Angela Lagunzad-Castro: A Voice for the Voiceless, A Guide for Her Son

Juggling deadlines, a morning show stint, and motherhood, Angela Lagunzad-Castro lives at the intersection of public service and personal purpose

The media field is demanding, especially for journalists who are always on call for breaking news. It’s a profession that requires constant sacrifices. But for Angela Lagunzad-Castro, it’s also a calling she has managed to pursue while embracing her role as a mother.

Seen regularly alongside her husband, Diego Castro, on One News, Angela is not only a seasoned broadcaster but also a passionate documentarist. Her body of work spans stories about children, Filipino culture, and narratives that spark hope. She’s also a familiar face on the morning show Güd Morning Kapatid.

In between studio lights and field reports, Angela wears another badge with pride: being a mother to her son Mio, and a stepmother to Diego’s three daughters.

The Journalism Dream

For Angela, the calling to work in media came early in life.

“I remember there were a few professions that popped out in some conversations or questionnaires [in school] that I needed to answer, but nothing really lingered as much as becoming a broadcast journalist,” she said. “My mom said  when I was a little girl, about 5 years or so, she would see me holding a brush and would mimic a reporter, so I guess becoming a broadcast journalist has always been my dream.”

When she’s not on television delivering the day’s headlines, Angela is out in the field, telling deeper stories. As a documentarist, she’s explored a wide range of subjects and admits she loved many of them. She even categorizes her work into four types: Inspiring, Cinematic/Filipino Culture, Voices, and Stories of Hope.

Angela, the Documentarist

Among her most memorable documentaries is the story of a working student who would study in the morning and sell dried fish in the evening to make ends meet.

“His positive outlook on life was really inspiring. He was abandoned by his parents and learned to live and survive on his own—with help from neighbors who eventually adopted him,” she shared.

Angela also fondly remembers the old weaver from the Cordilleras and the triumphs of persons with disabilities whose stories she was able to document.

But it’s the stories of women and children that are close to her heart.

“These are the stories that really need to be heard. The stories of women and children that need solutions. That’s why we have this incredible platform—to help them amplify their voices.”

As a mother, covering emotionally heavy stories can be difficult. But Angela knows her role is to let the truth shine through.

“It’s hard not to be affected, especially when it involves children and women in crisis,” she admitted. “But I always remind myself of what this job entails—to tell the truth, to set aside my personal feelings, and to deliver the story based on facts. Let their voices lead the narrative. As our mantra goes: All sides, all the time.”

The Family Life

Angela shares not only the newsroom but also her home life with fellow journalist Diego Castro. Working together has its perks—and its pitfalls.

We get to discuss and weigh issues, but it can also be a disadvantage. Why? Because it’s not all the time we agree, and when we disagree, here comes the debate and sometimes nagkakapikunan,” she laughed. “But of course, we keep things professional. As they say, a healthy debate a day keeps the stress away.”

Even with a packed schedule, Angela makes sure to spend time with her son, Mio, and posts photos of him playing basketball. She’s also a proud stepmom to Diego’s three daughters.

“I first met them when they were still little girls, and it wasn’t hard to love them. I feel that they love me, too,” she said of the girls. “We have a very interesting relationship, especially the two daughters who lived with us before.

“Of course, it’s not perfect. There were misunderstandings, tampuhan even. But I’m glad I met them and got to share my life with them. I’m truly grateful that they love their brother.”

Parenting in the Age of Social Media

Like many modern parents, Angela is navigating the complexities of raising a child in the digital age while also working in media herself.

“We raise our son as much as possible the right way, according to our faith,” she explained. “Yes, he has access to a lot of information online, but we trust him. Whatever he comes across, he knows what’s right and wrong.”

With Mio now in his teens, parenting has evolved into a collaborative process.

“It’s a balancing act. We can’t control everything he sees or does online. That’s why we focus on keeping communication open—guiding him to think for himself, asking questions, and really listening to him.”

Angela is aware that her own industry—media—has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, with the rise of disinformation and online harassment.

“This problem has only made me more determined to push forward. To hold the line with other journalists in our country—to stand and fight for truthful, balanced news,” she said. “I always remind myself: be factual. That’s the only way to combat fake news.”

The Parenting Journey So Far

Angela has earned accolades and professional respect in her field—but for her, the most fulfilling part of her journey is motherhood.

I’ve had the opportunity to watch my son grow through every stage—infancy, toddlerhood, grade school, pre-teen, and now as a teenager,” she said. “It’s truly wonderful. I can only pray to the Lord that I live long enough to witness and be with him through all the other stages of his life.”

When asked about what she and Diego hope to instill in Mio, she answers with simplicity and conviction:

“In every aspect of life, we remind him to always do what is right. And that after God, family should always come first.”

While she remains committed to journalism and public service, Angela Lagunzad-Castro is, first and foremost, a mother—ready to be there whenever her son needs her.

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