GMA News TV launches ‘New Normal: Survival Guide’ series to help Filipinos cope amid pandemic

GMA News and Public Affairs is launching a new set of shows under the “New Normal: Survival Guide” series to help Filipinos cope and be informed amid the pandemic.

Winnie Monsod will host “Newsmakers,” which airs Mondays; Kara David will be on “Bright Side” Tuesdays; and Susan Enriquez will lead “Pera Paraan” Wednesdays.

In a Zoom interview with the press, Winnie said “Newsmakers” would help viewers get the “proper information based on data and facts.”

“We talk to the experts, the ones who know the subjects better at hindi sila nanglilinlang. I want them to tell it straight,” Winnie said.

Kara, meanwhile, said “Bright Side” would tell inspiring stories to help lessen the anxiety of Filipinos due to the uncertainties and problems brought by the pandemic.

“Alam natin na maraming problema but that doesn’t mean walang silver lining in all of this, so ’yung show namin looks at the inspiring stories behind this pandemic,” she said.

Kara said the show would feature stories of bayanihan among Filipinos and frontliners amid these trying times. It would have different segments, including a cooking show.

“Lahat ng mga storya na inspiring, ’yun naman ita-tackle sa ‘Bright Side,’” she said.

Apart from the anxiety and fake news spreading during this health crisis, many Filipinos are also facing financial problems due to unemployment, closure of businesses, and halting of services.

In “Pera Paraan,” Susan will share stories and tips on how to find other means to survive, either by shifting to other jobs or looking at alternative sources of livelihood. 

“Dito magbibigay kaming tips and ideas kung papano ba magkakaroon tayo ng kita sa paraan na hindi tayo mapapahamak or matatamaan nitong COVID-19 virus,” she said.

Susan said she would also tackle how to help parents struggling to purchase gadgets needed for online schooling.

“So it’s all about money, paano nila matututunan i-handle ng maayos yung kanilang mga finances, dahil under this new normal … may mga changes talaga na kailangan nating tanggapin, whether we like it or not,” she said.

Despite the new protocols in shooting for their shows, the hosts said it’s important to maintain the essence and truthfulness in the stories they told.

“Nag-iba na ’yung technology na ginagamit mo (but) the content should always remain serbisyong totoo, kailangan ’yung excellence ng storytelling should be there,” said Kara.

Susan said regardless of the technology and the restrictions due to the protocols, they continued to share stories to entertain, inform, and educate the public.

The “New Normal: Survival Guide” will premiere July 20 8:30 p.m. after 24Oras. – RC, GMA News