Daven Tamayo

'Hindi namimili ng gender ang bala': Doris Bigornia recalls Abu Sayyaf hostage coverage

ABS-CBN News journalist Doris Bigornia shares her thoughts with Ganiel Krishnan during a guest appearance on "Oh My Gan" at the ABS-CBN Digital Studio in Quezon City on April 23, 2026. Ms. Bigornia, lovingly crowned the “Mutya ng Masa,” has gained both adoration and notoriety as she exemplifies journalistic courage and mischievous bravado.
During the interview, Bigornia shared that she would not change a single thing if she had to do it all over again—a testimony to her firm resolve as a journalist who has braved conflict coverage and disaster assignments, emerging steadfast from both. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

OH MY GAN-  Doris Bigornia

Ganiel Krishnan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17793645289641779364567813.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Veteran broadcast journalist Doris Bigornia looked back on one of the most dangerous moments of her career as she recalled being held hostage while covering the Abu Sayyaf.</p><p>In an interview on “Oh My Gan!” Bigornia shared that she was deployed to cover the hostage situation alongside other journalists, including Noli “Kabayan” de Castro, and actor Robin Padilla, who was communicating with the hostage-takers at the time.</p><p>According to Bigornia, the coverage required them to climb a mountain under difficult and frightening conditions.</p><p>“Nakakapagod, nakakatakot,” she said, recalling how they traveled partly by flatbed truck before continuing on foot.</p><p>Bigornia said there was a moment when she was initially not allowed to proceed because she was wearing a round-neck shirt, which was supposedly prohibited.</p><p>“Hindi ako papayag na hindi ako makaakyat,” she recalled telling them, adding that she even cried to Kabayan so she could join the group.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_8ubxGHod4k?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>But the situation only became more difficult when they reached the area. Bigornia said there was no proper shelter, no comfort room, and very limited resources. She also shared that she had her period during the coverage, forcing her to ask the Abu Sayyaf members for a sanitary napkin.</p><p>“Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ako makakaalis kung wala akong napkin,’” she said.</p><p>Despite the danger, Bigornia said she pushed through because she wanted to prove that women could also handle conflict coverage.</p><p>“Gusto ko rin makita ano ba ang nangyayari doon sa mga news coverage na sinasabi nila ay panlalaki lang,” she said.</p><p>Asked about her famous line that bullets do not choose gender, Bigornia said she still believes it.</p><p>“Hindi namimili ang bala. May pangalan ka o wala, babae o lalaki. Kung oras mo, oras mo,” she said.</p><p>For Bigornia, the fear was real, but the responsibility of reporting was stronger.</p><p>“Kaya ako, nagpunta doon at kinuha ko ‘yong responsibilidad na ‘yon. Siyempre andoon ‘yong takot, malaking takot. Pero wala eh. Gusto mo rin,” she said.</p>

<p>Veteran broadcast journalist Doris Bigornia looked back on one of the most dangerous moments of her career as she recalled being held hostage while covering the Abu Sayyaf.</p>

Veteran broadcast journalist Doris Bigornia looked back on one of the most dangerous moments of her career as she recalled being held hostage while covering the Abu Sayyaf.