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Korina Sanchez Roxas on threats, risks, and taking 60 different supplements every day

Published Jun 7, 2025 11:52 pm
Korina Sanchez Roxas at the Vatican (Images courtesy of Instagram)
Korina Sanchez Roxas at the Vatican (Images courtesy of Instagram)
Award-winning broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas is currently on a season break from her shows, including "Tic Talks," "Good Will," and "Face to Face." 
During lunch with the entertainment press at Bahay na Puti in Araneta City on June 6, Korina discussed the evolving landscape of journalism. She shared how she adapted to new reporting methods while maintaining her relevance in the industry.
"The most important thing you can teach your child is to adapt to change. Change is the only constant. Kung hindi ka marunong mag-adapt sa change, maiiwan ka. (If you don't know how to adapt to change, you will be left behind)," "Korina said when she started talking about changes.
She remembered facing unexpected challenges and how quickly she changed her mindset and actions. She demonstrated her ability to adapt to change as she navigated new environments, acquired new skills, and formed connections with people around her.
"Hindi pa ako umalis ng ABS-CBN noon before nag-iisip na ako ng next step ko. Mabuti na lang at ganun ang training ko. Survival mode ako palagi. I was an executive producer at ABS-CBN for a long time. Hindi lang ako talent. I was battle-ready. (I hadn't even left ABS-CBN before I was thinking about my next step. It's a good thing that my training was like that. I was always in survival mode. I was an executive producer at ABS-CBN for a long time. I wasn't just a talent)," Korina said. "I'm not competitive. I do my own thing at my own pace. I want it fast."
Journalism then and now
Korina characterized today's journalism as "fluid," a stark contrast to her previous experiences. With the influence of social media, she emphasizes the necessity of discipline in all endeavors.
"It's still important to be disciplined. In any skill, you require training and discipline. If you don't have that, you can explode in all directions. Going to school and finishing a course is discipline. It's important para mahusay ang pagkatao mo.
"Journalism now is very fluid. The kind of journalism that I knew then is dead for me. Ibang-iba na talaga ngayon. Compared to discipline before, hindi ito papasa sa akin. (It's different now. Compared to discipline before, I wouldn't allow it.)
"Pero dahil pabilisan na ngayon, parang wala ng oras para pahinugin ang storya. Wala na rin follow through or investigation. Meron pa naman pero hindi tulad ng dati na palaliman ng investigation. Ngayon medyo uurong ka kasi baka mapag-initan ka. (But because it's being rushed now, it seems like there's no time to let the story mature. There's also no follow through or investigation. There's still an investigation, but it's not as in-depth as before. Now you'll have to back off a bit because they might pick on you.)
"Journalism before doesn't mean there's no good in it. You must continue to strive to be factual. Facts are facts. You cannot change them. You can interpret them or angle them, but facts are facts. So be factual. Get all the facts straight from as many sides as you can," she said.
Cardinal Tagle and Korina Sanchez Roxas
Cardinal Tagle and Korina Sanchez Roxas
Risky coverage
Korina recalled the time she covered a story that her bosses deemed too risky for her.
"I was following a drug trail. Where did the source come from? No one wanted to do it, and I ended up in Ozamis. Kuratong Baleleng. I remember the management stopped me. Because it was too dangerous, in those days, they gave that kind of assignment to the boys.
"So one time, I interviewed Sofronio Vasquez. He said, 'I'm from Ozamiz.' I said, 'Oh! Kuratong Baleleng!' He said, 'You know, Miss K, I am proud to say that the founder of Kuratong Baleleng is my grandfather. Let them say what they want to say,' he said, but all I know is that my grandfather loves me very much.' He said this on-air," Korina said.
The broadcaster also faced threats during her early career as a journalist. "I had a death threat before, but I don't remember how I got it. I said, 'If you were going to be killed, why would they let you know?' So I feel like it's nothing. But there was a black vehicle parked in front of the building where I live. Then it just disappeared."
Korina was a prominent figure in surveys for senatorial candidates. However, she is not interested in politics, citing the current unusual political climate.
"Ang gulo ng pulitika ngayon. Parang nakakatakot sumabak kung hindi malakas ang paninindigan mo. (Politics is chaotic these days. It seems scary to get involved if you don't have a strong stance). Can you stand to be independent? Will the system allow independent-minded individuals to succeed? I'm questioning the results. I'm just hearing it from people. When it comes to commentary, I'm very careful," she added.
Papal coverage
Korina shared her papal coverage, during which she had to handle everything at the Vatican because her male companion was unable to obtain his visa.
"Thankfully, other Filipinos were helping me there. I felt like I was 25 years old again, reporting. I wrote everything and did the makeup. I was also the producer and did the lineup. I was also the one who found people to interview. My cameraman, who came from Europe, bought other equipment," she said.
Many people at the Vatican hoped Cardinal Luis Tagle would be proclaimed the new pope, according to Korina, who had already covered three papal conclaves in her career.
"Many foreign press outlets thought that Cardinal Tagle would make it. They call him Tagel. Then I met this Italian who is the author of seven books on Pope Francis. I interviewed him. He said, 'I want Tagle to make it.' Tagle had a chance because many people believed it was him," she said.When the white smoke finally emerged after the conclave, Korina thought it truly was Tagle.
"I told my companion, 'If Tagle wins, we'll have one more week.' When the name was mentioned, we pretended not to hear. Everyone fell silent, confused, and lost in thought until acceptance settled in," she said.
Korina recalled meeting fellow Filipino broadcaster Jessica Soho of GMA Network at the Vatican. Their photo together became viral, earning praise from netizens for their professionalism.
On rivalry with Jessica, Korina said: "Sa tao na lang siguro 'yun. Magkaibigan naman kami ni Jessica. Hindi naman kami nagtatawagan at nagte-text. But when I see her, we're very friendly. (Let the people talk about it. Jessica and I are friends. We don't call or text each other, but when I see her, we're very friendly)," she said.
Health and wellness
Korina, who also headlines "Agenda" with Plinky Recto on the Bilyonaryo Channel,  makes sure to prioritize her health, despite her busy schedule.
She mentioned that she takes about 60 health supplements each day as part of her commitment to wellness.
Korina revealed that she underwent stem cell procedures in her 30s, 40s, and twice during her 50s. Gradually, she has learned to avoid burnout by following simple guidelines.

"Nobody can call or text me beyond 8 p.m. And I don’t want to work beyond 8 p.m. Nobody can text or call me before 9 a.m. Siguro lahat nasa Netflix, lahat sa platform napanood ko na. Kasi ‘yun ang bakasyon ko eh. (I've probably watched everything on Netflix, everything on the platform. Because that's my vacation)," she added.

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