MANILA, 14 October— GMA Channel 7 maintained its status as the country's most-awarded network after it won the best station award and 26 other titles from the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for Television held Saturday night.
The six-hour proceedings that lasted until 2 a.m. won over its close rival ABS-CBN.
GMA's comedy shows Kool Ka Lang and Bubble Gang were named best comedy show and best gag show respectively. Singer comedians Ogie Alcasid and Michael V. tied as best comedy actors for the gag show.
The station's news and public affairs also dominated the awards. Frontpage of Mel Tiangco won the best news program and best female newscaster awards.
While the new show, Jessica Soho Reports, hosted by Jessica Soho was awarded the best magazine show and its host as the best in the category. JSR is the only Philippine show that dared to cover the Afghan crisis.
Named best public affairs show was the widely popular Debate hosted by Solita Monsod and Oscar Orbos. The program also gave trophies to its hosts.
Vic Sotto made it as best male variety show host for the long running and top rating Eat Bulaga that also won the award for the category.
The concert television program SOP was honored as the best musical variety show for the third straight year edging past ASAP of ABS CBN.
Newcomers Paolo Ballesteros and Nancy Castiglioni made it as the best new male and female personality of the year.
The youth-oriented Click, headlined by young stars Sherwin Ordonez and Chyna Hortaleza, dethroned Tabing Ilog of ABS-CBN for the award.
Veteran actor Eddie Garcia was named best actor for Kung Mawawala Ka, a teledrama that delves on the life of politicians and their families. The series also dislodged Pangako Sa Yo as the best telenovela of the year.
Che Che Lazaro received two as host and producer of the best travel show Che Che Lazaro Presents while Pira-pirasong Pangarap made it again as the best mini series.
GMA star Rufa Mae Quinto was named Face of the Night.
ABS-CBN took home the awards for Paolo Contis as best actor for a single performance for Chicken Feet episode in Maalaala Mo Kaya while Regine Velasquez eclipsed Vilma Santos, Jaclyn Jose, Glydel Mercado for her role in Lobo of MMK.
Korina Sanchez of ABS-CBN tied with Mel Tiangco as best female newscaster while Henry Omaga Diaz was the lone winner of the best male newscaster for TV Patrol.
Jean Garcia won as best actress for Pangako Sa Yo for her role as a society matron, Madam Claudia. Ai Ai delas Alas was awarded best comedy actress for Whattamen while Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino won as best male and female show biz talk show hosts. But GMA's Startalk was named best show biz oriented talk show.
