Friday, March 29, 2024

Veteran Broadcast Journalists, Industry Leaders Honor Flores’ Leadership

Veteran Broadcast Journalists, Industry Leaders Honor Flores’ Leadership

Spotlight

How do you feel about this story?

Express Your Reaction
Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

Leading in humility and Serbisyong Totoo.

There are a lot of adjectives to describe Marissa Flores as Senior Vice President of GMA News and Public Affairs, but ‘humility’ and ‘Serbisyong Totoo’ (public service) may be the closest words that resonate to everyone who had the privilege of working with her in the past three decades.

Her leadership has led GMA’s News and Public Affairs group to become the country’s most awarded and most credible broadcast news organization – both on air and online. Her team has produced some of the most groundbreaking programs on Philippine TV, from news to documentaries, investigative programs, news magazine, and even reality shows, game shows, talk shows, and drama series.

And as Flores begins another chapter of her life and retires from the Network, some of the country’s top broadcast journalists, as well as her colleagues, share their heart-warming thoughts about the person whom they fondly call ‘MLF.’

 

She always had a ‘North’

For Jessica Soho, aside from ‘a strong and solid trail of winning and good programs,’ Flores’ most important legacy is her values and character.

“Values that reflect not only in the quality of the programs we have in News and Public Affairs but also in how we conduct ourselves personally and professionally,” says Soho. “[These include] doing what’s right, working hard, being honest, and treating people kindly and fairly.”

Flores, Soho says, always had a ‘North.’

“Malinaw sa kaniya kung ano ang tama kaya tama rin na sa kaniyang pamumuno nabuo ang mga tagline na “Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan, walang kasinungalingan” at “Dapat Tama”.

“She has always been humble and unassuming. Sa aking palagay, ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit siya nakabuo ng mahusay na team. She was able to draw out the best in her people and has always allowed them to shine. Under her watch, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho has maintained its position in the top three programs in NUTAM since pre-pandemic. 24 Oras emerged in the overall top five programs in 2020 and has consistently been in the top ranks to date. For January to September 2022, the top three programs of the network in NUTAM are all produced by News and Public Affairs (NAPA): 24 Oras, Lolong, and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (Based on Nielsen Phils. TV Audience Measurement). Our other programs in NAPA are also at the top of their game and even consistently win awards for the network, both here and abroad.”

 

‘No one is left behind’

Vicky Morales also admires how Flores has always been hands-on. Morales remembers how she and Flores spend the wee hours in the morning exchanging hard copies of the script for I-Witness in 1999.

“I had just joined I-Witness as one of the hosts. Madaling araw ko na usually natatapos sa office yung pagdraft ng scripts para sa episode. At dahil wala pang yahoo o gmail dati, gigisingin ko si MLF ng mga 3am para i-proofread ang isinulat ko. Ilulusot ko yung script sa bakod sa labas ng old newsroom, tapos sasaluhin ni MLF sa kabila kasi malapit dun yung townhouse niya dati. Tapos ibabalik niya sa akin ober da bakod uli.”

Being on Flores’ team means no one gets left behind. “She taught us how to be fair and tough, yet kind and compassionate at the same time. She led with integrity and never left anyone behind, even during the most challenging of times,” shares Morales.

“I will also never forget how, after every remote coverage, she would text warm words of thanks for the hard work. These little gestures of appreciation always provided an energy boost. Nakakapawi talaga siya ng pagod para sa amin,” she adds.

 

She believes in you

“Kapag naniwala sa ‘yo si Ma’am Marissa, paninindigan ka niya hanggang sa huli. Siya ang naniniwala sa akin na mula sa radyo ay puwede akong mag-telebisyon,” says Arnold Clavio, referring to his first TV program Brigada Siete.

“Siya ang naniwala sa akin na kaya kong gumising ng umaga (Unang Hirit), at na mas guwapo ako kay Edu Manzano (for Emergency).” Clavio further adds, it was Flores who believed that he can have a talk show, hence the birth of “Tonight with Arnold Clavio,” and that Arnold can stay up to provide viewers news every night. “Siya ang naniwala sa akin na kaya kong magpuyat ng may responsabilidad (Saksi)”.

“Kaya it’s crystal clear, I AM NOTHING without Ma’m Marissa. Thank you for believing in me at dahil sa paniniwalang yan, napasaya ko ang mga magulang ko at ang pamilya ko.

Flores, he says, taught him how to love one’s job. “Dapat buong-buo and your work will love you back.”

“Tinuruan niya rin ako papaano irespeto ang paniniwala ng iba. Na walang monopolya ng kaalaman. At kung pagsasamahin ang lakas ng isipan ng bawat isa, ito ay magreresulta sa mas epektibong at mabungang pagsasama.”

 

Humble leader

“In a way, Marissa Flores represented a counterculture in television. In an industry full of egos, she had next to none. She had a simple lifestyle, kept a low profile, and rarely even wore makeup. She wasn’t into selfies,” shares Howie Severino.

Flores’ example kept them grounded, he adds. It reminded them of what really mattered.

“It was not fame or fortune, but a steady application of bedrock values. Foremost were honesty and fairness. If you broke any rules, you’d hear from her in a firm but unthreatening manner. No matter how grave the violation, no one was shamed, especially in front of others. I’ve never heard her raise her voice, and say a mean thing about anybody, even privately,” adds Howie.

“In an environment that could have been toxic and cutthroat, she sought to create a humane place, where people cared about each other and helped one another when in need. Safety was a constant concern. From this wellspring of humanity, one drew inspiration to strive and serve.”

 

‘Do what is right.’

“In many moments of management crisis over the years — everything from on air disasters to harassment cases to outright corruption, you name it, we’ve faced it — I would come to her office, sometimes in shock, sometimes in tears, asking what I should do,” says GMA’s First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon.

“Her response was always something along the lines of ‘Find the truth’ or ‘Tell the truth.’ Always ending with these words: ‘Do what is right.’ In a wide variety of situations, this consistent advice never failed.”

Valdellon also shares how Flores showed her unwavering support to them. “She loved our crazy ideas. She encouraged our forays into digital news, immersive graphics, reality series, game shows, talk shows, anthologies, historical dramas, soaps, films, podcasts, and all the social media platforms that cropped up over the years.

“She was proud of our every achievement. She took us to task, but kindly, for our many mistakes. She was the kind of leader who cheered on the sidelines so that we could take the stage and shine.”

“Hers is a quiet brilliance because at her core, she is a journalist, and has remained so through the years,” says Senior Assistant Vice President for GMA News and Public Affairs Digital Media Jaemark Tordecilla. “Her first priority is always getting the facts right and telling the truth, her biggest concern is how our productions would be of service to the people.”

Jaemark reveals how Flores empowered him to lead the Network’s digital news team: “She was never one for motivational speeches, but her guidance was there at every step: encouraging me, challenging me, and allowing me to take up the space as the digital person in a traditional television organization. She did it not just for me, but for my whole team.”

From being a documentary and special reports researcher to becoming the head of GMA Network News and Public Affairs, Flores ends a chapter of her Kapuso life with much respect and love from everyone – on air and off cam.

Express Your Reaction
Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

Latest News

Spotlight

Angeles

Pampanga Provides Free Medical Services To 2.2K Women Health Volunteers

Governor Dennis Pineda spearheaded a medical mission at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, providing over 2,200 women health volunteers in Pampanga with free diagnostic services as part of Women’s Month celebrations.

161st Malasakit Center Opened To Public In Bulacan Town

Inaasahang mas maraming Bulakenyos ang makakatanggap ng tulong medikal sa pagbubukas ng ika-161 na Malasakit Center sa Bulacan.

DOH Opens 1st Urgent Care, Ambulatory Service Center In Philippines

Kauna-unahang Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service center sa Pilipinas ay binuksan na sa Pampanga!

Pampanga Governor Readies PHP51 Million For El Niño Response

Aprubado ng Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ang PHP51 milyon budget upang tugunan ang epekto ng El Niño sa probinsya.

Bacolod

RPOC-6 Backs ‘Stable Internal Peace, Security’ Declaration For Negros Occidental

Pinagtibay ng Regional Peace and Order Council sa Western Visayas ang deklarasyon ng estado ng seguridad at kapayapaan sa probinsya.

Negros Occidental Sets Monthly ‘Kadiwa Ng Pangulo’ Markets

Ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Negros Occidental ay nagtakda ng buwanang “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” markets mula Marso hanggang Hunyo ngayong taon.

More Renewable Energy Projects To Be Developed In Negros

Negros Occidental anticipates over 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects in the next 15 years, as per data from the Department of Energy.

Panaad Festival Marks ‘Better, Brighter Days’ For Negros Occidental

Isang buwan na lang bago ang pagdaraos ng 2024 Panaad Festival sa Negros at nagkaisa ang mga pinuno ng lalawigan na ilunsad ang “festival of all festivals” sa Capitol Park and Lagoon sa Negros Occidental.

BAGUIO

Mineral Mining Deal To Bring Jobs To Cordillera

Ang pag-apruba ng mineral production sharing agreement sa isang mining corporation ay nagsasabing makakatulong sa pag-unlad ng mga residente sa lugar.

Aid Continues As Ifugao Declares State Of Calamity Over El Niño

Nagsimula na ang Department of Agriculture sa Cordillera Region na magbigay ng tulong sa mga magsasaka ng palay at mais na naapektuhan ng tagtuyot.

Benguet Brings Government Services Closer To People

Upang mas mapalapit ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga tao, dinala ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Benguet ang iba’t ibang tanggapan sa Sablan sa pamamagitan ng HEALTHIER caravan.

15-Megawatt Energy Project To Help Baguio City On Waste Management

PHP3 billion budget sa Benguet ay inilaan sa waste-to-energy project upang tulungang mabawasan ang gastos sa pangangasiwa ng basura sa lugar.

Batangas

Department Of Agriculture Helping Calabarzon Farmers Remain Productive Amid El Niño

Pinatutupad ng Department of Agriculture sa Calabarzon ang iba’t ibang hakbang upang bawasan ang epekto ng El Niño sa mga magsasaka sa rehiyon at siguruhing makapagtatanim sila sa panahon ng tag-init.

Doctors School Mindoro Health Workers On Breast Cancer Detection

Mga doktor mula sa Mindoro ay nagbahagi ng kanilang kaalaman sa pag-iwas at maagang pagsusuri ng kanser sa suso sa mga health worker sa mga barangay sa gitna ng kamakailang pagdami ng mga kaso nito.

Batangas’ Mt. Maculot Still Off Limits To Lenten Pilgrims, Tourists

PAALALA: Ang Mt. Maculot ay hindi pa maaaring pasyalan ngayong Holy Week ng mga deboto at turista dahil patuloy pa ang rehabilitasyon at reforestation nito.

Department Of Agriculture Strengthens Linkage Of Calabarzon Farmers To Buyers

Hinihikayat ng Department of Agriculture sa Calabarzon ang mga lokal na magsasaka na makilahok sa Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation Program upang mas madagdagan pa ang kanilang kaalaman sa pagsasaka at negosyo.

Cagayan de Oro

Surigao Del Sur Residents To Benefit From PHP101.3 Million Seawall Project

Inaasahan na ang PHP101.3 million-budget para sa pagpapatayo ng seawall ay makakapagbigay proteksyon sa mga residente ng Marihatag sa Surigao del Sur.

Nearly 4K Women, Students In Misamis Oriental Get Government Aid

Halos 4,000 na mga kababaihan at mag-aaral sa Misamis Oriental ang tumanggap ng iba’t ibang uri ng tulong mula sa gobyerno, kasama na ang cash assistance.

Bagong Pilipinas Fair Brings Aid To 80K Agusan Del Norte, Butuan Residents

Inaasahan ng pamahalaan na paglingkuran ang mahigit sa 80,000 residente mula sa mga barangay sa Butuan City at bayan ng Agusan del Norte sa dalawang-araw na Bagong Pilipinas Service Fair sa probinsya.

Dinagat Allocates PHP7 Million For Development Of Multispecies Hatchery

Upang palakasin ang kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda, naglaan ang Dinagat Islands ng karagdagang badyet na PHP7 milyon para sa multi-species marine hatchery project sa probinsya.

CEBU

DILG-Eastern Visayas Ties Up With Maasin School For Satisfaction Survey

Ang Department of the Interior and Local Government ay nakipag-ugnayan sa pribadong Saint Joseph College upang isagawa ang 2024 Citizen Satisfaction Index System sa Southern Leyte.

Government Kicks Off Construction Of Samar Island Medical Center

Simulan na ang konstruksyon ng Samar Island Medical Center sa Calbayog City na nagkakahalaga ng PHP477.68 milyon.

DOST Pushes Science Tourism In Leyte

Leyte unveils plans for science tourism, identifying over 15 sites to promote awareness and appreciation of science, technology, and innovation through educational tourism.

MCIA Transitions To ‘Silent Airport’ For Serene But Enjoyable Travel

Mactan Cebu International Airport is evolving into a ‘silent airport,’ fostering a tranquil environment for travelers in Central Visayas.

DAVAO

North Cotabato Indigents, Students Receive PHP10 Million From DSWD

Nakatanggap ng tulong pinansyal na umabot sa PHP10 milyon ang mga residente at estudyante sa Cotabato, sa pamamagitan ng Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation ng DSWD.

New Davao Top Cop To Enhance Modern Policing Practices

Ang bagong direktor ng Davao City Police Office ay patuloy na nakipag-ugnay at pinapahusay ang mga modernong inisyatibo sa pagpapatupad ng batas sa lungsod.

United Arab Emirates Donates PHP55 Million Aid To Davao De Oro Landslide Victims

The UAE government extends aid to Barangay Masara landslide victims in Davao de Oro, donating PHP55 million worth of relief goods, reports the 10th Infantry Division.

28K Security Officers Enlisted For Holy Week In Davao City

Matapos ang matagumpay na pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Dabaw, maglalabas naman ng 27,997 na mga pulis at force multipliers ang Davao City Police Office upang tiyakin ang ligtas at maayos na paggunita ng Holy Week at Ramadan.

DAGUPAN

BFAR-Initiated Fishing Tech Boosts Livelihood Of Ilocos Fisherfolk

Isang eco-friendly na lambat ang nagpadami sa huli ng isda sa mga taga-Ilocos Norte.

DSWD Begins Distribution Of Grants To 3K Egay-Hit Families In Ilocos

Nagsimula na ang DSWD sa pagbibigay ng livelihood assistance settlement grants sa mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng Bagyong Egay.

Ilocos Norte Cops All Set For Holy Week

Ang mga tauhan ng Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office ay nasa full alert status para masiguro ang ligtas at makahulugang biyahe sa panahon ng Semana Santa.

More Than 2K Join Fun Run To Bring Light To Poor Families

Nakatiyak na makakakuha ng solar lights ang ilang mga pamilyang benepisyaryo ng 4Ps matapos sumali ang mahigit sa 2,000 runners mula sa lungsod sa isang fund-raising run mula sa Laoag City Hall patungong Buttong road nitong Biyernes.

ILOILO

Iloilo City Ready To Be Declared ‘Locally’ Free From African Swine Fever

Ang Pamahalaan ng Iloilo City ay handa nang magdeklara ng ASF-free sa kanilang lugar.

Ancillary Reserve To Ensure Stable Power Supply In Iloilo City

Ipinapakiusap ng pamahalaan ng Iloilo City ang agarang pag-apruba sa ancillary reserve agreement sa pagitan ng More Electric and Power Corporation at Global Business Power Corporation para sa mas stable na suplay ng kuryente sa lugar.

New Health Facility To Serve 10 Remote Iloilo Villages

Sampung liblib na barangay sa Iloilo province ang makikinabang sa bagong Super Health Center na itatayo sa lugar.

Emergency Employment Sustains Iloilo City’s Cleanup Drive

Ang emergency employment mula sa Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers ay nakatulong sa Iloilo City na mapanatili ang kanilang kampanya para sa malinis na kapaligiran.

NAGA

Iloilo City Ready To Be Declared ‘Locally’ Free From African Swine Fever

Ang Pamahalaan ng Iloilo City ay handa nang magdeklara ng ASF-free sa kanilang lugar.

Ancillary Reserve To Ensure Stable Power Supply In Iloilo City

Ipinapakiusap ng pamahalaan ng Iloilo City ang agarang pag-apruba sa ancillary reserve agreement sa pagitan ng More Electric and Power Corporation at Global Business Power Corporation para sa mas stable na suplay ng kuryente sa lugar.

New Health Facility To Serve 10 Remote Iloilo Villages

Sampung liblib na barangay sa Iloilo province ang makikinabang sa bagong Super Health Center na itatayo sa lugar.

Emergency Employment Sustains Iloilo City’s Cleanup Drive

Ang emergency employment mula sa Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers ay nakatulong sa Iloilo City na mapanatili ang kanilang kampanya para sa malinis na kapaligiran.

Olongapo

More Kadiwa Pop-Up Stores Underway As PHLPost Supports Department Of Agriculture

Mga mamimili makakamura sa mga bilihin dahil sa pagbukas ng isang Kadiwa site ng PHLPost bilang suporta sa Department of Agriculture.

Serbisyo Fair Rolls Out PHP500 Million In Aid, Services To 80K Zambaleños

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair makes a significant impact in Zambales, rolling out PHP500 million in cash aid, livelihood packages, scholarships, and various government programs benefiting around 80,000 people.

Monitoring, Profiling Of Rice Retailers Underway In Zambales

Two government agencies joined forces with local agencies to monitor rice retailers, implementing a price cap to provide relief to affected sellers.

Salt Producers In Zambales, Aurora Adopt Solar Technology

Salt producers in Central Luzon embrace solar technology, revolutionizing production and paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient salt industry.