The many times Mel Tiangco went viral because of '24 Oras' realistic simulation graphics

For many Filipinos, Mel Tiangco is known as one of the award-winning broadcast journalists of GMA News and Public Affairs, with a career beyond 30 years of service. She is also the founder of the GMA Kapuso Foundation, the socio-civic arm of GMA Network. These days, Mel Tiangco, fondly called Tita Mel, has added another pillar in her achievement list--becoming a viral meme queen.

Netizens have created hilarious memes from images of Tita Mel captured from her 24 Oras reports with augmented reality (AR) graphics. The seasoned journalist has been consistently reporting news from the 24 Oras studio about disastrous floods, earthquakes, ashfall, among other calamities, with the help of realistic simulation graphics. Witty netizens have humorously pointed out how brazen Tita Mel is and encouraged GMA Network to "protect Tita Mel at all costs"

Tita Mel proved to be a good sport and received her viral fame with amusement.

"Ito 'yung worried na worried sila sa akin? Ang feeling ko noon, they love me. They care for me. They're so concerned about me," she said in an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com.

"Although, of course, it's just a meme, 'no? Pero 'yun ang pumasok sa utak ko. I really love that. I really love those memes. Talagang na-lift ako. Imagine, takot na takot sila na baka [mapahamak] ako," she continues.

She also recalled her initial reaction when she heard about memes about her circulating on the internet.

"I was in a bus, I was abroad noong time na pumutok ito. Somebody sent it to me from our staff. Tawa 'ko nang tawa. The cellphone [which showed the posts] was passed around and they were so happy inside the bus. It became a topic the whole day, 'yang mga memes na 'yan. I would like to thank these people, these millennials who made me so happy because of these memes," she shared.

Nonetheless, Tita Mel has made her mark in every Kapuso's life through her excellent reportage and generous heart, earning her the nickname she has carried through the years. "Oh, I like that! 'Tita.' There is a ring of respect. Tinitingala ka nila, parang you are full of wisdom," she muses.