ABS-CBN continues to receive recognition from the academic community as its entertainment and news programs, movies, journalists, and artists bagged 20 awards including TV Station of the Year at the first-ever Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS) Hiyas ng Sining Awards.

DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, which has served the country for over 30 years, was hailed Radio Station of the Year and raked in other awards including Best Radio Program-AM Station (“DZMM 630”), Best Male Radio Broadcaster-Opinion (Julius Babao), Best Female Radio Broadcaster-Opinion (Zen Hernandez), and Best Male Radio Broadcaster-Entertainment (Ahwel Paz).

Atom Araullo, who is also one of the journalists of ABS-CBN, was named Best TV Program Host for his work in “Red Alert,” while Boy Abunda won Best TV Program Host for “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda.”

“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” the reigning top program in the country that celebrated its 100th week on television recently, bagged Best TV Series while its lead star Coco Martin was named as the recipient of the Natatanging Hiyas ng Sining sa Telebisyon. Coco’s former co-star Arjo Atayde, who portrayed the villain Joaquin in the top-rating series, took home the Best Actor in a TV Series award.

Other Kapamilya stars who won were Sylvia Sanchez (Best Actress for “The Greatest Love”), Zanjoe Marudo (Best Actor-Single Performance for “MMK: Anino”), and Coleen Garcia (Best Actress-Single Performance for “MMK: Kadena”).

Meanwhile, in the film category, Star Cinema’s “Everything About Her” picked up four awards including Best Film-Mainstream, Best Film Director-Mainstream (Bb. Joyce Bernal), Best Supporting Actor (Xian Lim), and Best Actress (Vilma Santos).

The Hiyas ng Sining is given by the newly formed GEMS organization that is composed of teachers, academic professionals, and students from prestigious educational institutions in the Philippines. It aims to recognize excellent projects and personalities in the field of television, film, radio, literature, and theater.