The Big Story (TV program)

The Big Story is a primetime newscast currently broadcast on One News every weeknights at 7:30 PM (PST). It also served as the de facto late-night newscast of TV5 from March to September 2019. It is anchored by Ces Oreña-Drilon, Shawn Yao and Pauline Verzosa.

The Big Story
Title card
Genre	Newscast Live action
Created by	Cignal TV
Presented by	Ces Oreña-Drilon Pauline Verzosa Shawn Yao
Opening theme	"Breaking News" by MemoryProd
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	English
Production
Production locations	TV5 Media Center, Reliance cor. Sheridan Sts., Mandaluyong
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	60 minutes
Production company	News5
Original release
Network	Bloomberg TV Philippines (2016–18) One News (since 2018)
Release	October 24, 2016 (2016-10-24) – present

History

Bloomberg TV Philippines launches its first-ever primetime news program, The Big Story, which was first aired on October 24, 2016, at 8:45 pm. It continued to run until the local Bloomberg channel relaunched as One News on May 28, 2018, and expanded its airtime, with an earlier timeslot at 8:00 pm.

On March 4, 2019, the program began broadcasting on free TV via One News sister channel, TV5, replacing Aksyon Tonite as a late-night newscast and airs every weeknights at 10:00 PM, (PST). It is the first English-language newscast of the network since Big News from 1962 to 2004 and Sentro from 2007 to 2008.^[1] However, it was replaced by the delayed telecast of One Balita Pilipinas, produced by sister station One PH beginning September 23, 2019, anchored by former Aksyon Tonite anchor Cheryl Cosim.

On February 1, 2021, Gretchen Ho served as the main presenter of the program. She was later joined by Regina Lay and Shawn Yao on April 10, 2023. In early-2025, Lay was replaced by former CNN Philippines personality Pauline Verzosa.

On February 23, 2025, Media Newser Philippines reported that Ces Oreña-Drilon would be joining The Big Story.^[2] Her role was officially confirmed after she signed a contract with News5, Cignal TV, and MediaQuest on February 26, 2025. She began anchoring the newscast on March 3, 2025.^[3]

Anchors

Main presenters

• Ces Oreña-Drilon (2025-present)
• Shawn Yao (2023–present)
• Pauline Verzosa (2025–present)

Substitute presenters

• Rizza Diaz (2022–present)
• Angela Lagunzad Castro (2023–present)
• Maricel Halili (2021–present)
• Jay Taruc (2021)
• Jester "Jes" Delos Santos (2020)

Former anchors

• Roby Alampay (2018–23)
• Gretchen Ho (2021–25)
• Regina Lay (2023–25)