Different stories rocked the country in 2019, leaving Filipinos with valuable lessons to carry with them in the coming year.  Before 2020 rings in, ABS-CBN looks back on the news that will eventually shape the course of our nation’s history in “Sa Likod ng Balita: The ABS-CBN 2019 Yearend Special” this Sunday (December 29) on ABS-CBN.

Produced by ABS-CBN News’ multi-awarded documentary group DocuCentral, “Sa Likod ng Balita” features firsthand accounts by the network’s reporters who broke and covered the news that made a lasting impact on Filipinos---from the quakes that shook the country from Batanes in the north to Davao Del Sur in the south, the health epidemics that caused panic and accusations of abuse of power by authorities, to events that can be considered as victories for the nation, such as the court ruling on the Maguindanao massacre and the Philippines’ triumphant campaign in the Southeast Asian Games.

Led by seasoned broadcast journalists Jorge Cariño, Jeff Canoy, Chiara Zambrano, and Christian Esguerra, the reporters will share the stories behind the headlines in the yearender documentary, taking from their experience in following the issues and news events up close as they perform their roles as the eyes, ears, and voice of the public.

In “Sa Likod ng Balita,” Jeff and colleague Nonie Basco will talk about the importance of having been able to report about two maritime incidents that made it to the daily newscasts, the plight of Filipino fishermen whose boat was rammed into by a Chinese vessel, and the tragedy at the Iloilo-Guimaras strait, where many passengers and crew perished.

“Mahalaga ‘yung nangyari sa Gem-Ver Uno kasi kung baga…malalaman mo talaga kung ano ‘yung posisyon ng bansa, tungkol sa West Philippine Sea (What happened in Gem-Ver Uno made us aware of the country’s position on the issue about West Philippine Sea),”  shared Jeff. 

“It was a lesson learned for all the concerned agencies na nagrerespond sa mga maritime-calamity disasters. Kaya nga nagkakaroon ng mga changes. Kailangang palitan na 'yung mga lumang mga bangka at baguhin na rin 'yung disenyo (It was a lesson learned for all the concerned agencies involved in responding to maritime-calamity disasters. That’s why changes are being implemented such as replacing old boats and altering the design to make the vessels safer),” Nonie said.

Raphael Bosano will also share what he realized as he reported on the polio outbreak.

“Nakita rin natin na kaunti pala talaga 'yung kaalaman ng publiko tungkol sa polio kasi nga ang tagal niyang wala eh dito sa bansa. So nung bumalik siya, hindi prepared 'yung mga tao on how to handle polio (We saw that the public knew very little about polio because it has been absent in the country for a long time. So when it came back, people weren’t prepared on how to handle it),” he said.

Looking back on how he could have been one of the casualties in the Maguindanao massacre, a tragedy triggered by a political rivalry, Jorge stressed about why Filipinos should be concerned about issues, even those that seem to have no direct effect on them.

“Ang pagtakbo po sa halalan ay bahagi ng demokrasya. Bahagi ng ating kalayaan. Ang pamamahayag ay bahagi ng demokrasya, bahagi ng ating kalayaan. Kung may tao na ayaw kang pagbigyan na ituloy mo ‘yung kalayaan mo, may problema po tayo diyan. Dapat po tayo’y pare-parehong malaya (To be able to run for office is part of our democracy and freedom. So is journalism. If there is a person that hinders you from exercising your freedom, then there is a problem. Everyone has a right to be free),” he said.

Also sharing their stories and insights on the year’s most important news stories are Angel Movido, Dennis Datu, Dyan Castillejo, Gretchen Fullido, John Guda, Ron Gagalac, Micaella Ilao, Mike Navallo, Paul Palacio, and Sherrie Ann Torres, representing the news teams of ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), DZMM, news.abs-cbn.com, and ABS-CBN Regional.

Revisit the major news events that from 2019 made a lasting impact on Filipinos this Sunday (December 29) on “Sa Likod ng Balita: The ABS-CBN Yea2019 rend Special” after “GGV” on Sunday’ Best on ABS-CBN. Watch online via iWant or skyondemand.com.ph. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.