Ed Lingao | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eduardo D. Lingao (1976-11-20)November 20, 1976 (age 49) |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Television | Wag Po!,The Chiefs,Frontline Tonight |
| Awards | Marshall McLuhan Fellowship (2010) Titus Brandsma Leadership in Journalism Award (2019) |
Eduardo D. Lingao (born November 20, 1976) is a Filipinobroadcast journalist,investigative reporter,war correspondent andnews anchor. He has worked across print, television, and online platforms.
Lingao completed his Journalism degree at theUniversity of the Philippines College of Mass Communication in 1988.[1][2] He was a student during the1986 People Power Revolution, an event he has said influenced his worldview and his approach to journalism.[3][4]
Lingao began his career in print journalism withTheManila Chronicle in 1987. He joinedThe Manila Times as a reporter in 1989. In 1992, he had a brief stint in broadcasting withSkyCable News before returning toThe Manila Times in 1998 to take on editorial roles until the temporary closure of the newspaper outfit.[5][6]
Lingao moved into broadcast journalism withABS-CBN Integrated News & Current Affairs. Through his work onThe Correspondents, he has covered numerous local conflict zones, including clashes between military forces and rebel groups inMindanao, as well as international conflicts such as the wars inIraq andAfghanistan.[5][7][8] He has also reported on high-risk political and security events, including theOakwood Mutiny.[7]
Lingao subsequently took on the role of manager of ABC‑5 News Operations.[9][10]
In 2009, Lingao joined thePhilippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) as Multimedia Director, where he oversaw the integration of print, broadcast, and digital platforms for investigative reporting.[6] He produced in-depth documentaries and investigative pieces on topics includinggovernance,electoral reforms,human rights,policing,military affairs, andcorruption.[5] One of his significant investigative works involved the aftermath of theMaguindanao massacre, exploring the political power dynamics of theAmpatuan clan.[9][11]
Beginning in 2014, Lingao returned to broadcast media, working withTV5 andOneNews. Among his notable shows areWag Po!, a social commentary talk show that he co-hosted,[12] andThe Chiefs, a current affairs program.[13] He currently anchors late-night newscastFrontline Tonight[14] and primetime news programStorycon.[15]
Lingao and wife, Esther, launched theLaptop Project, which donates laptops to students in remote areas, inspired partly by their late daughter, Elizabeth or Ellie,[16][17] who passed away fromaneurysm in 2017.[18]
He has been nicknamed "Grass Man" or "Damong Lingao" within the PCIJ due to his fondness formilitary-green attire and frequent field assignments.[1]
In 2010, Lingao was awarded the Marshall McLuhan Fellowship, one of the most prestigious recognitions for Philippine journalists.[5][9] In 2012, he was conferred the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award for his contributions to journalism.[1][2] He was honored with theCenter for Media Freedom and Responsibility Award of Distinction in 2016 for his contributions to media freedom and responsibility.[19] Lingao later received the Titus Brandsma Leadership in Journalism Award in 2019 for his three decades of work across multiple media forms.[17][20] In 2017, he was honored with the Glory Medal of Distinction by his alma mater, the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.[21] In 2022, he was named one of People Asia Magazine’s Men Who Matter awardees.[22][23]