Award-winning news pillar and 24 Oras anchor Mel Tiangco remains committed to ‘Mas malaking misyon, mas malawak na paglilingkod sa bayan! (Greater mission, greater public service)’ as she renewed her contract with GMA Integrated News on April 2.

Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; President and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; and Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.

 A proud Kapuso since 1996, Tiangco has been at the forefront of delivering news and public service for more than three decades. She has anchored the newscasts Saksi and Frontpage: Ulat Ni Mel Tiangco, and is one of the pioneer anchors of the leading news program 24 Oras. Her contract renewal is made more special as the GMA’s flagship newscast marks its 20th year on air this 2024. She has also been an integral part of GMA Integrated News’ special reports and coverage on various national and global concerns.

Atty. Gozon underscored Tiangco’s undeniable contribution to Philippine media.

“Si Mel Tiangco ay accomplished at popular na bago siya lumipat sa Channel 7 noong 1996 or 28 years ago. Pero noong nakalipat na siya, lalo siyang gumaling at lalong naging popular sa kanyang pagiging news anchor ng mga evening news program ng GMA, lalo na ng ating top-rating program na 24 Oras. At ngayon, si Mel or Tita Mel as she is fondly called, ay hindi lamang icon kundi isang institution na,” says Atty. Gozon.

Duavit likewise praised Tiangco’s credibility and commitment to delivering top-notch news and unwavering public service.

“I have known Mel for many years, and after listening to the messages from her colleagues, naaalala ko na napaka-bukod tangi niya. She is so gifted, so kind, so sharing, so good at what she does. She is an inspiration not only to her colleagues. To me, she serves as a great inspiration. Para matawag kang benchmark at superhero ng iyong mga kasamahan, isa lang ang nakikilala kong talagang nararapat na ituring na ganoon. Sa milyon-milyon na natutulungan mo, sa iyong sipag, sa kabuuan ng iyong pagnanais na makatulong sa kapwa, makapagbigay ng tapat at totoong balita, sa lahat ng natutulungan mo sa aming lahat, maraming salamat for being who you are and for what you become.  We continue to be inspired by you and motivated in knowing that we have the Mel Tiangco as a Kapuso,” says Duavit.

Yalong, on the other hand, praised Tiangco for humility throughout the years.

“I’ve known Mel ever since nandoon pa kami sa other station. Hindi naging problema ang aming negosasyon. Every time that we will renew her contract, parang nag-uusap lang kami. We would talk about what happened in the past, what we are doing right now, what her concerns are, as if you’re not dealing with a superstar. We know for a fact that she’s the most credible broadcast journalist in the country right now, and even before that. Even the late Mike Enriquez would attest to that,” he shares.

Amoroso likewise thanked Tiangco for being an inspiration to the GMA Integrated News team.

“GMA Integrated News is grateful for your hardwork and dedication. Una tayong nagkatrabaho through GMA Kapuso Foundation. Maraming projects sa regions – mula Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. At ngayon, we’re working together in GMA Integrated News. You have remained to be one of the pillars of news. In fact, you have solidified your legacy as one of the most credible journalists in Philippine media. Maraming salamat, you are an inspiration not only for those on-cam, but also those behind cam. Sa mga pag-uusap natin, we’ve always been inspired. GMA Integrated News will work harder para sa ating mas malawak na misyon. Again, thank you and we are so proud to have you continue as our anchor for 24 Oras,” says Amoroso.

Tiangco’s heart is full of gratitude as she remains a loyal Kapuso.

“Mula sa kaibuturan ng puso ko, maraming-maraming salamat po sa patuloy na pagtangkilik ninyo sa 24 Oras. Ang appreciation ko po d’yan ay hindi mabibilang sa pasasalamat at ito ay naging Number 1 Filipino TV program noong 2023. Ibig sabihin po niyan, mas pinanood siya kesa sa iba pang mga programa sa buong Pilipinas. Can you just imagine ang loyalty nila sa 24 Oras? Maraming-maraming salamat at patuloy po naming gagampanan ang aming tungkulin para sa inyong lahat saan mang lugar kayo sa buong mundo. Kayo’y makakaasa na inyong mapagkakatiwalaan talaga ang 24 Oras,” she said.

Present to celebrate Tiangco’s contract renewal were GMA Integrated News Consultant Grace Dela Peña-Reyes; Vice President and Deputy Head for News Programs and Specials Michelle Seva; AVP for News Cluster 1 Tonio Magsumbol; AVP and Deputy Head for News Operations Reina Dimapawi; AVP for Integrated News, Regional TV and Synergy Administration Maria Teresa Bernabe; AVP and Deputy Head for Integrated News Social Media Team Aileen Perez; and 24 Oras Program Manager Marielle Ventura. Also in attendance was Corporate Affairs and Communications Vice President Angel Javier Cruz.

With a career spanning over 40 years, Tiangco has been regarded as one of the country’s highly esteemed news pillars. On top of her 24 Oras duties, Tiangco continues to bring heartwarming and inspiring stories through the award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman and help others via the Network’s socio-civic arm Kapuso Foundation where she currently serves as its ambassador and special adviser.

In 2019, Tiangco was the first broadcast journalist to be conferred the Rotary Peace Award, the highest honor awarded by Rotary International District 3830.

She has also been elevated to the Hall of Fame by Anak TV (Makabata Award) and EdukCircle (Outstanding Journalist in Public Service) and has been a recipient of various awards from the Philippine Movie Press Club, Soroptimist International, COMGUILD Center for Journalism, among others.

In 2023, Tiangco was honored with the “Gawad Bagani sa Larangan ng Telebisyon” at the 7th Gawad Bagani Sa Komunikasyon: Para sa Makabagong Mandirigma sa Radyo at Telebisyon by the University of the East Caloocan.