“We are working on the Big One,” says news anchor William Thio on the pilot of an upcoming program Code Red.
After 12 years with UNTV, he has moved to the government station, People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV-4), continuing with what he does best — anchoring the news. You can see him on PTV-4’s news programs, PTV News Now at 5:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the 9:30 p.m. PTV News Tonite.
Thio is testing his skill in Filipino as he is tasked to host Code Red, a program on disaster preparedness and management, planned for 2024. It aims to show the risks of natural calamities and the role of governance when disasters strike.
“We partnered with government agencies to bring them closer to the people,” says Thio.
As of this writing, Thio and the team have been working on impact of a possible “Big One.” The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology points out that activity from the West Fault Line can produce a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 7 or higher. The WFL is one of the two main fault lines which runs through Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig and Muntinlupa.
Thio says the team has just started gathering materials such as equipment, the roles of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and Office of Civil Defense in disaster relief. Instead of just be a talking head, he has to immerse himself in the relief training programs.
“I have to walk the fault line and survey which communities are at risk,” he adds.
The public can download the Phivolcs app FaultFinder which shows the distance between any location from the active fault lines.
The news anchor credits Ana Puod, PTV 4 general manager and CEO, for setting the high standards of broadcast journalistic coverage in order to deliver a program that’s substantial and relevant. Viewers can replay the shows so that they can be prepared for the possible dangers.
“Our GM is very hands-on and detail-oriented. Overall, she wants the network to be competitive with the other commercial networks,” says Thio.
Turning point
The news anchor says his move to PTV’4 has been a turning point. “I paid my dues,” he says.
He began his career in a morning talk show then substituted for the late civic leader Rosal Rosal in her public service program, Damayan. In 2009, he worked as a field reporter and news updater and moved to UNTV as an anchor in 2011.
“My strength is that I think on my feet. I can go impromptu, be spontaneous and get the answers in a specific way. In interviews, what your sources say is important. Since you are a facilitator, you have to be considerate. It’s important to get their message across,” he says.
While he enjoys his new work at PTV-4, he still manages the family construction business, Regal Homes of which he is the president. His grandmother started out buying, fixing and selling homes and keeping a maintenance team. When he inherited the business, he ventured into building five-story edifices and single detached homes. His company is one of the main contractors of the Aivee Group, the prominent chain of aesthetic clinics.
“My lola was a stickler for quality and integrity. I continued out of lakas ng loob (courage). I branched into construction but the company upholds her core values,” he says.
Thio is not fazed with having two jobs. “We have a team, civil and mechanical engineers. I visit sites once or twice a week,” he says.
He starts the day at 7 a.m. and arrives at Regal Homes by 8:30 a.m. to work on budget requests and pay rolls. After lunch, he hies off to the television station to gird for the news. Back home, he works out on the TRX suspension system, medicine balls and yoga mat in his exercise space. Likewise, Thio still finds time for his seven Pomeranians. One of them, Lupine from Korea, was ranked number three in the all-breed category and number one in the spitz and primitive types by the Philippine Canine Club Inc.
He’s in bed after midnight, tired but satisfied. “It’s all about time management and priorities,” says Thio.