25/07/2025
In 2006, Mount Mayon in Bicol erupted, prompting TV5 (then known as ABC 5) to send a field reporter to cover the event, an incident that held great significance for the people in the area. At the time, television and radio were still the primary sources of information for the public.
Among the reporters sent, only Hazel Recheta insisted on staying behind to continue monitoring the situation, even as her fellow journalists began returning to Manila. She reasoned, “What if something critical happens after we leave? What if the volcano suddenly erupts? It’s our duty to report it to the people right away.”
Her dedication was admired by her colleagues, who expressed to TV5 that they, too, would keep watch until morning. Eventually, however, her cameraman Arnel and crewmember Ismael fell asleep from exhaustion, leaving Hazel alone, still adjusting the camera lens and making sure it was ready to record.
Without sleep the entire night, the team finally decided to head back to Novaliches after confirming in a live report that the volcano had calmed down and stopped spewing lava. However, around 5 PM on the road back, another vehicle attempted to overtake them, causing a collision that resulted in a pile-up, one that would ultimately take their lives.
Before the tragic accident, Hazel left one final message to her husband: “Take care of our one-year-old child.” Despite the dangers of field reporting and the modest salary she received from the station, she remained committed to her profession, believing that Mass Media is a vital tool for delivering the truth and timely information to the public.
Hazel, who was 37 years old at the time of her death, would often say that true journalism cannot be fully understood unless you’re physically present, unless you’ve seen it yourself. You won’t grasp the essence of the story unless you learn to wait for it to unfold, and unless you are the one to piece it together. “Let us not rely solely on what the researcher, teleprompter, or director dictates,” she often reminded.
Her story is not just about tragedy, it’s about honor, dedication, and integrity. She is a woman by example: someone who reminds us that real journalism is grounded in courage, sacrifice, and heart. Her life and legacy continue to inspire, showing that the greatest stories often come from those who dare to stand their ground when others walk away.
