Alex Tinsay, as a Reporter, on the Scene.

Alex Tinsay was born on September 17, 1958 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and now resides in Quezon City with his wife Judy Tinsay and 5 children. A scholar all throughout his education, he took up AB English in San Sebastian College-Recoletos, where he later on achieved an award for success in his career. As a journalist, he has interviewed influential people in and out of the government, been assigned to Malacanang beats where he has covered 4 Philippine presidents namely President Aquino, President Ramos, President Estrada, and President Arroyo, and established his credibility in delivering truth to the masses.

He is a seasoned TV Broadcaster of GMA 7 and straight-to-the-point commentator of Bisig Bayan Opinions and editorials in GMA Balita. He was one of the producers and anchors of Streetwatch 117, the first anti-crime segment on Philippine television. He has received recognition for excellence in broadcast journalism, including a Gintong Anak Award for Journalism. Then, he became director of the Movement for the Advancement of Quezon City and of Earthwatch Philippines.

At first glance, Alex Tinsay strikes people as a very casual person but he is not. On the contrary, he is a serious man when it comes to decisions and goals. More so, he does not look as someone who will stay hours reading books in the school library but, in fact, he loves reading a lot. He devours books with diverse interests ranging from religion, to current events, and to self-help motivational books. This helped him to become a scholar throughout his education.

The Early Years

Having been born with nine more siblings, he became the one responsible for his own schooling. He graduated from grade school as salutatorian at the Bayanihan Elementary School in Barangay Paltok, Quezon City. Armed with excellent grades, Alex took the qualifying exams for the poor but deserving student program of Caritas Manila in San Sebastian College along Claro M. Recto Avenue in downtown Manila. He successfully merited a scholarship, working odd jobs during the day while studying at night classes. In college, he landed a scholarship sponsored by San Miguel Corporation and Ayala Corporation. His parents were happy that they did not have to pay for his tuition fees. As a teenager, he sold packaging tapes door-to-door. He also worked in Colliers encyclopedia, packing sold encyclopedias. Later on, he got into a gig at DZAS in Karuhatan, Valenzuela, Metro Manila where he started to explore the world of media broadcasting. As a side job, he used his voice for radio soap operas.

When Alex finally graduated, he became a news writer for Mike Lacanilao, a well known newscaster who later on ventured into television. Surprisingly when Alex got into television he found his first job to be writing news for the same person.  However, gaining interest in the field of television news, he set his eyes on being a news reporter. He practiced day in and day out, delivering news in front of the mirror in his room, and even in the schools comfort room. He dreamt of being the one who was speaking  in front of the camera like his idol then Tina Monzon Palma. Suddenly, he encountered his big break—all the newscasters were out as they decided to tape the newscast for the day which is a big no-no in television news. While their station GMA 7 was receiving reports that their rival station ABS CBN was already airing the news live regarding a big fire that broke out in the Department of Labor building in Intramuros, Manila. Alex’s boss who was monitoring the report of the other station came hurriedly to the studio and asked why they have not come out with a breaking news report. He told him about the newscasters going home earlier since it was All Saints’ Day and all the people were rushing to get home to the provinces to visit their departed loved ones. Somehow, seeing the situation was hopeless and there was nobody to do the news except Alex, his boss, seeing perhaps some potential in him, asked him to do the news live on television. But the boss was not so sure yet if he was ready to gamble on an untested talent that he had to ask Alex pointblank if he was capable of doing what he is being asked to do, which was to newscast in front of the camera and before a live audience. Actually, before that, when asked if he had a suit to wear for his live broadcast, Alex confirmed that he had one waiting in his locker which stunned his boss in amusement. As the time came for him to speak in front of the camera, he delivered the news faultlessly. Alex knew that this was the start of his quest for this dream to be a television reporter.

Alex the News Reporter

Pleased about Alex’s readiness and talent, the boss promoted him to become a news reporter right away. It paved the way for Alex Tinsay becoming known in the media world as a brilliant broadcaster who delivered accurate and credible news to his countrymen. He became a news anchor and fearless commentator of Bisig Bayan Opinions and editorials in GMA Balita. He became the producer and anchor of Streetwatch 117, the first anti-crime segment on Philippine television.  He reported for GMA 7 and QTV 11 news and public affairs shows like Saksi, 24 Oras, and Baltanghali. Recently, he made appearances co-hosting 700 Club Asia, a God-centered television show. In addition, he is actively involved in Christ Reachout Ministries’ urban poor program for 19 years. He is the senior pastor of the church situated in Barangay Palanas, Quezon City an has daughter churches in Novaliches, Antique, and Pangasinan.

Being a broadcast journalist for three decades and God’s servant ministering for several years, Alex Tinsay is now running for senator to serve the Philippine nation. He is part of the senatorial slate of Bangon Pilipinas under the leadership of Bro. Eddie Villanueva and VP Candidate Perfecto Yasay. Each member of the party represents a sector in society.

This “dream team” or “Blessed 9” was formed, every member not associated with corruption or political power, according to Bro. Eddie Villanueva.