Piolo Pascual, Kim Chiu win top honors at the 38th PMPC Star Awards for TV; Power Tandems KimPau, BarDa spread kilig

by GLEN P. SIBONGA

THE brightest stars of Philippine television illuminated the 38th PMPC Star Awards for Television, held on Sunday, March 23, at the Dolphy Theater inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.

After the PMPC Star Awards media association released a partial list of winners a few weeks ago, the seven major categories were officially announced during the dazzling awards ceremony.

Piolo Pascual and Kim Chiu emerged as the night’s top acting honorees, winning Best Drama Actor for Pamilya Sagrado and Best Drama Actress for Linlang, respectively.

Kim Chiu & Paulo Avelino - KimPau (for Linlang) and Barbie Forteza & David Licauco - BarDa (for Pulang Araw) spread kilig in the event as they receive their awards as this year's German Moreno Power Tandems, celebrating their undeniable on-screen chemistry and massive influence on Philippine pop culture.

Cementing its dominance in the industry, GMA 7 was named Best TV Station, capping off a night filled with celebration and gratitude. 

A total of 51 winners across various categories took the stage, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the PMPC Star Awards, their respective networks, and their devoted supporters.

Other major acting awards went to Janine Gutierrez, who won Best Drama Supporting Actress for Lavender Fields, while Dennis Trillo (Pulang Araw) and Arnold Reyes (My Guardian Alien) shared the Best Drama Supporting Actor honor.

In the hosting categories, Anne Curtis was named Best Female TV Host for It’s Showtime, while Vic Sotto took home the Best Male TV Host award for Eat Bulaga!.

One of the evening’s most touching moments was a heartfelt tribute to the late Gloria Romero, highlighted by a stirring musical performance from Martin Nievera. The tribute was deeply moving and emotionally received by the iconic actress’ only daughter, Maritess Gutierrez.

Honored with the Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award, a teary-eyed Janice de Belen delivered a deeply personal acceptance speech, reflecting on her decades-long career that began in the 1970s as a child star. She fondly recalled working with nearly every major artist in the local entertainment industry.

Julius Babao, recipient of the Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award, was visibly overwhelmed during his speech, made even more emotional as Jake Maderazo, a pillar of ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs, read the citation for Babao’s first lifetime recognition.

Veteran and award-winning documentarist Howie Severino led his team in proudly accepting the prestigious PMPC Hall of Fame award for Best Documentary Program, recognizing I-Witness for winning 15 times in the same category over the years. He acknowledged the program’s former legendary hosts, including Jessica Soho and Che-Che Lazaro, who helped establish its legacy.

The event was produced by Airtime Marketing, led by Tess Celestino-Howard, and directed by Eric Quizon, in collaboration with the PMPC Star Awards, under the leadership of current President Mell T. Navarro and Overall Chairman Rodel Fernando.

Viewers can relive the highlights of this prestigious TV event when the full ceremony airs on April 5 (Saturday) on A2Z at 10:30 PM.

For decades, the PMPC Star Awards has remained a pillar of recognition for excellence in Philippine entertainment. Following this highly anticipated television awards night, the Star Awards for Movies and Star Awards for Music are set to take center stage later this year.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS -- 38th Star Awards for Television
· BEST TV STATION – GMA 7
· BEST DRAMA ACTRESS – Kim Chiu for Linlang (TV5, A2Z)
· BEST DRAMA ACTOR -- Piolo Pascual for Pamilya Sagrado (TV5, A2Z)
· BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS -- Janine Gutierrez for Lavender Fields (TV5, A2Z)
· BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR – Dennis Trillo for Pulang Araw (GMA 7) and Arnold Reyes for My Guardian Alien (GMA 7)
· BEST FEMALE TV HOST -- Anne Curtis for It’s Showtime (GMA, GTV, A2Z, All TV)
· BEST MALE TV HOST -- Vic Sotto for Eat Bulaga (TV5, RPTV)
· BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR – Paolo Contis for Magpakailanman: A Son’s Karma (The Wilbert Tolentino Story) (GMA 7)
· BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS – Gladys Reyes for Magpakailanman: Inaanak, Inanakan (GMA 7)
· BEST PRIMETIME TV SERIES -- FPJ’s Batang Quiapo (A2Z, TV5)
· BEST DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES – Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap (GMA 7)
· BEST DRAMA ANTHOLOGY – Magpakailanman (GMA 7)
· BEST MINI SERIES -- Walang Matigas Na Pulis Sa Matinik Na Misis (GMA 7)
· BEST COMEDY SHOW -- Pepito Manaloto (Tuloy ang Kuwento) (GMA 7)
· BEST COMEDY ACTOR -- Roderick Paulate for Da Pers Family (TV5)
· BEST COMEDY ACTRESS -- Maricel Soriano for 3 in 1 (Net 25)
· BEST VARIETY SHOW – It’s Showtime (GMA, GTV, A2Z, All TV)
· BEST NEWS PROGRAM -- Agenda (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
· BEST MALE NEWSCASTER -- Noli De Castro for TV Patrol (All TV, A2Z)
· BEST FEMALE NEWSCASTER -- Korina Sanchez for Agenda (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
· BEST GAME SHOW -- Wil To Win (TV5)
· BEST GAME SHOW HOST -- Dingdong Dantes for Family Feud (GMA 7)
· BEST CHILD PERFORMER -- Zion Cruz for Himala Ni Niño (TV5)
· BEST NEW MALE TV PERSONALITY -- Andres Muhlach for Da Pers Family (TV5)
· BEST NEW FEMALE TV PERSONALITY -- Fyang Smith for Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 Big 4Ever (TV5, A2Z)
· BEST TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM HOST -- Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose for The Clash 2024 (GMA 7)
· BEST REALITY SHOW HOST -- Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros, Enchong Dee, Alexa Ilacad for Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 (TV5, A2Z)
· BEST CELEBRITY TALK SHOW -- My Mother, My Story (GMA 7)
· BEST CELEBRITY TALK SHOW HOST -- Boy Abunda for My Mother, My Story (GMA 7)
· BEST MAGAZINE SHOW -- Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA 7)
· BEST MAGAZINE SHOW HOST -- Marc Logan for Top 5 Mga Kwentong Marc Logan (TV5)
· BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM -- The Atom Araullo Specials (GMA 7)
· BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM HOST -- Kara David, Howie Severino, Atom Araullo, Mav Gonzales, John Consulta for i-Witness (GMA 7)
· BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM -- Cayetano In Action With Boy Abunda (GMA 7) and On Point (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
· BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM HOST -- Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Boy Abunda for Cayetano In Action With Boy Abunda (GMA 7)
· BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM -- Wish Ko Lang (GMA 7)
· BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM HOST -- Edinell Calvario for Healing Galing (GMA 7)
· BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM -- Born To Be Wild (GMA 7)
· BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HOST -- Dingdong Dantes for Amazing Earth (GMA 7)
· BEST SHOWBIZ ORIENTED TALK SHOW -- Fast Talk With Boy Abunda (GMA 7)
· BEST SHOWBIZ-ORIENTED TALK SHOW HOST -- Mr. Fu for Marites University (All TV)
· BEST LIFESTYLE / TRAVEL SHOW -- I Heart PH (GTV)
· BEST LIFESTYLE / TRAVEL SHOW HOST -- Marie Lozano for The Lifestyle Lab (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
· BEST MORNING SHOW -- Unang Hirit (GMA 7)
· BEST MORNING SHOW HOST -- Arnold Clavio, Susan Enriquez, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Suzi Entrata-Abrera, Ivan Mayrina, Mariz Umali, Matteo Guidicelli, Shaira Diaz, Kaloy Tingcungco, Anjo Pertierra, JR Royol, Atty. Gaby Concepcion for Unang Hirit (GMA 7)
· BEST MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW -- Letters and Music (Net 25)
· BEST MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW HOST -- Aikee for MusiKover (INCTV)
· BEST SPORTS SHOW -- The Scorecard (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
· BEST SPORTS SHOW HOST -- Anton Roxas for The Scorecard (Bilyonaryo News Channel)
· BEST CHILDREN SHOW -- Talents Academy (IBC 13)
· BEST CHILDREN SHOW HOST -- Nicole Almeer, Candice Ayesha, Anika Figueroa, Yzabelle Luisa Perez, Cara Bartolo, Aljur Allan Perez for Talents Academy (IBC 13)

SPECIAL AWARDS:
· ADING FERNANDO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD -- Janice de Belen
· EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING AWARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD -- Julius Babao
· GERMAN MORENO POWER TANDEM AWARD -- Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino (Linlang), Barbie Forteza and David Licauco (Pulang Araw)
· HALL OF FAME - Best Documentary Program -- I-Witness (GMA 7)
· Ms. GLORIA ROMERO – Posthumous Award as one of the Icons of Philippine Television
 
· MALE STAR OF THE NIGHT – Alden Richards
· FEMALE STAR OF THE NIGHT – Kim Chiu
· MALE FACE OF THE NIGHT -- Coco Martin
· FEMALE FACE OF THE NIGHT -- Barbie Forteza
· SHINING MALE STAR OF THE NIGHT – Dingdong Dantes
· SHINING FEMALE 
STAR OF THE NIGHT -- Julie Anne Sa Jose
· PHILIPPINE TELEVISION PILLAR OF THE NIGHT -- Janice de Belen
· PHILANTROPHIST OF THE YEAR -- Cong. Virginia Rodriguez