GMA Network is making its news programming in Mindanao bigger and meatier with the innovation it has currently adopted.
Mindanawons will start witnessing this afternoon, at 5 p.m., a more comprehensive and in-depth reportage of stories from the island-region. It will air from Monday to Friday.
Dubbed as "One Mindanao," the news program will be simultaneously broadcast in key cities and provinces in Mindanao through GMA Network’s local channels in Mindanao: GMA 5 Davao, GMA 35 Cagayan de Oro City, GMA 8 General Santos City, GMA 12 Jolo, Sulu, GMA 9 Zamboanga City, GMA 12 Cotabato City, GMA 2 Tandag City, GMA 10 Surigao City, GMA 26 Butuan City, GMA 4 Dipolog City, GMA 3 Pagadian City, GMA 5 Ozamiz City, GMA 11 Iligan City, and GMA 12 Bukidnon.
The local news program is anchored by Davao Region's pride: seasoned TV journalist Tek Ocampo, reputable TV host and news presenter Sarah Hilomen-Velasco, and experienced news correspondent Real Sorroche. Joining them are the various local news teams based in Northern and Southern Mindanao and news stringers across Mindanao.
GMA vice president and head of Regional TV Oliver Amoroso said during the launching press conference at The Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City last August 25 that "One Mindanao" will air for 30 minutes.
He also pointed out that for 30 minutes, the network will capture the best in and about Mindanao, especially that special features and segments are part of the new format.
"This will be a show that is for Mindanao and produced by Mindanao," said Amoroso, a proud Mindanawon himself.
While noting that the idea of producing "One Mindnanao" came from GMA-Davao, he shared it's actually a product of several meetings, and it took them six months of planning before finally airing its first episode today, August 28.
Meanwhile, GMA-Davao senior reporter and editor John Paul Senior, an award-winning documentary director, revealed that among the feature stories viewers must watch out are about the deep-fried grasshopper of Polomolok, North Cotabato; life of fishermen behind the huge tuna industry of General Santos City; and basket weavers of Talaingod, Davao del Norte. These special features will run for two minutes.
Anchors Ocampo and Hilomen likewise have their own segments: "Diretsahan" and "Gikan sa Mama, Para sa Mama," respectively.
For her part, GMA Davao and GenSan starion manager Mariles Puentevella said that it is imperative that we, Mindanawons, "have access to fair and balanced information vital to growth and progress as a united community.”
(My appreciation to Mr. Amoroso for some of the photos in this article.)
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