Rico Hizon


Rico Hizon is a Filipino broadcast journalist. He is currently a senior anchor and director for news content development at CNN Philippines. During his time with BBC World News, he anchored Newsday and Asia Business Report, which is broadcast to more than 400 million households worldwide. He is the first-ever Filipino news anchor to work for two of the world's most prestigious television news networks - CNBC Asia and BBC World News.

Education and academia

After gaining a degree in Communication Arts and Business at De La Salle University, Hizon taught Radio, Television and Broadcasting courses at the University. Doctorate Degree in Humanities, Honoris Causa from the University of Northeastern Philippines.

Broadcast career

Hizon started his broadcast career at Manila-based GMA Network, from 1988 to 1995, where he was responsible for covering capital markets, banking and finance, real estate, investment and corporate developments. He anchored the daily business program, Business Today, GMA News Live and Stock Market Live from the trading floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange. During his tenure, Hizon won "The Outstanding Young Men for Broadcast Journalism" award.
Hizon then joined CNBC Asia in April 1995, based in Hong Kong and later in Singapore, where he was the main anchor of the morning edition of CNBC Today, Squawk Box, Market Watch and Power Lunch.
Hizon joined BBC World News in 2002, and anchored the daily business and finance programme Asia Business Report and Asia Today live from Singapore Monday to Friday. Since June 2011 Hizon has co-presented Newsday, a news bulletin programme on the BBC from Singapore with Babita Sharma in London. He is also a regular on BBC World Business Report as an Asian business correspondent. In November 2013 Rico presented Newsday live from Tacloban, Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. In January 2014, Hizon co-presented the BBC Newsday programme from New Broadcasting House, London with Babita Sharma in Singapore for a short while.
In May 2017, Hizon once again presented from the London newsroom, with Sharanjit Leyl taking over presenting duties in Singapore. It was announced that this was only for a single week, with Hizon returning to Singapore for the next week. In March 2020, Hizon formally announced via his Instagram account that he would be leaving BBC News after 17 years.
A few weeks later, it was reported that Hizon will return to the Philippines and will be joining CNN Philippines as senior anchor and director for news content development. The memo sent out by CNN Philippines president Armie Jarin-Bennett says Hizon will take over the 9 PM newscast. He also announced his move to the network on his Twitter account.

Awards

People Asia Magazine Men Who Matter Awardee 2016. Conferred in 2012, Doctorate Degree in Humanities, Honoris Causa by the University of Northeastern Philippines and the Commission on Higher Education. 2012 Broadcast Journalist of the Year, Rotary Club of Manila. 2014 Asian Television Awards Best News Anchor Highly Commended Awardee. 2011 Asian Television Awards Best News Anchor Nominee. January 2010, People of the Year Award from People Asia Magazine. September 2009, the La Sallian Achievement Award for Global Journalism. He is the youngest ever recipient. December 2008, Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award received from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacañan Palace for excellence in International Journalism, and gave the response on behalf of his fellow awardees. October 2008, Bank of the Philippine Islands recognized Hizon for bringing honor and recognition to the Philippines with the 2008 BPinoy Award, and for advocating important Filipino values and principles, Rico received the first ever Yes The Filipino Can! Award. December 2006, The Outstanding Young Men Award for International Journalism and Community Service.