The treasures of Mike Enriquez

He is the voice behind Super Radyo DZBB’s Saksi sa Dobol B, Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide, and Imbestigador sa DZBB. On television, he co-anchors GMA’s flagship primetime newscast 24 Oras, delivering the day’s biggest head- lines. Exposing the wrongdoings and helping bring justice to the aggrieved in his weekly program Imbestigador, he has earned the moniker “Imbestigador ng Bayan.”

The name is Miguel Castro Enriquez, popularly known as Mike Enriquez. Noted for his straight-to-the-point com- mentaries and unbiased news reporting, Mike treasures his 19 years with the Kapuso Network and believes in loyalty. Just recently, the multi-awarded news anchor and radio host renewed his ties with GMA Network and remains a Kapuso.

And while the GMA News pillar shows a tough and brave façade, most people don’t know that Mike has a soft spot for the treasures that he cherishes in life. Read on as the “nag-iisang sum- bungan ng bayan” reveals some of the things he values the most.

Most Treasured Person: As most people say, behind every successful man is a woman. This holds true for Mike. His wife, Baby, is someone he can’t live without.

“Like anybody else who is mar- ried, your spouse is supposed to be your partner, your confidante, your soul mate, and most importantly, your friend. But because she is my wife, she is also my chef (laughs). I treasure her because she cooks for me (laughs).”

And to make her feel special, Mike plays the role of being her wife’s friend, soul mate and confidante. “There is a lot of reciprocity. There is a lot of taking and giving back when you are with your most treasured per- son. So, it is a two-way relationship. Hindi siya treasured person dahil lang may pakinabang ka sa kanya.”

Most Treasured Pet: Mike has a poodle named Booma. “I was the one

who gave her that name. She was a gift from my wife’s friend. When the poodle first arrived in our house, my wife text- ed me, asking me what name we should give her. I immediately answered, ‘Booma.’ She just replied with ‘K.’”

Not known to all, Booma is also how some people fondly address Mike.

Most Treasured Place/Travel Desti- nation: Mike has been to many beautiful places. But for him, Palawan, New York, San Francisco and Florence stand out.

“Palawan is so beautiful. We’ve been there several times. Minsan may trips din kami ‘dun na hiwalay. My wife would go there with friends and my in-laws, while I travel there alone to visit our radio sta- tion in Puerto Princesa.”

Mike and Baby have also traveled to New York and San Francisco countless times. “My wife doesn’t like New York that much, but I love it. It is so alive.

It has so much character. It is the only place of its kind. I like San Francisco because of the atmosphere. It is not so big but not too small, and the climate is very, very nice.”

As for Florence, “We travel to Flor- ence because of the history and again, the character, as well as its cuisine and culture.”

Most Treasured Show/s: Every week- night, Mike and co-anchor Mel Tiangco, banner GMA’s flagship primetime newscast 24 Oras.

“I value 24 Oras because you know you are making a difference. You know you are keeping people informed, and you know that you, in a way, are helping the people. The most important thing is you keep the people informed. Being informed hopefully translates to them being more aware and more involved.”

Most Treasured Pieces of Advice: Even the best needs to hear sound pieces of ad- vice, and Mike confesses that he always listens to words of wisdom like, “Just do you best in everything you do whether at work or at play.”

What advice does he fol- low about his career? Mike laughingly answers: “Make sure you always have a con- tract.”

But seriously, Mike ad- vises: “Find your place in the sun. Find out what you really want to do. Do not think of rewards at the onset. Determine for yourself what you really want to do or to be and do everything you can to be the best in your field and everything else will follow.”

Most Treasured Moment as a Kapuso news personal- ity: Mike has been with GMA since 1995. And his 19 years with the Kapuso Network are full of remarkable experienc- es and interesting anecdotes.

“I covered Pope John Paul II when he visited the country. And when he died, I was the one who was sent to Vatican. There was also that time when I was in Baghdad, with Howie Severino and Jiggy Manicad to cover the war.”

He enthuses that he has so many treasured moments, but “I think that is one of the keys to being successful. If there are no treasured mo- ments, you tell yourself that there are and it will keep you going and going and moving forward.”

He believes that it should be a series of treasured memories. Even those simple, ordinary daily things can be precious moments. “Like, yes- terday, I had a nice lunch with friends. Treasured moment na ‘yun. Para sa iba mababaw ‘yun. Mababaw lang naman talaga ang kaligayahan ko.”

And what treasures does he want to impart with the Kapuso viewers?

“News, information, the commentaries on DZBB, and even the humor — these things na pinaghihirapan namin para maibigay sa kanila. But I also advise them to

be discerning. They should not just watch or listen to us. They must also make us watch out and listen to them. So, be alert and be vigilant.”