"When we drafted the concept paper in 1995, we wanted the new show to veer away from the prevailing formats of host-driven shows," Patrick recalls. "What we wanted was a reporter’s program."
It’s a magazine show for, of, and by real correspondents. Thus, its title. "We wanted a show that is content-driven," Patrick asserts.
And when the show finally made its debut in 1998, it quickly made the industry (and the public at large) sit up and take notice. On its first year, it already brought home two much-coveted awards: from the KBP Golden Dove and the Catholic Mass Media. Later, it also cinched a silver medal at the New York Festival.
The Correspondents, now on its fourth year, continues to be on the cutting edge of investigative reporting on television today.
It manages to remain one step ahead of the competition primarily because of its topnotch roster of "seasoned" broadcast journalists: Karen Davila, Patrick Paez, Ed Lingao, Abner Mercado, Anne Torres, Jim Libiran, and Jade Lopez.
In spites of the stiff competition in the industry, The Correspondents, maintains its leadership, in terms of quality and viewership.
How do the show’s principal Correspondents cope with the competition?
"We just make it a point to come out with very good stories, week in and week out," attests Anne Torres, senior producer. "We also noticed that it’s not really the topic that makes the difference in the ratings’ game. It’s really how you put together the story. For as long as the story is well-researched, well-told, and well-reported, people will tune in."
Patrick Paez concurs. "It’s a cut-throat game," he admits. "But I have no problem with ratings."
He has a very pragmatic opinion on the mad rush for ratings supremacy.
"It’s one sure gauge of how effective you are," Patrick explains. "What’s the use of reporting, of telling a story, if no one is watching? What I am against is the very deductive approach to ratings. That Sex plus Violence equals Ratings. It’s not that easy. That’s just being lazy. I firmly believe that we can still rate by producing good stories."
And that is precisely what makes him proud of The Correspondents’ work.
He remembers in particular an assignment in Afghanistan, where he and the rest of the show’s crew slugged it out in the big league, to cover a global news event ("a war at that!") with the world’s best foreign correspondents.
Patrick was wide-eyed, watching Christiane Amanpour and other electronic reporters from CNN and BBC strut their stuff in Taliban country.
Despite their budgetary limitations, he emerged from that experience with a positive attitude.
"We come from a third world country, we didn’t have the same resources, the same bottomless expense account, but we’re pretty proud of the fact that we succeeded in covering and giving our best in an international playing field," Patrick beams.
Anne and Patrick have more dream stories in their reporter’s notebook. They both dream of doing in-depth stories on the life and times of the Filipino migrant worker.
"You find Filipinos even in the most unexpected places in the world," Anne gasps. "I just want to show how resilient the Filipino is, no matter how harsh the conditions are."
"A big part of our population is based abroad," Patrick agrees. "I’d like to be able to tell their stories. It can either be sad or heartwarming, but what is constant is the fact that it is abroad where we see the goodness of the Filipino. With all the bad news we hear on a daily basis, that somehow makes you more hopeful."
Toward this end, The Correspondents has come up with Karen Davila’s stories on New York-based Pinay nurse Rebecca Canalija (who was honored as a 9-11 heroine) and Texas-based schoolteacher Delia Morera.
In a way, that is also part of their avowed mission as broadcast journalist, to provide a glimmer of hope in a seemingly bleak landscape. To light the torch of truth in a dark, oppressive world.
Once Patrick found himself caught in a crossfire between battling military forces and the Abu Sayyaf in Lamitan.
"People think that a journalist’s life is exciting," Patrick intones. "I want to debunk the myth that all reporters are fearless. We’re only doing our jobs. In fact, I don’t think that bravery is a virtue in journalism. I think what is more crucial is your desire to get the story and report it back. That’s the biggest responsibility of a journalist: To report the truth, to report what is happening out there."
The truth is out there and it is the Correspondents’ sworn duty to report it – no matter what.
The Correspondents is aired every Monday, after the late-night newscast Headlines, on ABS-CBN 2.