Mariz Umali gets warm welcome from new ‘Unang Hirit’ family

Mariz Umali is the newest addition to the "Unang Hirit" barkada.

The veteran Kapuso broadcast journalist was given a warm welcome by her new family as she joined the morning show on Friday, July 26.

Mariz received welcome gifts from fellow UH hosts including flowers, coffee, vitamins, alarm clock, and even pandesal allowance!

Mariz couldn't contain her excitement in joining the award-winning and longest-running morning show. She said that she was grateful for the chance to join a fun show with her longtime friends.

“Noong una, hindi ako makapaniwala. Hindi ko rin talaga naisip na mapupunta ako dito kasi ‘yung mundo ko puro balita lang - kaya hindi ko na-imagine na makukuha ako rito," she said.

"Pero noong sinabi sa akin ng mga boss na magiging part na ako ng Unang Hirit barkada, I am very grateful kasi siyempre ang hosts and anchors ng UH ay matagal ko nang mga kaibigan - and this time makakasama ko na sila sa isang programa kaya ang saya lang talaga,” she added.

It is undeniable that hosting "Unang Hirit" will be a big change from her field reporting life.

Mariz has been part of GMA-7 for 17 years, since she graduated with BA Broadcast Communication degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

In that span of time, she anchored and hosted several GMA and GMA News TV shows and specials such as Balitanghali Weekend, Pamana: Saving Our Heritage, Brigada, News TV Live, Kape at Balita, Born to be Wild, and iWitness, among others.

She was also recently named as Best Female Field Reporter at the 2019 Gawad Tanglaw. That said, viewers will be able to see a completely different side of Mariz in "Unang Hirit."

“Dito, talagang mas lalabas ang tunay na personality ko kasi ang hindi alam ng mga manunuod natin ay sa kabila ng seryosong mukha ko sa pagbabalita ay talagang bungingis ako. Ako ang taga-tawa sa mga joke ng mga  tao—kahit corny tinatawanan ko. And hindi rin nila alam na sobrang mahilig rin akong kumanta at sumayaw,” she said.

Catch Mariz and the rest of the "Unang Hirit" barkada - Arnold Clavio, Rhea Santos, Ivan Mayrina, Susan Enriquez, Connie Sison, Suzi Abrera, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Lhar Santiago, Luane Dy, Love Anover, Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz, Atty. Gaby Concepcion, and Mareng Winnie Monsod from Monday to Friday, 4:55 a.m., on GMA-7.

—JCB, GMA News