GMA Ilocos Norte anchor CJ Torida (left) and sportscaster/host Martin Javier
What a blast I had in “Bagnet Republic” at the launch of GMA Regional TV’s (G-RTV) 12th station in Laoag, Ilocos Norte (IN). Ilocanos are known to be thrifty, but the Kapuso regional station in Laoag won’t scrimp on news features to keep viewers in the loop.
The inauguration is yet another milestone for G-RTV after bagging its sixth Regional TV Network of the Year award at the 2023 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards.
According to first vice president and head of G-RTV and Synergy and acting head of GMA Integrated News (G-IN) Oliver Amoroso, the launch of the IN station “strengthens our local news coverage in North Central Luzon, and solidifies G-IN’s position as the news authority of the Filipino.”
Hannah Precillas (left) and Garrett Bolden
As part of the festivities, there was a jampacked mall show at Robinsons Ilocos hosted by Martin Javier of “Game On” featuring “TiktoClock” hosts, Rabiya Mateo and Jayson Gainza, “All Out Sunday’s” Hannah Precillas and Garrett Bolden.
Just as the North Star helps those who follow it determine direction toward a purposeful destination, G-RTV’s Northern station serves as a beacon in Ilocandia.
From left: Jayson Gainza, Oliver Amoroso, Rabiya Mateo and Jojo Aquio
Here are quotes from Oliver (O), Jayson (J) and Rabiya (R):
O: We have launched “Mornings with G-RTV,” which complements our afternoon newscast “G-RTV One North Central Luzon.”
J: My transition from being a Kapamilya to a Kapuso was smooth because tinanggap ako sa GMA ng buong-buo.
R: After my boyfriend Jeric [Gonzales] and I reconciled, we have become more attuned to each other.
O: These days, people are always in a hurry so we made our newscast fast-paced. Hindi na kailangan ng pahabaan. Mas siksik na ang stories.
R: I used to teach in the review center here in Ilocos. I miss teaching. It was a different kind of fulfillment for me when my students passed the board exams.
O: Our main anchor in IN is CJ Torida, who’s pure Ilocano. I’m proud that our regional newscasts are aired on GTV, which is pang-national. So talagang “local news matters.” It’s all interconnected and is no longer just Manila-centric.
J: I see to it that what I have to offer in GMA is different from what I did in ABS-CBN.
O: We thought our Ilocos Sur station would be enough, but we realized just like our stations in Davao and GenSan (General Santos) na magkalapit lang, we must also have a station in Ilocos Norte because the local stories vary in neighboring provinces.