The Presidential Communications Operations Office has received major nominations under different categories in the prestigious 26th Asian Television Awards (ATA).
With about 50 categories, the ATA was launched in 1996. It is the Asian TV industry’s most significant and celebrated event, recognizing excellence in programming, production, and performance. It has an expert panel of over 60 judges across the region.
Among the nominees are PCOO Secretary Martin M. Andanar, PCOO-OGMPA Assistant Secretary JV Arcena, the Laging Handa Dokyu series and its theme song "Ang Totoong Puso ng Pinoy."
Andanar was nominated as Best News Presenter or Anchor under performance category as the host of his regular media platform Network Briefing News (NBN). It is a daily news and information program primarily airing on the Philippine Broadcasting Service with an aim to bring often-unheard stories from less-covered localities across the country.
"We are truly pleased and grateful that the PCOO is once again nominated for awards by prestigious international award-giving bodies, and this time in the 26th Asian Television Awards," Andanar said.
“This is another testament to the excellence, professionalism, and award-winning nature of the pool of talent we have in the PCOO,” he added.
Aside from Andanar, PCOO Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (PCOO-OGMPA) Assistant Secretary JV Arcena has been nominated in two categories, namely: Best Current Affairs Presenter/Host and Best Host/Presenter for Digital, both for the "Laging Handa Dokyu" series, which is also among the nominees of the Best Current Affairs Programme category.
Arcena attributed the series of recognition to the collective commitment of the PCOO’s in service to the Filipino public.
“The nominations at the 26th Asian Television Awards are the outcome of our team’s collective efforts, dedication, hard work, and commitment to public service for the Filipino people,” Arcena said.
Launched in 2020, the Laging Handa Dokyu is a series of experiential and informational short documentaries which highlight the lives of healthcare workers and other frontliners, as well as the efforts of the government in combating COVID-19.
Furthermore, "Ang Totoong Puso ng Pinoy," the theme song of the documentary series, also bagged back-to-back nominations for the Best Music Video and Best Theme Song categories.
The song, composed by Arcena, highlighted the resilience of the Filipino people and paid tribute to healthcare workers and frontliners on the forefront of the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 ATA is set to hold its virtual ceremony on Dec. 10 to 11, 2021.