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| GMA Regional TV One Mindanao anchors Sarah Hilomen-Velasco, Argil Ramos and Cyril Chavez (Image Source: Philstar.com/GMA Network) |
GMA Network Inc., the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines, has been exerting ways of getting a clear and concise picture of what is happening in the regions across the country. Among these efforts is providing culturally-rooted reports and stories through news hubs and programs of the network's regional arm GMA Regional TV. A testament to it is GMA Regional TV One Mindanao which airs Mondays to Fridays at 5:00 pm on GMA's local channels in various provinces, cities and towns in Mindanao, more particularly the recently-opened GMA Zamboanga serving viewers in Western Mindanao.
In a virtual media call regarding the beefed-up regional newscast, GMA Network First Vice President and Head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor Amoroso detailed the newscast's characteristic as a daily news program produced and made by Mindanaoans for the Mindanaoans that goes beyond the usual reporting on conflicts and local wars and focuses more on telling the stories of the communities and the culture of the southernmost part of the Philippines through news reports, segments and mini-documentary features. To simply put in spades, One Mindanao is developed to bring people together as one community. These would eventually be shared to a wider reach via GMA Regional TV News on GTV nationwide and GMA News TV International for Filipinos in other countries.
The daily grind of One Mindanao's news team composed of co-anchors Sarah Hilomen-Velasco of Davao, Argil Ramos of Zamboanga and Cyril Chavez of Cagayan De Oro as well as Davao-based Jandi Esteban, Sheillah Vergara-Rubio and Rgil Relator has been gathering stories from all across Mindanao and empowering local communities to become the voice of the people in action regarding the developments and challenges that have occurred, but is challenged by the region's cultural and linguistic diversity considering that Mindanao's population comprises of Muslims and Christians speaking Bisaya, Maranao and Chavacano and having their own traditions. “We need to understand the religious beliefs, traditions and culture of every area. Kailangan tutukan (at) paulit-ulit basahin yung script para ang pag present ng storya is acceptable to all and understood by all (We need to give extra attention to the script and read it again and again to make sure that the story is acceptable and understood by all)," Sarah shared.
Aside from the news stories on current events in Mindanao, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao also presents interesting and inspiring stories about Muslim culture, Islam beliefs, festivals and celebrations and its happy, heartwarming and hospitable people and the rundown on the developments made by the present administration as well as infrastructure projects and their socio-economic impact. On the other hand, One Mindanao serves as a bridge that connects the people to proper government agencies and secures the services they need in line with GMA News and Public Affairs' Serbisyong Totoo. These, in conclusion, is what makes One Mindanao and other GMA Regional TV's newscasts across the regions thrive including the manpower behind their daily grind. By the way, you can also catch GMA Regional TV One Mindanao and other GMA Regional TV's regional newscasts on-demand on GMA Regional TV's official YouTube channel.
