Rhea Santos-de Guzman (born June 1, 1979) is a Filipino broadcast journalist, television host, and newscaster currently based in Canada. She is known for co-anchoring

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

morning show Breakfast television (Europe, Canada, and Australia) or morning show (United States) is a type of news or infotainment television programme that broadcasts live in the morning (typically scheduled between 5:00 and 10:00a.m., or if it is a ...

Unang Hirit ''Unang Hirit'' () is a Philippine television news broadcasting and talk show broadcast by GMA Network. It is the longest running morning show in the Philippines. Originally hosted by Ryan Agoncillo, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Arnold Clavio, Suzi E ...

'' and hosting several news and public affairs programs including ''

Reporter's Notebook ''Reporter's Notebook'' is a Philippine television documentary show broadcast by GMA Network, GMA News TV and GTV. Originally hosted by Jiggy Manicad and Maki Pulido, it premiered on June 1, 2004 on the network's Tuesday evening line up. The s ...

'' and ''

Tunay na Buhay ''Tunay na Buhay'' () is a Philippine television documentary show broadcast by GMA Network, GMA News TV and GTV. Originally hosted by Rhea Santos, it premiered on January 21, 2011 replacing '' OFW Diaries'' on the network's evening line up. The ...

''. After 19 years of being a broadcast journalist, she left the Philippines to study and eventually resume her profession in Canada.

Early life

Rhea Santos was born on June 1, 1979 in San Mateo, Rizal and stayed most of her childhood in

Marikina Marikina (), officially the City of Marikina ( fil, Lungsod ng Marikina), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 456,159 people. It is locate ...

. She has an older brother and a younger brother. She finished elementary and high school at St. Scholastica's Academy of Marikina. She graduated magna cum laude at St. Paul's College Quezon City (now known as St. Paul University Quezon City) finishing AB Mass Communications. One of her project in her first year in college was interviewing

Arnold Clavio Arnold Aldea Clavio (; born November 2, 1965), also known as Igan, is a radio and television newscaster, journalist, and television host in the Philippines. He currently co-anchors GMA Network's late-night newscast ''Saksi'', the morning sho ...

(her future co-anchor in ''Unang Hirit'') about martial law. She had an internship at

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine commercial broadcast network that serves as the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company unde ...

in her junior year in college. During her senior year in high school, it became clear to her that she would like to be a broadcast journalist. Although, her childhood dream was to become a beauty queen and her mother fully supported her. With that, she participated in the 1996 Body Shots competition where she became one of the finalists and won the "Best in Swimsuit" special award. Standing at , she was once a commercial and ramp model and an endorser for some products. She also auditioned for Binibining Piipinas but after an argument with her mother in front of the judges, she did not pursue it.

Career

Upon graduating from college, Rhea Santos worked for an airline company and a PR firm. Eventually, she decided to follow her aspiration to become a broadcast journalist and began to send job applications to television networks. In July 2000,

replied on her application and started to work there as a segment producer. One day, she had the opportunity to be one of the newscasters and hosts of GMA Network's morning show ''

'', temporarily replacing

Miriam Quiambao Miriam Redito Quiambao-Roberto (, born May 20, 1975) is a Filipino physical therapist, inspirational speaker, author, entrepreneur, actress, television host, real estate broker, endorser, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned ...

who was absent for a day. She eventually became a regular of the show in 2001. In 2003, she was assigned to anchor ''Frontpage'''s segment GMA Action Force where she was also a field reporter interviewing different people such as criminal gangs in

Tondo, Manila Tondo is a district located in Manila, Philippines. It is the largest in terms of area and population of Manila's sixteen districts, with a Census-estimated 631,313 people in 2015 and consists of two congressional districts. It is also the seco ...

. In 2004, she had her own show '' At Your Service-Star Power''. In the same year, she co-hosted ''

Eat Bulaga! ''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...

Silver Special'', which was a co-production of

TAPE Inc. Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.) is a Philippine television production company established in 1978 and is a partner of GMA Network Inc. (after Radio Philippines Network and ABS-CBN Corporation). It was founded by former ABS ...

and

GMA News and Public Affairs GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs (formerly known as ''RBS News Department'', ''GMA Radio-Television News'' and ''GMA Rainbow Satellite News''; and commonly GMA (Integrated) News) is the news division of the GMA Network Inc. The division ...

, with her fellow anchor in ''Unang Hirit'',

. The following year, GMA launched ''

Pinoy Abroad ''Pinoy Abroad'' is a Philippine television travel documentary show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Ivan Mayrina and Rhea Santos Rhea Santos-de Guzman (born June 1, 1979) is a Filipino broadcast journalist, television host, and newscas ...

'', which she co-hosted with Ivan Mayrina. She had anchored primetime newscast ''

News on Q ''News on Q'' is a Philippine television news broadcasting show broadcast by Q. Originally anchored by Ivan Mayrina and Rhea Santos, it premiered on November 11, 2005. The show concluded on February 18, 2011. Mayrina and Connie Sison served as ...

'' (previously aired by QTV, renamed as Q, later

GMA News TV GMA News TV (GNTV; visually rendered in its logo in all capital letters as GMA NEWS TV) is a 24-hour Philippine-based international pay television channel owned by Citynet Network Marketing and Productions Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of G ...

and eventually since 2021 became GTV) from 2005 to 2010. She also hosted public affairs program ''Women's Desk'' (later re-titled as ''Draw the Line'') in 2005 and documentary show ''DoQmentaries'' in 2008 along with other presenters

Connie Sison Maria Perpetua Concepcion Del Rosario-Escudero (born December 8, 1975), professionally known as Connie Sison (), is a Filipino broadcast journalist, reporter, host and news anchor. She is best known for being the news anchor of '' Balitanghali'' ...

and Pia Arcangel. She co-hosted ''

'' with

Jiggy Manicad Rodrigo Defeo Manicad Jr. ( ; born November 15, 1974), popularly known as Jiggy Manicad, is a Filipino television news producer/reporter and newscaster. He was formerly an anchor of the weekend edition of GMA Network's flagship news program ' ...

in 2009 where she reported from the field and covered high-profile cases such as the Maguindanao massacre. Santos left Reporter's Notebook in 2011 to host ''

,'' a television program that features biographies of celebrities, which was first aired on January 21, 2011. In 2013, she guested at ''

The Ryzza Mae Show ''The Ryzza Mae Show'' is a Philippine television talk show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Ryzza Mae Dizon, it premiered on April 8, 2013 on the network's afternoon line up. The show concluded on September 18, 2015 with a total of 636 epis ...

''. In 2016, she hosted the television special entitled ''Imagine You & Me: The Journey'', which is a documentary for the film ''Imagine You & Me'', starring the

AlDub AlDub is a Philippine supercouple which first appeared in the Kalyeserye portion of the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment of the variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' They were also called as the "phenomenal love team" due to their rise in popula ...

love team of

Alden Richards Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr. (born January 2, 1992), known professionally as Alden Richards, is an award-winning Filipino actor, singer, host, and entrepreneur. He is dubbed as "The Asia's Multimedia Star" after receiving the Asian Star Pri ...

and

Maine Mendoza Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza (born March 3, 1995), better known as Maine Mendoza (), is a Filipino actress and television personality. She is best known for her viral Dubsmash videos and her role as Yaya Dub in the noontime reality show ''Ea ...

. In 2018, she anchored the Lenten special of ''Unang Hirit'' where they broadcast live from Israel. In 2019, she retired as a broadcast journalist after leaving the Philippines together with her family to pursue her further education in Canada taking up Broadcast and Online Journalism at the

British Columbia Institute of Technology The British Columbia Institute of Technology (also referred to as BCIT), is a public polytechnic institute in Burnaby, British Columbia. The technical institute has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with its main campus in B ...

. With her 19 years experience in the television news industry in the Philippines, she has covered and broadcast major events during the 2000s and 2010s such as the Philippine national elections of those times, State of the Nation Addresses of Philippine presidents

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (, born April 5, 1947), often referred to by her initials GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician serving as one of the House Deputy Speakers since 2022, and previously from 2016 to 2017. She previously ...

Benigno Aquino III Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (; February 8, 1960 – June 24, 2021), also known as Noynoy Aquino and colloquially as PNoy, was a Filipino politician who served as the 15th president of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016. The son of ...

and

Rodrigo Duterte Rodrigo Roa Duterte (, ; born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong, Rody, and by the initials DU30 and PRRD, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the chairperson ...

, the

9/11 attack The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercia ...

in New York City, United States, the

wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place on Friday, 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The groom was second in the line of succession to the British throne. The couple had been in a relationship si ...

, and Philippine Chief Justice

Renato Corona Renato Tereso Antonio Coronado Corona (October 15, 1948 – April 29, 2016) was a Filipino judge who was the 23rd chief justice of the Philippines from 2010 to 2012. He served as an associate justice after being appointed by President Gloria ...

impeachment trial An impeachment trial is a trial that functions as a component of an impeachment. Several governments utilize impeachment trials as a part of their processes for impeachment, but differ as to when in the impeachment process trials take place and how ...

. She has been the longest-serving female morning newscaster in the history of Philippine television. On September 1, 2020, she resumed her career in the news industry, premiering as the anchor of the national Philippine edition of

Omni News Omni News (styled as OMNI News) is the name of local and national newscasts in various languages on the Omni Television system in Canada. National Omni Television produces daily newscasts in Italian, Punjabi, Arabic, Filipino, Cantonese, and Man ...

in Vancouver,

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, for ...

, Canada.

Personal life

On September 17, 2004, Rhea Santos married businessman and Hotshots Burger chain owner, Carlo de Guzman. They have two children nicknamed Uno and Yuan. Aside from being a media personality, she had a baking business through Curious Chef Philippines. In 2010, she was named by Spot.ph, an entertainment website, as the third hottest television newswomen in the Philippines. The last appearance of Santos in ''Tunay na Buhay'' features her life story.

Filmography

Television

*''

'' – (2000–2019) * ''Frontpage'' – (2003–2004) *''

i-Witness ''i-Witness'', formerly ''i-Witness: The GMA Documentaries'' is a Philippine television documentary show broadcast by GMA Network and GMA News TV. Originally hosted by Vicky Morales, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Mike Enriquez, Cheche Lazaro and Jessica ...

'': Abakada ni Ina – (2004) *''

:'' Silver Anniversary Special – (2004) *'' At Your Service-Star Power'' – (2004–2005) *''

'' – (2005–2006) *''

'' – (2005–2010) * ''Women's Desk'' – (later retitled as ''Draw the Line'', 2005–2009) *'' 100% Pinoy!'' – (2006–2007) *''

Case Unclosed ''Case Unclosed'' is a Philippine television documentary show broadcast by GMA Network. Originally hosted by Kara David, it premiered on October 2, 2008, replacing '' 100% Pinoy!''. Arnold Clavio served as the final host. The show concluded on ...

'' – (2009) *''

'' – (2009–2011) *''

'' – (2011–2019) *''Follow That Star'' – (2013) – featured celebrity *''

'' – (2013) – guest *''

The 700 Club Asia ''The 700 Club'' is the flagship television program of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing each weekday in syndication in the United States and available worldwide on CBN.com. The news magazine program features live guests, daily news, con ...

'' – (2016) – guest *''Imagine You & Me: The Journey'' – (2016) *'' OMNI News: Filipino Edition'' – (2020–present) *''OMNI Prairies: Pinoy Konek'' – (2020) – guest

Accolades

, - , 2001 , ''Unang Hirit'' ,

15th PMPC Star Awards for Television PMPC Star Awards for TV annually recognizes outstanding television programmes in the Philippines. In 2001, the winners were as follows: Nominees and Winners Best Children Show: 5 and Up (GMA 7) Best Children Show Host: 5 and Up Kids (5 & Up/GMA ...

– Best Morning Show Host , , - , 2002 , ''Unang Hirit'' , 16th PMPC Star Awards for Television – Best Morning Show Host , , - , 2002 , Rhea Santos , 16th PMPC Star Awards for Television – Most Promising Female TV Personality , , - , 2004 , ''

'': ABAKADA ni Ina , 2004 Catholic Mass Media Awards – Best TV Magazine Show , , - , 2005 , ''At Your Service'': Under the Sea Special , 2005 U.S. International Film and Video Festival – Gold Camera Award , , - , 2006 , ''Pinoy Abroad'' ,

20th PMPC Star Awards for Television The 20th PMPC Star Awards for Television ceremony was held at the UP Theater, Quezon City on October 23, 2006 and broadcast over RPN Channel 9 on October 28, 2006. The ceremony was hosted by Boy Abunda, Tin Tin Bersola-Babao, Jean Garcia, Toni ...

– Best Travel Show Host , , - , 2008 , ''Unang Hirit'' ,

22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television The 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV ceremony was held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay on November 30, 2008 and broadcast over TV5 on December 2, 2008. The ceremony was hosted by Paolo Bediones, Gabby Concepcion, Anne Curtis a ...

– Best Morning Show Host , , - , 2013 , ''Unang Hirit'' ,

27th PMPC Star Awards for Television The 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television ceremony was held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on November 24, 2013 and broadcast over ABS-CBN Channel 2 on December 1, 2013 (on Sunday's Best). The ceremony was hosted by Alex and T ...

– Best Morning Show Host , , - , 2015 , ''Unang Hirit'' ,

29th PMPC Star Awards for Television The 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television (organized by Philippine Movie Press Club headed by current president and over-all awards chairman Joe Barrameda and produced by Airtime Marketing Philippines, Inc. headed by Tessie Celestino-Howard) awar ...

– Best Morning Show Host , , - , 2016 , ''Tunay na Buhay'' ,

30th PMPC Star Awards for Television The 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television awards ceremony (also known as the integral part of the ''2016 Star For M-TV Awards'', with the theme ''The Fusion of Philippine Entertainment's Best'') was held on October 23, 2016 at the Monet Grand Ballr ...

– Best Documentary Program Host , , - , 2017 , ''Unang Hirit'' , Gawad Tanglaw Awards 2017 – Best Morning Show Host ,

References

External links

Rhea Santos' Official WebsiteRhea Santos on GMA News Online
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santos, Rhea 1979 births Living people Filipino Christians Filipino evangelicals Filipino expatriates in Canada Filipino reporters and correspondents Filipino television news anchors GMA Network personalities GMA News and Public Affairs people People from Marikina People from San Mateo, Rizal St. Paul University alumni Kapampangan people Women television journalists