Ging Reyes and Robert LabayenABS-CBN’s Ging Reyes and Robert Labayen are taking on new roles in the New York Festivals (NYF) Television & Film Competition as members of the 2019 Grand Jury.

Reyes, head of Intergrated News & Current Affairs, and Labayen, head of Integrated Creative Communications Management (CCM), join other award-winning industry experts from all over the world in judging the entries to the NYF.

Reyes, also sits on the 2019 NYF advisory board with 18 other leaders in media.

Reyes has more than 30 years’ experience as a broadcast journalist. She joined ABS-CBN in 1986 as a production assistant, rose through the ranks to become executive producer and head writer of “The World Tonight” and other special events and, eventually, director for news production.

Prior to her appointment as the news chief of ABS-CBN, she headed ABS-CBN’S North America News Bureau from 2002 to 2010.

Labayen, meanwhile, is a Lifetime Achievement awardee in Philippine advertising with over two decades of experience in the industry before joining ABS-CBN in 2004.

He started as a copywriter and rose to the rank of managing partner and executive creative director. He also served as president of the Creative Guild of the Philippines.

Labayen is the creative genius behind ABS-CBN’s iconic station IDs like “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” and “Family is Love.” Under his watch, CCM has won top awards in the NYF and Promax-BDA, among many others.

After taking home three medals—one gold, one silver and one bronze—in 2018, ABS-CBN is up for three more awards this year.

Its current affairs program “Mission Possible,” with its episode “Kapit Lang, Anak,” made it as finalist in the Best Public Affairs Program category.

The television plug for the same episode titled “Elsa and Sarah,” produced by CCM, earned a nomination in the Station/Image Promotion category, while ABS-CBN DocuCentral’s “Local Legends” made it to the final round of judging in the Biography/Profiles category. The documentary series won a nomination for its episode “Karne Norte,” which puts the spotlight on traditional corned beef makers in Masbate.

The New York Festival’s World’s Best TV & Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. (Story/Photos by: Kane Choa)