Pia Arcangel shares wise words from Mike Enriquez about money in journalism

Pia Arcangel recalled a past conversation she had with the late Mike Enriquez about money in journalism, sharing what the GMA News pillar always used to tell applicants.

On Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Pia, alongside Ivan Mayrina, was asked if journalists like them earn big.

According to Pia, the question often gets asked whenever they do career talks.

“I remember when I interviewed Sir Mike Enriquez, he always said, ‘Wag mo kasing iniisip kung magkano kikitain mo ‘pag pumasok ka dito sa trabahong ito,’” Pia said.

She added that Mike would ask his applicants, “Bakit mo ako tinatanong magkano kikitain mo? That’s a telling sign for me kung how much you want to do this job. Kung pera agad ang iniisip mo, ‘wag na tayong mag-usap.”

Pia said that such a mentality is what they bring with them into the industry.

“And if we carry that mentality with us, we’ll stay in the industry. The reward will come later on,” she said.

Ivan agreed, saying that when he entered the industry 25 years ago, he also started low like everybody else.

“After a while, you know, at a certain level, medyo gumaganda. It gets comfortable,” he said.

During their guesting, Pia and Ivan also recalled how they dealt with bribery attempts when they were young journalists, as well as how they combat fight news.

Pia and Ivan are anchors of “24 Oras Weekend" alongside Nelson Canlas. The weekend newscast celebrated its 15th anniversary in February.

It airs Saturdays and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. on GMA Network.

— Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News