Cementing their status as pillars of excellence in the local broadcast industry, GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon and veteran broadcast journalist Mike C. Enriquez were recently recognized by BizNewsAsia (BNA), the Philippines’ largest business and news magazine, during its 13th anniversary celebration on November 25.
Hailed as “The Best Broadcast CEO” by the weekly magazine, Gozon received the Entrepreneurship Excellence Award, while Enriquez was the lone awardee for Broadcast Excellence.
BizNewsAsia’s Best Broadcast CEO
BNA cited Gozon’s “hard work, diligence, dedication, scholarship, expertise, innovation, and family values” as factors that led to his indisputable success as a media mogul. “His values as a God-fearing family man, his training as a lawyer, and his experience as a broadcast CEO have enabled him to pursue truth with passion, fairness with conviction, and excellence with vision,” said BNA.
In 2011, BNA named Gozon Tycoon of the Decade – a feat that puts a spotlight on his remarkable leadership, first as President and later as Chairman and CEO of GMA Network. Gozon was also listed consistently among BNA’s Power 100 from 2003 to 2010, and was bestowed the Visionary Management Award last year.
A distinguished lawyer prior to entering the broadcast business, Gozon, who earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines and his Master of Laws degree from Yale University, told BNA that he found the broadcast industry more challenging than law practice.
“Everyday is a different day when you’re in this business. You cannot be certain that what appeals to viewers today, would still appeal to them tomorrow. And this is what makes our jobs very challenging yet fulfilling at the same time,” related Gozon.
Dynamic as the industry is, his passion for excellence is what motivates Gozon to keep GMA at the top of its game. He has brought “tremendous creativity, management excellence, growth, profitability and credibility to GMA Network,” said BNA.
Besides bringing in an estimated P20 billion in cumulative net profits, Gozon also laid out the framework that gave rise to the fulfilment of his vision to put GMA Network at the forefront of the broadcast field in the country.
“I am deeply grateful for this award, as well as for the continued recognition of my accomplishments as a CEO by BizNewsAsia,” said Gozon. “I share this honour with our Kapuso viewers here and abroad, who are part of my and GMA Network’s success.”
Maintaining Excellence in Broadcast
Mike Enriquez is – without question – one of the most credible, most respected and most admired broadcasters on TV and radio today. And his award from BizNewsAsia – with the multi-awarded GMA News and Public Affairs figure being its only recipient – is a testament to this.
Over the years, Enriquez has kept his fearlessness uncompromised, his credibility unblemished, and his values intact.
“He is the best broadcaster in the Philippines today,” said BNA of Enriquez, whose day-to-day duties with GMA include co-anchoring GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras together with fellow GMA News and Public Affairs Pillars Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales, hosting the weekly investigative show Imbestigador, running the Network’s Radio business as its Consultant for Operations, and delivering hard-hitting news on DZBB, GMA’s flagship AM station.
From working without pay to joining a strike and being awakened by soldiers at their picket line in the wee hours of the first day of Martial Law, Enriquez, as BNA puts it, “He has seen and done it all.”
So when the time came for GMA to appoint someone who will lead the expansion of its Radio division in 1995, he was the best choice for the role.
Fast forward to today, GMA Radio continues to make significant contributions to the Network’s earnings, while promoting its thrust of providing Serbisyong Totoo. This year, DZBB reached a significant milestone when it became the number one AM station in Mega Manila – with Enriquez crediting his team’s hard work and dedication, and needless to day, the continued patronage of their listeners.
“At the end of the day, the best reward is when you see the fruits of your service changing the lives of many,” said Enriquez. “This distinction from BizNewsAsia speaks volumes of the responsibility that we, as media men, have to our fellow Filipinos. They can rest assured that we will continue to do our role in the country’s nation building.”
