MANILA-U.S. TIMES'

Executive Profile of the Week



















GEL SANTOS RELOS

Balitang America Anchor does it with ease like a real pro

By Johnny M. Pecayo, MBA
Chairman-Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, MANILA-U.S. TIMES
http://www.manila-ustimes.com/

Gel Santos-Relos' name is now a by-word among the Filipino Americans household throughout the United States of America. Her astronomical rise to popularity, worldwide, could easily be attributed to how she professionally carries herself as TV Anchor of Balitang America, over at ABS-CBN Global TV, Channel 2, based in Northern California, the first ever daily newscast produced and presented by Filipinos on news that matter to the Filipino-Americans in North America .

She has just been the Anchorperson for this daily newscast since May 7, 2007, or barely over two months, but her presence on TV and her manner of delivery created an indelible mark that every Filipino in any part of the world is certainly very proud of her, and proud of themselves as well, as a Filipino.

People began noticing her when she became a Co-Host at CITIZEN PINOY with Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel since September 2005. "They offered me this job when my family relocated from Minnesota to California in 2005," relates Gel to the MANILA-U.S. TIMES during the interview.

"Citizen Pinoy is now filming Season 5 and has been touching the lives of Filipinos wherever they may be, bringing information and public service on matters pertaining to US immigration laws, inspired by the mission of bringing families together," Gel pointed out.

Media Work Experience in the Philippines

Performing media task in the U.S. is not foreign to her, having had a wealth of experience in media work in the Philippines prior to migrating to U.S. in 2001.

In the academe, Gel Santos was an Instructor in Broadcast Communication, University of the Philippines' College of Mass Communication from 1984-1991. She hosted for ABS-CBN’s "Tatak Pilipino," a multi-awarded TV magazine on Philippine arts and culture, with Jim Paredes (of the APO Hiking fame) from 1989-1994.

For a year, from 1998 to 1999, Gel was the Producer/Host for ABS-CBN’s ANC “Tatak Pinoy.” Prior to this, she anchored and produced radio public affairs programs for ABS-CBN’s DZMM like “Relos Reports,” a news commentary program; and “Companero y Companera,” a talk program discussing and dramatizing legal problems of Filipinos, with advice portion given by the late Sen. Rene Cayetano, and other lawyers thereafter like Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, UP Professor Atty. Danny Concepcion, lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and some human interest discussions with psychologists, which she performed with gusto from 1989 to 2001.

She was part of the triumvirate in hosting the Public Affairs programs for ABS-CBN in the Philippines, the highly popular “Hoy!Gising!” with Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon which she did with flying colors from 1993 to1998; followed by “Companero y Companera”1997-1998 with the late Senator Rene Cayetano.

This beauteous TV personality was newscaster for ABS-CBN in the Philippines for Balita Ngayon, TV Patrol, Pulso, and Headlines from 1987 to 2001.

A multi-talented individual, Gel wrote columns about the Filipino culture for Filipino Magazine, and other major publications about the law and how they apply to letter senders’ problems.

Other Work Experience in the Philippines

She was the PR Manager at Century Park Sheraton Hotel, 1993, while at the same time working for three years as Branch Manager, Fil-Estate Marketing Associates, from 1992 to1995.

Educational Attainment

Gel graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines' College of Mass Communication, then took post-graduate units toward a Master’s Degree in Communication.

While in college, she enjoyed stints as radio drama actress for DWWW in Manila , co- hosted variety show “Karnabal Dos” for BBC-2, did supporting roles for drama anthologies for RPN-9, and acted in several community theater presentations.

She participated in the United States Information Agency Multi-regional Course on Public Journalism, and represented the Philippines in 1997.

Other Work Experiences in the US

Prior to moving to California, Gel and her family were based in New Jersey, where she was the Director for Marketing at Merry Heart Health Care Center for a year, 2001 to 2002.

She pursued a career in real estate business, by undergoing a five-week classes in Principles of Real Estate, taking the government real estate examination to obtain a license, and becoming a realtor. Gel is now affiliated with PMZ Real Estate, the biggest and most successful real estate firm in the Central Valley.

"My clients are mostly Filipinos and I am humbled and privileged to have the opportunity to help our kababayans to understand the challenging process of buying, selling and investing in real estate in the US, and more importantly, in helping the Filipino families make their dreams come true," she proudly told the MANILA-U.S. TIMES.

Family

Gel was born in Manila , Philippines to Atty. Jose Santos and Angelita Quintana Concepcion, and was Christened with the full name MARIA ANGELINA CONCEPCION SANTOS.

Since childhood, she has always excelled in the field of performing arts, and has relentlessly dreamed of being on television and films when she grows up. Today, her personal dream as well as her American dream have been realized.

She is married to Dr. Rene P. Relos, a surgeon who graduated Valedictorian and magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines' College of Medicine, with whom she is blessed with four children -- Christopher, 22, a pre-law student; Christine, 19, a Psychology freshman; Katrina, 10; and Lorenzo, 9.

Gel was granted Permanent Resident Status (Green Card) as an Alien with Extraordinary Abilities, "based on all the awards that I got in the exercise of my profession -- Best Magazine Show Host for "Tatak Pilipino," Best Radio Public Affairs Host and Best Radio Commentator for my DZMM anchoring job, Best TV Public Affairs Host for "Hoy!Gising!," Best Radio Drama for "Companero y Companera, The Drama," of which I was the producer and host," she related. These awards were given by Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) Golden Dove Awards, Catholic Mass Media Awards, and Star Awards.

The Relos family presently resides in the Brookside community in Stockton , California after being residents of Pennsylvania , New Jersey and Minnesota.

"I love my work as a broadcast journalist because I have always felt that my calling was to help educate and inspire people and, with radio and television, supplemented by my work as a real estate professional, I am privileged to accomplish this mission to a bigger number of people through the mass media. What an honor for me, really, to be featured in your publication," she told the MANILA-U.S. TIMES in the conclusion of the interview.

GEL SANTOS-RELOS inside the ABS-CBN studio with the familiar signature logo, "Balitang America."

GEL SANTOS-RELOS and Atty. Michael Gurfinkel with the facade of ABS-CBN providi

ng an imposing backdrop.

GEL is shown here with her husband, Dr. Rene P. Relos, and children -- Christopher, Christina, Katrina and Lorenzo.

GEL (left), an unidentified lady participant in Citizen Pinoy in the middle, and Atty. Michael Gurfinkel, Host of CITIZEN PINOY.