Emil Sumangil gets first solo program in GMA

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran journalist Emil Sumangil recently shared his thoughts about comments that he was being “groomed” to be the next Mike Enriquez after getting his own public affairs show on GMA Network.

On Wednesday, he was introduced as the host of the multi-platform public service program Resibo: Walang Lusot Ang May Atraso, the first GMA Public Affairs show to be telecast both on radio and television, as well as on live-streaming platforms.

“Parang suntok po sa buwan mahigitan ko or mapantayan ko ang isang Mike Enriquez,” Sumangil said in response to a STAR question.

He, nevertheless, considers Enriquez (who gave him his first show on DZBB Super Radyo), along with former Kapuso reporter Michael Fajatin (for whom he was once production assistant and segment producer), as two journalists who helped him do better at his chosen profession.

“Sinamantala ko lang ang pagkakataon na ito na binigay ng opisina at magkaroon ng bagong plataporma, ng avenue, para makita rin po aking kakayahan at kung ano man ho ang kaya ko (I just took advantage of this opportunity given by the office to have a new platform, an avenue, to also show my ability and whatever I can do),” he further said of his new show.

This is Sumangil’s first time to be given a solo show on the network after almost 18 years. He previously replaced Jiggy Manicad in Quick Response Team and co-hosted Dapat Alam Mo! with Kim Atienza and Patricia Tumulak.

He recalled he was at a church when he got the call from GMA bosses to do Resibo. “(I feel) very privileged,” he said. “Sa halos 18 years ko sa GMA Network, gustong-gusto kong maging bahagi ng isang programa na hindi lang maghahatid ng public service sa pamamagitan ng paghahatid ng balita at impormasyon kundi ako sana mismo yung kikilos at gagalaw para subaybayan ang kanilang mga hinaing hanggang sa magkaroon ito ng resolution.”

(In my almost 18 years at GMA Network, I really want to be part of a program that will not only deliver public service through news and information, but will also allow me to act on and monitor grievances until they have a resolution.)

Because Resibo promises to be a proactive platform to address complaints from Filipinos here and abroad, Sumangil is expected to pursue investigations, join operations, face concerned parties, facilitate dialogues and most importantly, secure solutions.

He said he was given the marching order that Resibo should be “resolution-based,” meaning, they have to resolve every problem brought to their attention every episode. “Hindi po namin sila bibitinin (We won’t leave them hanging),” he said.

Sumangil started his journalism career with ABS-CBN, working in the news department for three years. He moved to GMA as a segment producer until he became a news reporter assigned to the criminal justice beat.

He has experienced the riskiest media coverages during graveyard shifts, while his big ones included the Marawi Siege and Maguindanao Massacre. Like any gritty journalist, he’s no stranger to death threats, especially when covering crime stories involving personalities.

He said, “Ang death threat, sa totoo lang po, with all humility, normal nalang po. Katulad ho ngayon, ako ay nakatutok sa missing sabungeros story. Bago po tayo nagsimula, may nabasa po ako na message na galit na galit po sa akin.”

(The death threat, honestly, with all humility, it’s like normal. Just like today, I’m pursuing the missing sabungeros story. Before we started, I received a message from someone who was very angry with me.)

He admitted that the company has offered him security personnel but has begged off. He trusts that God will also keep him from harm’s way. “Sa totoo lang ‘di naman ako dadalhin ng Diyos dito kung hahayaan po niya ako ma-disgrasya. Yun po, ever since, ang paniniwala ko,” he said.

On the subject of faith, The STAR asked about how much it has helped him in his journalistic work.

He said, “Yun ang sandata ko sa pang-araw-araw na pagtupad ko sa aking tungkulin. Pagka-armado ako ng aral ng Diyos, parang ‘di ka na maliligaw, ibibigay ang lahat ng kailangan mo, para maging beneficial ka sa mundong ibabaw at makatulong ka sa iyong kapwa. Ganun ka laki ang tulong kung maging malapit sa Diyos.”

(That is my weapon in the daily fulfillment of my duties. When you’re armed with the teachings of God, it seems you will not go astray, everything you need will be given to you, so that you can be beneficial to the world and you can help others. Being close to God is such a big help.)

Before he reports for work, Sumangil first serves as a Mass lector every 7 a.m. at a parish in Mandaluyong. Every Sunday, his whole family is involved as his wife is a commentator and his kids are both sacristans.

“Hindi po ako dating seminarian (laughs) pero ganito ho siguro ako pinalaki,” he also told The STAR.

Besides family and church, his other interests are sports and music. He is a hardcore music lover and vinyl collector. He also does marathons and target-shooting.

Meanwhile, when asked what advice he could offer to aspiring journalists, Sumangil said, “For me, this is like a calling. What do I mean by that, this is like the priesthood. Ito ang klaseng trabaho o tungkulin na may pananagutan ka sa lipunan, sa yong kababayan at higit sa lahat sa Diyos Ama. Puro public service. Kung ang klase po ng profession na ito, ay inakala niyo para kayo maging sikat, makuha ang ambisyon niyo at material na bagay, mukhang hindi po ito ang profession para sa iyo.”

(This is the kind of work or role where you are responsible to the society, to your countrymen, above all to God the Father. It’s pure public service. If you’re thinking that this profession will make you famous, make you achieve your ambitions and material things, it looks like this is not the profession for you.)

Meanwhile, as per media release, Sumangil takes on two urgent cases on Resibo’s pilot episode. In Taguig City, an estranged couple were battling for custody over their two-year-old daughter. Jen accused her former live-in partner Jan of physically assaulting her. This led to their separation, prompting Jen to bring their child with her. But Jan took their daughter away from Jen. After almost two months of longing, Jen sought help from Resibo which, in turn, coordinated with Taguig City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWD) to act on the complaint. Will mother and child finally reunite?

Another case is about a suspect in the killing of a barangay official in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, who has been in hiding for almost a decade. Known as Giovanni Mundin, he is considered as one of the Most Wanted fugitives in Region IV-4. Recently, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group-National Capital Region discovered his whereabouts and they did not waste time to catch the suspect. Will the suspect finally pay for his crime?

The public has also been invited to reach out to Resibo for their complaints and grievances via the hotline number 0917-7RESIBO, e-mail [email protected] and Facebook at ResiboWalangLusotAngMayAtraso. They can also visit GMA Action Center, Kapuso Center Building, GMA Network Drive, Diliman in Quezon City.

Resibo: Walang Lusot ang may Atraso premieres today at 5 p.m. on GMA, GTV, DZBB Super Radyo and GMA Public Affairs’ Facebook, YouTube and Tiktok livestream.