Veteran news anchors Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales couldn’t hold back their emotions during a live broadcast of 24 Oras as they reported the passing of their dear colleague and broadcasting icon, Mike Enriquez. Their heartfelt tribute captured the hearts of thousands— and left an unforgettable mark on the audience.

On the evening of August 29, 24 Oras opened with somber faces as Mos Mel Tiangco announced the breaking news: Mike Enriquez had passed away at age 71, after battling kidney disease and other health issues.

As she struggled to maintain composure, Mel’s voice cracked, her eyes welled with tears, and she paused mid-sentence to regain her strength . Moments later, she bravely read the official network statement, wiping tears from her cheeks .

Co-anchor Vicky Morales followed, attempting to wrap up the segment. Yet, as she began the closing spiel, her voice faltered and she too was overcome with emotion. The broadcast ended with Mel and Vicky visibly supporting each other, consoling one another as the screen faded to black.

Mike Enriquez, affectionately known as “Booma,” was more than a colleague—he was a mentor, a standard-bearer, and a guiding voice in Philippine newsrooms. With a career spanning 50 years, he held key roles as anchor of Saksi, 24 Oras, host of Imbestigador, and radio legend of DZBB.

Presidential statements call him a “pillar in our broadcasting industry,” and countless tributes flooded social media, with 24 Oras fans lauding the professionalism shown during such a deeply emotional broadcast

The outpouring of emotion was genuine—and viewers connected instantly. Tweets praised Mel and Vicky for their grace under pressure, calling them “stoic yet vulnerable champions of live reporting”.  Comments poured in:

“When Vicky Morales began to tear up, I lost it, too.”
“That was the moment we realized it wasn’t just news—they lost a friend.”

For many, Mike’s nightly voice was akin to a family member’s presence—an irreplaceable part of Filipino households

This moment highlighted something rare in modern broadcast news: authentic grief. Instead of maintaining false composure, Mel and Vicky allowed their humanity to shine through—giving viewers permission to feel, remember, and grieve too .