'The Howie Severino Podcast,' 'Maria Clara at Ibarra,' more GMA shows win at the 45th Catholic Mass Media Awards

GMA Network dominated at the 45th Catholic Mass Media Awards, winning a total of 16 awards.

The Howie Severino Podcast bagged its first-ever win, after it bested six finalists from different media organizations to receive the Best Educational Program Award. 

According journalist Howie Severino, he and his team did not expect to win the award, as podcasting is just starting to boom in the digital industry. 

“Hindi namin ini-expect na mabigyan kami ng award dahil hanggang ngayon naman, iyong podcasting ay di pa ganon ka-popular sa Pilipinas. Hindi pa naman siya ganon ka mainstream. Feeling namin itong pagkilala na ito ay nakaka-legitimize. Nakakatuwa dahil parang nire-recognize na we are a player in mass media, we're a player in the education industry,” he said in an exclusive interview with GMA News Online. 

[We didn't expect to be given the award because podcasting isn't very popular in the Philippines. It's not yet mainstream and we feel this recognition legitimizes podcasting's position in mass media. It's nice to be recognized in mass media, as a player in the education industry.]

Severino added how “very proud” they are of their first-ever win. 

“We’re very proud of that because we like to think that what we do is just content. It’s content with a high purpose which is to engage in conversations with smart people in a way that would enlighten many others,” he added. 

Severino expressed his gratitude to the team behind the success, highlighting that “he wouldn’t ever do it without them.” 

“Doing a podcast named after me is very much a team enterprise and I wouldn’t ever do it without the talented and hardworking people working with me on it. And I’m happy for them that they are doing the podcast with me,” he said. 

Along with Severino, podcast producers Isel Caringal, Zay Arguelles and Lala Lacsina received the award.

The Howie Severino podcast is a weekly podcast that features insightful conversations with personalities from various fields and industries.

Late broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez was posthumously honored with the 2023 Serviam Award.

Meanwhile, the special report on Lenten traditions by Unang Hirit received the Best News Magazine Award. 

The May 9, 2022 election coverage by 24 Oras won the Best Special Coverage Award.

Other awards are: 

• iJuander - Best Adult Educational
• Dobol Weng sa Dobol B Super Radyo DZBB 594 - Best News Commentary
• Sumasapuso, Kasama si Toni Aquino Super Radyo DZBB 594 - Best Drama Program
• Barangay Love Stories Barangay LS 97.1 - Best Drama Program (Special Citation)
• DZBB Super Serbisyo: Trabaho at Negosyo  - Best Business News (Special Citation)
• Pusong Kampeon - Xoxo & Simon Tan Best Music Video (Special Citation)
• NCAA Season 98 - Best TV Special (Special Citation) 
• Tiktoclock - Best Entertainment Program
• Fast Talk with Boy Abunda - Best Talk Show
• Maria Clara at Ibarra - Best Drama Series / Program
• Abot Kamay na Pangarap - Best Drama Series / Program (Special Citation)
• Love is us this Christmas: GMA Christmas Station ID 2022 - Best Station ID

— LA, GMA Integrated News