Nathaniel Cruz

Nathaniel Augustin Cruz (Tagalog: [ˈkɾus]; born February 22, 1960), more popularly known as Mang Tani, is a Filipino meteorologist who formerly served as a meteorologist for PAGASA from 1982 to 2010. Cruz is also the former resident meteorologist of GMA Integrated News and a co-host of the network's morning show, Unang Hirit, from 2012 to 2022.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Augustin and the surname or paternal family name is Cruz.

Nathaniel Cruz
Born
Nathaniel Augustin Cruz

(1960-02-22) February 22, 1960[1]
Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Other namesMang Tani
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1982–2022
Employers
SpouseGloria Cruz

Early life and education

Nathaniel Agustin Cruz was born in Manila on February 22, 1960, to Ernesto de la Merced Cruz and Cecilia Sanchez Agustin.[1]

He studied agricultural engineering at the Gregorio Araneta University and later graduated in 1981.[2] After his graduation from the Gregorio Araneta University in 1981, Cruz earned a Master of Science degree in meteorology at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1999.[3][4]

Career

After his graduation from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982, Cruz joined the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as meteorologist and spokesperson; he also worked for the agency's hydrology division. Cruz was later promoted in 2004 as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Deputy Administratator until his retirement in July 2010.[2][3][5]

In 1989, Cruz went on a temporary leave from PAGASA for the first time and worked for Arab-American Oil Company in Saudi Arabia.[4]

In 2008, Cruz temporarily worked for the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in Bangkok, Thailand as a climatologist.[4]

Cruz went to Darwin, Australia in July 2010, to join the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) as a meteorologist, but left the country in 2012 due to the illness of his wife Gloria Cruz.[6][7]

On June 4, 2012, Cruz returned to the Philippines and joined the weather department of GMA News as the network's resident meteorologist, mainly appearing on the flagship news programs Unang Hirit and 24 Oras; occasionally he appears on other GMA News programs when typhoons within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is expected to make landfall. Cruz presented the science magazine program Hamon ng Kalikasan on GMA News TV, from September until December 2012; and also the radio program I.M. Ready sa Dobol B on DZBB, since 2017.[3]

In an exchange during the weather segment of Balitanghali on July 21, 2018, news anchor Jun Veneracion asked Cruz about further updates regarding Tropical Depression Josie, on which Cruz responded and mistakenly called Veneracion "Josie" and noticeably struggled to contain his laughter afterwards.[8] The clip went viral after the incident, and in an Instagram post by Unang Hirit anchor Arnold Clavio, Cruz responded and explained that he was concentrated on the storm and got confused with the names.[9]

In 2021, Cruz went on a temporary leave from both Unang Hirit and 24 Oras, as he went on vacation in Melbourne, Australia, while he still does some remote work as the weather forecaster of GMA News.[10][11]

Personal life

He married Gloria Cruz.[6] As of 2021, Cruz and his family resides in Melbourne, Australia.[12] His life story was featured on the GMA drama anthology shows Magpakailanman[13] and Wagas,[14] where both highlighted how his wife survived a brain tumor despite doctors describing the situation as a "hopeless case"[15]

Credits

Television
YearTitleNetworkNotes Refs.
2012–2022Unang HiritGMA NetworkCo-host, weather presenter [16]
24 Oras Weather presenter [17]
2012Hamon ng KalikasanGMA News TVHost [18]
2013 Magpakailanman: The Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz Story GMA Network Featured guest [13]
2014 Wagas GMA News TV [19]
2016 Sunday PinaSaya GMA Network Guest [20]
2017 Eat Bulaga!: Jackpot en Poy Contestant, guest [21]
2020 Eat Bulaga!: Bawal Judgmental [22]
2021 Eat Bulaga!: Cash Landing On You [23]

Radio
Year Title Station Notes Ref.
2017–2021 I.M. Ready sa Dobol B DZBB Host [24]

Web
Year Title Notes Site Ref.
2014 Magtanong Kay Mang Tani Host IM Ready Facebook [25]
2022 Weather Update with Mang Tani Host

References
  1. "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984". FamilySearch. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  2. Angeles, Iza (August 19, 2017). "Nathaniel 'Mang Tani' Cruz and his unpredictable journey as top meteorologist". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  3. Raquel, Butch (September 12, 2013). "How's the weather, Mang Tani". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. Labor, Jonalou. "Cruz, Nathaniel". Cultural Center of the Philippines. Retrieved May 14, 2021. (subscription required)
  5. "Mang Tani: Up close and personal". GMA News. August 21, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  6. "Ex-PAGASA spokesman's wife awakes from coma". GMA News. May 2, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  7. "Nathaniel A. Cruz". LinkedIn. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. BT: Bagyong Josie, weather update as of 12:10 p.m. (July 21, 2018). GMA News and Public Affairs. July 21, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2021 – via YouTube.
  9. "Mang Tani explains to Arnold Clavio the 'Yes Josie' incident". GMA News Online. July 23, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  10. "Mang Tani Cruz trends amid Kim Atienza's transfer to GMA-7". Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  11. "Where is Mang Tani? '24 Oras' anchors give shout-out to resident meteorologist". GMA News. September 30, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  12. "Cash Landing on You". Eat Bulaga!. September 2, 2021. GMA Network. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via YouTube.
  13. "#MPK: The Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz Story (Full Episode) - Magpakailanman". www.gmanetwork.com. March 1, 2023 [2013]. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  14. "Love story of GMA-7's resident meteorologist in 'Wagas'". The Freeman. May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  15. Dalumpines, Suzette (May 2, 2011). "Ex-PAGASA spokesman's wife awakes from coma". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  16. "UH: Happy Birthday, Mang Tani!". GMA News. February 22, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  17. "Potential first storm of 2021 to enter PAR Wednesday —PAGASA | 24 Oras". GMA News. February 16, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  18. "Hamon ng Kalikasan (September 20, 2012)". GMA Integrated News. September 24, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  19. "How mang Mang Tani's wife, Gloria, survived from brain tumor | Wagas". GMA Public Affairs. May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  20. "Sunday PinaSaya: Boobsie and Chuchay meet Mang Tani". GMA Network. April 24, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  21. "UB: Mang Tani, inilampaso ang kanyang mga nakalaban sa 'Jackpot En Poy' segment ng Eat Bulaga" [UB: Mang Tani defeats opponents in 'Jackpot En Poy' segment of Eat Bulaga]. GMA News. April 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  22. "15 years old na nag-imbento ng I-NOSE | Bawal Judgmental". Eat Bulaga!. January 28, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  23. "LIVE FROM MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, MANG TANI NASA CASH LANDING ON YOU!". Eat Bulaga!. September 2, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  24. "I M Ready sa Dobol B". YouTube. GMA Network. June 29, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  25. "GMA News strengthens Facebook engagement among users via exclusive content". GMA News Online. September 3, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
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