On February 2, broadcast journalist Julius Babao revealed why he left the Kapamilya network after almost three decades of working for the media company.
During the media conference for Babao’s welcome in TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas, he admitted that he arrived at a turning point in his career with ABS-CBN, and cited that he wanted to move forward and not become stagnant.
“Dumating kasi sa point ng buhay ko at ng career ko na parang mayroon akong hinahanap no, na bagay na hindi ko magawa. Parang may kulang. So after mawalan ng franchise ang ABS-CBN, I stayed on with the network for two years, and talagang naging bahagi ako ng kanilang programs lalo na sa Teleradyo. But, I feel na it’s about time na mag-move on na ako sa aking career.
“Sabi ko nga eh, pag-ikaw ay masyadong naging kampante, sa iyong career at sa iyong trabaho, parang that’s close to retirement. Parang feeling ko parang naging stagnant na. So I need to do more things, I need to expand my wings. Kaya doon nagsimula ‘yun.”
He added that he prayed for signs from saints before he decided to transfer to TV5.
“I prayed a lot, I really asked for the intervention of our patron saints, si Saint Padre Pio, Saint Anthony De Padua, Saint Jude, Saint Joseph, lahat na ‘yata ng santo dinasalan ko para makahingi ng guidance. And I asked for signs, mayroon bang signs na magdadala sa akin sa ibang klase ng profession, whether it would still be media, or sa labas ng media.”
He then detailed how he received the formal offer for the Frontline Pilipinas post from TV5 News and Information Head Luchi Cruz-Valdes.
“And then, dumating sa punto na ‘yun nga nakausap ko si Ma’am Luchi doon na nagsimula ‘yung pag-open ng mata ko sa possibility nga na lumipat dito sa Kapatid Network. And I did ask for signs, dumating ‘yung point na parang matagal kaming hindi nag-uusap ni Ma’am Luchi until one day nakatanggap ako ng message sa kanya na sabi niya, ‘are you still interested in joining our network?'”
Babao expressed excitement working with his former Kapamilya colleagues at TV5’s news department.
“Nakakatuwa, nakaka-excite na muli ko sila makakatrabaho after many, many years na hindi kami nakakapag-usap at hindi kami nakakapagprograma together. So finally, I’m excited, basically, talagang nae-excite akong makatrabaho sila lalo na sa mga special coverages.”
He then shared details about his one-month transition before transferring to TV5.
“Mahigit one month na ata na nakapagpahinga ako from ABS-CBN. In-alot ko talaga ‘yung time ko para makapagpahinga, makapag-relax, makipag-bonding sa pamilya ko dahil alam ko dadarating ‘yung panahon na mas magiging na akong busy so hindi ko na makakasama ‘yung mga anak ko on weekdays.
“Kaya sinamantala ko talaga ‘yung pagkakataon na makasama ‘yung mga anak ko sa buong buwan na wala akong ginagawa masyado aside from vlogging.”
He clarified that his transfer to TV5 happened not because of higher pay but his interest in growing as a news person.
“Hindi siya factor at all, it’s all about ‘yung growth ko as a news anchor. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung naging basis ko sa pagtransfer sa TV5, and doon sa pakikipagusap ko kay Ma’am Luchi marami akong nakitang mga opportunities na pwede ko magawa once na nandito na ako. It’s not about money, it’s not about an issue of money, it’s really about ‘yung growth ko as a news personality as a person.”
Babao began working with ABS-CBN in 1993, wherein he became a TV reporter. He worked on programs such as XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé, Aksyon Ngayon, and Mission Possible. In December 2021, Babao announced his transfer to TV5, 28 years after working with the Kapamilya Network.
Julius Babao will formally join TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas starting February 7, every 5:30 PM, live on TV5 and via Livestream at News5 Facebook and YouTube pages.
