CNN Philippines news anchor Rico Hizon was awarded the Golden Goddess statuette for Best Factual Presenter at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023 in Singapore on December 7. The award recognized Hizon as the Grand Final Winner in the Best News Anchor and Best Current Affairs Anchor in Asia categories.
Hizon expressed his gratitude on Facebook, dedicating the recognition to his colleagues at CNN Philippines, as well as his wife and son. He also thanked the viewers of his show, “The Final Word,” and added, “Animo La Salle!”
The prestigious award, which was announced during a livestream on September 28, highlighted Hizon’s exceptional journalism on “The Final Word.” Pilar Manuel, the show’s Senior New Producer, praised Hizon’s commitment to excellence and his continuous drive to inspire and collaborate with the team.
This isn’t Hizon’s first accolade, as he previously won a national AACA award in 2020 for Best News Program for “The Final Word.” Before returning to the Philippines, Hizon also earned back-to-back Asian Television Awards for Best News Anchor and Best News Programme for the same show. His impact on the team was also noted by Celle Orbeta, the Executive Producer of “The Final Word,” who highlighted their shared dedication to journalistic values.
Competing in the AACA Grand Finals, Hizon faced esteemed presenters from Australia, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Following his win, Hizon shared his appreciation for the recognition, stating that it inspires the CNN Philippines news team to inform and educate viewers about the real facts.
Hizon’s award reinforces his status as a force to reckon with in the news industry and serves as a source of inspiration for journalists looking to provide accurate and unbiased news coverage.
