Following the launch of his news advocacy, Tulong Muna, Bago Balita (Rescue First Before News), broadcast journalist Daniel Razon is again pioneering a new morning show format in Philippine TV through his Good Morning Kuya, UNTV’s flagship morning program.

A quick shift from a studio-centric approach, Good Morning Kuya’s new set bares the real house of Kuya Daniel – from reception to kitchen to dining areas.  The setting with a homey ambiance is far different from those of similar shows. In its new format, Kuya Daniel invites guests to UNTV’s studio for the show’s segments having live interviews. He cooks food for the visitors. He dines with them while they discuss the hottest and significant issues of the day.

The discussions entertain, inform, and inspire televiewers – just like before. But unlike its older format, the new setup provides a more interactive and refreshing ambiance on Philippine television.

Only on its third year, Good Morning Kuya is fearlessly relentless in introducing program innovations.  This quality makes the program above par in the morning shows category.  “There are innovations and we need to enhance everything that we are doing,” said Kuya Daniel during the UNTV’s 6th anniversary celebration.  The veteran broadcast journalist serves as CEO of Breakthroughs and Milestone Productions International (BMPI), the company that manages UNTV today.

On top of GMK’s innovative format are unique segments and social services also conceptualized by Kuya Daniel.

From Get It Straight with Daniel Razon, this portion asks never-heard-before questions of pressing issues and reveals sensitive, undisclosed information straight from the sources.

Another segment is the Pondahan ni Kuya Daniel. This is patterned after a local barrio culture whereby townspeople converge in a local store to talk about the day’s hottest issues.  As a regular slate in the program, Pondahan features not only topics that the guests and regular hosts of the program discuss; there are also themed jingles that the whole cast sing and perform.

The show also features Biblical segments, practical cooking, market price watch, weather and traffic updates, and many others.

Good Morning Kuya also channels UNTV’s several social services that are first in the country: transient homes, law center, clinics, and free rides, among others.

Last November 13, 2010, Good Morning Kuya was awarded Best Morning Show at the 24th Star Awards for Television, tied with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda. Razon also took home the Best Male Newscaster Award for his early evening newscast, Ito ang Balita, which he shared with Julius Babao of ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol. The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) is the organizer of the awards event.

For its quality and educational programming, Good Morning Kuya received the Anak TV seal from the Southeast Asian Foundation for Children and Television in 2009.

Good Morning Kuya airs weekdays from 4:45-9:00 a.m. at UNTV. (Writing by Hazel David; Editing by Jane Abao; Photo courtesy of Bread Tambayan)