Celebrating 25 Years of Groundbreaking Storytelling: The Remarkable Journey of I-Witness as It Hits a Milestone

As the Philippines’ most-awarded documentary program, I-Witness, celebrates its 25th year in 2024, it cements its place as a pioneering force in the country’s television history. The incredible journey of I-Witness began in 1999, when a team of pathfinders at GMA-7, led by Marissa Flores, embarked on a thought experiment to determine whether the Filipino audience was ready for in-depth discussions on issues that were often only lightly covered in the news.

This ambitious undertaking led to the creation of I-Witness, a long-form documentary show that would go on to redefine the boundaries of Philippine television. Over the years, the program has become synonymous with gripping storytelling, earning it the longest-running Public Affairs title in the country. As it reaches this milestone, I-Witness stands as a testament to its innovative spirit and commitment to quality journalism.

I-Witness’s success can be attributed to its refusal to be content with its legacy. Instead, it has continued to evolve and push the limits of documentary storytelling. The program has served as a platform for some of the most accomplished names in Philippine broadcasting, including Jessica Soho, Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Jay Taruc, Sandra Aguinaldo, Cheche Lazaro, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Vicky Morales, and many others. These broadcasting icons honed their craft while working on I-Witness productions or hosting the show itself.

In addition to nurturing the careers of these renowned broadcasters, I-Witness has provided its producers and directors with cutting-edge training, equipping them to tackle complex stories with a high degree of expertise. As the years have passed, this pay-it-forward approach has contributed significantly to the show’s enduring success, allowing it to maintain its status as a groundbreaking and prestigious program in the industry.

I-Witness boasts an impressive array of accolades, including the rare distinction of being the only Philippine TV program to have received two George Foster Peabody awards. The show has also garnered multiple awards at the New York Festivals World Medals, Asian TV Awards, Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards, and even scored an Emmy nomination.

More than just a collection of prestigious awards, I-Witness continues to captivate audiences with its gripping storytelling. In recognition of its milestone anniversary, the program has put together a special documentary series focused on extraordinary tales of selfless community heroes and trailblazers. Program hosts Kara David, Howie Severino, Atom Araullo, John Consulta, and Mav Gonzales travel to remote corners of the country, braving challenges to bring these inspiring stories to the fore.

These remarkable stories include “Kabilin sa Panapatan” (Eternal Gift to People), Atom Araullo’s poignant exploration of an upland community dedicated to protecting eagles for generations. Howie Severino’s “Sa Ngalan ng Pangalan” (In Honor of Thy Name) chronicles the journey of a Mangyan youth who sets out to help villagers obtain birth certificates, while Mav Gonzales’s “Swim for Gold” follows coaches as they strive to train competitive swimmers from a remote island to bring glory to their community.

John Consulta’s “Doctor on Boat” highlights the unwavering dedication of a doctor who travels by boat to provide medical care to those in need in a remote town, and Kara David’s “Kapalit ng Katahimikan” (The Price of Silence) shines a spotlight on Indigenous Peoples who support victims in their community as they work to bring perpetrators to justice.

These captivating anniversary episodes are set to air on Saturdays from September 14 to October 12 on GMA. Catch I-Witness every Saturday at 10:15 p.m. on GMA, and for global Pinoys, tune in to GMA Pinoy TV for an inspiring journey you won’t want to miss.