GMA Integrated News Clinches Back-to-Back National Wins at AACA 2025
GMA Integrated News added two national trophies to its cabinet at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2025 (National Level), securing Best Short Form (Non-Scripted) for DigiDokyu: The Rice God of the Cordillera and Best Short Form (Scripted) for Eleksyonaryo: The Dapat Totoo Digital Exclusives. The wins underscore the network’s commitment to world-class storytelling and digital innovation, delivered through a cohesive strategy across platforms.
DigDokyu: The Rice God of the Cordillera — A Celebration of Filipino Heritage
DigiDokyu: The Rice God of the Cordillera spotlights local memory, culture, and heritage, translating a rich Cordillera tradition into a compelling digital short form that resonates beyond regional borders. The recognition for DigiDokyu affirms how GMA Integrated News leverages documentary storytelling to illuminate Filipino heritage with contemporary production values and accessible storytelling formats.
Eleksyonaryo: The Dapat Totoo Digital Exclusives — Meme Journalism in Action
Eleksyonaryo: The Dapat Totoo Digital Exclusives showcases how meme journalism can cut through news fatigue while keeping audiences informed and engaged. The project demonstrates the News team’s ability to adapt to fast-moving online ecosystems, delivering bite-sized, shareable content that maintains journalistic integrity. In a country where elections capture national attention, the series proves that thoughtful, culturally resonant digital storytelling can drive meaningful audience engagement.
Leadership Voices on the Wins
Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, Senior Vice President for GMA Integrated News and Head of Regional TV and Synergy, commented on the wins: “We have always believed in the talent and creativity of GMA Integrated News’ Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab and Social Media teams, and these 2 National Awards at this year’s Asian Academy Creative Awards affirm it. We take immense pride in our ‘DigiDokyu’ and ‘Eleksyonaryo’ — which highlight our strength in storytelling and digital innovation. These projects exemplify how our teams continue to deliver relevant, world-class content that empowers and engages Filipinos across platforms.”
AVP and Deputy Head of Integrated News Social Media, Aileen Rae Perez, added praise for Eleksyonaryo, noting that its recognition “is really for our reporters, social media team, and news production colleagues who proved that meme journalism can cut through news fatigue and still make people care.”
Bernice Marie S. Sibucao, Senior Manager and Deputy Head of the Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab, reflected on the DigiDokyu triumph: the win “honors Filipino heritage and shows how local stories can resonate beyond our borders.”
The Awards Context: AACA and National to Grand Finals
The Asian Academy Creative Awards are widely regarded as among the region’s most prestigious honors for creative industries across the Asia-Pacific. National winners advance to represent their countries in the Grand Awards and Gala Finals in December, underscoring the significance of these victories for both storytelling quality and talent development in Philippine media. For GMA Integrated News, the successes signal a growing strength in cross-platform storytelling, digital strategy, and audience engagement that can influence regional benchmarks.
What This Means for GMA’s Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab
The wins highlight the effectiveness of GMA Integrated News’ Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab along with the Social Media team in producing content that travels well across platforms. As media consumption habits evolve, the organization’s ability to craft timely, culturally resonant narratives with creative formats is a competitive advantage. The recognition also reinforces the newsroom’s investment in data-informed storytelling, audience feedback loops, and collaborative production processes that prioritize accessibility without compromising depth.
Looking Ahead
With the national awards secured, DigiDokyu and Eleksyonaryo are positioned to represent the Philippines at the Grand Awards and Gala Finals. This progression not only showcases Filipino storytelling on a broader stage but also emphasizes how local content can connect with audiences across Asia-Pacific. GMA Integrated News remains committed to pushing boundaries in digital journalism, ensuring that powerful stories from the Philippines reach a global audience while empowering Filipinos at home.
