Israel Malasa, a veteran journalist with over two decades of experience and who has been the Desk Editor for all regions across the Philippine archipelago for ABS-CBN Corporation since 2006, has been named recently as ABS-CBN Asia-Pacific News Bureau Chief.
The appointment was announced today by both ABS-CBN Corporation's Head of Integrated News and Current Affairs Division Ging Reyes and ABS-CBN Global's Managing Director for Asia-Pacific Maribel Hernaez. Malasa takes the place vacated by the distinguished Edwin Sevidal who passed away in April 2021.
In stepping into the role of APAC News Bureau Chief for ABS-CBN, Malasa is bringing with him over 20 years of broadcast journalism experience in ABS-CBN, starting with being a producer for a local show in Iloilo province, to beat reporter in Manila and Iloilo for ABS-CBN, to correspondent for
DZMM Radyo Patrol, to Story Editor and VO talent for
TV Patrol Weekend, to News Producer for
News Patrol, to Associate Producer for the popular morning news talk show,
Umagang Kay Ganda, to current Desk Editor for regions across the nations, overseeing a large team of correspondents in the Philippines.
Based at ABS-CBN Corporation's headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines, Malasa as APAC News Bureau Chief will lead, develop and grow the region's international news team in the following countries:
- Australia - Rhea Bargas and Helen Quinanola
- New Zealand - Seresa Lapaz and Regine Panlilio
- Taiwan - Marie Yang
- South Korea - Gennie Kim and Joeff Calimag
Malasa is also looking into building local news presence in Japan, Indonesia, Guam, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Malasa will handle the editorial direction of APAC's linear news program and digital news packages. He will ensure compliance with regional media laws and regulations. As strategic news leader, Malasa will position the regional team to do breaking news and investigative stories that are timely and relevant to the markets served. He will also work collaboratively to create a synergized work environment with ABS-CBN Corporation's News and Current Affairs Department in the Philippines to create content that leverages shared resources.
"Israel is an experienced journalist and news manager who also understands the importance of sharing news across multiple formats to meet the demands of evolving technology and changing media consumption behaviors," said Reyes. "His editorial acumen and strategic innovation are two things we need to take APAC's news bureau to the next level."
"We are grateful to have him in APAC," said Hernaez. "A robust media news coverage and representation in the region means a heightened awareness of the fast-growing Filipino community presence in Asia-Pacific and a meaningful understanding of local news that directly impact the lives of overseas Filipinos in the region. This is part of ABS-CBN's global public service to the Filipinos wherever they may be."
For more information on ABS-CBN APAC news, visit
https://asiapacific.mytfc.com/