Emil Sumangil

Veteran journalist Emil Sumangil banners GMA Public Affairs' first multi-platform public service program, "Resibo: Walang Lusot ang May Atraso," which will be broadcast both on radio and television as well as on live-streaming platforms, beginning May 7.

On its pilot telecast,"Resibo" immediately takes on two pressing cases. In Taguig City, an estranged couple was fighting for custody of their two-year-old daughter. Jen accused her former live-in partner Jan of physically assaulting her. This led to their separation, prompting Jen to bring their child with her. But Jan took their daughter away from Jen. After almost two months of longing, Jen sought help from RESIBO which coordinated with Taguig City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWD) to act on the complaint. Will Jen reunite with her daughter in the end?

Meanwhile, a suspect in the killing of a barangay official in Sto. Tomas, Batangas has been in hiding for almost a decade. The suspect, known as Giovanni Mundin is considered as one of the Most Wanted fugitives in Region IV-4. Recently, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group-National Capital Region uncovered his whereabouts and they did not waste time trapping the suspect. Will the suspect finally fall and pay for the crime he had committed?

Sumangil recalled how he found out about hosting his first solo program on GMA Network after 18 years.

"Grateful for the show. I just finished praying in the church when I received a call from GMA Network. Sa halos 18 years ko sa GMA Network, gustong-gusto kong maging bahagi ng isang programa na hindi lang maghahatid ng public service sa papamagitan ng paghahatid ng balita at impormasyon kundi ako sana mismo yung kikilos at gagalaw para subaybayan ang kanilang mga hinaing hanggang sa magkaroon ito ng resolution," said Sumangil, also known as the Action Man of the network.

(In my almost 18 years at GMA Network, I would love to be a part of a program that will not only deliver public service through news and information but I would personally act and move to monitor their grievances until there is this resolution.)

Many may not know it but Sumangil is a religious person who prays the Holy Rosary.

"Yun po ang sandata ko sa pagtupad ng aking tungkulin. Pag-armado ka ng aral ng Diyos, hindi ka na maliligaw. Ibibigay niya ang lahat ng kailangan mo para maging beneficial ka rito sa mundong ibabaw at makatulong ka sa iyong kapwa," he said.

Believe it or not, Sumangil serves as a lector during the 7 a.m. mass at a church every day before he reports to work. "During the Sunday mass, commentator ang wife ko at sakristan naman 'yung mga anak ko. Hindi naman ako ex-seminarian pero ganito na po ako pinalaki."

Before Sumangil joined GMA, he worked for three years on ABS-CBN, also in the news department. He first became a segment producer on GMA until he was assigned as a reporter for the graveyard shift. "Puro crime or nasa criminal justice system ang mga storya na tinututukan ko." (My coverage is all about crime or the criminal justice system.)

Asked about the most difficult coverage of his career, Sumangil answered: "Kung pag-uusapan yung peligro, noong ako'y nasa graveyard shift, 9 pm to 5 am, kada lalabas pa lang kami ng team ko, nandun na kaagad yung peligro. Every night may disgrasya. Na-assign din ako sa Maguindanao massacre, Marawi siege, at iba pang cases na talagang pinagpiyestahan ng media."

(If we talk about the danger, when I was on the graveyard shift, from 9 pm to 5 am, every time my team and I went out, the danger was there immediately. Every night there was an accident. I was also assigned to the Maguindanao massacre, Marawi siege, and other cases that the media really celebrated.)

With his strong faith in God, Sumangil said that receiving death threats is not new to him. "With all humility, normal na lamang po ang death threat. Ilang beses na rin akong inalok ng kumpanya na bigyan ako ng security personnel pero tinatanggihan ko po. Siguro hindi naman ako dadalin ng Diyos dito kung hahayaan lamang niya ako mag-isa. Yun po ang paniniwala ko."

(Death threat is normal. The company has offered me several times to provide me with security personnel but I refuse. Maybe God will not bring me here if he just leaves me alone. That's my belief.)

Because of his coverage skills, fans believe he is being groomed as the next Mike Enriquez. According to Sumangil, Enriquez is a tough act to follow.

"Parang suntok sa buwan. Hindi po yata natin kayang pantayan or higitan si Mike Enriquez. Binigyan po ako ng platform ng GMA para ipakita ko naman yung aking kakayahan. Dito ko pagsusumikapan ibigay ang aking nalalaman kung paano ako makakatulong sa Diyos at bayan," he said. "Ginagawa po namin ang aming trabaho na walang halong personal interest. Ang storyang gagawin po namin ay hindi para sa  amin kundi para sa taong bayan para makapaghatid ng public service."

(I don't think we can match or surpass Mike Enriquez. GMA gave me a platform to show my skills. In my profession, I will try to give what I know and how I can be of service to God and the people. We're doing our work without any personal interest. The story is not for us but for the people.)

Sumangil has also earned the monicker Mr. Exclusive for out-scooping his colleagues during coverage.

"Kapag gagawa ako ng storya, ako lang sana ang meron ganun. Kung magkasabay-sabay man, merong distinct character yung ginagawa ko. So kung malaki ang coverage ko like Marawi siege or Maguindanao massacre, ayoko ng papareho lang ako sa kanila. Gusto ko merong kakaiba sa gagawin kong storya so kailangan ng mas malalim na pagsusumikap para magawa ko yung storya," he explained.

(When I do a story, I hope I'm the only one who has that. I want my story to have a distinct character. So if I have a big coverage like the Marawi siege or the Maguindanao massacre, I don't want my story to be the same as the others. I want something different so I need a deeper effort to do the story.)

Sumangil said several groups approached him about joining politics, but he declined. As far as his career is concerned, he is very satisfied.

"Marami na ang nag-alok sa akin na tumakbo pero wala po talaga akong balak na pumasok sa pulitika. Napakasaya ko sa ginagawa ko rito at sa grasya na aking tinatanggap," he said.

(Many people have offered me to run but I really have no intention of entering politics. I am very happy with what I am doing here and the grace I am receiving.)

Sumangil enjoys sports and listening to music in his spare time. "Ang spare time ko na lang po ay Saturday and Sunday. Family, music, and church. Ako po ay hard-core music lover. I collect vinyls. Pinalaki po ako sa isang very close family. Every Sunday we go to church. Sa sports mahilig po ako sa ultra-marathon at target shooting."

(I spend my spare time with my family, listening to music, and going to church. I am a hard-core music lover. I collect vinyl records. We go to church every Sunday. I participate in ultra-marathons and target shooting.)

Even with the success he has achieved in the news, Sumangil said he is a simple guy at heart. "Hindi naman sa nagbubuhat ako ng bangko, pero napaka-simpleng tao ko lang po. Nananakbo ako pauwi pagkatapos ng trabaho. Hindi ako mahilig sa mahal na sasakyan. Nagbibisikleta lang po ako. Yung libangan ko tinitiyak ko na kasama ko ang pamilya ko. Hindi ko sinu-solo ang free time ko."

(Modesty aside, I'm just a very simple person. I run home after work. I don't like expensive cars. I just ride my bike. I make sure that my family will join me in my hobbies. I don't spend my free time alone.)

Catch “Resibo: Walang Lusot Ang May Atraso” every Sunday beginning May 7, 5 PM, on GMA and GTV, with simulcast on DZBB, Super Radyo in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Palawan, General Santos and Kalibo as well as livestreaming on GMA Public Affairs YouTube channel and social media accounts. 

For complaints and grievances, the public may reach Resibo through Hotline Number: 0917-7RESIBO, Email: [email protected], Facebook: ResiboWalangLusotAngMayAtraso or visit GMA Action Center, Kapuso Center Building, GMA Network Drive, Diliman Quezon City.