Before moving to Canada, Jei spent 9 years bringing accurate, relevant, and timely news to his hometown – Palawan, Philippines. He served his fellow Palawenos through ABS-CBN, the country’s largest broadcasting network. He owes his knowledge and skills as a storyteller to his extensive experience with the company.
He started as a field reporter in 2012 and worked up the ranks. He anchored 3 radio programs and the network’s flagship TV news program – TV Patrol Palawan, which earned him the signature “Boses ng Palawan” (Voice of Palawan).
Under his direction, the program received acclaim and was awarded a special citation as the best regional news program in 2014 and 2015. He likewise received the award of being one of the best news anchors in 2015. He served as the Desk Editor and OIC-News Head of ABS-CBN’s Palawan Bureau, overseeing TV and Radio content and operations until the network closed in August 2020.
After the network shutdown, Jei remained committed to serving his province. He created his independent channel “Boses ng Palawan.” Not long after launching his channel, Jei became the head of the News and Current Affairs department of Palawan Daily News.
Jei Zabanal is a Filipino multi-platform journalist now based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He moved to Canada in August 2021, together with his wife, to further his studies.
He graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 2023 and was awarded a diploma in Broadcast and Online Journalism with distinction.
He currently works as a late and weekend Associate Producer for CBC Vancouver. As AP, he co-produces the late and weekend show with the late and weekend Host. He writes scripts, cuts videos, and ensures all items on the line-up work.
Jei was one of the APs responsible for writing, editing, and updating the election results during the 2022 CBC Vancouver Municipal Election coverage. He was also recently part of the CBC 2024 B.C. Provincial elections team.
In July 2023, he was tapped to lead CBC Vancouver’s weekend team as the Assignment Producer. As the Assignment Producer, he guides the weekend team to ensure all essential stories are covered. He leads a small and mighty team of web writers, reporters, shooters, and video journalists. He served as a steady hand guiding the team during the 2023 B.C. Wildfire season – the most expensive, most destructive wildfire season on record in B.C.
Before pursuing his education in Canada, Jei earned his bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Our Lady of Fatima University in the Philippines. He also took Electronics and Communications Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Special Education courses from the University of the Philippines.
When he is not on-air or making news content, Jei is most likely playing DOTA2, flexing his muscles in the gym, or practising dance moves, hoping to join the Backstreet Boys one day.
When he’s feeling fancy, he is out and about, exploring the world with his wife and their kid.
“As I grew older, I realized that there is power in letting go.”
Jei Zabanal