The award-winning broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco continues to trend because of GMA Network‘s 24 Oras realistic simulation graphics.
Tiangco’s face is synonymous with GMA Network for many years. Recently, she was the subject of Netizen’s playful-thoughts as they created memes on her that went viral due to GMA’s Augmented reality (AR) designs.
AR is an experience where designers enhance parts of the users’ physical world with computer-generated input. Designers create inputs—ranging from sound to video, to graphics to GPS overlays and more—in digital content that responds in real-time to changes in the user’s environment, typically movement.
The first stop. News anchor Mel became a hot topic among Netizens after presenting the 24 Oras segment on the historic NASA Perseverance Rover landing on Mars and the Filipino-American engineers who helped make it happen.
She was labeled as ‘the first Pinay on Mars’ on social media. Netizens enjoyed creating humorous memes about it.
When 24 Oras flexes their AR graphics, it's definitely meme-worthy.
— Januar Junior Aguja (@JayrWriteThings) February 22, 2021
Here's Mel Tiangco anchoring live from Mars. 😂 pic.twitter.com/WidE1oieRQ
https://twitter.com/xialexparadis/status/1364418667308412928?s=20
Witty Netizens pointed out how bold Tiangco is and encouraged the GMA Network to protect her at all costs.
Kapuso viewers admired one of Tiangco’s most iconic memes where she was surrounded by high, raging floods from behind her while reporting.
Yung kay Mel Tiangco mukhang jelly ace ung baha 😂 keep up naman tayo guys 😂 pic.twitter.com/whVnshnUl0
— Seve Samuel (@sevesamuel) September 15, 2018
Netizens even made the hashtag #ProtectTitaMel trend on Twitter when she also went viral for being in the middle of the Taal Lake Volcano during her reportage.
Some fans jested that GMA Network should raise Mel’s hazardous pay for her ‘challenging’ and iconic reporting.
from MRT to baha to storm surge ngayon naman nasa tabi ng lawa ng Taal si Tita Mel nagrereport, psst @GMA_PA taasan nyo yung hazardous pay kay Ms Mel Tiangco ha😁 #MelTiangcoMemes pic.twitter.com/OvozuwXeaN
— Kimberly Lorraine (@KimmyLorraine) January 14, 2020
A Netizen even compiled the most viral AR memes of Tiangco throughout the years.
Wala talagang tatalo kay Mel Tiangco.
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) July 19, 2018
Nanjan ng nagrereport habang lumilindol, pumapasok sa kasagsagan ng baha, at walang takot maghatid ng balita kahit masasagasaan na ng tren.
Sana ganito ang mga pulitiko.
Gayahin niyo si Mel.
Be like Tita Mel. pic.twitter.com/8K3erh5RSX
But how does Mel Tiangco feel about these numerous memes that went viral online?
In an exclusive interview on GMA Network.com, she said that there’s nothing to worry about the memes that are going viral. She is pleased and happy about it.
“Ito ‘Yung worried na worried sila sa akin? Ang feeling ko noon, they love me. They care for me. They’re so concerned about me.
“Although, of course, it’s just a meme, ‘no? Pero ‘yun ang pumasok sa utak ko. I really love that. I really love those memes. Talagang na-lift ako. Imagine, takot na takot sila na baka [mapahamak] ako,” she shared.
She also recalled her initial reaction when she heard about memes circulating on the Internet.
“I was on a bus, I was abroad noong time na pumutok ito. Somebody sent it to me from our staff. Tawa ‘ko nang tawa. The cellphone [which showed the posts] was passed around and they were so happy inside the bus.”
She even stressed that her viral memes became their topic the whole day while on vacation.
“It became a topic the whole day, ‘yang mga memes na ‘yan. I want to thank these people, these millennials who made me so happy because of these memes.”
As a Kapuso, Tiangco has made her mark through her excellent reportage and generous heart. The ‘tita’ connected to her name is something she earned over the years.
“Oh, I like that! ‘Tita’. There is a ring of respect. Tinitingala ka nila, parang you are full of wisdom.”
https://twitter.com/xotakugamerzx/status/1020260814383558661?s=20
https://twitter.com/_joycerist/status/1363820855650775046?s=20
Galing ng Pilipino! First man on Mars si Ma'am Mel Tiangco!🤣✌️ @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/PLfAI3Qx7U
— ᜀᜎ᜔ᜉᜐ᜔ (@iamjovencris) February 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/russelldaviiid/status/1364119574170411009?s=20
