GMA News TV’s flagship documentary programme Reel Time earned for the Philippines its first Gold Nymph Award at the Monte-Carlo Film Festival for the documentary Forgotten Children of the Waves (Isinulat sa Tubig). Reel Time is the first Philippine programme to have ever entered the roster of AMADE Prize recipients and the Philippines is the lone Asian country this year to be awarded by the highly-recognized European award-giving body.
The AMADE prize is awarded to a television program – selected from the diverse entries from across the globe—that explores a human issue, contemporary or otherwise.
Michel Merkt, the president of the AMADE jury, conferred the award during the ceremony.
“The access to education is crucial and we were all touched and amazed by the determination of these children from the remote village of Matnog in the Philippines,” AMADE jury president Michel Merkt said. “This year, we wanted not only to give the award to a project which shares AMADE’s vision but also brings hopes and a strong positive message to the community.”
“The students from Matnog, Sorsogon in the southern part of the Philippines no longer have to swim going to school after several individuals and organizations have sent their donations. These kids will forever remind us of our responsibility to give voices to the marginalized especially the children,” said Santos.The documentary “Forgotten Children of the Waves (Isinulat sa Tubig),” which features students crossing oceans and trekking up mountains on foot every day just to get an education, was written and directed by Reel Time’s Executive Producer Jayson Bernard Santos.
This recognition continues the winning tradition of GMA News TV’s most award-winning programme. Earlier this year, Reel Time’s Maling Akala (Costly War) clinched the Gold World Medal at the 2017 New York Festivals in the National/International Affairs category. The documentary also won the Silver Screen Award given by the US International Film and Video Festival 2017.
