Emil Sumangil’s dream that came early in his career

Emil Sumangil commenced a new career role in the last quarter of 2023. That was becoming the main anchor of 24 Oras for as long as he could, definitely not for a pinch-hitting assignment.

He has been doing the post for more than a month now and is bringing his two-decade experience in broadcast journalism to deliver the news audiences should know.

Emil joins Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales, both GMA Integrated News pillars, in helping everyone make sense of breaking and developing stories here and abroad for the Kapuso network’s flagship newscast.

“Hindi pa po, nahihiya po ako (I’m not yet used to it, and I remain shy about it),” said Emil about the main anchor title bestowed on him, the latest development in his professional life, in an e-mail interview with The STAR.

With it also comes a series of adjustments from his end, emanating from the program’s timeslot and nature of work.

“Walang masyadong adjustment dahil na rin sa routine ko po before. Medyo sanay na (I have no big adjustments because of the routine I’ve had before. So, I’m used to the grind in a news program),” shared Emil, a reporter who covered the crime, conflict and disaster beats, an anchor and host for the news magazine Dapat Alam Mo! (DAM) and multi-platform investigative, public service program Resibo, respectively, and a regular pinch-hitter for 24 Oras.

“I focus more now on time management,” said he. “Dahil sa totoo lang, ngayon ko po nadarama ang kahalagahan ng isa o limang minuto (Honestly, now I’ve come to appreciate the value of having a minute or five minutes to spare and enjoy). Oras sa pamilya ang pinagtutuunan ko ngayon (I’m also focusing on spending time with my family).”

As you and I know, being the face or voice of the news requires a rigorous process and preparation, as well as genuine commitment and dedication to it. Emil also has to strike a balance between work and life.

Has the thought of being part of the GMA flagship newscast on a full-time basis ever crossed his mind?

“Minsan ko rin po pinangarap pero hindi ko po inasahan na maipagkakaloob sakin ng ganito ka aga (I also dreamed of it at times, but I didn’t expect it to be granted to me this early in my career),” answered he. “Grateful na po ako sa pagiging field reporter at magkaroon ng opportunity na mapabilang sa DAM at host ng Resibo (I am just grateful for being a field reporter and having the opportunity to be part of DAM and host of Resibo). Then, this opportunity (to become the main anchor of 24 Oras) came. Binigay nila sakin. I’m very grateful.”

Aside from watching him on 24 Oras, from Mondays to Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Emil also keeps himself busy with his radio chores.

“I’m also part of DZBB, the AM flagship radio of GMA,” said the journo. “I have a program there every Saturday, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. It’s a straight newscast.”

So, the presence of Emil can be felt in two aspects of news broadcasting, and also his well-earned moniker, that is Kapuso Action Man.

According to his team, he is “known for immersing himself in the plight of the everyday Pinoy and helping their concerns be heard.”

When asked how Emil is showcasing this in his new main anchor role, the veteran broadcast journalist had this to say: “Nung ako’y nagsisimula bilang field reporter 20 years ago, ginawa ko ng practice sa aking career ang gumawa ng istorya na patungkol sa hinaing ng tao (When I started as a field reporter 20 years ago, I made it a practice in my career to tell stories about people’s concerns).”

“Hindi lang lumikha ng istorya na i-ere kungdi bigyan ito ng resolusyon (It’s not just about creating a story to be aired, but also giving it a resolution),” added he.

“Hindi ko ito inalis sa work habit ko, at after 20 years, ito na po (I didn’t remove this from my work habits, and after 20 years, this is it). Ang pagkakaiba — may pangalan (Kapuso Action Man) na. Makakatulong kasi siyempre yung tiwala ng tao lalong titibay, lalaganap pa ang serbisyo publiko. (The difference now is that it has a name. It will help, of course, in further strengthening people’s trust, and public service will become even more widespread.)”

His work as a broadcast journalist, specifically as a field reporter and host, has been recognized by different award-giving bodies.

Based on the information given to this paper, Emil was named Best Field Reporter at the 2018 U.P. Gandingan Awards and the Outstanding TV News Reporter by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption. He also received the Gawad Justice Felix Angelo award from the Philippine College of Criminology Alumni Association, Inc.

His 24 Oras report, titled Justiis: Condominium Behind Bars, about the state of the highly-congested Sta. Rosa City District Jail, gave GMA Network a nomination at the 59th Golden Nymph Awards of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco.

He was the recipient of the Outstanding TV News Magazine Host award at the 2022 Gawad Pilipino Icon Awards and the Grandes Figuras (Outstanding Alumnus) award during the Alumni Awards of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 2019.

With his rich experience as a field reporter, an anchor, and a host, Emil Sumangil is a welcome addition to the GMA flagship newscast that keeps viewers informed and updated on what’s going on in the country and beyond.