MANILA, Philippines - Three veteran broadcast journalists on Monday expressed joy after the premiere of the new TV Patrol.
Respected TV news icons 'Kabayan' Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, and Ted Failon told Showbiz News Ngayon that they were awed by the overwhelming support given by the entire ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Department and their supporters on the much-awaited team-up.
De Castro and Sanchez returned on Monday as co-anchors of ABS-CBN's primetime news broadcast, joining Failon.
"Hindi ko inasahan na makakabalik pa ako dito, talagang para siyang bonus," said Sanchez.
"Sobrang saya kasi 1987 ko pa nakilala si Kabayan, ngayon kasama ko na siya. Mantakin mo. I'm so happy and I’m so proud," said Failon.
"Happy ako sapagkat ito ay dream na magkasama-sama kaming tatlo," said De Castro.
The powerhouse team vowed to give the public, nothing but the best in public service and commitment to deliver balanced and accurate news in the longest running primetime news, TV Patrol.
“Ito’y assignment. Siyempre masaya kami na kami ay pinagkatiwalaan kami ng management. Hawakan natin ang relasyon sa publiko. Ang TV Patrol na sinimulan ni Kabayan noong 1986 ay nadagdagan pa ng 2 henerasyon ngayon,” Sanchez added.
“Fair naman kami, balanse, noong panahon pa ay balanse na ang ABS-CBN News,” the former vice-president said.
De Castro served as senator from 2001 to 2004 and as vice-president from 2004 to 2010. He decided not to run for the presidency in 2010, choosing instead to return to broadcasting.
“Ito na ho ngayon ang team ng ABS-CBN News na magbibigay inspirasyon sa bawat isa para gampanan ang aming tungkulin,” Failon said.
Karen Davila and Julius Babao, meanwhile, are set to join ABS-CBN's late-night news program, Bandila, to join Ces Drilon as anchors.
"Drilon, Babao, and Davila will provide deeper analysis and extended coverage of the day’s biggest news in 'Bandila'," ABS-CBN said in an earlier statement.
"The powerhouse team, all seasoned and working broadcast journalists, is collaborating to present news that matter to Filipinos all over the world and to give back to their kapamilya viewers by strengthening the public service commitment of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, the country's most credible news organization based on a recent study by Pulse Asia," the network said.
ABS-CBN said de Castro "started making a name on radio during the Martial Law years." He "is also the original anchor of 'TV Patrol,' and the hard-hitting investigative show, 'Magandang Gabi Bayan'."
The company said Failon, "in his 27 years in the industry, is the 'Sandigan ng Bayan' for his commitment and focus on issues up to their resolution."
"Sanchez, on the other hand, is the intelligent and brave 'Kakampi ng Bayan,' who has reported on the biggest news in the country since she started in ABS-CBN in 1986. She also holds the distinction of being the first female main anchor of 'TV Patrol'," ABS-CBN said.
Sanchez is married to former senator Mar Roxas, who lost in the May 2010 vice-presidential race to Jejomar Binay, former mayor of Makati City.
abs-cbnNEWS.com is the online news department of ABS-CBN Interactive Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN.
