist, but has also inspired him to be more than just a face in front of the camera.
He takes, for example, one of his featured case studies in Emergency, a diabetic child named Nicole. Her case inspired Arnold to establish the Igan Foundation, which has been helping children with diabetes for 22 years already.
“‘Yun ‘yung maganda sa dito sa paglilingkod sa GMA, lalo na sa Public Affairs. Hindi mo alam na ‘yung munting bagay na sa akala mo e ‘yun lang ang naibigay mo, malaking bagay pala sa kanila ‘yun.”
Top-notch docus
For Howie, GMA Public Affairs and being Tatak World Class equate to quality.
“We invest a lot of effort, time, and resources in producing quality. Quality from the research to the production, to the post-production, to the technical quality of what we do, to the storytelling, to the talent that we recruit,” he says.
Howie is one of the hosts of GMA Public Affairs’ flagship documentary program “I-Witness,” and is best known for his award-winning documentaries on history and social issues. He has produced more than 200 documentaries for the show and considers being part of this legacy public affairs show as one of life’s blessings.
“Kaya ako, nasisiyahan ako sa mga Public Affairs programs dahil ang experience ko is we don’t take a lot of shortcuts. We put in the time to produce quality work. When I first started at I-Witness, I never thought I would make it to 10 years, 15 years, 20 years. I only wanted to make the best product, make the best story that I could do at that moment. Sa television, maraming programang hindi nagtatagal. Kaya ako, I’m always counting my blessings na may I-Witness, na kasama ako sa I-Witness.”
“I-Witness” premiered on Philippine television in 1999 – at the turn of the millennium. It featured a roster of hosts that included some of the finest journalists in Philippine media. The program is the only Philippine TV recipient of two George Foster Peabody Awards, multiple New York Festivals world medals, Asian TV Awards, Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards, and finalist status at the Emmy Awards, among others.
Seal of Excellence
Jun agrees that GMA Public Affairs programs are of high quality.
“Pag sinabi mong Tatak Public Affairs, pwede mong i-consider ‘yan as seal of excellence. Nakakatiyak ‘yung makakapanood ng produkto na ito na de kalibre, mga dekalidad ‘yung kanilang mapapanood sa kanilang telebisyon o sa social media man,” the veteran broadcast journalist says.
“At hindi lang ‘yan, ‘yung mga produkto ng Public Affairs, binuhusan ‘yan ng hirap, pagod, oras. At sa ilang pagkakataon, pati pawis at dugo nakataya. Para mapanood ng publiko ang mga dapat nilang mapanood,” he adds.
Over the years, “Reporter’s Notebook,” the investigative program Jun hosts together with Maki Pulido, has reported on significant issues that needed to be put under a spotlight, with most of these topics being given more attention by authorities after being featured on the show.
Igniting change – this is what Jun considered as the best reward for his many years of work. “We take pride na nakaka-create kami ng change. Wala nang mas sasaya pa ‘pag nakita namin sa pamamagitan ng inilabas naming kuwento, na nagkaroon ng pagbabago, nagkaroon ng improvement sa buhay ng mga taong isinasama namin sa kuwento.”
Stories with a heart
For the past three decades, GMA Public Affairs has been known for its excellent storytelling – stories that impact society and inspire Filipinos and the rest of the world. In 2023, it took storytelling to another platform as it ventured into filmmaking.
Its latest gem, “Firefly,” went from being the silent underdog to becoming the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) big winner and most-awarded film at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, California.
The film produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs won major awards, including Best Screenplay for GMA Public Affairs SAVP and Firefly creator Anj Atienza and Best Director for Zig Dulay.
“Firefly” is proof that a good story transcends culture and language. Stories that are indeed, Tatak Public Affairs: purposeful and always with a heart.
“Pag sinabi mong Tatak Public Affairs, ‘yan ‘yung mga kuwentong alam mong totoo at galing sa totoong buhay at kuwento siya ng mga totoong tao… ’Yung pagkukuwento nang may sense of purpose and may sense of public service. I think hindi siya mahihiwalay sa Public Affairs,” says Anj.
“Kasi kakabit ng Public Affairs ‘yung responsibilidad. You feel you are responsible for the stories that you tell, and therefore you should tell them well, and you should tell them in the best way, you should tell them in the right way. So para sa akin, ‘yun ang Tatak Public Affairs,” she explains further.
Direk Zig adds: “Para sa akin, ‘pag sinabi na Tatak Public Affairs, ito na ‘yung mga kuwento na may puso. Ito na ‘yung kuwento na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon, nagbibigay ng pag-asa. Ito ‘yung mga kuwento na punong-puno ng intention habang ginagawa na magsilbi. Kapag ‘yung pagpapakahusay ginagawa ng buong team, alam mo na magiging world-class siya. Hindi lang ‘yung sarili mo ‘yung papalakpak sa iyo o ‘yung bansa mo mismo, kundi ‘yung buong mundo papalakpak.”
A hero in everyone
From Naku, Boss Ko!, TODA One I Love, The Write One, and PH’s most watched TV show in 2022 Lolong, to this year’s action-packed drama series Black Rider – Ruru Madrid is grateful that he was able to do these shows because of GMA Public Affairs.
“Masaya [ako] dahil naging parte ako ng Public Affairs,” says Philippine TV’s New Action Hero. According to him, series produced by GMA Public Affairs not only entertain but also educate and inspire viewers.
“Yun ‘yung pinaka nagustuhan ko po every time na gumagawa ako ng proyekto sa Public Affairs. May mga aral na mapupulot sa bawat proyektong ginagawa natin. I did Lolong and then ngayon Black Rider. [Pinapakita na] ‘Yung heroism – hindi mo kailangan magkaroon ng superpowers para maging hero ka. As long as nakakatulong ka sa tao, as long as nakakapagbigay ka ng inspirasyon sa mga taong nakapaligid sa’yo, hero ka na,” he quips.
Ruru’s shows have been loved by viewers here and abroad. Lolong made it on the local television in Indonesia and Russia and is currently available on OTT platform for viewers to binge watch.
Such is the quality of drama series produced by GMA Public Affairs – winning the hearts of viewers not just in the Philippines but the rest of the world. Producing stories that are innovative and have a global approach.
“Tatak Public Affairs for me is to never settle for less. We’re always improving. We’re always trying to learn new things. I guess ‘yun ‘yung secret ng Tatak Public Affairs. Tatak World Class. Lagi tayong may gustong patunayan. Lagi tayong may gustong ipakitang bago,” he says.
“At ‘yung public service rin na ginagawa natin because we’re doing this not just for us. We’re doing this para po sa mga taong nanonood. So gumagawa po tayo ng mga programa. Kesyo drama man ‘yan. Docus man ‘yan. Pelikula man ‘yan. Para po ito sa mga manonood. Dahil kayo po ang dahilan kung bakit kami nandirito,” he ends.
Arnold, Howie, Jun, Anj, Zig, and Ruru join the esteemed roster of GMA Public Affairs personalities Jessica Soho, Kara David, Maki Pulido, Drew Arellano, Atom Araullo, Vicky Morales, Susan Enriquez, Doc Ferds Recio, Doc Nielsen Donato, Emil Sumangil, and Kim Atienza – all upholding Tatak Public Affairs, Tatak World-Class.
