Balitang Bisdak
| Balitang Bisdak | |
|---|---|
 Title card since 2025 | |
| Also known as | 24 Oras Central Visayas |
| Genre | News broadcasting |
| Directed by | Davis Abella |
| Presented by | Cecille Quibod-Castro |
| Narrated by |
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| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language | Cebuano |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Production locations | GMA Complex, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City |
| Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | GMA 7 Cebu |
| Release | October 4, 1999 – present |
Balitang Bisdak (also known as GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak; transl. Bisdak News) is a Philippine television news broadcasting show broadcast by GMA Cebu. Originally anchored by Bobby Nalzaro, it premiered on October 4, 1999, replacing News at Seven Cebu. Cecille Quibod-Castro currently serves as the anchor.
Overview
[edit]Broadcast from GMA TV Cebu, Balitang Bisdak delivers news and features across Cebu province, Cebu City, Metro Cebu, Central Visayas (including Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor), and Eastern Visayas (covering Northern Samar, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran and Leyte). Reports are provided by GMA's regional news teams, with Cebuano and Waray as common languages.
It airs weekdays from 5:10–5:40 PM on GMA Cebu (TV-7), and via relay stations in Tacloban, Bohol, Dumaguete, Calbayog, Borongan, and Ormoc. A delayed radio broadcast airs at 6:00 PM on DYSS 999 AM.
National replays aired Tuesdays at 11:50 PM on GTV’s “Regional TV Strip” (May 2020–July 2021),[1] and the show is also available worldwide via GMA News TV International.[2]
History
[edit]The newscast premiered on Channel 7 Cebu on October 4, 1999, with Bobby Nalzaro as its solo anchor after joining GMA Cebu in 1997. Atty. Rose Versoza joined him in 2009 and remained until 2015.
In July 2013, to strengthen its commitment to delivering credible and comprehensive regional news, the newscast began airing internationally on GMA News TV International, alongside Balitang Amianan (now One North Central Luzon) and One Mindanao.[3]
Balitang Bisdak ended its 15-year run on November 7, 2014, and rebranded as 24 Oras Central Visayas starting November 10.[4]
However, on February 1, 2016, 24 Oras Central Visayas reverted to the Balitang Bisdak branding after over a year, mirroring GMA Dagupan’s return to Balitang Amianan.[citation needed]
On November 13, 2017, Balitang Bisdak was relaunched in the style of sister newscasts Balitang Amianan and One Mindanao, expanding its reach across Central and Eastern Visayas via simulcast on relay stations in Tacloban, Bohol, and Ormoc. Veteran correspondent Alan Domingo joined Bobby Nalzaro and Cecille Quibod-Castro as co-anchor.[5]
On July 29, 2019, following the launch of GMA Regional TV Weekend News, Balitang Bisdak unveiled updated graphics, a new logo, and opening titles featuring scenes from its coverage areas. It also introduced a more relaxed studio setup with couches, aiming to create a living room-like atmosphere that fosters closer connection with viewers. Additionally, the show began welcoming live studio audiences every Friday.[6]
On June 29, 2020, GMA Regional TV suspended Cebu’s program production due to the worseningCOVID-19 crisis in Cebu City, merging it with GMA Iloilo’s One Western Visayas. Cebuano language reports were transmitted to Iloilo and broadcast across the Visayas. During this period, the program operated under the unified title One Western Visayas–Balitang Bisdak. During the merger, the program adopted a multilingual format, using Filipino in studio presentations and airing Hiligaynon,[7] Cebuano, and Waray reports, marking the return of such a format since One Mindanao. Bobby Nalzaro returned as co-anchor on July 2.[8] The merger ended on July 10, with the Cebu-based program resuming in Cebuano on Juy 13.[9]
On May 3, 2021, the program expanded its coverage to include Samar, debuting a new opening billboard with the update.[10]
From March 17 to 21, 2022, the newscast paid tribute to anchor Bobby Nalzaro, who passed away at 58,[11] leaving Domingo and Quibod-Castro as anchors. Lou-Anne Mae Rondina joined the team on May 2, 2022, and remained until July 28, 2023, before transferring to GMA Regional TV Live! the following week.
On January 26, 2024, Cecile Quibod-Castro made her final appearance on the newscast after nearly two decades. She continued anchoring on Regional TV News, which later became a segment on Balitanghali, leaving Domingo as the sole main anchor.
On September 2, 2024, the newscast unveiled a major title card revision— changing the font color to blue, removing the GMA Regional TV logo, and updating its graphics and OBB to align with GMA Integrated News branding.
On September 30, 2024, Lou-Anne Mae Rondina replaced Domingo as anchor, coinciding with another revamp of the newscast. The GMA Integrated News OBB fully replaced the GMA Regional TV version, and headline displays were updated to feature the main headline as the title and the program’s name as the subtitle.
On April 1, 2025, Cecille Quibod-Castro returned to the newscast as the sole main anchor, succeeding Lou-Anne Mae Rondina.
On May 12, 2025, the newscast introduced an updated OBB, marking the retirement of longtime voiceover Al Torres, who was succeeded by Weng dela Peña.
Personalities
[edit]Main anchor
[edit]- Cecille Quibod-Castro
Main correspondents
[edit]- Alan Domingo
- Lou-Anne Mae Rondina
- Nikko Sereno
- Fe Marie Dumaboc
- Chelo Vallena
- Mark Regie Abella
- Orchids Lapingcao
Former anchors and correspondents
[edit]- Bobby Nalzaro† (Main anchor; 1999–2022)
- Atty. Rose Versoza (Co-anchor; 2009-15)
- Monching Auxtero
- Ana Desamparado
- Ara Labra
- Jun Veliganio
- Mark Anthony Bautista
- Bexmae Jumao-as
- Greggy Magdadaro
- Ching Pelayo
- Lalaine Go
- Aynee Triumfante
- Vic Serna
- Ademar Ochotorena
- Chona Carreon (Senior correspondent)
- Lian Sinculan
- Yuri Deldig a.k.a. Yuri Richards† (House Attack segment presenter)
- Victor Camion (Dumaguete correspondent)
- Leo Udtohan (Bohol correspondent)
- Ronnie Roa (Leyte correspondent)
Segments
[edit] |
- Alerto (Police News)
- Game On! (Sports News)
- Flash Report (Breaking News)
- Huli Cam (Reports on footages in CCTV)
- Newsstand (Other Reports)
- Ronda Waray (Other Reports in Eastern Visayas)
- Serbisyong Puso (Public Service)
- Showbits (Entertainment News)
- GMA Regional TV Presents (Special Reports)
- Extra
- Extra Income (Money News)
- Bida Ka
- Hanepbuhay
- Bisdak Bae
- Good News
- Reklamo, Ipa-Bisdak mo! (Complaint News)
- Balitang Barangay (Community News)
- Batang Bisdak (Kiddie News)
- Manglaag Ta! (Travel News)
- Lami Syah!/Food Trip (Food News)
- Lahi Rah (Viral News)
- Hayop sa Balita (Animal News)
- GMA Integrated News Weather Center (Weather News)
- #SpreadKindness
- 'Sa Maaan? (Questions)
- Kwento ng Pilipino (Story News)
References
[edit]- ^ "'GMA Regional TV Strip' on GMA News TV". Manila Standard. May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Bringing Filipinos Abroad Closer to Home". GMA International. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ^ "Regional news made more accessible to Filipinos abroad via GMA News TV International". GMA News. July 5, 2023.
- ^ "'Balitang Bisdak' rebrands as '24 Oras Central Visayas'". The Philippine Star. November 9, 2014. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ "'Balitang Bisdak' now available in more areas in Central and Eastern Visayas". Archived from the original on November 13, 2017.
- ^ "Balitang Bisdak debuts fresh new look and leveled-up content".
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube. June 29, 2020.
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube. July 2, 2020.
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube. July 8, 2020.
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube. May 3, 2021.
- ^ Lagunda, Kevin A.; Lim, Cherry Ann T. (March 17, 2022). "Tri-media personality Bobby Nalzaro dies". SunStar.