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For Rising Newsroom Star Edson Guido, Every Number Has a Story
The News5 chief data analyst says crunching numbers is public service.
by Dahl Bennett
Published on Jun 25, 2025
(SPOT.ph) When Bam Aquino broke into the senate’s Magic 12 in the last midterm elections and landed second, too, in the list, many wanted to make sense of the turnout. Before the polls, Aquino’s survey ranking was only hovering around the precarious 11th and 12 spots, sometimes even landing on scary 16th place. While pundits tried to explain the result with informed theories, someone actually broke it down for the public, anchoring his assessment not just on historical data but numbers and demographics.
Meet Edson Guido, TV5’s chief data analyst. Before his mug started appearing on our screens, Guido held the same job title but for the World Bank. Everything changed for him in 2017 when then ABS-CBN News Head Ging Reyes, after hearing him speak in a seminar, offered him a job as head of the network’s Data Analytics team. “I guess the work found me because the need was there and I was ready to serve in my own way," says Guido. "Nagkaroon ng intersections at my very core, which is public service and data."
Meet Edson Guido, TV5’s chief data analyst. Before his mug started appearing on our screens, Guido held the same job title but for the World Bank. Everything changed for him in 2017 when then ABS-CBN News Head Ging Reyes, after hearing him speak in a seminar, offered him a job as head of the network’s Data Analytics team. “I guess the work found me because the need was there and I was ready to serve in my own way," says Guido. "Nagkaroon ng intersections at my very core, which is public service and data."
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Back in the newsroom..
Cutting through the noise
At that time, no other television network had a Data Analytics team so Guido was a pioneer in this role. He had no template to follow locally so he looked at how international networks like CNN did it. “The learning curve was steep,” he recalls. “For us to really make our stories more compelling, the data has to be relatable and at the same time you have to see how other countries are doing it.”
For TV5’s election coverage last May, Guido explained how Aquino clinched support in vote-rich areas like the Lingayen-Lucena corridor, NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon. He added that Aquino, along with his ka-tandem Kiko Pangilinan who placed 5th in the senate race, got the youth vote, the Philippine Gen Z population having increased from 13 million to 18 million since the 2022 elections. The math was mathing, as they say, and thanks to Guido, we didn’t get opinion, we got facts—essentially a logical, unbiased rendering of the big picture.
“Election data is no joke,” says the 33-year old Economics graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP). “It’s massive, it’s layered, and it moves really fast so you can’t just show up on election night and isipin mo ‘I can just wing this.’ For me it was really a lot of preparation behind the scenes.”
Guido had to track historical election results, look at where candidates were getting votes, analyze major surveys, map political documents, and anticipate various scenarios. But he is quick to point out data means nothing without being able to tell a clear and understandable story behind the numbers. And, adds Guido who hardly slept a wink on election night, “You have to tell it in a way that cuts through the noise.”
For TV5’s election coverage last May, Guido explained how Aquino clinched support in vote-rich areas like the Lingayen-Lucena corridor, NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon. He added that Aquino, along with his ka-tandem Kiko Pangilinan who placed 5th in the senate race, got the youth vote, the Philippine Gen Z population having increased from 13 million to 18 million since the 2022 elections. The math was mathing, as they say, and thanks to Guido, we didn’t get opinion, we got facts—essentially a logical, unbiased rendering of the big picture.
“Election data is no joke,” says the 33-year old Economics graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP). “It’s massive, it’s layered, and it moves really fast so you can’t just show up on election night and isipin mo ‘I can just wing this.’ For me it was really a lot of preparation behind the scenes.”
Guido had to track historical election results, look at where candidates were getting votes, analyze major surveys, map political documents, and anticipate various scenarios. But he is quick to point out data means nothing without being able to tell a clear and understandable story behind the numbers. And, adds Guido who hardly slept a wink on election night, “You have to tell it in a way that cuts through the noise.”
Guido last May explaining Bam Aquino's impressive numbers.
He admits that when TV5 big boss, Manny V. Pangilinan, asked him to wear his data journalism hat for the midterm elections, his headspace was still in full corporate mode. He was then, and still is, Smart Communications’ Head of Strategy Management which is also owned by Pangilinan. A return to media, however, was an opportunity he could not say no to.
He knows how his work in the field can impact the public, having worked on two election cycles with ABS-CBN in the past. “I know how much power there is in using numbers to explain and simplify complex issues."
He knows how his work in the field can impact the public, having worked on two election cycles with ABS-CBN in the past. “I know how much power there is in using numbers to explain and simplify complex issues."
"What is admirable about him is that he crunches the data and conveys them in ways that’s easy for the audience to understand," says veteran broadcast journalist Ces Drilon who now works with Guido in News5. "He has a charming, nerdy appeal hehe. Hindi overbearing ang intelligence."
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Social media posts praising Edson Guido's reports. Photo courtesy of Edson Guido.
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Why he resigned from ABS-CBN
“Crunching numbers—I don’t think it’s for everyone,” says this rising newsroom star whose recent numbers breakdown of the now-aborted odd-even scheme for the EDSA rehab alarmed a lot of people online, and maybe in the government, too. Earlier in his media career, he tracked the COVID numbers and trends every single day. This was in 2020 until the end of 2022 in ABS-CBN when he was reporting on the pandemic, his most challenging assignment yet, and he was working on data on a global scale.
He recalls how some personalities during the time would give inaccurate analyses on air and no one was correcting them. At one point, he was compelled to call Teleradyo to ask them to put him on air so he can inform the public that a new variant, Omicron, was pushing the numbers up. It was the holidays and the public was eager to reunite with loved ones for the New Year after being cooped at home for so long.
“I remember it was December 31, 2021, and we had a family event. I was crunching the numbers and may nakita akong trend na nagkaroon na ng inflection point. Tumataas yung numbers, so sabi ko this is no longer Delta. I was already reading reports of Omicron happening in other countries … and I see the same trend [happening] in the Philippines.”
He recalls how some personalities during the time would give inaccurate analyses on air and no one was correcting them. At one point, he was compelled to call Teleradyo to ask them to put him on air so he can inform the public that a new variant, Omicron, was pushing the numbers up. It was the holidays and the public was eager to reunite with loved ones for the New Year after being cooped at home for so long.
“I remember it was December 31, 2021, and we had a family event. I was crunching the numbers and may nakita akong trend na nagkaroon na ng inflection point. Tumataas yung numbers, so sabi ko this is no longer Delta. I was already reading reports of Omicron happening in other countries … and I see the same trend [happening] in the Philippines.”
Crunching the COVID numbers for ANC.
His family cancelled their get-together and he wanted others to cancel their reunion plans as well while there was time. Two weeks later, COVID-19 infections showed a major spike due to Omicron. “Some people called me up saying, ‘buti na lang nag-cancel kami’,” he recalls.
Covering the COVID pandemic daily eventually caught up with him. “It’s hard to imagine doing it every day now,” he reflects. “That coverage took a real toll on me physically, mentally and spiritually. It was one of the reasons I had to step away from media for a while. Some of the effects, I still feel to this day,” he reveals. It was the reason behind his resignation from the network, a fact he is sharing for the first time.
Looking back at those days, however, Guido beams with pride of his team’s work. “My proudest achievement wasn’t just the consistency, it was the accuracy. Because in a crisis, the worst thing you can do is tell people it’s getting better when it’s not. Lives were at stake and that responsibility was something I never took lightly.”
During his term as Data Analytics Head for the network, he received the Best Statistical Reporting in TV Broadcast Media award twice from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Guido eventually went corporate under the MVP group. His short but substantial stint on TV5 during the recent elections got him into the data journalism groove once again and, with Pangilinan’s blessing, he is now a regular part of the program Frontline Pilipinas.
His first assignment after the elections? Break down the numbers of the NBA Finals, a topic that has equal space in his heart as math. But with so much going on in the country right now, the public is going to see more of Guido taking up a mix of topics, from sports to politics to the economy.
Looking back at those days, however, Guido beams with pride of his team’s work. “My proudest achievement wasn’t just the consistency, it was the accuracy. Because in a crisis, the worst thing you can do is tell people it’s getting better when it’s not. Lives were at stake and that responsibility was something I never took lightly.”
During his term as Data Analytics Head for the network, he received the Best Statistical Reporting in TV Broadcast Media award twice from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Guido eventually went corporate under the MVP group. His short but substantial stint on TV5 during the recent elections got him into the data journalism groove once again and, with Pangilinan’s blessing, he is now a regular part of the program Frontline Pilipinas.
“I am deeply grateful to Chairman MVP for the opportunity to be part of TV5’s election coverage. After more than two years away from television, it was his trust and confidence in my abilities that made my return possible,” he shares.
His first assignment after the elections? Break down the numbers of the NBA Finals, a topic that has equal space in his heart as math. But with so much going on in the country right now, the public is going to see more of Guido taking up a mix of topics, from sports to politics to the economy.
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Explaining the numbers to the News5 crew and TV5 big boss Manny Pangilinan..
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Numbers analysis as public service
“I’ve always loved numbers, ever since I was young,” says Guido, who is currently a Ph.D candidate in Economics at his alma mater. “I was always a numbers guy. I really love math.”
Loving numbers is one thing but being able to help the public make sense out of them is another story. Guido, who has uttered the line ‘ito ang kwento sa likod ng numero’ countless times shares that his communication skills were harnessed further during his teaching stint in UP, where he taught economics subjects. “Pag nagtuturo ka, hindi importante kung gaano ka kagaling or kung gaano mo naintindihan yung concept but rather kung gaano ka kagaling mag-impart ng alam mo sa estudyante.” He applies the same principle when appearing on media. “If people don’t see the value [of what you’re communicating] then you’re not making an impact. That’s where I can contribute, by making data less intimidating—humanizing the numbers and ultimately making them relatable to the public.”
Guido admits he finds it hard to take his data analytics hat off. A big basketball fan who plays the game twice a week, he would apply data analytics during games by calculating whether a two-point or a three-point shot would get him closer to a win. He says being a numbers guy helps him make better decisions; he can approach things logically instead of emotionally. “I really love numbers so anytime I can apply numbers in my daily life talagang natutuwa ako,” he says.
When asked what's the number he holds most dear, his answer is his parents’ birthdays. Edward and Erlinda Guido, both retired, have greatly influenced their son's commitment to public service. “My parents inspire me kasi nakita ko sa kanila growing up na lagi silang tumutulong sa tao. [That’s why] at a young age I was very aware of how important it is to dedicate yourself to something greater. At the same time, I went to U.P., which ingrained in me na you have to give back,” he shares.
Loving numbers is one thing but being able to help the public make sense out of them is another story. Guido, who has uttered the line ‘ito ang kwento sa likod ng numero’ countless times shares that his communication skills were harnessed further during his teaching stint in UP, where he taught economics subjects. “Pag nagtuturo ka, hindi importante kung gaano ka kagaling or kung gaano mo naintindihan yung concept but rather kung gaano ka kagaling mag-impart ng alam mo sa estudyante.” He applies the same principle when appearing on media. “If people don’t see the value [of what you’re communicating] then you’re not making an impact. That’s where I can contribute, by making data less intimidating—humanizing the numbers and ultimately making them relatable to the public.”
Guido admits he finds it hard to take his data analytics hat off. A big basketball fan who plays the game twice a week, he would apply data analytics during games by calculating whether a two-point or a three-point shot would get him closer to a win. He says being a numbers guy helps him make better decisions; he can approach things logically instead of emotionally. “I really love numbers so anytime I can apply numbers in my daily life talagang natutuwa ako,” he says.
When asked what's the number he holds most dear, his answer is his parents’ birthdays. Edward and Erlinda Guido, both retired, have greatly influenced their son's commitment to public service. “My parents inspire me kasi nakita ko sa kanila growing up na lagi silang tumutulong sa tao. [That’s why] at a young age I was very aware of how important it is to dedicate yourself to something greater. At the same time, I went to U.P., which ingrained in me na you have to give back,” he shares.
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Public service through data journalism is Guido’s one true advocacy especially since his work has shown him how big its potential is in curbing disinformation and contributing to nation-building. One thing he laments when he left ABS-CBN was that there was no one to take his place to continue the work. “Sayang yung momentum."
He has also seen the positive impact of his work on his social media followers, who tell him he inspired them to pursue data journalism or take a masters in math. “What I’ve noticed this 2025 is that there’s a hunger for Filipinos to be more informed, engaged, and empowered. There’s a space for us data analysts to fill that void.”
With the next presidential elections happening in 2028, Guido says the role of data journalism is more crucial than ever. “Democracy is stronger when you have well informed voters and we have that momentum in 2025, where we have the highest voter turnout at 82 percent.”
Being one of the most in demand experts during the elections, accolades are not far behind but Guido tries to focus on his purpose. “Every day, I try to remind myself that this moment is not about me but about public service,” says Guido. More than anything, he is happy continue the work he started in data journalism and help push the profession forward. “In a space where there’s a lot of noise and disinformation, I’d gladly take on that responsibility."
Being one of the most in demand experts during the elections, accolades are not far behind but Guido tries to focus on his purpose. “Every day, I try to remind myself that this moment is not about me but about public service,” says Guido. More than anything, he is happy continue the work he started in data journalism and help push the profession forward. “In a space where there’s a lot of noise and disinformation, I’d gladly take on that responsibility."
Dahl Bennett is a veteran writer and editor, a yoga instructor, and mother of a very talented young lady she named after American music's The Bard (she used his last name, of course).
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