GMA is proud to announce that I-Witness’ Jay Taruc and his team have won the 2008 ABU CASBAA UNICEF Child Rights Award.
Out of 69 entries from 10 Asian countries, I-Witness’ documentary “Batang Kalabaw” (Child Beasts of Burden) was chosen for the prestigious award this year as “the best television programming on children’s rights produced in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Only one awardee is picked every year for the honor, conferred by UNICEF and two regional TV trade organizations (the Asia-Pacific Broad-casting Union and the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Assn. of Asia).
“Batang Kalabaw” tells the story of 14–year old Cherilyn and her young friends, who trek up and down the mountains of Agusan del Sur for more than 6 hours to carry logs weighing as much as 15 kilos. Cherilyn is sole breadwinner of her family and acts as parent to her five siblings.
This is the second I-Witness documentary to win this award, following “Selda Inosente” (Angels in Prison) hosted by Kara David, which won in 2003.
The documentary had also previously received a Certificate for Creative Excellence at the 2008 US International Film and Video Festival and the 2008 Catholic Mass Media Awards.
The awarding ceremony was held Nov. 24 at The Westin Resort, Bali.
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Photo 1: I-Witness executive producer and director Lea Llamoso (left) and host Jay Taruc (right) with Unicef-Indonesia Head Liem Ay Ling during the awarding ceremonies.
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Photo 2: Jay Taruc accepts the UNICEF Child Rights Award from Ms. Liem Ay Ling, head of Unicef in Indonesia.
