GMA News and Public Affairs election infomercial gains positive reviews

Barely a month after it was launched, the election infomercial produced by GMA News and Public Affairs has already been receiving positive reviews from the public. The GMA music video on election automation, dubbed "Bilog na Hugis Itlog" ("circle shaped like an egg) and which features the Sexbomb Dancers, was produced to aid in voters’ education. A statement from the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition published in newspapers said that the video amply instructed the masses about the automated election process using music and dance as the medium of instruction. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares agreed. In a statement published in national dailies, Rep. Colmenares said that the music video starring the Sexbombs meets the pressing need to educate the common tao or the masses about the computerized poll system. The music video, which is being regularly aired over GMA Network, is a great help to the Voters’ Education arm of Commission on Elections (Comelec). As part of the advocacy programs of the network, the MTV details instructions on how to vote in an automated election the fun and easy way, while keeping with the basic principles of voting wisely – choosing candidates who have integrity, who are honest and will do the country good. This is strikingly different from the traditional instructional modules used in voters’ education. GMA Network Vice President for Regional TV and Head of Expansion Division Rikki Escudero said that they opted to use music and dance and instructional music video as teaching tools for automation due to the innate love of Pinoys for music and dance. “It’s a good vehicle to turn what is regarded as complicated into something simple, easy, and doable," Escudero said. Escudero added that itlog (egg) is the best simplified presentation of ovals found in the ballots for automated elections. Voters must shade the oval positioned beside the name of the candidate they intend to vote. Through the music video, the Kapuso (“one in heart," the GMA symbol and logo) plays part not only in providing news and information but also in empowering the electorate to make informed and wise choices. The music of “Bilog na Hugis Itlog" was composed by Jon Ong, while the lyrics were penned by GMA Network’s Program Analysis head Jobart Bartolome. GMA Network AVP for Alternative Platforms, Leogarda Sanchez-Matias, helped source the music and oversaw the creation of the music video. The Network is set to formally launch the music video nationwide. Dance contests in the regional areas will also be launched to not only promote the MTV but to bring its electoral message across to a wider audience. Before the vote is cast in May 2010, the MTV will have been watched and listened to by millions of Filipinos. The MTV will have informed and empowered voters not only to vote in an automated election but to vote wisely. – GMANews.TV