Filipino broadcast journalist Rico Hizon has won Best News Anchor and Best News Program for CNN Philippines at the 26th Asian Television Awards (ATA), the annual recognition of Asia’s best quality productions and excellent talents.
The international journalist who returned to the Philippines in 2020 after 25 years of delivering the news for global news corporations, picked up the double awards for himself and his local TV show, The Final Word with Rico Hizon.
Hizon was recognized as the 2021 Asian Television Awards Best News Presenter/Anchor, besting 5 other finalists from China, Taiwan, India, and PTV 4’s Martin Andanar.
The veteran anchor’s nightly news show, The Final Word, won against 5 other nominees from China, Taiwan, Thailand, and India for the Best News Programme award given on December 10.
Rico Hizon repeated his 2017 Best News Programme win when he was still the anchor for BBC World News.
In his acceptance speeches, Hizon thanked his CNN team and family for making him and his show, Asia’s Best.
“Being recognized for Best News Programme and Best News Anchor at the 26th Asian Television Awards are major achievements not only for The Final Word team but also for CNN Philippines. We are truly proud that we are Asia’s Best,” Hizon said in the CNN report about his double win.
The CNN Philippines senior anchor also said the awards inspire them “to do better and do more; to inform and educate by providing the facts and helping our viewers form a well-informed opinion and decision.”
“At a time of disinformation during a health crisis and an upcoming national election, our job becomes even more paramount. In 45 minutes, we want to give our viewers an overall view of what’s happening in the country, around the world, and at the end, give them a sense of hope, that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel despite the challenges we face,” added Hizon.
The Philippines won two other awards at the Asian Television Awards: Coke Studio Season 4 for the Best Original Digital Entertainment Programme and Usapang Real Life of TV5 for the Best Talk Show.
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