Aksyon Bisaya gets new anchors

CEBU, Philippines - Starting today, TV5 Cebu's regional newscast Aksyon Bisaya will be anchored by two new faces on the local television landscape.

Atty. Frank Malilong, Jr. and Atty. Georgia Herrera will take the spot vacated by Atty. Ruphil Fernandez Bañoc and Darlanne Sino Cruz.

The program's original news presenters had been with Aksyon Bisaya since it premiered on July 25, 2011, but they had to be replaced since Bañoc's position as station manager and commentator of DYHP's Radio Mindanao Network poses a conflict to the Kapatid station's own radio affiliate Radyo Singko, while Cruz wanted to focus on running her own business.

Malilong brings along his credentials as an experienced corporate lawyer with two long-running columns and a weekday radio program "Frankahay Ta!", which airs 6 a.m-9 a.m. over Radyo Singko's 101.9 News FM.

Herrera, on the other hand, previously lent her expertise on Radyo Singko's public service and legal aid program "Tambag Ni Torni" along with Atty. Omar Redula and Atty. Briccio Boholst. The mother of two attended high school at St. Theresa's College, and is a graduate of John Cabot University in Rome, Italy and Ateneo de Manila School of Law.

The young lawyer began her legal profession with the Carpio, Villaraza, Angangco Law Offices and is now a Junior Partner of the Mandaue City-based Redula, Boholst, Sanchez Law Offices.

Herrera admits she is wading into unfamiliar territory as a TV broadcaster, but hopes her "harsh training" since December of last year will be enough to make her effectively do the job. "We will try our best to fill in the shoes of the original anchors," Herrera said.

The tandem of Malilong and Herrera will also take part in "Pagbabago 2013", TV5's most comprehensive coverage of the national elections aiming to help provide the quickest polling and result updates.

Aksyon Bisaya airs Mondays-Fridays over Central Visayas in the 5:30-6 p.m. timeslot.  (FREEMAN)