End of an Era: 24 Oras Says Goodbye to "Serbisyong Totoo" Closing Spiel
It's now the "News Authority ng Filipino."
(SPOT.ph) GMA Network’s flagship newcast has just gotten rid of its famous closing spiel.
On August 8, weekday news anchors Mel Tiangco, Emil Sumangil, and Vicky Morales replaced “Serbisyong Totoo” with “News Authority ng Filipino” for the 24 Oras closing line. Its August 9 newscast also adapted this change.
The closing spiel has been changed to "Para sa mas malaking misyon. Para sa mas malawak na paglilingkod sa bayan. Mula sa GMA Integrated News, ang News Authority ng Filipino" from the previous "Buong puso para sa Pilipino. Ito ang GMA. Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan, walang kasinungalingan. Serbisyong totoo lamang."
GMA's “Serbisyong Totoo” slogan has seeped into Filipino consciousness as it's mentioned every time an anchor ends a newscast or program, making it an integral part of the show's identity.
The change goes beyond 24 Oras as “News Authority ng Filipino” will also reflect in GMA’s various news programs, too.
Also read: Mel Tiangco Viral Moment on News Slogan a 'Production Glitch', Says GMA
Why GMA’s "24 Oras" changed its closing spiel
The rebranding follows GMA’s move to split its News and Public Affairs into two divisions, GMA Integrated News and GMA Public Affairs, in October 2022.
GMA Integrated News is now responsible for producing news programs (such as 24 Oras, Saksi, and State of the Nation with Jessica Soho), while GMA Public Affairs is now responsible for producing investigative journalism, documentaries, and public service programs (such as Imbestigador, Reporter's Notebook, and Wish Ko Lang). The split between GMA Integrated News and GMA Public Affairs was said to allow each division to focus on its respective strengths.
As a whole, GMA Integrated News is composed of 12 regional TV stations and seven Super Radyo stations, with 203 million subscribers across its social media platforms.
"The multi-platform campaign of GMA Integrated News strengthens our commitment in embracing a bigger purpose to bring fair balanced and accurate news to a much broader audience as the news authority of the Filipino,” Head of GMA Integrated News Oliver B. Amoroso was quoted as saying.
“Serbisyong Totoo” has been around since 24 Oras first aired in 2004. It has been used consistently throughout the program's run, as well as in its logo and promotional materials. Years later, GMA News and Public Affairs added the phrase "Dahil hindi natutulog ang balita, nakatutok kami 24 Oras" to end the spiel.
In 2022, Tiangco also went viral for skipping the line “walang kasinungalingan” in the post-election day closing spiel following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s landslide victory, which the network had attributed to a mere production glitch.
Here’s what X (formerly Twitter) users have to say about this change
Also read: GMA Rejects Marcos' Bias Claim, Says Tough Questions Must be Asked