ABS-CBN's high-tech election coverage bested other networks last Monday while their anchors and reporters became multimedia journalists.

When Filipinos trooped to their precincts to vote on election day, most of them tuned in to ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2010” to get the latest news and went online to send their thoughts via the microblogging site Twitter, which made #Halalan the third most talked about or trending topic worldwide.

Aside from using new media like Twitter and Facebook in the country’s most comprehensive election coverage, ABS-CBN used the most advanced technology in news reporting like the augmented reality and giant touch-screen TV.

The new technology used added more excitement in viewing experience and helped viewers understand the news with state-of-the-art visual support. “TV Patrol World” topped the national ratings on election day with 31.5% vs GMA’s “24 Oras” (25%), according to TNS (Taylor Nelson Sofres)

The visual presence technology, wherein the anchor converses with a ‘virtual’ image of the reporter deployed to a different area, was one of the most commended features of the “Halalan 2010” coverage.

The same technology was used by CNN during their election coverage in 2008. It created a stir when the international news organization referred to it as hologram, which was disputed by experts. This was the same case when GMA chose to use the term “hologram,” instead of using the appropriate term virtual presence.

ABS-CBN also used a huge 103-inch touch-screen monitor to show comments of Pinoys generated through various social networking sites. But more than the high-tech facilities used, ABS-CBN was able to give the most comprehensive and up-to-date stories.

“It was not just about the technology but the story. We made sure the substance was not lost,” said ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Head Maria Ressa.

ABS-CBN is the most trusted TV network when it comes to election news coverage, according to Pulse Asia that did a survey on 21-25 February.

The results show that 63% of Filipinos believe that ABS-CBN is the most credible TV network in covering the campaign as compared to GMA 7, which only got 55% credibility rating.

ABS-CBN anchors and reporters also played a very crucial role on the success of election coverage as they become multimedia journalists reporting not just on TV but also online via abs-cbnNEWS.com and actively posting updates on their respective Facebook and Twitter accounts. In fact, ABS-CBN anchors like Julius Babao, Karen Davila, and Ces Drilon already have thousands of followers on Twitter.

ABS-CBN also conducted exit polls in partnership with Pulse Asia and it was also the only network that conducted a parallel count on randomly selected precincts all over the Philippines in partnership with STI.

Keep tuning in on ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs show daily on ABS-CBN.