Karen Davila: The woman behind Headlines

Controversy dogged her, since Day One of her transfer from GMA 7 to ABS-CBN 2. Not that the quiet, hardworking Karen Davila asked for it. It’s just that making a splash (read: dramatic entrance) is inevitable for someone as devoted to her work as this award-winning broadcast journalist is.

When ABS gave her a red carpet welcome by hosting a press conference to announce the network’s newest prized find, Karen watchers were telling her she will eventually host the public service program Barangay Dos solo, since her co-host then, Kiko Pangilinan, was eyeing a senatorial post.

As we all know by now, that prophecy was fulfilled.

Then, talks were rife that she looms as a threat to the Star Network’s longer-staying Korina Sanchez. Karen continues to pooh-pooh that observation until now.

"To each his own," she shrugs. "Whatever it is, I understand."

It’s easy for Karen to show magnanimity at this point of her career.

After all, the 30-year-old Karen has no time nor reason to fret over intrigues. She has a whole new world beckoning at her. And that is the world of news anchoring for the late-night news broadcast ABS-CBN Headlines (Wednesdays, 10:30 p.m.). As news anchor, Karen is expected to draw on her extensive experience from the widely-viewed The Correspondents, to delve into "stories that matter," complete with all the juicy details that go with it.

Headlines has a smorgasbord of segments which promises to serve a more appetizing dish for night owls. Added regular features include The Headline Story, a fast-paced report on the day’s most noteworthy events; The Inside Story, which offers juicy information on topics like government corruption and waste, and the real story behind the government’s questionable moves and interviews with Headlines’ "insiders": sources, sometimes anonymous, who talk about the headline-grabbers and their "inside" role in it.

Already, ideas are whirling in Karen’s mind. The reporter in her smells a juicy, attention-grabbing story on deposed president Joseph Estrada. If he were to turn back the hands of time, what won’t he do again? Where does he think he went wrong? Karen wants to find out, straight from the horse’s mouth.

Expect Karen to have the tenacity of a bull when following a story. Didn’t she wait seven to eight hours for the elusive Mark Jimenez to grant her an exclusive interview for The Correspondents, his first television appearance ever?

Wasn’t it also Karen who aired an exclusive interview with architect Chito Antonio and landscape artist Shirley Sanders, which unmasked Estrada as the widely-believed owner of the Boracay mansion?

She might as well be called "Miss Expose." But no thanks, Karen would rather be known as a "fair, credible, accurate journalist who handles herself with integrity."

She never knew her inner strength until her entry to ABS-CBN put her right smack in the middle of intrigues. Not that danger is something new to her.

Karen had her share of death threats, and on-the-air scolding from Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, who lambasted her for a report aired on The Correspondents. But when she talked to the controversial whistle blower two days after, the anger was gone.

That’s when Karen concluded: it’s all part of a day’s work, nothing personal.

One must learn to move on. So move on Karen does.

"How can you excel in what you’re doing if you’re stuck in intrigues?" Karen reasons out.

Like most journalists, she has her share of stories she’s not that excited to do. Among them are stories centering on sex, which she finds "too personal and private sometimes."

The self-described "low-maintenance" person knows she is up against the more veteran Mel Tiangco, whose show, Front Page, is expected to keep Karen up on her toes all the time.

But she sees it more as a challenge to her and her team of correpondents rather than a morale-dampener. Quick to give credit where credit is due, Karen concedes her efforts will go to waste without her team behind her.

This group of bright young ‘uns are made up of familiar names like Erwin Tulfo, Gus Abelgas, Gigi Grande, Carmelita Valdez, Dindo Amparo, Mario Dumawal, Weng Orejana and Tony Velasquez.

Together, they will go for broke. And, in this most interesting of times, that would mean a lot of gumption and work.