Rhea Santos resumes broadcast career in Omni Television in Canada
Former GMA broadcaster Rhea Santos resumes being a newscaster in OMNI television in Canada.
Rhea announced the good news on her Instagram account on September 1, 2020, as she posted a video message promoting the news program. Also seen in the video were reporters Ron Gagalac, Andy Aquino, Paula Saraza, and Theresa Redula; video journalists Arvin Joaquin and Theresa Barrera. Former ABS-CBN News reporter Marieton Pacheco serves as the show's producer.
Rhea wrote in her Instagram post, “Proud to be part of @rogerssportsandmedia that has shown a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ito ang tahanan ng mga kwento ng mga Pilipino at FilipinoCanadians at mga balitang mahalaga sa ating komunidad”
Rogers Sports and Media is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications, a Canadian communications company. The subsidiary owns OMNI Television, the network where Rhea’s newscast is being aired.
The former Kapuso anchor marked her first day,
September 2, 2020, as a news reporter for OMNI News with an Instagram post. In the caption, Rhea wrote, “Marking this day that I’m able to do my passion to tell stories that matter to my ‘kababayan’ here in Canada. You will all meet the Filipino team of OMNI News in the coming days. It’s not only Filipinos and Fil-Canadian journalists making this possible. A big part are the Canadians and people of diverse backgrounds whom I’m given the opportunity to work with that make OMNI News Filipino Edition happen.”
On Instagram stories, Rhea revealed that she will report the news using her mother language, Filipino.
“Ang sarap lang talaga ng pakiramdam na makapagbalita gamit iyong lengguwaheng alam mo. Siyempre, iyong sariling wika natin. Maraming salamat sa mga Pinoy na nagpadala ng mensahe, ng suporta, ng pagmamahal, thank you very much. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rogers Sports and Media and OMNI Television for supporting the Filipino team. We have just started and will be needing your support all the way. And I’m just thankful for the opportunity to do what I’m passionate about, which is to tell my stories here in Canada. Thank you very much for that opportunity. I’ll be sleeping tonight smiling.”
In her most recent post yesterday, September 3, Rhea thanked her followers and Filipino friends for showing support as she embarks on a new journey as a reporter.
She said in the caption, “Di ko pa alam kung paano ko kayo pasasalamatan. Masyado niyo po akong pinasaya sa mga mensahe niyo ng suporta at pagmamahal. Kasama ang buong #OMNIFilipino news team, maraming, maraming salamat sa dasal, sa palakpak, sa pagtanggap, sa patuloy na pagtitiwala. Asahan niyo pong ipagpagpapatuloy namin ang aming serbisyo na makapaghatid ng balita para sa mga Pinoy at Filipino-Canadians. Proud to share my heritage to a country who’s strength are the differences of its people. Di ko man kayo m ai sa-i sa para pasalamatan, please know that your messages inspire and motivate me to do better and be better. Thank you #gratitude #filipino # pinoy”
Among those who congratulated Rhea were her former co-workers in GMA News: Lyn Ching, Pia Arcangel, Arnold Clavio, Mang Tani Cruz, Mariz Umali, and Oscar Oida. Celebrities Joyce Pring, Gretchen Ho, Boobay, Mikoy Morales, Dianne Medina, and Sharon Cuneta also sent support for Rhea.
In 2019, Rhea said goodbye to GMA-7, her home network for 19 years. She and her family decided to move to Vancouver, Canada. Among the TV shows anchored by Rhea were Unang Hirit and Tunay na Buhay.
She is currently taking up Broadcast and Online Journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Most of her classes will be online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her Instagram post dated September 2, Rhea showed her study area at home, and gave a gist of her life as a student: “The Broadcast and Online Journalism program of @bcitbroadcast will be a mix of online and in-person lab/studio work with less people in the building and safety protocols in place. Same excitement, different school year. Better things come from challenging times.”