GMA launches regional station in Zamboanga

Clockwise: Sarah Hilomen-Velasco, Cyril Chaves, Oliver Amoroso and Argie Ramos

As part of its effort to expand its reach and deliver more comprehensive news coverage in Mindanao, GMA Network recently launched a new regional station that caters to the island’s western provinces.

Located in Zamboanga City, the new station now functions as GMA Regional TV’s Western Mindanao hub, which makes the Kapuso network’s local and national programs accessible to viewers in Zamboanga peninsula, as well as Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu provinces.

GMA Zamboanga is the fourth regional station in Mindanao and 10th overall in the country.

“If you look at the geography of Mindanao, it’s very diverse. And for us to really service all these areas, we had to create hubs—Northern Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro), South-Central (Davao) and Southern Mindanao (General Santos). But we knew it was still lacking and there was a crucial group that had yet to be represented, which is Western Mindanao,” GMA Regional TV and Synergy first vice president and head Oliver Amoroso said in a virtual conference.

Years of preparation

Putting up GMA Zamboanga wasn’t without challenges. “It took us two years to prepare the hub … We created the buildup and infrastructure work, despite the mobilization limitations. But we were steadfast in our aim to launch despite the pandemic and were initially hoping to finish by 2022,” Amoroso related.

Equally as important was “finding the right people to help service the community.” Representing GMA Zamboanga is newbie broadcast journalist Argie Ramos, who will cohost the local and unified Mindanao evening newscast “One Mindanao” every Wednesday with main anchor, Sarah Hilomen-Velasco.

Chavacano language

Ramos also joins hosts lawyer Resci Rizada and Cyril Chaves in the morning show “At Home with GMA Regional TV,” which delivers a daily dose of news and entertainment. “The shows are presented mostly in Visayan … So I think my fellow Zamboangueños are excited about our Chavacano language in a Mindanao-wide platform,” Ramos said.

Asked by the Inquirer about the importance of content localization, Amoroso said: “As I have said earlier, Mindanao is diverse. So, for instance, even if I’m from Davao, I still would want to know what’s happening in other regions, because it will have an effect in my community; I want to be aware of what’s happening in Zamboanga, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi …”

“We want to give news and update the people about their local issues. Our goal with ‘One Mindanao’ is to be an instrument in addressing or solving these issues, and letting the people know what can be improved in their communities,” he added. “These shows are produced by Mindanaoans for Mindanaoans. The people behind these programs are proud Mindanaoans, and that can be seen in the features and stories.” INQ