JUST IN: Mariz Umali is now part of the 'Unang Hirit' barkada!

What a good morning it is for Kapuso broadcast journalist Mariz Umali who has now officially joined the Unang Hirit barkada.

On a pocket conference held at the set of the top-rated morning show, Mariz shared her excitement with the select press.

“Sa simula 'di pa ako makapaniwala kasi parang 'yung mundo ko puro balita lang kaya hindi ko na-imagine 'yung sarili ko na makukuha ako dito,” she says.

“Pero nung sinabi nga sa akin ng mga boss na magiging part na ako ng Unang Hirit barkada, sobra akong natuwa. I'm very grateful”

Mariz, who started as a producer and researcher at GMA Network in late 2001, has worked in shows like Balitanghali Weekend, News TV Live and Born to Be Wild.

And for 17 years, she confessed that officially working in Unang Hirit felt like a breath of fresh air.

“Parang seldom mo kong makikitang nakangiti sa pagbabalita.

“Pero dito talagang mas lalabas 'yung tunay na personality ko kasi ang 'di alam ng maraming tao, ng mga manonood po natin, e, sa kabila ng mga seryosong mukha ko sa pagbabalita ay bungisngis ako.

“Madali akong mapatawa, mabenta sa akin lahat ng mga jokes at sobrang masayahin ako.”

Aside from adding a new show to her roster, she's even more exhilarated to do the thing that she does best --- breaking the news.

“I'm always just looking forward to being with the people and of course 'yung makakapaghatid ng balita umaga pa lang. Ikaw 'yung makakapag-break ng news.

“Tapos 'yung mga masasayang gimik, mga kainan, talagang lahat e - 'yung mga kantahan, sayawan, magagawa mo lahat dito na hindi ko in-imagine na parang sa isang program magagawa mo lahat ng 'yun.”

Similarly, the journalist is looking forward to working with the roster of credible news anchors and hosts --- namely, Arnold Clavio, Rhea Santos, Susan Enriquez, Ivan Mayrina, Connie Sison, Suzi Abrera, Lyn Ching,Love Anover, Luane Dy, Lhar Santiago, and Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz -- that has served the newcast show broadcast for years and whom she has considered her friends for years.

“'Di ko maipaliwanag 'yung kasiyahan kasi siyempre 'yung mga hosts and anchors ng Unang Hirit, matagal ko na ring naging mga kaibigan 'yan.

“Nung nagsisimula pa lang ako sa GMA, mga kaibigan ko na sila... But this time mas makakasama ko sila sa programa kaya ang saya-saya.”