GMA Integrated News reporter EJ Gomez once again captured the admiration of netizens after she was spotted transitioning from full glam to full-on duty, proving that dedication to journalism knows no dress code.
EJ, who attended the GMA Gala 2025 at the Marriott Hotel on Saturday, August 2, went viral after photos of her covering a fire incident in Caloocan City—still in her evening gown and makeup—circulated online. She had just stepped off the blue carpet before rushing to report on the blaze in Barangay 160, Libis Baesa, past 10 p.m.
“From GMA Gala to sunog real quick,” EJ wrote in a Facebook post, where she shared behind-the-scenes photos of her covering the story.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed by the public. A Facebook page called Sunbaenim compiled before-and-after photos of EJ, which quickly gained over 236,000 reactions. Her transformation—from red carpet glamour to smoke-filled fieldwork—drew both amusement and admiration.
“Jusko po universe, ganito naman po ngayon?” EJ commented on the viral post.
“Pero kidding aside, hindi po kasi pwedeng puro na lang tayo trabaho. For me, if there’s a chance to do something that makes us happy, I say we go for it. Minsan yun mismo, or ang change of mood natin ang nagpapagana sa atin to be more and do more at work.”
She admitted that she, too, gets exhausted from the demands of the job. “Nakakapagod magtrabaho but we’re not robots,” she said, sharing that in her downtime she recharges by spending time with nature, friends, running, swimming, or attending events like the GMA Gala—“lalo na kapag hindi pa naman po duty.”
“Pero, pag trabaho na, trabahong maayos naman,” she emphasized.
“Sa trabahong meron po ako, umulan, bumagyo o kahit mausok pa yan, pupuntahan po namin sa abot ng aming makakaya para maihatid ng buo ang balita sa lahat—kahit galing pa po tayo sa GMA Gala.”
The online community has since crowned EJ Gomez as a new symbol of work-life balance and professional commitment. From “red carpet to red alert,” as one commenter put it, EJ’s story drew humorous but heartfelt responses: “From smokey eyes to smokey zone.”
Some praised her as a role model: “Your dedication is waving in giving information and safety to everyone on air. Salute po. I am loving your task and role in our society and country Ms. Eireene Jairee Desembrana Gomez.”
This isn’t the first time EJ went viral. Just last week, she trended for maintaining a flawless look while reporting during a typhoon. Netizens praised her “typhoon-proof makeup,” joking about her supposed “setting spray sorcery.” In a post addressing the buzz, EJ clarified: “I’m the one bringing the news but why am I always the last one to know news like this?”
“Hindi ko po sinadyang mag-ayos para lang mag-trend. Gusto ko lang pong magmukhang maganda para sa sarili ko. It helps build confidence while delivering the news.”
Grateful for the recognition, she ended with a note of appreciation: “Maraming salamat po sa mga matatamis na salita at papuri, mga Kapuso. Nababasa ko po lahat. Taos-pusong pasasalamat.”
