Broadcast giant GMA Network brings home 3 World Medals at the 2025 New York Festivals TV & Film (NYF) Awards, including another prestigious Gold medal for “The Atom Araullo Specials (TAAS).”
“The Atom Araullo Specials” took home Gold in the Documentary: National Affairs category for its compelling episode “Pogoland,” which aired in 2024. Hosted by award-winning broadcast journalist Atom Araullo, the episode explored the complex and controversial world of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), offering viewers a penetrating and deeply human look at the industry’s wide-reaching implications.
This marks the third straight Gold Medal for the show at the NYF Awards, following its wins for “Batas Bata” (Child’s Game) in 2024 and “Mata sa Dilim” (Eye in the Dark) in 2023—both in the Documentary: Social Issues category. Through these groundbreaking episodes, “The Atom Araullo Specials” has consistently elevated Philippine journalism on the global stage by tackling urgent and often uncomfortable social realities with integrity, depth, and compassion.
Aside from Gold, the Silver and Bronze medals were also won by GMA Public Affairs.
GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs’ award-winning film “Firefly” earned a Silver Medal in the Films: Feature Films category, following its Best Picture triumph at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood and sweeping wins at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) secured a Bronze Medal for its episode “Minahan sa Homonhon Island” (Nickel and Dime: The Cost of Mining in Homonhon Island), under the Documentary: Environment & Ecology category. The piece, fronted by Jessica Soho, spotlighted the environmental destruction caused by large-scale mining in Eastern Samar.
GMA Network also received Finalist Certificates for two of its hard-hitting news and investigative programs. “24 Oras” was honored for its comprehensive coverage of “Super Typhoon Carina (Typhoon Gaemi)” and “Habagat” (Southwest Monsoon), showcasing GMA Integrated News’ commitment to accurate, real-time public service journalism during critical moments. “Lost Sabungeros,” the first investigative documentary by GMA Public Affairs, was likewise recognized in the Documentary: Investigative Journalism category for examining the mysterious disappearances of over 30 cockfighters since 2022.
Organized since 1957, the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards celebrates the finest in international television and film production.
