Mel Tiangco renews ties with GMA Network 

Mel Tiangco remains a Kapuso as she renews her contract with GMA Network.

At her contract signing on Tuesday, the veteran broadcast journalist expressed her gratitude for all the opportunities the Kapuso network has given her. 

“Ako man din po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil sa mga opportunities that had opened to me because of my stay in GMA,” the 24 Oras news anchor said.

Present during her contract renewal are GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network President and Chief Executive Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., GMA Network Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, and GMA Network Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.

Also present are GMA Integrated News Consultant Grace Dela Peña-Reyes, VP and Deputy Head for GMA Integrated News Program and Specials Ms. Michelle Seva, AVP for News Cluster Antonio Magsumbol; AVP and Deputy Head for News Operations Reina Dimapawi, AVP for Admin, Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Maria Teresa Bernabe; AVP and Deputy Head for Integrated News Social Media Team Aileen Rae Perez, 24 Oras News Program Manager Marielle Ventura, and Corporate Affairs and Communications Vice President Angel Javier Cruz. 

Mel Tiangco with GMA Executives at her contract renewal on Tuesday. Photo: Jade Veronique Yap/GMA Integrated News

In his speech, Gozon called the broadcasting icon an institution and thanked her for choosing to stay in the Kapuso Network. 

“Si Mel or Tita Mel, as she is fondly called, ay hindi lamang icon kundi isang institusyon na. Kaya’t kami ay nagagalak we are very happy sa kaniyang pagpirma muli ng kontrata sa ating network,” Gozon said. 

He also praised Tita Mel for her role in strengthening the GMA Kapuso Foundation which has helped millions of Filipinos across the country, all thanks to her big heart. 

“Gusto ko ring banggitin ang kaniyang role sa pagpapalakas sa ating GMA Kapuso Foundation na sa ngayon ang mga natutulungan na mga Kapuso natin na nangangailangan ay umaabot na sa milyon. Sapagkat ang puso ni Mel ay nasa tamang lugar at alam ng mga tao na hindi plastik ang kaniyang desire to help kung hindi tunay at totoo,” he added. 

According to Tita Mel, establishing the Kapuso Foundation is the most challenging role she took on for the GMA Network.

“Ibang klaseng trabaho ‘yon,” she said. 

“Napakasarap ‘yong nagtatrabaho ka na, nabibiyayaan ka pa sa langit. It’s the opportunity alone to be given to you or to have to be able to help people is really a blessing from the Lord,” Mel added. 

Meanwhile, Duavit described Tita Mel as an inspiration not only to her colleagues but a “great inspiration” to himself as well.

"She’s so gifted, so kind, so sharing, she’s so good in what she does. In fact, she’s an inspiration not only to her colleagues; To me, she serves as a great inspiration,” he said. 

He also expressed his gratitude to the veteran journalist and said that they will continue to be “inspired” and “motivated” because of her. 

“Sa milyon-milyong natutulungan mo, sa iyong sipag, sa kabuuan ng iyong pagnanais na makatulong sa kapwa, makapagbigay ng tapat at totoong balita, sa lahat ng mga natutulungan mo, sa aming lahat, maraming Salamat for being who you are and for being what you’ve become. We continue to be inspired by you and continue to be motivated knowing that we have the Mel Tiangco as a Kapuso,” he added. 

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Tita Mel became a Kapuso in 1996 with Saksi. In 2004, she was tapped to be one of the main anchors of the primetime new 24 Oras alongside the late Mike Enriquez.

She also currently hosts a weekly drama anthology Magpakailanman. 

— LA, GMA Integrated News