Saksi

Saksi
File:Saksi.jpg Logo used since February 21, 2011.
Created by	GMA Network
Developed by	GMA News and Public Affairs
Directed by	Joel San Luis
Presented by	Weeknight AnchorsArnold Clavio Sandra Aguinaldo Mike Enriquez Weekend Anchors Raffy Tima Mariz Umali
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	Filipino
No. of episodes	n/a (airs weeknights)
Production
Camera setup	multicamera setup
Running time	15 minutes (1995-1996) 30 minutes (1996-1998; 2002-present) 1 hour (1998-2002)
Original release
Network	GMA Network
Release	October 2, 1995 – Present

Saksi (EYEWITNESS) is the late night news broadcast of GMA Network in the Philippines. It was formerly the early evening and flagship newscast of the network from 1995 to 2002. The newscast is anchored by Arnold Clavio, Sandra Aguinaldo. It is aired Mondays to Thursdays at 11:15-11:45 pm and Fridays at 11:45 pm–12:15 am (PST). It is also aired internationally through GMA Pinoy TV and is heard on a slightly delayed basis through Super Radyo DZBB 594 AM.

History

As Saksi: GMA Headline Balita

In the last quarter of 1995, GMA Network launched the program, originally entitled Saksi: GMA Headline Balita, as a 15-minute early evening weekday newscast. It was then anchored by Mike Enriquez (then known as "Mr. Saksi") and Karen Davila. Saksi became popular in such a short time, that people were using the word as a catchphrase, complete with the pointed forefinger like the program’s news anchors. In the early years of the newscast, the anchors, especially Enriquez, popularized the word "pasok" (come in) in introducing reporters (who included Jessica Soho, Arnold Clavio, Mao dela Cruz and Susan Enriquez, among others). This style of introducing reporters was also previously used in GMA's other regional news programs patterned after "Saksi" like Balitang Bisdak (Cebu), Testigo (Davao) and Ratsada (Iloilo).

Mel Tiangco joined Enriquez and Davila in 1996, after the former's transfer from ABS-CBN when she suspended from doing a TV commercial. Economist Solita "Winnie" Monsod also joined the newscast with her own opinion segment, "Mareng Winnie" (which became a moniker by which she has been since known for). Other special segments, such as Huling Hirit (light human-interest stories to cap the newscast, reported by Kara David) and S na S (Showbiz sa Saksi) (a showbiz segment with Lyn Ching then she anchored with Enriquez, Davila and Tiangco) were also added to the news program as its running time was expanded to 30 minutes.

Sonza-Tiangco Era

In 1998, Jay Sonza replaced Enriquez while he appointed as a anchor of GMA Network News with Vicky Morales who and the news team switched to Taglish then Filipino. Davila, on the other hand, became a co-host of Extra-Extra, a magazine program featuring different human-interest and entertainment stories (which also served as pre-programming to Saksi). Sonza, Tiangco's co-host on Partners Mel and Jay, then joined the newscast as co-anchor, thus Saksi and Partners Mel and Jay are the news programs exclusive to them. The original subtitle, GMA Headline Balita, was also dropped since then.

Enriquez-Morales Era

File:Saksi 2000.jpeg

First Saksi logo since the Enriquez-Morales Era

In 1999, Tiangco was appointed as anchor of Frontpage: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco, which replaced GMA Network News on the late-night slot but the newscasts continusly on weekends until 2002. She and Sonza were replaced by Enriquez and Morales, thus continuing their partnership on Network News. Mike Enriquez was returned and restored in this program. In the same year Davila who now moved to ABS-CBN.

On July 15, 2002, Saksi exchanged timeslots with Frontpage in order for the latter show to compete with ABS-CBN's TV Patrol (which was, incidentally, the newscast that Tiangco came from before transferring to GMA). The shift to late-night also prompted the start of "Side Trip", a human-interest segment hosted by Howie Severino.

In the same year, Saksi won the Gold Medal for Best Newscast in the New York Festival, becoming one of the few news programs outside the United States to receive the said honor. The award (With the Peabody Award that the network won in 1998) was later recognized by the Philippine Congress by issuing the network a commendation for its work in News and Public Affairs.

Clavio-Morales Era as Saksi: Liga ng Katotohanan

Arnold Clavio replaced Enriquez on March 15, 2004 when the latter was slated to host the new early evening newscast of the network, 24 Oras with Tiangco. The newscast was reintroduced as Saksi: Liga ng Katotohanan (Legion of Truth).

A notable coverage of the program was the 2005 Papal conclave which was covered by Morales at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

The newscast changed its graphics and studio thrice during this period; first on April 2006, second on August 11, 2008, and third on November 8, 2010 (graphics only).

2011 reformat

On February 21, 2011, together with Unang Hirit and 24 Oras, the program adapted a new set, new graphics, new theme, and new OBB. The "Liga ng Katotohanan" tagline was also dropped in the newscast's titlecard. The new theme is incorporated with the elements of Saksi: Liga ng Katotohanan 2008-2011 theme music & Saksi: Liga ng Katotohanan 2004-2008 theme music.

Weeknight Anchors

• Arnold Clavio (2004–Present)
• Vicky Morales (1999–Present)

Former anchors

• Mike Enriquez (1995–1998, 1999–2004)
• Karen Davila (1995–1999)
• Mel Tiangco (1996–1999)
• Jay Sonza (1998–1999)
• Winnie Monsod (1998–1999)
• Kara David (1996–1999)
• Lyn Ching-Pascual (1997–1999)
• Rey Pacheco (Weatherman, 1996–1999)
• Jessica Soho (1998–1999)

See also

• List of Philippine television shows
• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
• Saksi sa Dobol B

External links

• GMA Network Site
• GMA News Site