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| Several GMA News anchors and reporters braving the effects of Typhoon Ulysses to deliver the latest updates on the situations in areas affected by the said typhoon. (Image Source: PEP.ph/GMA Network) |
2020 has indeed been a challenging year for Filipinos. Aside from the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions has been dealing with natural calamities one after another leaving a huge trail of devastation and destruction in different parts of the country. However, shining brighter amidst all adversities is GMA Network, the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines, and its undaunting delivery of Serbisyong Totoo.
The Kapuso network's pool of news anchors and reporters have braved the challenges in logistics and severe weather conditions to provide the necessary news and information to the public in every part of the country. From Unang Hirit's Unang Balita to 24 Oras and Saksi as well as all-day news bulletins and flash reports in between these newscasts, GMA has aired news reports on the latest situations in various parts of Luzon during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses last November 12 and 13. On the other hand, GMA News TV aired the GMA News TV Live Special Coverage last November 12 in addition to Dobol B Sa News TV, the channel's simulcast airing of 24 Oras and extended airings of Balitanghali, Quick Response Team (QRT) and State Of The Nation with Jessica Soho.
Over the weekend, GMA News TV continued its coverage with the extended airing of Dobol B Sa News TV, a GMA News TV live special typhoon coverage and the simulcast of 24 Oras Weekend. On November 15 (Sunday), award-winning veteran broadcast journalist Jessica Soho flew to Cagayan and reported on the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses for GMA News' special coverage and newscasts. She was able to secure an exclusive interview with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and eventually spoke with Vice President Leni Robredo prior to her departure from the area. Soho's comprehensive report was later aired in the evening via Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. The special coverage also featured reports from Marisol Abdurahman from Cagayan as well as GMA News reporters from other affected areas. Atom Araullo also reported on location for the mobile journalism newscast Stand For Truth.
With the recent sleuth of typhoons devastating many parts of the country from Quinta up to Ulysses, GMA and GMA News TV's special coverage were able to reach a combined total of 65.16 million viewers based on Nielsen Media Philippines' data from October 25 to November 18, 2020. Including rural and urban areas, the Kapuso network obtained a net reach of 75.3% in Total Philippines. In particular, the simulcasts of 24 Oras on GMA and GMA News TV reached over 62 million viewers nationwide during the said period. Flagship AM radio station DZBB Super Radyo 594 KhZ continued its series of special coverages through Bantay Bagyo and Bantay Baha. The radio station's Bantay Bagyo coverage on Typhoon Ulysses began as early as November 11 (Wednesday) with most programs being pre-empted to give way to the continuous 24-hour coverage.
GMA Regional TV (RTV) likewise continued its typhoon coverage by providing regular weather updates in its local newscasts GMA RTV Balitang Amianan (North and Central Luzon), GMA RTV Balitang Bisdak (Central and Eastern Visayas), GMA RTV One Western Visayas, and GMA RTV One Mindanao (North, Central and Southern Mindanao) as well as its weekly national newscast GMA Regional TV Weekend News airing every week on GMA News TV. Aside from updates coming from GMA RTV's Bicol team, Balitang Amianan also covered the areas of Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Bulacan. Its anchor CJ Torida, who has Cagayano roots, led the on-site reporting in Cagayan Valley providing updates on the situations from ground zero in Cagayan and Isabela which were aired on the Kapuso network's national newscasts.
Meanwhile, 24-hour news alerts were available via GMA News Online (GMANews.tv) and its social media platforms. Live and up-to-the-minute video reports were posted on the digital platforms of GMA News and 24 Oras including live streams of 24 Oras, 24 Oras Weekend, 24 Oras News Alerts, News TV Live, Dobol B Sa News TV, and various government briefings. In addition, exclusive videos from GMA Newsfeed related to Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses have kept netizens in the loop. From November 1 to 16, the digital platforms of GMA News and GMA Public Affairs have registered a total of 168 million views.
Netizens have also taken part in the situations brought about by the recent disasters in their respective areas by submitting pictures and videos through GMA News' citizen journalism arm and keeping themselves updated through the network's disaster and emergency preparedness portal IMReady. At the same time, GMA Network's socio-civic arm GMA Kapuso Foundation in coordination with various government and private agencies swiftly mobilized its teams to provide relief goods to typhoon victims in Luzon as soon as the weather permitted. This just proves that, whatever the country faces, GMA Network will always be there for every Filipino delivering news and Serbisyong Totoo on air and online.
