More family-friendly UNTV shows
Trust UNTV executive Daniel Razon to have his own SONA (State of the Network Address) a day after Pres. Noynoy Aquino delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA). Razon's SONA was briefer than the president's and was delivered in celebration of UNTV's eighth year at 1Esplanade,Mall of Asia on Tuesday, July 24. But it also aims to help Juan dela Cruz survive tough times through a package of public service programs the network unveiled for the occasion.
These programs are:
• Manibela Academy, a mobile driving school that gives driving and mechanical lessons including livelihood programs to barangays. Highlighting the launch last Tuesday, July 24, was a free trial on engine tune-up oil, massage and haircut for males. The mobile school, launched in cooperation with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), is also conducting a search for the Most Outstanding Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Driver. The grand winner will get his own utility vehicle.
• UNTV Cup, a charity basketball game which helps poor but deserving students get free education. The next event, set end of the year, will tap celebrities and government officials who stand to win P1-M as grand prize and 500K as second prize. The prizes will go to the winners' chosen charity.
• Clean Air Campaign, where the network visits jeepney, bus and tricycle terminals to give free oil treatment that will make vehicles environment-friendly.
• Advocacies that aim at making it to the Guinness Book of World Records as far as Most Women Breastfeeding (single site and multiple venues), Most People Being Massaged (single site and multiple venues), Largest Gathering of Pregnant Women (single site and multiple venues), Largest Gathering of Cigarette Survivors and Most Number of Guinness Records Made in One Event.
Family values
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares praised UNTV for helping others, especially the youth.
"Ito ang hinahanap natin sa broadcast industry," she said, while citing the network's child-friendly — and MTRCB approved -- thrust.
She pointed out that like UNTV, her agency upholds family values.
"Ang tema ngayon, 'Tahanan mo, tahanan natin' (UNTV's eighth anniversary theme) ay tungkol sa pamilya," Llamanzares explained. "Ito din ang tema ng MTRCB."
Among UNTV's new shows, those that promote family values are "Bahay," a dramedy that focuses on the essence of love and unity at home and and "QUAT" (Quick Action Team), a rescue-based educational program.
The quiz show "Campus Challenge", aired in partnership with the Education Department, may not directly target the family. But its strength lies in arming young people with the skills that will help them lead others someday.
UNTV's other public service programs include Libreng Sakay, free legal counseling, medical missions, the Dunong-Gulong mobile school and transient homes which give temporary shelters to those who can't find a place to stay for the night.
A radio mobile booth reports news as it unfolds and can double as a rescue team during disasters, accidents, calamities, etc.
Among those present at UNTV's anniversary celebration were Daisy Reyes, host of "Doctors on TV", Toni Rose Gayda, who stars in the weekly show "Bahay", singer Richard Reynoso and Police Chief Superintendent Agimero Cruz, co-host (with Louella Decordova) of the talk show "Police @ Your Service."
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this blog.
