Veteran journalist Julius Babao, a household name in Philippine broadcasting, recently took to Instagram to pay homage to TV Patrol, the iconic ABS-CBN newscast where he served as a main anchor during some of its most transformative years.
Now a key figure at TV5, Babao’s reflections offer a heartfelt tribute to the program that shaped his career and a nod to the networks that defined his journey in journalism.
Babao reposted an ABS-CBN artcard commemorating the network’s 40th anniversary, which posed a nostalgic question to audiences: “Anong TV Patrol ang naabutan mo?”.
Accompanying the image, Babao shared a poignant caption that traced his evolution as a journalist across three major networks.
“Sa GMA-7 ako ipinanganak, sa ABS-CBN ako lumaki, at sa TV5 ko ipinagpapatuloy ang pagiging bahagi ng kasaysayan,” he wrote.
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His time at TV Patrol, ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast, remains a defining chapter in his career. Babao first joined the program as a main anchor in 2003, co-anchoring alongside Korina Sanchez until 2004. He returned later that year, this time sharing the desk with Ted Failon and Karen Davila until 2010. This latter stint coincided with a significant evolution for the newscast, as it rebranded to TV Patrol World, adopting a global perspective in its news delivery to reflect the expanding horizons of Filipino journalism.
In his Instagram post, Babao expressed deep gratitude to the networks that molded him into the journalist he is today.
“Salamat sa mga network na humubog sa aking pagiging mamamahayag na patuloy na lumalaban sa hamon ng buhay,” he wrote. His words resonate as a testament to his resilience and adaptability in an industry known for its relentless demands.
Babao’s career began at GMA-7, where he cut his teeth as a broadcaster before moving to ABS-CBN, the network that would catapult him to national prominence. After years of service at ABS-CBN, including his memorable tenure at TV Patrol, Babao transitioned to TV5, where he currently anchors the primetime newscast Frontline Pilipinas. His move to TV5 marks a new chapter, one where he continues to uphold the standards of journalism that have defined his decades-long career.
As TV Patrol remains a cultural touchstone for Filipinos, Babao’s tribute underscores its enduring legacy—not just as a news program, but as a training ground for some of the country’s most respected journalists.
For Babao, it’s clear that his time at TV Patrol was more than just a job; it was a crucible that forged his identity as a storyteller and a truth-seeker.
