Catherina “Cathy” Vilar, also known as “Katherine de Leon,” “Katherine de Leon-Vilar” and “Catherine Vilar” has been a broadcast media professional at People’s Television Network (PTV), Intercontinental Broadcasting Network (IBC TV 13), Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), and other government media networks for over three decades.[1]
On November 24, 1989, then-Katherine de Leon premiered as co-host for a horse racing show called “Silip… sa Karera,” which aired on Channel 13.[2] She became a Newscaster for The Hourly Newsbreak at PTV 4 and was later tapped as Half-time reporter for all amateur sports coverage of Vintage Enterprise such as the PBL and UAAP in 1990. She moved up to being Kaypee at the half segment Host for the PBA coverage of Vintage Enterprise which aired on the People’s Television Network (PTV). She holds the honor of being the first female courtside reporter for those seasons of the Philippine Basketball Association during the 90s.
Catherine Vilar also anchored “The Eleven O’Clock News” at Islands TV-13 (now IBC TV 13) from October 1, 1990 to March 9, 1992. In 1994, Cathy hosted a public service show for IBC 13 called “Konsumer Korner.”[3] She returned to PTV to anchor the noontime newscast, “Pangunahing Balita” from 1992 to 1995. She has also worked with other veteran journalists at PTV’s “Balitang Ala-Una” around that time.[4]
When the “Philippine Lotto Draw” telecast was launched on March 8, 1995 at PTV,[5] Catherine was one of its original hosts. She stayed on the daily lotto draw broadcasts until 2001.
From 2001 to 2006, Catherine was the main anchor for “Teledyaryo,” the flagship newscast of the People’s Television Network (formerly the National Broadcasting Network). Teledyaryo was also the Philippines’ first local newscast to be broadcasted internationally through NBN World. Catherine Vilar also anchored the late-night counterpart of the newscast called “Teledyaryo: Final Edition” for two years from 2006 to 2008.
In 2022, Catherine Vilar hosted IBC 13’s election series, “Bet to Serve.” She was able to interview then-senatorial candidates, Chel Diokno[6] and Antonio Trillanes IV[7]. In 2023, she hosted the legislative body-centric public affairs program for IBC 13 called “Ito ang Kongreso,” and since 2024, she has been hosting the news and updates public affairs program for the same network. The show is called “Ang Senado ng Pilipinas.”[8]
Career as Media Executive
During the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Vilar was appointed as Board Member of the Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), representing the media sector that oversees the mandate of the agency to review and classifies movies, television programs and related promotional materials, ensuring they comply with the country’s standards for decency and morality.
In September 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed her as one of the Board Members of Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.[9] She continues to serve President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the same post.
Awards and Recognitions
On February 12, 2025, Catherine Vilar was awarded the “Outstanding Public Affairs TV Program Host 2024-2025” and the MOPC “Bell of Freedom and Excellence Award” by The Manila Overseas Press Club (Asia’s Oldest Press Club) for IBC’s “Ito ang Kongreso.”[10] The award-giving body took note of the program’s efforts to bring the legislative branch of the country closer to the Filipino people.
Her weekly program at IBC TV 13 called “Ang Senado ng Pilipinas” was also nominated as the “Best Public Affairs Program” for 2025 by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Television.[11] Episodes of “Ang Senado ng Pilipinas” may be viewed on IBC TV 13’s YouTube page.[12]
References
[1] “CATHERINA D. VILAR”. IBCTV 13. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
[2] Horse Racing Show. Philippines: Manila Standard. November 23, 1989. p. 22.
[3] “Konsumer Korner”. Manila Standard. April 9, 1994. p. 21.
[4] “Veteran broadcaster, sportswriter Zaldy ‘Flor’ Perez writes 30”. Spin.ph. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
[5] Matthew Milana (2024-10-18). PCSO Lottery Draw May 8, 1996 Aired On PTV 4 Kathy De Leon Villar. Retrieved 2025-03-27 – via YouTube.
[6] IBC TV 13 (2022-03-04). Bet To Serve Episode 2 (Chel Diokno). Retrieved 2025-04-04 – via YouTube.
[7] IBC TV 13 (2022-03-06). Bet To Serve Episode 3 (Antonio Trillanes IV) Part 1. Retrieved 2025-04-04 – via YouTube.
[8] Kent, Gucela (2024-09-01). “Sen. Cynthia Villar, tatakbong kongresista ng Las Piñas sa 2025 elections”. IBCTV 13. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
[9] “NEW PARTNER”. The Manila Times. 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
[10] Lopez, Tony. “Outstanding journalists”. Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
[11] Mallorca, Hannah (2025-02-02). “PMPC Star Awards for Television bares list of nominees”. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
[12] “Ang Senado ng Pilipinas”. YouTube. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
