Express Balita

Express Balita (Express News) is the flagship national network news program broadcast of the government-sequestered IBC under the Media ng Bayan in the Philippines. It airs from Monday to Friday at 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. right after Janella: A Teen Princess and right before Voltron Man while its weekend edition runs every Saturday at 12:00 midnight to 12:30 a.m. and Sundays from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. It can be heard simultaneously on radio through DZTV Radyo Budyong 1386 in Mega Manila, DZTV TeleTrese, IBC News Network and its provincial radio stations based in Iloilo, Roxas and Kalibo, Aklan, with several Radyo Budyong stations nationwide. It is also aired internationally via Global IBC and INN International.

Express Balita holds the record as it remains as the longest running Filipino-language national newscast on Philippine television since its inception on August 17, 1998.

Pre-launch
In 1998, IBC News executives, among them president Boots Anson-Roa in August 14 1998, began holding meetings with higher-ups to launch an all-new news program that will serve as a replacement to IBC TV X-Press. On August 17, 1998, IBC announced the launch of Express Balita during the big reunion special extravaganza Homecoming sa 13.

Miranda-Soriano era
Express Balita premiered on August 17, 1998, replacing IBC TV X-Press. It was the country's pioneer news program anchored by Ida Marie Castro and Anne Marie Soriano.

The airing at 4:30 pm slot right before the VTV block. Marie Castro has famous closing line is "Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsubaybay" to end of the newscast.

Serna-Soriano era
Miranda Castro left the newscast in June 2, 2000 to anchor the late-night newscast Ronda Trese with Elmer Mercado, she was replaced by former actress Snooky Serna-Go on June 5, 2000. At the time, Serna become a female broadcast journalists she is a very serious role of news anchor. Serna has famous closing line is "Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsubaybay" to end of the newscast.

Castelo-Eala era
In September 2001, Serna and Marie Soriano was replaced by Precious Hipolito-Castelo, a former teen star and Noli Eala. When Eala his famous signature close, "Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsubaybay" to end of the newscast. Eala left the newscast in August 2002 to anchor IBC News Tonight, leaving Hipolito-Castelo as the sole anchor of the newscast.

Castelo-Dacame era
In 2005, Hipolito-Castelo was joined by Errol Cadame, it become Castelo's co-anchor.

Castelo-Atienza
In New Year 2006, Dacame was replaced by Ali Atienza became Castelo's co-anchor. Atienza become signature close "Maraing salamat pong tayong lahat, Mabuhay" to end of the newscast. However, Atienza left the newscast in 2008 in order to run for Mayor of Manila. He was temporarily replaced by Errol Dacame.

Castelo-Fermando era
In 2008, Dacame eventually replaced by DZRH reporter and host Bing Formento became the co-anchor. Fermando is signature close to end of the newscast is "Mga Ka-Toto ang ating pambansang pilipinas". The team-up continued until 2009, when Castelo decided to run for Councilor of Quezon City.

Morales-Padilla era
On November 9, 2009, Jake Morales and Karen Padilla replaced Hipolito-Castelo and Formento and the newscast relaunched to their present look and OBB. However, Padilla, being the wife of Erwin Tulfo, left the newscast in late 2010 to be acquired by TV5 to anchor for Aksyon Breaking on AksyonTV, leaving Morales as the sole anchor of the program.

On October 11, 2010, the timeslot was moved from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Express Balita moved to its primetime slot aired at 6:30 pm as the highest rating newscast on Philippine television as the network's answer to the longest-running newscasts TV Patrol and 24 Oras. Also, the official Express Balita pages in Facebook and Twitter account. According to Kantar Media Philippines, Express Balita is now become the longest-running primetime news program on Philippine TV garnered a rating of 30.7% in Mega Manila, the newscast was listed top 15. from the Kantar Media where, during that time, IBC gained the top ratings.

The same day, weatherman Jeff Arcilla was added as the weather forecaster for Ulat Panahon and Georgina Wilson also added as the segment host for Showbiz Balita, an entertainment news segment features the entertainment scene with the stars at the TV and movie industry.

Omaga-Diaz era
On June 17, 2011, Jake Morales left the newscast for IBC News Tonight with Cathy Eigenmann, replacing IBC News Tonight. On June 20, 2011, former ABS-CBN news anchor Henry Omaga-Diaz took over the solo anchor. The reformat were changing to the graphics, new logo got a banner news program, tltle card and new OBB while shows the timecheck of the news ticker. With the introduction of international broadcasts in 2011 to the international channel Global IBC, Express Balita became the first Philippine newscast to be broadcast in overseas with expanded reach through Global IBC and the live web streaming on its offcial webpage.

In the opening ident, gave a sneak peek of the headlines with clips from the specific news items, after which, the new opening billboard with Terrence Khan provided the voice-over, "Live!, mula sa IBC news center, ito ang Express Balita..." to introduce the newscast and its anchorpersons. Omaga-Diaz used her signature closing line, "Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsubaybay" to end the newscast.

On August 8, 2011, along with IBC Headliners and News Team 13, Express Balita adopted the new set that using the IBC News studios and added a newsdesk with floating large rear projection screens that allow the anchors to virtually "talk" to correspondents in live feeds.

On October 5, 2011, it begin the coverage of the PBA games on AKTV on IBC, Express Balita aired at 6:30 pm after the first game (4:30-6:30 pm) and before the second game (7:00-9:00 pm) during Wednesday and Friday.

Omaga-Diaz-Serna-Go era
On July 2, 2012, Snooky Serna-Go returned to the anchors and she anchored it from 2000-2001, she joined Omaga-Diaz as the tandem anchor on a newscast on the Philippine television. The same day, along with IBC Headliners and News Team 13, the newscast was reformat and were change the new graphics, adpoted the news desk, new title card, new opening billboard and new set, when starting its simulcast on IBC News Network at the same time. A new segment, Ulat CCTV (Concerned Citizens Taking Videos), was launched aimed at citizen journalism and even utilizing CCTV footage and even cellphone footage from the public to convey the latest local news events. Also, new public service segment called Lingkod Kapinoy anchored by Serna herself continues the program's mission operating through IBC Foundation, Inc. while Serna also become a host for a newest public service program called Snooky. The same day, Express Balita was extended their timeslot from 30 minutes (6:30-7:00 pm) to 45 minutes (6:30-7:15 pm). In this time, Omaga-Diaz also had a stand-up anchor and Serna-Go sit-in anchor for newsdesk, and during the closing time for two anchors will have a stand-up anchors.

The main anchors also give their opinions on a news item, with the segment host of Showbiz Balita which joining them in their commentaries as she is also in the studio with the main anchors.

On December 21, 2012, Express Balita covered the Save the World of 2012 with the longest telecast in the history, lasting for about from 6:30pm to 7:15pm. It was anchored by Snooky Serna at the IBC Newscenter Manila and Henry Omaga-Diaz at the United States with the one anchoring the IBC special broadcast Save the World: 2012 Coverage since morning as hundreds of millions die in catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis worldwide where the earth is safe would not be end. The edition covered the world safe from disaster to the millions of viewers worldwide with reporters stationed.

On April 1, 2013, along with IBC Headliners and Ronda Trese, Express Balita relaunched a new innovation of redesigned and revamped 3D graphics package design, new logo (still using the the globe world theme with the new color of all-blue icing and red), new opening billboard (OBB) with the new HD television, opening titles and the computer-animated, new set of IBC news center with a brighter flooring and background, and new title card along with Facebook and Twitter pages and new segment icons debuted. The newly improved weather graphics and new reporting of IBC Weather Center in the weather forecaster from PAGASA.

New Reformat
On September 30, 2013, Express Balita extends into an hour-long newscast from 6:30-7:30 pm and the new improved opening titles, adding its newsdesk and new graphics design. It began to its studio at the newly-built IBC Broadcast City with a new set of IBC news center was also seen with a brighter flooring and background and new segment icons debuted. Also, IBC Regional newscasts for Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro will now adopt Express Balita branding. This changes are answers to competition of its long-time rivals ABS-CBN's TV Patrol and GMA Network's 24 Oras.

Due to consistent top-rater on January 6, 2014, Express Balita expanded from its time to 75 minutes, aired from 6:30pm to 7:45pm, because of the success of the network's first fantaserye Janella in Wonderland aired at 7:45pm to 8:30pm. To beef up the ratings of IBC by expanded into horizontal programming from Monday to Friday (5:45pm to 11:30pm), Express Balita's ratings proved that is is the #1 newscast on Philippine TV while Janella in Wonderland ranked as the #1 most-watched fantaserye, according to data from Kantar Media.

As of July 7, 2014, Express Balita, together with IBC Headliners and News Team 13, relaunched the new graphics, modified its newsdesk (when Omaga-Diaz as the stand-up anchor and Serna-Go as the sit-it anchor for newsdesk, and during the closing time for anchors as the stand-up anchors) and still with title cards. Omaga-Diaz and Serna-Go becoming the weeknight anchors of the newscast, while Santos and Lusuegro were in the weekend anchors. Recently, in line with the network's effort to gain top slot in the ratings, it is also still aired at 6:30pm slot in order to compete with TV Patrol and 24 Oras among its competitors. Mostly, the program was targeting more mass-based viewers, while waiting for IBC's Kapinoy Primetime block.

On September 19, 2014, Express Balita aired a special coverage from Media ng Bayan of Bayong Mario. It garnered 30.6% for the special coverage, while TV Patrol (28.4%) and 24 Oras (18.5%) in the same, according to a copy of the official ratings from the survey of Kantar Media/TNS Philippines.

Boots Anson-Roa, the network's president and CEO of IBC, said Express Balita's high ratings for the said coverage were "expected because of the weather condition to millions of viewers worldwide like Tropical Storm Mario." In the interview, the PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura revealed the typhoon and the storms of the rain about the flood, tropical storms and class suspension from school.

Recently, on October 6, 2014, along with News Team 13 and IBC Headliners, Express Balita reformatted in the new opening billboard (OBB).

Weekend edition
Since 1998, Express Balita also on weekend edition with Orly Mercado as its first anchors. In November 14, 2009, Mercado was replaced by Abel Cruz. The weekend edition lated was joined by Cathy Eigenmann in July 7, 2014.

As of September 30, 2012, Cruz was replaced by Alex Santos who will joined Eigenmann. By September 28, 2013, the weekend edition introducong the newest anchormen Vincent Santos replaced Alex and the most promising female news anchor Phoebe Javier replaced Eigenmann.

Theme music
The current theme music of Express Balita was introduced on July 12, 2010, which is arranged and composed by Jimmy Antiporda as the compositions with a mission of heavy metal rock-styled introduction.

Weeknight edition

 * Henry Omaga-Diaz (2011-present)
 * Snooky Serna-Go (2000-2001, 2012-present)

Weekend edition

 * Vincent Santos (2013-present; as a relief anchor for Omaga-Diaz)
 * Cathy Eigenmann  (weekend edition, 2012-2013, 2015-present)

Former anchors

 * Alice Noel (weekday editon, 1998)
 * Anne Marie Soriano (weekday edition, 1998-2001)
 * Ida Marie Castro (weekday edition, 1999-2000)
 * Noli Eala (weekday edition, 2001-2002)
 * Precious Hipolito-Castelo (weekday edition, 2001-2009)
 * Adrian Ayalin (weekday edition, 2002-2003)
 * Ali Atienza (weekday edition, 2005-2007)
 * Errol Dacame (weekday edition, 2007-2008)
 * Bing Formento (weekday edition, 2008-2009)
 * Jake Morales (weekday edition, 2009-2011)
 * Karen Padilla (weekday edition, 2009-2010)
 * Ricardo Cepeda (weekday edition, 2011-2012)
 * Orly Mercado (weekend edition, 1998-2009)
 * Abel Cruz (weekend edition, 2009-2012)
 * Zyrene Parsad-Valensia (weekend edition, 2012)
 * Alex Santos (weekend edition, 2012-2013)
 * Phoebe Javier (weekend edition; 2013-2015)

Current

 * Aldczar Aurelio - Weather Update  (2013-present)
 * Georgina Wilson - Seeing Stars  (2011-present)
 * Lil Mateo - Coolinarya  (2013-present)
 * Greg Gregorio - Adventurista  (2013-present)

Former

 * Chin-Chin Gutierrez - Balita Atbp. (2011-2012)
 * Jeff Arcilla - Ulat Panahon (2011-2013)
 * Cathy Eigenmann - Happy ni Cathy (segment feature, 2012-2013)

Current

 * Presinto 13 - Police Report
 * Serbisyo Express - Public Service
 * Global Round Up - Foreign News
 * CCTV Balita - CCTV Report
 * Lingkod Kapinoy - Public Service
 * Seeing Stars - Showbiz News
 * Sports Page - Sports News
 * Weather Update - Weather Forecast
 * Good Shot - Inspiring stories of Filipinos for a good work and good shot experience.
 * Coolinarya - Food Features
 * Cooltura - Culture
 * Adventurista - Travelogue

Former

 * Express Major Balita - Major News
 * Metro Balita - Metro News
 * Happy ni Cathy - Featuring Host Cathy Eigenmann
 * Balita Atbp. - Feature Stories

Express Balita on IBC Regional
Since 2011, Express Balita's editions are broadcast on all IBC owned and operated and affiliate stations nationwide All regional editions air every weekdays at 5:15 pm and some have simulcast over Global IBC for overseas viewers and on the network's AM radio stations in selected regions.

Luzon

 * Express Balita Cordillera (IBC-13 Baguio)

Visayas

 * Express Balita Ilonggo (IBC-12 Iloilo)
 * Express Balita Bisaya (IBC-13 Cebu)

Mindanao

 * Express Balita Davaoeno (IBC-13 Davao)

Awards and recognitions
The national Express Balita and its anchors/reporters throughout its decades of airing got various local, national and even international recognitions like the Asian TV Awards and International Emmy Awards, as reported in the IBC Annual Reports. Also in the IBC Annual Reports, the regional editions of Express Balita and their respective news teams got notable local and even national recognitions (via KBP Golden Dove Awards). Among the award-winning regional editions and regional news teams hail from Express Balita Amianan, Express Balita Ilonggo, Express Balita Bisaya and Express Balita Davaoeno.

Catholic Mass Media Awards

 * 36th Catholic Mass Media Awards (Best News Program) - Won

GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards

 * 2014 Winner, Top Rating News and Public Affairs

Golden Screen Awards

 * 2014 Winner, Outstanding Male News Presenter (Vincent Santos)
 * 2014 Winner, Outstanding News Program

Mabini Media Awards

 * 2014 Winner, Best Television Male News Program Anchor (Henry Omaga-Diaz)
 * 2014 Winner, Best Television News Program

USTv Student Choice Awards

 * 10th USTv Student's Choice Awards (Students’ Choice of News Program) - Won
 * 10th USTv Student's Choice Awards (Students’ Choice of News Host) - Won (Vincent Santos)

Gawad Tanglaw Awards

 * 2015 13th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best News Anchor) - Won (Vincent Santos)
 * 2014 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best News Program Anchors) - Won (Henry Omaga-Diaz)
 * 2014 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best News Program) - Won
 * 2013 11th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best News Program Anchors) - Won (Snooky Serna-Go)
 * 2013 11th Gawad Tanglaw Awards (Best News Program) - Won

Gandingan: UPLB Isko't Iska's Broadcast Choice Awards Awards

 * Gandingan 2014: The 76th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards (Best News Program) - Won
 * Gandingan 2013: The 75th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards (Best Female Newscater) - Won (Snooky Serna)
 * Gandingan 2013: The 75th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards (Best News Program) - Won

Anak TV Seal Awards

 * 2014 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Won
 * 2013 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Won
 * 2012 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Won
 * 2011 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Nominated
 * 2010 Anak TV Seal Awardee (Most Well-Liked TV Program) - Nominated

Asian Television Awards

 * 2012 Asian TV Awards (Best News Program) - Winner

PMPC Star Awards for Television

 * 28th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Male Newscaster) - Won (Henry Omaga-Diaz)
 * 28th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best News Program) - Won
 * 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Male Newscaster) - Won (Henry Omaga-Diaz)
 * 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Female Newscaster) - Won (Snooky Serna-Go)
 * 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best News Program) - Won
 * 26th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best News Program) - Nominated
 * 26th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Female Newscaster) - Won (Snooky Serna-Go)
 * 26th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Male Newscaster) - Won (Henry Omaga-Diaz)
 * 25th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best News Program) - Nominated
 * 25th PMPC Star Awards for Television (Best Female Newscaster) - Won (Snooky Serna-Go)

KBP Golden Dove Awards

 * 2013 21st KBP Golden Dove Awards (Best TV Male Newscaster) - Won (Henry Omaga-Diaz)
 * 2013 21st KBP Golden Dove Awards (Best Newscast) - Nominated
 * 2012 20th KBP Golden Dove Awards (Best News Program) - Won
 * 2011 KBP Golden Dove Awards (Best News Program) - Won