"Reporter’s Notebook" celebrates its 20th anniversary with two special series

by GLEN P. SIBONGA

GMA Public Affairs’ long-running, award-winning investigative program “Reporter’s Notebook,” hosted by Maki Pulido  and Jun Veneracion, commemorates its 20th year on television with eye-opening special series airing for the whole month of November.

The first two-part special series, which aired on November 9 and 16, investigated the pressing issue of the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The documentary highlighted the heart-wrenching stories of Filipino fishermen and soldiers who were greatly affected by the harassment by the China Coast Guard against those going near the territory they define as their own.

This November 23 and 30, Reporter’s Notebook is set to air another special series, Nasaan ang Pera?, which sheds light on the country's publicly funded infrastructure projects. A timely special series, especially with the upcoming 2025 elections, it provides an in-depth investigation on the government's abandoned, unfinished, substandard and missing projects.

As the program celebrates a significant milestone this year, Maki expresses that Reporter’s Notebook will continue with its mission of producing relevant stories that raise awareness on the issues affecting Filipinos.

“Sa loob ng dalawang dekada, hindi lang binigyan ng Reporter’s Notebook ng boses ang mga nasa laylayan. The team produced stories that dwelt on corruption, failure in the delivery of government services, human rights violations, and abuses of those in power. Sa tingin ko, pagkatapos ng dalawang dekada, ganoon pa rin naman ang problema, kundi man lumala sa ibang bagay. So, magpapatuloy lang ang Reporter’s Notebook sa misyon niya,” she shares.

Jun, meanwhile, shares the secret behind the long-running program's success and gives viewers a hint about what to expect on the program’s 20th anniversary.

“Ang sikreto, sa tingin ko, is the show’s brand of storytelling: matapang pero may puso. May puso sa pagkuwento sa buhay at karanasan ng mga taong nasa sentro ng isyu. Pero may tapang in holding people to account. And as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, makakaasa ang audience ng mas marami pang eye-opening stories delivered with the same passion,” he says.

With its eye-opening reports that keep viewers informed and empowered, Reporter’s Notebook continues to earn notable recognitions from various award-giving bodies both locally and internationally.

The program is an 8-time New York Festivals medalist, two of which are gold medals. It was also a recipient of the following recognitions, to name a few: Highly Commended Citation by the 2019 Association for International Broadcasters in London for “Batas ng Karagatan;” Best Current Affairs Program by the 2007 Asian TV Awards in Singapore for "Giyera sa Lebanon;" and Best Documentary Program (National Level) in the 2024 Asian Academy Creative Awards for “Upuan ni Ipiw.” The program was also a finalist at the Japan Prize 2012 for “Upuan.”

Catch the 20th Anniversary Special of Reporter’s Notebook this Saturday, 11 p.m. on GMA.