MEL TIANGCO: WOMAN OF THE HOUR
MANILA, OCTOBER 16, 2010 (STAR) PULSE ASIA - By Fatima Parel - Her career as a broadcaster literally trains the spotlight on her. But for Carmela "Mel" Tiangco - co anchor to GMA-7's primetime news 24 Oras and COO to the GMA Kapuso Foundation - it's not about the fame or the glory. Rather, it's about the people and how she can be of service to them.
She started her career in broadcasting during the Martial Law years, a time when very few women were allowed to enter an industry that was ruled by men. "I am very proud to say that I was a walk-in applicant. I didn't know anybody. I just thought I'd be good at this and I'm going to try. and I got it! In one week I was on the air. So during that time, you were on your own, doing your thing, learning what you want to know," shares Mel.
Mel became an eager student, absorbing all that was there for her to learn from the veterans in the industry. It was just quite ironic though that these unknowing mentors, whom she fondly refers to as "the oldies and the goodies," were all men.
"These guys, it was not as if they taught me. I observed how they were. And because we were always together, every night, I saw their style, how they project, how they carry themselves," reveals this multi-awarded newscaster, mentioning Bunny Arville - her first broadcast partner - as well as Bong Lapira and Joe Subrino as those who influenced her during the early days.
"All of them were fantastic dressers. Magagandang magdala. So these are the people who taught me the projection not only of yourself but the projection of your voice; projection using your eyes, hands, shoulders," adds Mel.
And talking about dressing up, Mel shares that it was during her time then in TV Patrol (aired at ABS-CBN) that the rigid dress code for newsmen was broken. "As far as fashion is concerned in the news, right now I feel that there is more rapport with your audience, you are reachable. If the televiewer thinks that you're a real person, then they'll say 'You're one of us. You're not on a pedestal.' So dress like that! If someone were to ask me then, I would dress with that purpose in mind, that the ones watching me would appreciate my clothes. I could identify with the public, even in terms of my clothing. So you will see me wearing impossible clothes but neither will you see me wearing like these in the news. Although it doesn't mean I don't want to! Wish ko lang yan!" exclaims Mel, referring to the couture clothes our stylist pulled out for her.
She goes on to credit Angelo Castro, former The World Tonight anchor, as a big influence in her career. "I learned so much from him. He was an actor, director and he was our first director for TV Patrol at that time. He imparted a lot of knowledge in the business and I'm forever grateful for that."
Just like other any other beginner, Mel had her own share of bloopers, blunders and hilarious moments. And though the incidents were not funny at that time, she can laugh at those experiences now because they somehow helped her become better at her job and in a way, shaped her into who she is now. What's great about her is that she's not embarrassed to share these experiences with the People Asia readers.
Her first televised assignment, for one, turned out to be a soggy experience, literally. "My God! That was a 30-minute newscast but the air con inside the studio was busted. So when I came out, I was sweating! I was so wet, as if I literally came from the shower! I'm not kidding!" exclaims Mel.
Another unforgettable moment was of her first live coverage, during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The presidential couple - Marcos and former First Lady Imelda - had just arrived from out an-out-of-the-country trip and Mel was assigned to annotate their every step. There's just one problem: She couldn't hear what her director was saying through the earpiece.
An eloquent storyteller, Mel shares the incident complete with sound effects: "They were coming from the airport and the director was feeding me what to say and you're supposed to deliver it like you're right there. But I wasn't there! Then our connection became fuzzy and I was also sick. So when I couldn't understand what the director was telling me, I had nothing more to say!"
Thankfully, Mel was able to improvise by the time the presidential entourage reached Malacañang. "At least I could visualize, I could imagine." adds Mel. As former President Marcos and Imelda went up the grand staircase unto Kalayaan Hall, Mel continued commenting about the guests. Little did she know that while she was gabbing away, the coverage was already showing the First Couple observing a moment of silence, praying to a statue of Sto. Niño found inside one of the rooms. Understandably, the director was fuming mad. "So you know, I went through my own set of faux pas. Big ones!" tells Mel laughing.
Through the years, viewers saw Mel move up the professional ladder and gain respect in the industry as broadcaster and host. In fact, in the March 2010 issue of the Asian edition of Reader's Digest, Mel Tiangco was named as the 9th Most Trusted Filipino in the magazine's Trust Poll. It just goes to show that people respond to this mother of four in a positive way.
I asked her for any advice or tip for those who aspire to be where she is now, and she has this to say: "It's simple. Be interested. Because if you're not interested and you just like the glamour life - you don't even read the newspapers and you don't care if the children run around malnourished - then it's not for you. You have to be interested in the people. That's the bottom line, because news is what? It's the people! All events happen because of people. All of these events that are covered in the news, it's all about people. So you have to be interested in people, you have to like the profession."
Her easy camaraderie and interest in other people had provided her the opportunity to partner with other talented individuals like Jay Sonza, Joey de Leon and her 24 Oras co-anchor Mike Enriquez, who has generously provided the readers a peek of where Mel's true passion lies.
"In the many years I have partnered with Mel, I have seen how her life has been devoted to three things. Her profession as a broadcaster, her role as a mother and as a 'granny,' and her very deep and active involvement and leadership in the GMA Kapuso Foundation. I cannot rank their importance since her passion for all three has been equally strong and unwavering. I cannot imagine GMA-7, her family and the GMA Kapuso Foundation without Mel Tiangco."
As the EVP and chief operating officer for the GMA Kapuso Foundation, Mel is hands-on when it comes to providing what they call "Serbisyong Totoo" (true service) to the Filipino public. The foundation has been successful in providing immediate relief operations in times of crises, like during typhoon Ondoy for one, when thousands of Filipinos were left homeless, in need of food, clothing and other basic necessities. And for 14 years now, this non-government organization has also distributed school materials to thousands of grade one students from far-flung areas. Today, with the United Nations Children's Fund and Procter & Gamble Philippines helping the foundation in its various programs, the foundation is able to continuously supply the very basic needs - food, shelter and medical attention - of Filipinos nationwide.
Her achievements and generous heart have earned her the distinction as one of People Asia's "Women of Substance" and Mel shares her own take on the topic. "When we talk about the substance of a professional woman. I think it is when you've reached that certain level, when you use, utilize your talent, your profession in the service of others. It's no longer a profession where people know you, where you're popular. It's not enough that you earn so much; it's not enough that you dress well. I think it is when you reach that level where you feel good within you. It's more when I have already created an impact, a positive impact in the lives of the public, the people. And that is what gives me so much fulfillment nowadays."
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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