Rhea Santos visits 'Unang Hirit,' sings karaoke with UH Barkada: 'Always happy to be here'

Your morning girl Rhea Santos just made our Friday more fun!

The broadcast journalist visited the "Unang Hirit" studio, and was warmly welcomed by her former colleagues.

Rhea talked about her and her family's life in Canada, where they moved to in 2019, as well as her job as an anchor in Omni News.

"Ang mahirap lang talaga, 'pag may naiiwan kang mahal sa buhay dito," she said. "I'm referring to, of course, our parents, I'm sure the Pinoys abroad can relate... kapag malayo ka, syempre 'yung alala mo, they're not getting any younger."

She said she's currently in the Philippines to celebrate her father's 74th birthday.

Of course, the UH Barkada couldn't pass up the chance to invite Rhea for a 'kantahan'! They all joined the pila-pila karaoke game.

Rhea said she's "kinikilig" to be in the studio again, and to be speaking to her former colleagues again.

To the viewers, she said, "Maraming, maraming salat kasi nakakatanggap pa rin ako ng [messages], 'Na-miss ka namin sa Unang Hirit,' or parang, 'Morning Girl, kamusta ka sa Canada,' maraming ganoon."

"I'm proud to be part of the Unang Hirit family kahit na umalis ako," she added. "Always happy to be here."

The UH hosts told her, "Always welcome."

After 19 years working on "Unang Hirit," Rhea exited the show in 2019 to study Broadcast and Online Journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

During her visit last year, she said she and her family have been granted permanent resident status in Canada. —JCB, GMA Integrated News