A closer look at Vicky Morales (1st of 2 parts)

We see her deliver the news every night via Saksi on GMA-7. A very engaging and credible news anchor at that, she has received numerous awards as newscaster. On Saturdays she grants wishes, she reaches to the needy via “Wish Ko Lang.” On Sunday nights she dishes out positive features on GMA News TV via “Good News.” In other words Vicky Morales is all over our television sets the entire week. Does she even have time for her family? How does she balance domestic responsibilities and professional chores?

A passionate mother and wife, as well as media personality, Vicky shares she wants to be remembered in the industry as “someone who was sincere and fair on the people she reported about, and someone who loves her craft very much.”

In this exclusive interview, Vicky, who gave birth to twin boys Leon Alfonso and Filippo Luis March 19, 2008, via caesarian section, passionately answers questions about competition and comparison, stories she wants to do, family matters, a lot more. Does she get angry? For a start she hates inefficiency. Read on:

The Freeman Entertainment (TFE): You look very sweet and friendly on TV, what makes you angry?

Vicky: Not many things make me angry kasi I’m a naturally positive person. Kahit yung mga nagkakaroon ng kasalanan sa akin in the past, nakakalimutan ko ng mabilis unless someone reminds me. Other than that, hindi naman nagtatagal. I have very short memory when it comes to things like that and I think it is really a blessing. But one thing that makes me angry is inefficiency. Another one is when I see other people — who are not supposed to be offended — get offended. When I see people hurting others unnecessarily, I stand up for them. ‘Pag nakikita ko na may nasasaktang tao, nagagalit ako.

TFE: You have such a sunny disposition, kailan ka huling umiyak at bakit?

Vicky: Last time I cried nung nakita ko na may ginagawang super cute yung anak ko. It’s funny because tears of joy ‘yon. Parang nung nakita ko na nag-perform sila sa program, when I saw them sing and do such ordinary things, nata-touch ako and nagkakaroon ako ng flashback na ‘wow dati ang liit-liit lang nilang baby pero ngayon they’ve grown so fast.’Tears of joy nga talaga. My twins just turned four years old last week; I decided to throw a simple birthday party for them and their friends. What’s funny is that they grow so fast. Yung mga pantalon na binili ko sa kanila months ago, bitin na ngayon. (Laughs).

TFE: You grant wishes through your show, ano ang pinaka wish mo na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa natutupad?

Vicky: I am very happy with my life right now so I cannot ask for anything else. Siguro ang mahihiling ko na lang ay ang maging mabuti akong ina para mapalaki ko ‘yung mga anak ko ng mahusay at sana mag-excel sila sa school at maging mabuti silang tao at mahalin sila ng maraming tao hindi lang ng mga friends nila. And I just wish for a happy and healthy future for all of the people that I love.

TFE: How do you view tough competition in terms of ratings?

Vicky: Well I am just very blessed that my show “Good News” in GMA News TV is ranking 5th in the ratings. It didn’t come easily kasi because when we started off, we were not even in the top 10. ‘Yung mas na-appreciate ko is yung effort ng team na unti-unti naming na-reach yung niche namin. I’m happy sa lahat ng effort ng buong team, which is a very industrious team na talagang ang mga tao ay go-getters and mga fighters. And now I can say that we’re going to the right direction. Though very competitive talaga in terms of ratings, I think everyone is driven to keep doing better.

TFE: What’s your take on the need for broadcasters to look glamorous on TV just like showbiz stars?

Vicky: I think TV is a visual medium. So hindi ka talaga pwedeng mukhang ‘losyang.’ Kasi sayang naman yung content nung sinasabi mo. Dahil titingnan ka muna ng viewers before nila pakinggan yung sinasabi mo. There was a study na ang unang tinitignan ng mga tao ay yung buhok, yung mukha, tapos yung suot, bago pa nila pakinggan yung sinasabi mo. So kung pasado ka lahat dun, saka pa lang nila pakikinggan yung sinasabi mo. So imagine if yung appearance medyo hindi pleasing, there’s a chance that your message will not come across. So I think hindi mo masasabi na dahil vain lang, kailangan mo talagang gamitin yung ‘tools’ to your advantage.  

TFE: If you were to do an investigative show, who will be your first subject and why?

Vicky: Ang mga ginagawa ko dati for I-Witness, I think that’s the closest I’ve done to investigative journalism, ay more on kids and women – yung how society marginalizes women. Basically more on women and children because for me, ito yung mga hindi masyadong nabibigyan ng pansin. Tapos whatever comes along, kasi usually yung researchers, they look into possible stories na hindi pa nagagawa and bago sa pandinig ng mga tao. It depends also on the political climate or whatever is popular at that time. Pero off-hand, I can say na dun sa mga na-handle ko sa I-Witness, ay more on women and children, and also senior citizens.