Henry Omaga-Diaz: Saving the world one day at a time, one story at a time
Henry Omaga-Diaz talks to
Supt. Cornelio Defensor of
IPPO.
Meet Henry Omaga-Diaz. Weekend anchor of ABS-CBN's TV Patrol and segment anchor of Magandang Gabi Bayan (MGB). He is also to be the able head of the TV network's Special Reports Group. At 46, Henry has significantly earned his spot in the world of Philippine journalism, a veteran even, hardened and wisened by the 25 years of news work and public service. At 46, Henry has significantly retold the stories of ordinary people under extraordinary circumstances.
His most recent exploit brought him back to the City and Province of Iloilo. The story - senseless and deplorable ending in the life of 19 year-old Dan Robert Talibutab who was 'hazed to death' by members of an underground frasority. With numerous stories done on death and destruction, war and terror, mysteries and mystiques, Henry took time out and focused on bringing to life the events surrounding the death of Talibutab. In his words, no story is too small for us to care.
(L-R) The writer with MGB team,
Jun Rullido, cameraman, Henry
Omaga-Diaz and Yvonne Cabrega,
MGB Research Dept. Chief.
Saturday's MGB episode brought to the homes and hearts of every Filipino here and abroad the anguish and despair felt by the victim's family and townsfolk in quiet Tubungan, Iloilo. If hopes for justice has since died down, Henry and MGB brought forth that much-needed reassurance that justice may still be served after all. That Dan Robert will not be left forgotten and every suspect who laid a hand on him knows it is a matter of time that the law will catch up on them.
Henry joined MGB research chief Yvone Cabrega and cameraman Jun Rullido for the Talibutab story. Eight kilometers of rough road leading towards Barangay Purog, Dueñas, Iloilo posed no question nor complaint from him. If he could work on the hinterlands of Thailand, the danger zone in Iraq, the busy streets throughout Europe, elsewhere the Middle East, Korea and United States, the story can be told with the same fervor as it unfolded and happened in Iloilo.
Does it still 'hit' him? Are the circumstances of this one story able to touch him beyond its news value? Is there still a face beyond the victim? Is this one story still worth it? Without hesitation, Henry answered in the affirmative.
Extro spiels ath the University of
Iloilo campus.
“Yes. Definitely worth it. Every story is worth it,” he said as a matter of fact. Such, as he vowed to continue, “for as long as the people wants me here.” With scores interviewed and countless stories told, Henry would still choose to sit down and talk to “ordinary” people rather than them in corporate world, society and in power. Yet give him a choice with a full hour to spare for an interview, Henry would want to sit down with Nelson Mandela. That great black African leader who showed the world you need not be white to make a difference.
Henry with 25 years of news work to this day has not ceased to be passionate about his job and his stories. Yet as a matter of sidelight, perk even, does it amuse or amaze him that he generates adoration from those he comes in contact with? With a meek smile, he says no as if it is normal for a journalist to be asked for an autograph, grabbed for a quick kiss and stopped for a handshake or a hug. In Dueñas, municipal government employees rushed outside their offices with Henry pleasant all throughout the time. Never mind that he still have to find a good spot for his intro spiels. In the University of Iloilo campus, he gamely waved at high school girls who called him by his first name. A quick glance from him elicited yells as everybody virtually stopped to see him do his extro spiels.
All in a day's work? Maybe.
Meet Henry Omaga-Diaz. Saving the world one day at a time. One story at a time.