TFC's "Citizen Pinoy" and myREMIT bag back-to-back wins at the Migration Advocacy and Media awards

QUEZON CITY, Philippines - Dec. 19, 2017 - PRLog -- "Let us continue to change the narrative of migration" – Ma. Regina Galias, CFO OIC addressing the National Forum on Migration

Inspired by the goal to honor media platforms and content which have become instruments for putting forth issues and solutions on migration, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) honored ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) for the 6^th consecutive year since the launch of the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards (MAM), with this year's ceremonies awarding the premier network on December 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila, Philippines.

CFO, the lead agency tasked to oversee the welfare of migrant Filipinos, bestowed back-to-back awards on TFC at the MAM Awards this year held right after the National Forum on Migration: Best Advertisement for myREMIT's "Papa's Boy" and Best in TV Journalism : Best Regular TV Program on Migration for "Citizen Pinoy".  The MAM awards is a recognition bestowed during the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos, to underscore the work and importance of various platforms that tackle issues, propose solutions and help alleviate the conditions of OFs in general.

Ma. Regina Galias, interim officer in charge of CFO shared: "Media has become a very strong force in society right now. Prevalent is the discussion on truth in news and our communities and society need truth about what's happening outside the country about our kababayans (fellowmen) abroad.  So we're happy that through the MAM awards we are able to locate and find out about the advocacies of media outside the Philippines – to really share the good news of what's happening outside and not only bad news about OFs. Let's change the narrative of migration".

Galias shared that both entries affected her on different levels: "I am especially fond of stories about how Filipinos, like health workers, are able to help other nationalities and contribute to other countries; and how people like Atty. Gurfinkel, who may not be Filipino by blood, are willing to help Filipinos through their own advocacies", Galias ended.

"Papa's Boy" is myREMIT, TFC's remittance brand's first award under the CFO's MAM Awards.  The campaign's TV commercial is entitled as such because it talks about how a father is ready to make sacrifices for his son.  It shows how overseas Filipinos especially take that extra sacrifice, both physical and psychological, just to earn for his family's keep.  In the commercial, a father is seen leaving the family, his child only in his elementary years. The reunion after a decade is heartbreaking, with the father reversing roles with his already grown son, now guiding him through as the physically stronger one.

Business Unit Head for Remittance Raymond Abog was proud of the achievement and more so on the message that the TVC was able to share: "We are so humbled and honoured as this award recognizes the solemn and sacred sacrifices of our overseas Filipinos and their loved ones".

TFC won its first Best Advertisement award in 2012 for "Bida ang Pasko On Duty", a tribute to OFs who reported for work during Christmas, a time when most are with families; a second in 2013 also for "Isang Katuparan ng Pangarap", also a merchandising plug that shows how dreams are fulfilled albeit with sacrifices; and in 2014 for "Graduation: Full of Gratitude", a merchandising plug that showed how children paid homage to their OF parents in touching video.

Meantime, TFC also won for Best TV Program for its sixth consecutive year this time for "Citizen Pinoy".  Hosted by celebrated migration lawyer Atty. Michael Gurfinkel, the show which aids Filipinos in need of legal support through dramatization and advice, won its first Best TV Program award in 2011.

Receiving the award personally this year was "Citizen Pinoy" host and crusader Atty. Michael Gurfinkel

"Each time, I am really humbled and honored by the award because of what it represents – a recognition of what the overseas Filipinos are and the sacrifices they have made including leaving their families behind.  To help them out is truly rewarding humbling".

Apart from the fulfillment, the award is as Gurfinkel added, an inspiration to do more: "I feel a continued sense of responsibility to my audience of providing updates on immigration news, procedures and policies and how to go about legalizing their status.  Before Citizen Pinoy, people would typically rely on gossip, myths etc. and they would get advice from people who didn't know anything and these Filipinos get themselves in deeper trouble. So, our continuing obligation is to provide information, updates and pagasa (hope).

Meantime, the Best Advertisement Award was received for Business Unit Head Raymond Abog by Eric Martin Santos, former Marketing Head for myREMIT and now Segment Head for Asia Pacific for ABS-CBN Asia Pacific.  Santos received the award along with Francis Bryan Lua, producer of "Papa's Boy".  The TVC was directed by Charlie Bebs Gohetia.

For a complete list of winners, visit cfo.gov.ph

"Citizen Pinoy can be seen Sundays at 6:15 p.m. Pacific time with replays Mondays, 4:30 a.m. Pacific time.  It can also be seen in Europe, Asia and Australia.

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