Jiggy Manicad

Rodrigo Defeo Manicad Jr. is the son of Rodrigo Manicad Sr. and Lusviminda Defeo Manicad. He was born on November 15, 1974. He finished elementary and secondary in San Pablo Colleges. He took Communication Arts at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.^[1] As a kid, he loved animals especially dogs. His dog Tikboy was chosen as one of the K-9 dogs of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). He worked as assistant editor of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Years later, he found himself back in Manila, becoming one of the writers of the popular show Magandang Gabi... Bayan in ABS-CBN.^[2]

He later transferred to GMA Network as he wanted to become a newscaster and reporter, and soon became a presenter for the documentary show Reporter's Notebook, alongside Maki Pulido. While reporting on the May 1, 2001, riot along Mendiola, San Miguel, Manila, he was injured by a rock that hit his head in the middle of the riot between the protesters and police authorities.^[3][4][5]

His stories include insurgency and extremism in Mindanao, disasters, and the illegal arms trade. In 2004, he was awarded the British Chevening Scholarship Award. He then took a postgraduate course in International Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University in Wales. He was chosen from 800 applicant journalists from all over the country. As part of the program, he had his practicum at the BBC in Norwich, England. He is also an awardee of Ten Outstanding Young Men for 2012 for journalism.^[6][7][8]

On February 21, 2010, Manicad anchored the 24 Oras Weekend, alongside Pia Arcangel.^[4]

On August 1, 2011, he served as the anchor of GMA News TV's first ever on-location newscast News TV Quick Response Team.^[9][10]

On April 20, 2018, Manicad announced his departure from GMA Network and his resignation from media service during the closing of Quick Response Team, after the prospective senatorial candidate under the ruling PDP–Laban political party for 2019 senatorial election.^{[11][12][13][14]} Following his exit, Manicad was eventually replaced by Emil Sumangil on News TV QRT,^[15] Jun Veneracion on Reporter's Notebook,^[16] and Ivan Mayrina on 24 Oras Weekend.

After losing in the elections, he returned to GMA Network by airing his show AgriPreneur, which is produced by his wife's company, Marnie Manicad Productions International (MMPI) until 2023.^[17]

On December 7, 2023, Manicad marked his return to journalism when he signed a contract with TV5 to become an anchor of Frontline Pilipinas, joining fellow former ABS-CBN News personalities Cheryl Cosim and Julius Babao on January 8, 2024.^[18] He then became the host of investigative show Budol Alert on September 22, 2024, replacing Luchi Cruz-Valdes following her retirement. On May 16, 2025, Manicad left Frontline Pilipinas to anchor its new lead-in newscast program, Una sa Lahat, beginning on May 19.