Powerhouse welcomes new season with new host Kara David

CEBU, Philippines - For more than two years, Powerhouse has been providing the viewing public access to the private lives of many prominent, powerful, and iconic figures in the Philippines.

Through its weekly visits to the homes of some of the country’s most renowned personalities, Powerhouse has enabled viewers to learn about the humble beginnings and successes of these people. The program has also shown how these icons become ordinary citizens living extraordinary lives.

And as it ushers its newest season, GMA News TV’s Powerhouse also welcomes its new host – Peabody award winner Kara David.

“It would not be possible to find anyone who can completely fill Mel Tiangco’s shoes,” says GMA News TV’s Channel Head Nessa Valdellon of the show’s original host. “But we know Kara will bring sharp interviewing skills and her insightful writing to the show. We’re looking forward to the new Powerhouse!”

GMA News Pillar Mel Tiangco currently co-anchors 24 Oras on weeknights and hosts the weekly drama anthology Magpakailanman, both airing on GMA-7. The multi-awarded broadcast journalist also serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Powerhouse program manager Patty Gutierrez adds “Through the years, Mel Tiangco has proven she is an all around broadcaster.  She has done all genres successfully and she has countless recognition to prove it. But her heart is really and truly for the poor.  As GMA Kapuso Foundation’s EVP and COO, the demands are not getting smaller.  She wants to concentrate further on the projects of the foundation and that is truly admirable. We will miss her but we are also excited about this new chapter of Powerhouse.”

This coming season, David hopes to feature equally moving  stories and in-depth interviews that will continue to inspire Powerhouse viewers.

“I feel really honored to host Powerhouse. Malaking karangalan ang magmana o humalili sa programa ng isa sa aking mga iniidolo,” says Kara. “Tita Mel is a big inspiration, a friend, and a mentor. I feel excited pero at the same time nervous kasi big shoes to fill talaga ito.”

One of the country’s award-winning journalists, David has worked her way to the top, starting out as a production assistant, researcher and writer before working as a reporter, documentarist, and now host and anchor for GMA News and Public Affairs. David earned her Broadcast Communications degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

David has become a household name when she joined GMA-7’s flagship documentary program I-Witness, where she earned various accolades from local and international award-giving institutions including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, the Oscars of broadcast journalism. She has likewise received recognitions from the Asian Television Awards, US International Film and Video Festival, and New York Festivals.

Apart from her daily work as a journalist for GMA News, Kara co-anchors the weekday morning news program News to Go with Howie Severino on GMA News TV. Additionally, Kara has established her own foundation called Project Malasakit.

For its new season, Powerhouse enters the private home of Star for All Seasons Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto. What were the struggles that the governor had to go through as she transitioned from being an acting legend to one of today’s public leaders? And how does Vilma Santos spend a normal day inside her home?

Join new host Kara David as she features the life stories of the country’s movers and shakers inside their homes. An all-new season of Powerhouse begins tonight, July 16, 8pm, on GMA News TV Channel 11. (FREEMAN)