Local news continues to play an integral role in sharing important stories, including features that can easily capture the attention of the intended audience, that are no less valuable to communities.
This, in fact, is the main reason why local news program Balitang Amianan is expanding its reach.
“Local news programs immediately call the attention of the authorities. That means there’s an immediate action. It’s more about delivering tailored fit stories for the audience. We promote local destinations and people with inspiring stories, and news features that happen within the community,” TV journalist and Balitang Amianan anchor CJ Torida shared with Manila Standard during an interview in Dagupan City.
“It’s the news source for the locals. Not everything in the national news is beneficial to them. We have to take into consideration that there are news that don’t interest some locals or let say they’re not affected by it. It’s our priority because with local news we are able to give more focus and provide immediate action,” added Joanne Ponsoy who co-anchors Balitang Amianan with Torida and Jasmin Gabriel-Galban.
The GMA Regional TV’s top-rating local news program in North Central Luzon yesterday unveiled a fresh, new look and leveled-up content as part of its commitment to deliver news from the regions.
The new set boasts of a more relaxed set-up not usually seen on typical newscasts—with the anchors seated on couches and not behind the desks. Indeed, the Balitang Amianan studio becomes an extension of viewers’ living room, further connecting the news anchors and the viewers.
Joining Torida, Ponsoy, and Gabriel-Galban are the various local news teams based in Pangasinan and local news stringers based in different parts of North Central Luzon.
With the tagline “Sandigan ng katotohanan. Serbisyong totoo lamang. Solid Amianan,” Balitang Amianan features comprehensive and in-depth delivery of news and information in North Central Luzon. It airs from Monday to Friday at 5:00 p.m.
GMA Regional TV’s flagship local news program in Luzon has been consistently lording over competition. It is simultaneously broadcasted in key cities and provinces in North Central Luzon (NCL), specifically in Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Pampanga thru GMA Network’s local channels GMA TV 10 Dagupan, GMA TV 5 Ilocos Norte, GMA TV 48 Ilocos Sur, and GMA TV 7 Abra.
“We at GMA Regional TV continue to find ways to further improve the way we deliver news to our Kapuso all over the regions. As technology develops and with more people getting their information online, our regional news teams are challenged to be more efficient and creative in producing stories. But this only fuels us to be always on our toes and to be not complacent with what we have already achieved,” said GMA Regional TV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso.
“This is why, starting Aug. 5, we are proud to present a bigger, better Balitang Amianan. Rest assured that we are not only modernizing our sets and studio—we continue to be consistent in providing quality service to our regional viewers,” Amoroso added.
On top of winning the ratings, the program has been consistently recognized by various award-giving bodies. Its “Kapuso sa Panagbenga: The Balitang Amianan Special Live Coverage” received an Anak TV Seal last 2018, affirming that the newscast is “child-friendly.”
At the 3rd Annual Aninaw Media Awards by the PHINMA University of Pangasinan’s Communication Arts Department, Balitang Amianan once again triumphed as Best News Program with its anchors gaining recognitions as well. Torida was conferred the Most Outstanding News Presenter of the Year (Male Category) award and he also won as the Most Popular TV Personality of the Year. Jasmin was named as Most Outstanding News Presenter of the Year, while Russel Simorio took home the Best Field Reporter award.
Balitang Amianan also took home the Most Development-Oriented News Program award last year at the Gandingan 2018: The 12th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Multi-media Awards.
“The high ratings performance and accolades we continue to receive are just small additions to what we have accomplished throughout the years—for Balitang Amianan to emerge as a force to reckon with in North Central Luzon in terms of news and information. We thank our Kapuso in the regions because we couldn’t have done these without them,” Amoroso shared.
GMA Regional TV marked another milestone in broadcast history as it made its local newscasts available to more viewers nationwide last July 27 through “GMA Regional TV Weekend News” which now airs on leading news channel GMA News TV every Saturday at 5 pm.
On Aug. 3, Balitang Amianan’s CJ Torida, Jasmin Gabriel-Galban, and Joanne Ponsoy brought the latest news from all over the Philippines straight from GMA Dagupan station.