Reading the 'Reporter's Notebook'

GMA News and Public Affairs' "Reporter's Notebook" has successfully made its mark among Tuesday late-night viewers. A finalist already in the New York Festival during its first year, its hard-hitting and no-nonsense style of journalism has answered its viewers' thirst for both serious and significant programming.

And while consistently winning in the ratings game against its closest competitor, "Reporter's Notebook" left no stone unturned for its loyal followers, Talking Sides included, as the program presented its reloaded version last March.

The formidable tandem of two of the Kapuso Network's senior reporters, Jiggy Manicad and Maki Pulido, banner the new face of "Reporter's Notebook." But definitely not to be outclassed are the other GMA News and Public Affairs reporters who make up the "Reporter's Notebook" roster - Cesar Apolinario, Mark Salazar, Jun Veneracion, Ruth Cabal, Mariz Umali, Iris Cruz and Tina Panganiban-Perez.

Jiggy Manicad began writing in his college days, submitting articles for the UPLB Perspective until he finished his AB Communication Arts course with honors in 1994. In 1995, Jiggy worked his way up from night shift news desk editor, night shift police reporter, news producer and writer for "GMA Balita." Later, he became producer and reporter for "Brigada Siete." He has also produced and hosted "I-Witness," GMA's documentary program.

In 2004, Jiggy was chosen from among 800 applicants to a full scholarship in International Broadcast Journalism Course at Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom. Jiggy, along with Mike Enriquez and Howie Severino, also received the Silver Screen Award for the documentary "Sa Pusod ng Iraq" from the Directors' Guild of America.

Maki Pulido, on the other hand, is a graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in Mass Communication, major in Film. Maki began her career as a defense beat reporter from 1994 to 1998. She later moved on to cover Malacañang, and is now handling special assignments for "24 Oras" and "Saksi." She was a regular anchor of "I-Witness" documentaries before being tapped for "Reporter's Notebook." She also joined a three-week study grant in the United States, under the Asia Foundation, in 2002.

With Jiggy and Maki at the helm, "Reporter's Notebook" is set to deliver more hard-hitting exposés and no-nonsense investigative reporting - especially now that its airtime is allotted mainly for investigative stories.

"Reporter's Notebook" airs every Tuesday after "Saksi" on GMA-7.