GMA NEWS AND Public Affairs turns 50 this year and they've launched the 90-second "Panata" ad as their current image campaign to give a glimpse of their rich and colorful broadcasting history. It's been a tradition for the department to air plus that emphasize its mission. The first one aired in 2004 introduced the creed that every GMA anchor and reporter will offer "serbisyong totoo" to the country. The second one showed ordinary Filipinos talking about what they like in the news they watch and GMA news celebs on what they like about their job. The message is that GMA stands for balance, fairness, getting it right and serving no other interest in giving the public the truth. The new campaign is more hip, using an anthem, "Panata sa Bayan", created by Sugarfree in cooperation with GMA Creative Services Department. It's a paean to the ideals and aspirations that gave guided GMA News through 50 years of trendsetting and trailblazing broadcast journalism. The song's timeless tune and powerful lyrics are meant to honor GMA News vetrans and also to inspire the present and future crop of GMA reporters. The ad showed the 900-man strong personnel of GMA News wearing the colors of the Philippine flag, red and blue, while the pillars of GMA News, Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho, Arnold Clavio, Vicky Morales and Howie Severino, wear their trademark white tops.
GMA News has really a lot to crow about, being the first local network to break into the New York Festivals, winnings its first bronze medal for a coverage of a breaking news story in 1989. It's also the only Filipino winner of the prestigious Peabody Award. Its exclusive and most comprehensive coverage of the historic 1983 Ninoy Aquino funeral is a landmark. More recently, GMA delivered news live from where it transpires: Iraq, Afghanistan , Israel, North Korea, Mt. Everest, the Vatican. Jiggy Manica's live report from Haiti made GMA the only Filipino station to broadcast direct from the earthquake-ravaged country, all in the name of Serbisyong Totoo.
