A broadcast journalist shared the story behind the viral video where a 19-year-old porter in Divisoria, Manila, briefly took over the microphone and reported live on camera for ABS-CBN News.
On Tuesday, December 2, ABS-CBN News posted a video of Christian Tee, a porter in the area who has dreamed of becoming a reporter since he was young.
Tee encountered journalist Jessie Cruzat, who was in Divisoria providing updates on the bustling market area as the Christmas season approaches.
The teenager seized the opportunity to give an on-the-spot update, impressing Filipinos with his smooth and engaging delivery.
A video of his report has garnered 1.4 million views, over 61,000 likes and reactions, 4,100 shares, and more than 1,100 comments so far, with Filipinos praising his talent.
“Wow, ang galing! May potential. Tuloy mo lang ‘yan, boy. Saludo ako sayo,” a Facebook user commented.
“Grabe, ang husay mo, Christian! Sana makamit mo ang pangarap mo! GOOD JOB,” another wrote.
“Napakahusay! May potential ‘to,” a different Pinoy commented.
“Galing! Salamat sa info, sana makapunta ako diyan bago mag-Pasko,” another said.
“God bless to him, mapansin at mabigyan sana ng opportunity. Magaling at mahusay, magtatagumpay ka someday,” another Pinoy said.
Cruzat took to his Facebook account on Wednesday, December 3, to share the story behind the scenes.
He mentioned that Tee approached him just minutes before going live on the evening of December 2, noting that they had already crossed paths earlier that day while Cruzat was gathering news in Divisoria.
“Ako ‘yong nagtanong sa’yo kanina kung magkano ‘yang mic mo. Ako ‘yong nagba-vlog,” Tee said to Cruzat.
Cruzat then recalled his earlier encounter with the teenager, who had approached him several times and even gave him a high five.
“Muli siyang lumapit at nakiusap sa cameraman kung puwedeng makunan siya ng video gamit ang cellphone niya habang nagsasalita hawak ang mic na pambalita,” the journalist said.
“‘Ba’t ‘di ka na lang kaya mag-report!’ sabi ko. Natawa siya, pero ‘di siya tumanggi. Nanginginig. Kinakabahan,” Cruzat recalled.
“Hinga. Kaya mo ‘yan. Kwento mo lang nakikita mo,” he told the teenager.
“‘Di siya pamilyar sa ganitong trabaho pero naggawa niya. Mata sa lente. Buga ng boses. Kumpas ng kamay kasabay ng galaw ng mga tao. Naggawa niya,” the journalist said.
Cruzat shared that Tee had to stop schooling after Grade 8 due to financial difficulties and turned to working as a carrier or porter in Divisoria.
“Raket niya kasi sa Divisoria ang magbuhat ng kung ano-ano. Basta kaya,” the journalist said, adding that Tee is known as “Boy Buhat.”
Tee shared that he has an eight-month-old child with someone in Nueva Ecija.
“Mas naintindahan ko na kung bakit kailangan niyang magdoble-kayod,” Cruzat wrote.
He included pictures of Tee in his post, showing the teenager at work as a porter and behind-the-scenes moments with the ABS-CBN News production crew.
His post was noticed by Tee, who commented using his Facebook page, “Christian Vlogs.01.”
“Ang galing niyo po talaga, salamat po, sir, tuloy tuloy lang at tiwala sa sarili,” Tee wrote.
“Padayon lang, Christian!” Cruzat responded, accompanied by a raised hands emoji.
Earlier that day, the journalist was in Divisoria for a “Selfie Patrol” segment, where he reported on Christmas gifts Filipinos can buy for only P100. Cruzat also featured battery-operated toys, which he noted were a hit among kids.
