A Reporter’s Life: Susan Enriquez

Becoming a reporter was the last thing on her mind. As a young girl from a poor family, Susan Enriquez says her dreams were limited by what she expected of the world. “Hindi [kami] laki sa luho o laki sa ginhawa,” Susan told the GMA show ‘Tunay na Buhay.’ “Talagang sanay [kami] sa hirap.” In fact, her childhood dream was to become a factory worker who could bring home packs of noodles for her family. Nena, Susan’s mother, remembers how determined her daughter was to finish school: “Sabi niya, ‘kung hindi niyo ako pinag-aral, mapapaampok ako kay Mayor.” Upon entering college at Lyceum, Susan wanted to take up commerce; but upon seeing the long line for the course during enrollment, she shifted to journalism, where she later qualified for a scholarship. Her first job was at a radio station, where she first met Arnold Clavio—now her co-host on the GMA program ‘Unang Hirit’ and friend for over two decades. Arnold, who’s known for his irreverent sense of humor, got along well with the giddy Susan. “Sakay niya ‘ko at sakay ko siya,” he says. To this day, Susan is chiefly known for two things: her fast-paced yet meaty reporting (a skill she picked up from working in radio) and her down-to-earth, likeable personality. With her experience in radio and television reporting, six years of hosting the magazine program ‘Kay Susan Tayo!’ and her current stint as co-host of “I Juander,’ it’s hard to imagine she was ever disliked. But her success today is the product of hard work and determination in the face of immense difficulties. When she first started reporting on television, viewers called the network to complain about the new field journalist who didn’t wear makeup and had messy hair. “Para akong galing sa talipapa!” laughs Susan. “Malay ko bang iba pala sa TV, kailangang maayos makeup mo. Sa radyo kasi, walang ganun. Hindi ka nakikita eh.” Susan began to dress to fit the demands of the visual medium, and people began to appreciate her concise reporting and willingness to brave dangerous situations. In April 2000, Susan was taken hostage by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf while on duty in Basilan. “Doon ko na-realize na totoo yung kasabihang ‘No story is worth dying for,’” she says. “Yung istorya, paulit-ulit, pero yung buhay mo isa lang.” In Susan’s case, her ‘one life’ is certainly full of experience. From a teenager who worked in her mother’s carinderia to support her education, she’s traveled all over the Philippines, and to different countries as well. She even got to meet former US President Bill Clinton. “’How are you, Mr. President?’ Ganun lang ata natanong ko kasi tinangay na siya ng FBI,” says Enriquez. Did he answer her question? Susan just laughs: “Hindi, kinawayan ako. Kilig na kilig ako!” These days, the veteran reporter unwinds from her hectic job by bonding with her granddaughter. On weekends, she visits her family in Cavite. Susan’s mom kept the ‘Happy Birthday, Susan!’ tarpaulin ‘Unang Hirit’ made, and displays it in front of the house. It’s the same house she grew up in, by the way—they’ve just expanded and improved it. “Ang gusto ko, simple lang naman na bahay. Maliit lang,” says Susan. “Ang importante lang naman ay yung makapagsama-sama yung pamilya.” It’s clear from anecdotes like these that while she’s attained the rise to success many Filipinos dream of, Susan isn’t that different from the girl she once was—the girl who dreamed of simple things, worked hard, and achieved more than what she thought possible. “Kailangang may determinasyon ka at dedicated ka sa ginagawa mo, pero always keep your feet on the ground,” says Susan. “Ipagpasalamat mo palagi kung anumang meron ka sa buhay.”—PF/GMA News Catch Susan Enriquez as she anchors the new GMA News TV morning news program "Kape at Balita" with Mariz Umali, Michael Fajatin, and Joel Reyes Zobel, Mondays to Fridays at 6:00 AM starting October 22.