Joni Villanueva: No Ordinary Life

Moments after she miraculously survived a face-to-face encounter with death, Joni Villanueva knew she would not lead an ordinary life. She was only six then.

Eighteen years later with not a single scar from the hand grenade lobbed against her family, specifically her pastor-father Bishop Eddie C. Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord (jil) Church, Joni seizes every opportunity presented to her to make life a little bit better.

She is the vice president for programming and production of TV Channel 11 Zoe Broadcasting Network. Recognizing the power of media, she is careful with her actions and decisions.

One of the most important decisions she has made so far was for Zoe TV to go on air at 2 am on January 17, 2001. A mammoth crowd was then starting to build up at the EDSA Shrine following the collapse of the impeachment proceedings against former President Joseph Estrada at the Senate. Joni led her TV production team in giving blow-by-blow accounts of what was happening. Only Zoe TV was there to cover the birth of what is known today as Edsa Dos.

It was a rigorous coverage made possible by a committed team forged under very difficult circumstances and an equally strenuous production process. However, their effort didn’t go unnoticed. The People Power Commission composed of multi-sectoral groups gave Zoe TV 11 a special citation for its full coverage and active participation in the impeachment trial that culminated in the triumph of Edsa Dos.

It was the first award for Zoe. "We are very proud of the award," says Joni. "Nakaka-proud na kahit na, admittedly, hindi ka malaking istasyon pero nakapagbigay ka ng mensahe na nagkaroon ng malaking impact sa mga tao…iyon ang pinakamaganda."

This is characteristic of Joni’s passion for pursuing worthy causes that she thinks are more important than a broadcast station’s drive for profit. "Profit," she says, "always comes secondary to the station’s commitment to truth, justice, righteousness and integrity. That is why we are not afraid of the so-called ‘dog-eat-dog’ competition in the broadcast industry today. Let other stations fight for profit; our purpose is to fight for good values in our programs." She resists the temptation to have the station’s programs conform to what advertisers want so that they would be lured to invest in the station she fondly labels as one that offers "intelligent alternative programs".

Joni graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines. Her parents, both pastors, were understandably proud of their eldest daughter. Bishop Eddie recalled how surprised they were when they were called to come up the stage during Joni’s class graduation rites. "She purposely kept it a secret from us because she wanted to surprise us," he relates.

Joni’s admiration for her parents is obvious. "My Dad and Mom have always been my faithful supporters. They are God’s greatest blessings to me," she shares adding that it was their godly rearing and instruction that has made her choose the life she enjoys now. "They never dictated anything (on me). Instead they led me to God and taught me always to turn to Him and the good book for wisdom and direction." Her life’s guiding principle is Proverbs 3:5-6: "In everything you do, put God first and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success."

Given the opportunity, she would like to go back to school to pursue higher education and dreams of a chance to interview US President George W. Bush, change the way local mediamen treat news (which to her is usually gross and gory) and eventually be in the same league as premier broadcast journalists Che-Che Lazaro and Jessica Soho.

In the meantime, what spare time she has is devoted to music. To date she has two Christian albums, both pari-certified gold records. Echoing a definite commitment to godly principles, Joni believes that at the end of the day, "nothing is better than sound sleep and a clear conscience".