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25 years of making Filipino mornings brighter
It was December 6, 1999, when "Unang Hirit" first aired on GMA Network. Back then, the show's timeslot was at 4:45 a.m., almost an hour shy of the morning show's present timeslot.
Over the past 25 years, “Unang Hirit” has evolved, but its core purpose has remained steadfast: a harmonious blend of news and features, a deep-rooted commitment to public service, and a daily dose of positivity from Mondays to Fridays.
A few days before the silver anniversary of "Unang Hirit," GMA News Online sat across a few hosts of the longest-running morning show in the Philippines.
It was a bright Tuesday morning, and the hosts were having breakfast outside the studio during their short break between segments.
The atmosphere was inviting, almost as if you’re just visiting a relative's home, with an automatic invitation to join them on their meal, a hospitality culture deeply ingrained among Filipinos.
With this minor observation alone, it's not hard to realize why "Unang Hirit" has remained on top of the game for over two decades – it's no secret that its hosts are its ultimate lucky charms.
GMA Public Affairs pillar Arnold "Igan" Clavio, one of the original hosts of "Unang Hirit," has remained a mainstay in the show since its inception, a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Ivan Mayrina joined "Unang Hirit" one year after its first anniversary.
The early 2000s era of the show saw many birth pains, as with any young program.
"Back then, we were the underdog. It was a tough nut to crack, and it took us a while," Ivan said.
Fast forward to 2024, those birth pains served their purpose as the show is now half-way through its third decade on air, and the Kapuso journalist said it owed its success to the UH barkada's genuine friendship in and out of the camera.
"The recipe really is we have managed to remain friends outside," Ivan said. "Our chemistry is what makes us thrive."
"Off cam, gumigimik kami," he continued. "Kami kami pa rin magkakasama and we have this very makulit group chat."
[We go out together as a group, even outside of the show, and we have a lively group chat online.]
Ivan also said he has to commend the show's staff, old and new, for making "Unang Hirit" what it is now.
"They've stayed on their toes the entire 25 years trying to come up with something that they have innovated themselves," he said.
"It's not just one item in the recipe that really made 'Unang Hirit' work. It's the whole slew of the things we did in the last 25 years," he added.
Sharing similar sentiments with Igan and Susan, Ivan said his memorable moments with "Unang Hirit" are the days when there is breaking news early in the morning, citing Alice Guo's arrest in Indonesia in September as an example.
"Like a button was pressed, and suddenly 'Unang Hirit' is in a breaking news mode," Ivan said. "Magigising ka talaga."
In 2023, "Unang Hirit" unveiled its new studio set designed by FX Designs, an Emmy award-winning US-based company that provides cutting-edge technology for the world's top broadcasters.
The revamped UH tambayan boasts a 360-degree rotating platform, a graphic solution that can produce animations, and engaging LED walls and monitors.
Seven months after the new set was unveiled, "Unang Hirit" was recognized at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2024 and won the category "Set Design Enabling Special Effects – Philippines."
The renovation of UH tambayan was just among the many efforts the morning show has made to adapt to the changing times, especially with the prevalence of high technology and the continuous emergence of social media.
"Sasabay ka rin sa pagbabago ng mundo," as Igan likes to put it.
[You have to adapt to the ever-changing times.]
With a new breed of "Unang Hirit" hosts joining the team, including Morning Sunshine Shaira Diaz, Morning Oppa Kaloy Tingcungco, and Weather Presenter Anjo Pertierra, the UH barkada is now more than ever updated with the latest trends in social media, such as the rise of TikTok.
During the media conference of "Unang Hirit" held at Gateway Mall a few days ahead of its silver anniversary, some of the UH barkada shared what they enjoy the most when working with younger hosts.
"Every day, inaabangan namin 'yung bago naming TikTok kasi sinasama nila kami," Igan said. "Nakakabata sila kasama."
[Every day, we look forward to our new TikTok videos because they include us. It makes us feel young when we hang out with them.]
"Natutuwa kami kasi nakikita namin mga sarili namin sa kanila noong 25 years young kami," he added with a laugh.
[We are happy because we see ourselves in them when we were 25 years younger.]
For Suzi Abrera, another original host of "Unang Hirit," working with younger ones is a two-way street.
"Dahil mas bata sila, mas aware sila sa alam ng mga kabataan ngayon," Suzi said.
[Because they are younger, they are more aware of what young people know today.]
"Kami rin, marami kaming natututunan sa kanila, so 'pag nagtatanong sila sa amin ng tips, ganon' din kami," she added.
[We also learn a lot from them, so when they ask us for tips, we do the same.]
On joining Tiktok trends with Shaira, Kaloy, and Anjo, Kapuso sa Batas Atty. Gaby Concepcion said it's all about having fun on the set.
"Masaya sila eh, enjoy lang, parang barkada lang," Gaby said. "Life is short. We should have fun every day."
[They're happy, so we just enjoy it. It's like a group of friends hanging out.]
How you start your morning is how you set the tone for your entire day, which is why for "Unang Hirit" hosts, there should be no bad vibes as much as possible.
"Sa umaga, iniiwasan po namin ang negativity lalo na sa group namin kasi as hosts, we are like family," Anjo, dubbed the weather-presenting heartthrob said.
[In the morning, we avoid negativity, especially in our group, because, as hosts, we are like family.]
So, when they receive hate messages on the show's livestream and even on their personal social media accounts, they tend to ignore them.
"Ang shine-share na lang namin sa umaga is good vibes, para paglabas naming sa camera, all smiles kami genuinely," Anjo said.
[The only thing we share in the morning is good vibes so that we all smile genuinely when we go on air.]
For Kaloy, hateful comments are not worth dignifying, but he takes it constructively if it would help improve his craft.
Shaira added that as a young host of "Unang Hirit," she is learning and improving as she goes further into her career.
"Hindi kami perfect. Tao lang din, nagkakamali, pero sinisikap namin na mag-improve kami every day lalo na kasama namin mga respetadong hosts," she said.
[We are not perfect. We are only human and make mistakes, but we try to improve daily, especially when working with well-respected hosts.]
According to chef JR Royol, one of the charms of the UH Barkada is that "everyone has their own specialty."
"We bring something unique to our group at saka sa mga viewers namin," the Food Explorer said.
As the show's very own chef, JR said he's able to make food more relatable to "Unang Hirit" viewers.
[We bring something unique to our group and viewers.]
"Kunwari, mapa-technical 'yan na pagkain, nai-re-relay ko doon sa aming viewers in lay man's term," the culinary artist said.
[In an instance when the food is too technical, I relay it to the viewers in lay man's terms.]
"I'm able to experience 'yung food culture ng Pilipinas at i-convey 'yun sa mga Kapuso nating tumututok sa 'Unang Hirit,'" he added.
[I'm able to experience the food culture of the Philippines and convey that to our viewers who focus on "Unang Hirit."]
JR also credited "Unang Hirit" for advancing his professional career.
"Everyone can attest to the impact of GMA's reach, and of course 'yung brand ng 'Unang Hirit,'" he said.
"I think more than anything, privileged ako personally na makasama sa grupong 'to knowing na meron na tayong established na brand, may established na tayong family na kasama na ng kultura ng bawat Pilipinong sumususabybay tuwing umaga," he added.
[I am personally privileged to be part of the group, knowing that we have an established brand and an established family that is part of the culture of every Filipino who stays tuned in our show.]
Running a show for 25 years, an early morning one at that, is no easy feat. No one knows what the future holds, but "Unang Hirit” is here to stay for the next couple months, years, and hopefully, in another 25 years.
"Unang Hirit" airs on GMA Network from Mondays to Fridays, 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. —with design for web by Jessica Bartolome/MGP, GMA Integrated News
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