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GMA Network, the country's leading media company, was awarded Gold at the second American Chamber of Commerce Corporate Social Impact Awards under the Disaster Response and Emergency Relief Category for its swift and compassionate response during Tropical Storm Kristine.

The recognition given to the Network was for the outreach efforts of its socio-civic arm, the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), through its Operation Bayanihan program.

Operation Bayanihan is one of GMAKF's long-standing initiatives dedicated to uplifting the lives of Filipinos. Through this program, the Foundation provides immediate relief and assistance to victims of natural and man-made disasters nationwide.

In 2024, with the country battered by overlapping emergencies that involved floods, landslides, drought, and successive typhoons, various partners, donors, volunteers, and GMA Network itself mobilized to deliver food packs, clean water, and essential supplies to 318,086 disaster-affected individuals.

A notable effort as well in providing assistance was Operation Bayanihan: Bagyong Kristine Telethon, an on-air appeal that encouraged nationwide giving.

Receiving the award on behalf of GMA Network was First Vice President for Public Service and Community Relations and GMAKF Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog. In her acceptance speech, she highlighted the Network's unified efforts in serving Filipinos in the wake of Tropical Storm Kristine through live news updates and the immediate response of GMAKF.

"GMA Network mustered a consolidated aid effort with comprehensive news reporting from GMA integrated news before, during, and after the advent of Tropical Storm Kristine,” she said. “GMA stars and Sparkle artists participated in fund-raising efforts through a live telethon and posted on social media encouraging their fans to make donations to the GMA Kapuso Foundation — which immediately embarked on extensive relief operations to the affected area.”

“Eight months after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine, GMA Kapuso Foundation launched a school-based feeding program in one of the affected areas in Gainza, Camarines Sur. And one year after the storm, the Foundation also broke ground for its first flood-resistant Kapuso school in Minalabac, Camarines Sur. We will be turning over three completed classrooms to the Department of Education and the community in February 2026."

GMA Network Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz spoke of the Network's unwavering commitment to serving Filipinos and also expressed gratitude to AmCham for the recognition.

"GMA Network stands with every Filipino not just in moments of joy but also in hardship and other challenges that may come. Beyond providing live coverage of news and entertainment, our mission to Filipinos in need is this: to always respond with compassion, to uphold the dignity of the people we serve, and to remind our communities they are never alone,” she said. “We are honored to receive the Corporate Social Impact Award from AmCham, and deeply appreciate their support.”

Among the attendees of the event was United States Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency MaryKay L. Carlson.

The AmCham Corporate Social Impact Awards is organized by the American Chamber of Commerce, a private, independent non-profit association founded in Manila in 1902.

This year's AmCham Corporate Social Impact Awards gave recognition to various groups across these six key categories: Inclusive Education & Future Workforce; Environmental Sustainability & Resource Efficiency; Economic Empowerment & Livelihood Development; Healthcare Equity & Support; Community Impact & Civic Engagement; and Disaster Response & Emergency Relief.

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham Philippines), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, held the second AmCham Corporate Social Impact (CSI) Awards on November 19 at the Makati Diamond Residences. GMA Network was among the companies honored for its exemplary CSR initiatives through the GMA Kapuso Foundation. The award was received by GMA Network's First Vice President for Public Service and Community Relations and GMAKF Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog (seventh from left). The event was attended by United States Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Marykay L. Carlson (center, second row). Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

To find out more about GMA Network's initiatives and projects, visit www.GMANetwork.com.