Pia Archangel and Raffy Tima

Barely a month of winning the Best Newscast of the Year from the first Movie and Television Regulatory and Classification Board Award (MTRCB) with its in-depth reporting of typhoon Frank that caused the death of 800 people aboard MV Princess of the Stars that it sank, QTV 11’s noontime daily news program “Balitanghali” continues to do what it does best – breaking news about typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the destructions wrought and the relief operations to help rehabilitate the victims.

Like their reporting of Typhoon Frank “Balitanghali,” hosted by Pia Archangel and Raffy Tima, has again delivered much-needed news regarding the havoc that the two typhoons had caused. From their remote points strategically situated in different areas in Metro Manila and the provinces, their extensive reporting of the typhoons and other breaking news have been the strength of “Balitanghali” since they began airing five years ago.

John Ray Arrabe, Program Manager of “Balitanghali” recalled, “We felt that the typhoon Frank coverage was very encapsulating of who we really are – breaking news, pinakabagong updates, compelling videos and storyang may puso... our forte is always breaking news. Everything is happening while we are producing the news.”

Pia Arcanghel added that their remote points were also the key when they are covering breaking stories. She found it more appealing for viewers to see their reporters deployed and reporting live from different locations.

For her co-host Raffy, luck played a part in their successful typhoon Frank coverage that paved the way for their winning the 1st MTRCB Award for Best Newscast of the Year.

“Para sa akin it was one of our usual coverage. Siguro maganda lang ang pagka-produce. Sabi nga ng news desk naming maraming provincial stories na dumating tapos on time kaya na-edit na maayos kung baga wala masyadong glitches sa production side. And since breaking news, hindi mo matatalo ang breaking lalo na kapag maganda ang videos. Kung baga everything fell into place,” Raffy shared.

So what did they feel after winning the MTRCB Award?

“It was flattering to be bestowed this award because ang mga kalaban namin sa timeslot na yun ay mga entertainment programs. Kasi alternative viewing habit lang ang hangad namin. When we conceptualized ‘Balitanghali,’ we just wanted an image that is an alternative to the entertainment programs,” Arrabe replied.

Their award also meant that they already have a captive market in their timeslot that would rather watch them than their competitors in the entertainment genre.

For Raffy, there are no words that can express the fulfillment they feel about their award. But his friends as well as “followers” have congratulated them through Facebook and Twitter.

“Napakalaking bagay na kami yung napili. Siguro para sa mga loyal viewers namin it was unexpected but I guess they were somehow hoping that we would get an award someday kasi maganda naman what we offer dahil mga breaking stories... breaking stories are really challenging to cover,” Raffy opined.

What also works for “Balitanghali” is the chemistry and rapport between news anchors Pia Archangel and Raffy Tima.

“Although pareho kaming field reporter this was the first time we worked together as anchors… we can read each other’s mind already sa tagal ng pinagsamahan namin,” said Pia who added that they know how to support and help each other during a coverage.

One of the reasons Pia and Raffy were hired was because they project mild manner on screen. For a noon time news program, the network didn’t want an intense show that would scare away or irritate viewers.

“We’re very thankful that our anchors are reporters too because they know what they are doing. They know what to ask during important interviews and they can extract the right information from other reporters and after ‘Balitanghali’ they start working as reporters. Added value din ang pagiging working journalists,” Arrabe stressed.

At the moment there are no plans to take the Pia and Raffy tandem to do another show or medium since the work requirement for “Balitanghali” is already taxing enough.

So what’s the next breaking news for “Balitanghali?”

How about a seven times a week “Balitanghali?” That would be a breaking news when it happens!