The Kapamilya weather anchor earned the admiration of thankful netizens, yesterday, May 29, over his clear and concise reports on the Super Typhoon Betty.
ABS-CBN’s resident meteorologist, Ariel Rojas, usually sees himself busiest at work, whenever a major weather disturbance is affecting much of the country. That’s exactly the same reason why he’s been very visible on television, and also social media, these days, delivering the news about the currently threatening super typhoon (now downgraded to a typhoon), Betty.
Having joined ABS-CBN just barely two years ago, Rojas is pretty new to the weather reporting business. Local televiewers still look up to the likes of Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz, and former Kapamilya weatherman and It’s Showtime host Kim Atienza as the more reliable weather reporters.
To Rojas’ credit, he is a legitimate meteorologist who knows and understands the weather. Cruz, a veteran meteorologist has been on hiatus. There are no words yet as to whether he will still return to GMA Network, but reports suggested a new weatherman will take his place very soon.
On Twitter, netizens thanked Rojas for stepping up in the absence of Mang Tani. Many platform users and as “casual” netizens are in need of reliable weather news expressed their awe at the clarity of Rojas’ weather reports, adding they were also concise and very informative.
“Ang klaro ng pag-report. Sobrang galing,” said Jake in a tweet, responding to a clip posted by Rojas, where he was reporting about the latest developments in Betty’s strength and movement.
Ang klaro ng pag-report. Sobrang galing. https://t.co/XqutYk4Fo5
— Jake Perez-Baquiran (@bokterium) May 29, 2023
Twitter user, @iheartbooge, similarly gave kudos to Rojas for doing a job well done. “Potengene ang galing. Ngayon ko lang narinig nang ganito kalinaw at kakomprehensibo ang weather update sa TV. haha tagal ko na ring di nanood ng news,“ he tweeted.
https://twitter.com/iheartbooger/status/1663050296623517696
Rojas, himself, responded to extend his gratitude for the appreciation, tweeting, “Nakakataba ng puso at nakaka-inspire. Maraming salamat!!!”
Nakakataba ng puso at nakaka-inspire. 🥹
Maraming salamat!!! 🙌🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/mFIhduGCd6— Ariel Rojas (@arielrojasPH) May 29, 2023
“Ang galing mo Ariel! Maiintindihan talaga ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan ang explanation tungkol sa weather. Ganda din ng binatong tanong ni Alvin at nasagot mo ng maliwanag! Salamat sa maayos na pagbabalita!!!” said Bianca who particularly noted Rojas’ preparedness to dealing with impromptu questions from the main news anchors.
Ang galing mo Ariel! Maiintindihan talaga ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan ang explanation tungkol sa weather. Ganda din ng binatong tanong ni Alvin at nasagot mo ng maliwanag! Salamat sa maayos na pagbabalita!!! 👏👏👏
— Pagod na sa life (@bianca_lo17) May 29, 2023
One can say that Rojas’ becoming a meteorologist is no accident, as his family’s experiences in the frequently typhoon-plagued province of Catanduanes, honed his dream of becoming one. A food technology graduate from the University of the Philippines, Rojas recalled how his path led him to meteorology.
““Di ba ang turo, serve your countrymen. Or paglingkuran ang mamamayan, ang sinasabi. And dahil medyo idealistic ako, maybe I’m needed in PAGASA kasi nga umaalis ang mga tao,” he told ABS-CBN News, recalling how his observation about local meteorologists leaving the country, ignited his pursuit of becoming one.
Rojas is currently one of the mainstay segment anchors of the longest-running primetime newscast in the country, TV Patrol. Also, he is seen in various Kapamilya programs delivering weather news.
