Rico Hizon bags third trophy from the Asian Television Awards in Jakarta

December 12 ------ Even after more than three decades as a broadcast journalist, Rico Hizon does not get tired of constantly honing his craft and proudly winning accolades for his professional ventures, especially as a TV host.

He recently arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia, where he received his award for Best Talk Show Host for his weekly ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) program “Beyond the Exchange” at the 30th Asian Television Awards. “I felt incredibly proud and deeply humbled at the same time,” Rico told The STAR. “Winning my very first Best Talk Show Host recognition for ‘Beyond the Exchange’ was more than just a personal milestone — it was a recognition of the entire team’s hard work, passion, and commitment to telling meaningful stories that matter to Filipinos and to audiences across Asia.”

Rico’s previous victories at the Asian Television Awards were for Best News Anchor three times. “Standing on that stage, representing the Philippines on an international platform, reminded me of why I do what I do — to champion truth, context, clarity, and conversations that move people forward,” said Rico. “It reaffirmed my belief that when you approach journalism with integrity and heart, the impact reaches far beyond the studio. “More than anything, I was grateful. Grateful to the team behind the show, grateful to the guests, grateful to the viewers who trust us week after week, and grateful for the opportunity to keep elevating Filipino journalism on the global stage.”

After a short time with ABS-CBN and ANC, Rico has admirably been receiving one award after another from the network for his show, “Beyond the Exchange.” He is incredibly proud to deliver that enviable recognition in his professional stint with the network. “Stepping into ABS-CBN and ANC has been nothing short of an inspiring new chapter in my career,” admitted Rico. “To see ‘Beyond the Exchange’ resonate so strongly with viewers — and to have that work recognized with multiple awards — truly humbles me.

“Every recognition is really a tribute to the incredibly hardworking team behind the program, the trust of the network, and the audiences who continue to welcome our stories into their homes. “What excites me most is that these awards affirm the value of what we’re trying to do: Elevate conversations, deepen understanding, and spotlight the people, ideas, and policies shaping our economy and our future. “I really feel grateful and motivated. And even more committed to delivering journalism that informs, empowers, and uplifts. The journey with my Kapamilya has been extraordinary — and we’re just getting started.”

“Beyond the Exchange” continues to win awards after only one year on TV. In 2026, Rico plans to take the show further with more interesting interviews with prominent personalities. “As we enter 2026, my vision is to push the program even further — not just in terms of the personalities we feature, but in the relevance and impact of every discussion,” he said. “We will continue bringing in prominent leaders from business, government, entertainment, and global institutions, but we also want to open the floor to innovators, disruptors, and emerging voices who are shaping the new economic landscape.”

Interestingly, Rico and his team are also exploring new formats for analysis, special on-location episodes, and more interactive storytelling to make complex issues even more accessible to the public. “At the end of the day, our mission remains clear: To inform, empower, and give audiences the clarity they need in a fast-changing world,” Rico maintained. “And if the first year is any indication, 2026 is going to be another exciting ride for ‘Beyond the Exchange’.”

Rico shuttles between his media/TV work on ABS-CBN and ANC as well as his corporate job with SM Investments as a consultant, where he hosts their YouTube news channel, “SM in Focus.” The job is hardly tough for Rico, but incredibly fulfilling. “Shuttling between my work with ABS-CBN and my role with SM Investments — particularly hosting ‘SM in Focus’ — requires discipline, energy, and a lot of strategic time management,” explained Rico. “But I’ve always believed that when you’re passionate about what you do, the hard work becomes meaningful.

“On one hand, hosting ANC’s ‘Beyond the Exchange’ allows me to stay deeply engaged with national and global issues. On the flipside, my work with SM gives me the opportunity to tell powerful corporate and community stories that highlight innovation, sustainability, social good, and nation-building from a different angle. “At the end of the day, whether I’m in the newsroom or on the corporate side, my mission is the same: To communicate clearly, truthfully, and purposefully. That keeps me grounded, and it keeps me going.”

The holidays have always been a “very special time” for the Hizon family, and this year is no different. His wife, Melannie, and he are still finalizing their plans. “But what’s important for us is simply being together — whether that’s here in Manila or somewhere abroad. His son, Migo, will be home for the holidays. “When he’s here (in Manila), you treasure every chance to be complete as a family,” admitted Rico. “At the end of the day, it’s less about the destination and more about being with the people who matter most. That’s what the season is all about.”

Source: philstar.com