Jiggy Manicad begins 2024 with news comeback on TV5
MANILA, Philippines — After a five-year hiatus from the news industry, Jiggy Manicad is set to debut this 2024 as the newest TV5 anchor, leaving many excited at the same time, surprised and intrigued by his decision to make a comeback.
In a STAR interview, Jiggy opened up on the unexpected journey that led him back to the newsroom.
Retiring from the hard news life in 2018, the former GMA broadcast journalist recalled his surprised reaction to the Kapatid network’s offer, stating, “I said to them I was already retired. Wala na akong babalikan. So, it was really a surprise. Parang, Lord, ikaw ba ‘to (is this your doing)? Nagpadala ka ba ng anghel dito at gusto mong (bumalik ako)?”
Despite his initial reluctance, TV5 was determined to bring the news veteran back. Negotiations started in September, with Jiggy highlighting his desire for a meaningful return rather than a mere re-entry.
“Ang unang offer was weekend. Sabi ko, ayoko, hindi na ako nagna-news, I have an agri show. Then, they called up again, we had a meeting. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, clear na kung babalik ako sa news... I know myself, hindi ako makokontento na parang nasa loob lang ako. Kailangan kong ma-experience again and kailangan ko maintindihan yung story.”
For Jiggy, his motivation for the return had to go beyond financial considerations. His focus lies on delivering excellence and not just meeting expectations.
“If you’re asking me to do the work, I really hope to deliver it excellently because hindi rin ako makokontento na parang kalahati lang yung work na binigay ko. Ganun kasi yung mindset ko talaga sa work,” he said.
“Kumbaga, hindi ako nagtatanong ng sweldo because kailangan tama yung motivation ko. I was not motivated by money or offer or ano pero dapat tama yung direction nung mindset ko. So, I can deliver at hindi naman ako mapapahiya sa inyo.”
Why it wasn’t an immediate yes was because Jiggy was content with the state of his life. The news environment wasn’t something he missed because he felt he already gave it his all from when he was field reporter, to correspondent and anchor. Having collected over 100 awards for covering the struggles of Filipinos in times of war, crime, and disaster, there was no need for additional validation.
“Hindi ko talaga na miss kasi binigay ko yung todo. ‘Di ba parang hindi mo shinortchange yung (you didn’t shortchange) network. You gave it your all,” he explained.
“Kinalimutan ko na talaga (journalism). I was OK. No regrets. I hid my awards, packed them, and brought them to Laguna. They’re just there. I also don’t want the kids to feel pressure, so they have no idea about that.”
From 2019 to 2023, Jiggy devoted his time to hosting the educational show AgriPreneur, focusing on agriculture, farming, and the struggles of small-scale farmers. Amid this shift during his “retirement,” Jiggy embarked on another journey — this time, a spiritual one.
To recall, his departure from the news scene was spurred by his foray into politics as a senatorial candidate in 2019. Looking back, Jiggy shared, “I left the news because I ran for senator in 2019. I really prayed about it. I saw all the nation’s issues and problems firsthand. The most challenging part I witnessed was when people lacked food — what would happen then? I experienced this during my coverage of Yolanda. Despite having a lot of money, you couldn’t buy food (due to effects of climate change).
“What if the countries we rely on for imports are hit by climate change? There would be nothing left. So, my direction shifted towards food security. I thought, these are just policies, laban ako. (I felt the Lord telling me) sige lumaban ka, in prayer ha. And then, natalo. (I questioned Him) bakit naman ako natalo, pinalaban mo ako?”
In the midst of everything, he encountered an opportunity to deepen his faith, which he described before as just praying out of compliance. “Why do I call it a spiritual journey? Along the way, we met someone, Ma’am Gina Espejo, who introduced me to reading the Bible. When I was reading the Bible, ito yung mga lessons na kailangan ko, hinahanap ko. Because in terms of career, ano pa ba ang hahanapin ko? I was content.
“And true enough, I was looking for something beyond my career. I didn’t know but I was actually looking for God all these years. Nung nakita ko Siya, para nga akong nag four-year course then masteral on reading His Word. Ngayon naintindihan ko na siya.”
Reflecting further on what he would call as a “turning point” in his life, he said, “Parang gusto ipakita ni Lord yung faithfulness niya na parang kahit anong pagdaanan mo sa buhay, you have to have a turning point to make you realize that the Lord is the most important of all. I’m blessed to have experienced that.
“Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin na hindi blessed yung past ko. Super blessed din siya but ang sinasabi ko is in this case, during the time na nawala na sayo yung limelight, perks, privileges na meron ka before, wala na sayo yung power, I had to experience that.
“I had to know ano talaga yung value ng tao so I can share to others na ito lang tayo, katiting lang tayo. Kung anuman yung tinatamasa natin ngayon, dapat ma-realize talaga natin sino ba talaga yung totoong boss... Yung value na katiting ka lang (that was my realization).”
Last Dec. 7, it was announced through a contract-signing that Jiggy was joining TV5’s flagship primetime newscast, Frontline Pilipinas, as its newest main anchor. While he wasn’t expecting one, he was grateful to the network bosses and news team for affording him a grand welcome.
With this news comeback, Jiggy looks at it as an opportunity to align his work with a deeper purpose centered on faith.
“Ang mahirap na part sakin (in the decision-making to return) is really the question… how will I be able to accomplish God’s will? Yun yung iniyakan ko eh. Hindi yung work na magko-cover ako. ‘Lord, sana tama lahat for you kung gagawin ko.’ Not really being religious but ina-align ko sya. Kailangan yung binabasa ko, ina-apply ko.
“Yes (it’s a) deeper purpose of really enriching your work. It’s God-centered because I plan to offer it back to Him. That’s it. ‘Pag hinimay mo kasi siya, hindi ka naman pwedeng magtrabaho ng hilaw, then you offer it to the Lord. Hindi ka pwede magtrabaho ng kulang kasi nakakahiya naman po i-offer kay Lord.
“Yun yung pinaghuhugutan ko dun. It’s like cooking na ‘pag nagluto ka lang, luto without love, hindi masarap eh.”
Besides Frontline Pilipinas, Jiggy hopes to contribute to special reports.
He further said of his official TV5 debut come Jan. 8: “For me, it’s a complete reset. Bago siya. Kasi sabi ko, Lord, I’m already 49 years old, wala ng energy, as compared to when I was 20.
“But now, I feel, nandun ako sa level na parang fresh grad ako. Totoo ba ‘to? Kasi minsan sumasakit na rin yung tuhod ko, pero parang binibigyan ako ng energy. Sabi ko nga, when they asked me, ‘What do you feel now?’ Ako gusto kong pabilisin na ang Jan. 8.”
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