By Nickie Wang
Manila Standard Today
2 May 2008
“Hindi ka namin tatantanan!” has become like a mantra for most people. It is spoken by many in the manner that only Mike Enriquez can deliver it with a threatening boom in his voice.
With his popularity among all age groups, plus the recognition as a media practitioner both from here and abroad, and not to mention the top-rating television programs 24 Oras and Imbestigador, Mike Enriquez is the undisputed King of the Philippine Primetime Newscast.
Born on Sept. 29, 1951 in Santa Ana, Manila as Miguel Castro Enriquez, Mike is currently the senior vice president for radio of GMA Network, and president of RGMA Network Inc., an affiliate of GMA that manages the network’s regional TV and radio operations. He joined the network in 1995 when he became one of the news anchors of then early evening newscast Saksi, now the network’s late-evening newscast. Among the programs that he previously anchored and co-anchored were GMA Network News and I-Witness.
Currently, Mike anchors 24 Oras with Mel Tiangco, Imbestigador, the investigative show that airs every Saturday night, Review Philippines on QTV 11 and on GMA’s flagship radio station dzBB’s the early morning weekday program Saksi sa Dobol B.
Early career
Mike’s stint in broadcasting began in 1969 when he visited a friend in Manila Broadcasting Co. The visit was an eye opener for Mike who discovered his interest in radio. He eventually worked as a staff announcer in the same station. Since then, his career has flourished, working his way in various fields in broadcasting and journalism. He became a broadcast reporter, a news editor, program director, station manager, and a senior manager of a radio network. He also became the general manager of FBS Radio Network and vice president of Radio Mindanao Network. He has also taught Broadcast Management at De La Salle University, his alma mater where he finished a degree in AB Liberal Arts in Commerce in 1973.
As a radio announcer, his voice had already made an inedible mark among listeners, and now, his signature closing spiel “Hindi ka namin tatantanan,” and the interjection “Excuse me po”, Mike has even become part of the Filipino psyche.
Personal life
Mike describes his childhood as “destructive to a certain extent.” It’s not that his childhood was corrupted or he had traumatic experiences. Just like any other kings, Mike was stubborn as a prince. As the eldest of three, he was an ultra-hyper kid.
“Every time relatives knew we were coming, they would keep all the breakable items as if a super typhoon were headed their way.” Mike recalled.
He explained that every time his family visited the homes of relatives, he would always play with every piece of decoration including breakables—ceramics, glass and even vinyl phonograph records. He would almost always smash or break a piece or two.
He never thought of making a career in media, but he enjoyed what he was doing and he has developed a passion for the job. He looked up to prominent media icons like Louie Beltran, (Ka) Doroy Valencia, Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings.
Married to Lizabeth Yumping, Mike said her wife is his main inspiration. He also mentioned his parents and grandparents who brought him up.
A religious man, he also added Saint Francis of Assisi and Jesus of Nazareth in his list of inspirations. He had always been active in church and used to be an altar boy with an ambition to be Franciscan priest.
When he was a radio announcer known among his listeners as “Baby Michael,” people would ask why he chose to use the moniker. “All of the other guys in the business were above 50! So, I was the baby!”
Awards and recognition
Enriquez’s mantra is “helping others.” That is the wisdom behind his definition of genuine public service. It is about helping people specially the poor and downtrodden, with sincere, heartfelt and honest willingness, generosity and without expecting or wanting to be rewarded or even thanked for it.
For young media practitioners who would like to follow in his footsteps, his message is: “Be true and honest, to yourself, to others, to your profession. Stay focused and be a little crazy sometimes. Never stop learning. Always genuinely like and help people.”
Mike has been named as one of the most child-friendly personalities by the Southeast Asian Foundation for Children and thrice consecutive by the Anak TV Seal awards in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He ranked 54 in Biznews Asia’s 100 Most Influential Filipinos in 2006, up by 26 positions from rank 80 in 2004 when he was first included in the prestigious list.
He is the only Filipino to receive the Best Newscaster in Asian Television Awards in 1999. He has received Best Newscaster awards by the Golden Dove Awards (1999, 2000, and 2002), Outstanding Television Host by Volunteers against Crime and Corruption and Outstanding Radio and Television Commentator by Consumers Union of the Philippines 15th Annual National Consumers Awards in 2004, Best Male Newscaster by University of Sto. Tomas’s USTV awards in 2006, and recently Most Outstanding Male News Presenter of the Year by Comguild Center for Journalism in 2007.
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