Anak TV launches online awards

The Anak TV Foundation on Friday launched its first Online Anak TV Seal Awards.

The Anak TV Seal — which the foundation annually bestows on exemplary television programs that fulfill the needs of children and the youth — will now also be given to exemplary online programs that help mold the character of the Filipino youth.

Anak TV President Elvira Yap-Go said in a press statement, "The pandemic brought about a tremendous surge on the usage of digital media. Among others, it saw the birthing of countless online programs that impact the minds of the children and the youth."

"Outstanding digital content must be honored through the Anak TV Seal. This seal assures parents that a particular program is fit for their children to watch, with minimal supervision," she added.

The competition is open to Anak TV’s member networks, which include GMA Network, ABS-CBN, TV5, and many more. It involves the networks’ digital content or shows that are child-friendly and child-sensitive, released from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.

Three- to five-minute-long videos will be classified as short-form, and those that are five to 30 minutes will be considered long-form. Any video less than three minutes, such as YouTube Shorts, will not be considered.

The judging for the online category will be done entirely online. In the first level of judging, all entries will be rated by a select group of jurors coming from the networks, members of Anak TV, and students.

After the entries have been shortlisted, they will be reviewed by a distinguished group of jurors from the academe, the business community, clergy, parents, advertising industry, the government, and child-focused advocacy groups.

Among the jurors are GMA Network’s John Oliver T. Manalastas, Senior AVP and Acting Deputy Head for Digital News Operations, Digital News Division; Cheryl Ching-Sy, Vice President of Business Developments of Drama Productions; and Arlene U. Carnay, Vice President for Public Affairs.

Content will be judged based on the questions, “Is it the kind of online program that my child can watch even with minimal supervision only?” and “Will I want my child to watch this program because it is child-friendly?”

Jurors will then rate these on a scale of one to 10.

Submission period will be from August 26 to September 15. The full list of guidelines is available on the Anak TV website.

The Online Anak TV Seal Awards will be conducted side by side with the regular Anak TV Seal Awards for Television.

Joining the future Anak TV symposia and screenings nationwide are the Anak TV Youth Ambassadors, which include Sparkle stars Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay. —JCB, GMA Integrated News