Mario Teodoro Failon Etong was born and raised in Tacloban City, Leyte, on March 29, 1962. At age 15, Ted was already working as a full-time room boy while studying in high school. He also worked as a waiter and a construction worker. He had to work and help his parents who, at that time were struggling to make ends meet.

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He took up AB Economics in Colegio de San Juan de Letran while working as a disc jockey along EDSA and Cubao, Quezon City. He earned a Bachelor in Broadcast Communication degree from Polytechnic Universty of the Philippines , Manila in 1996, and has attended the Bachelor of Laws program of Arellano University. Ted got married at 21 and he had to quit school and work as a full-time announcer and production in DYPL-AM. This is where he officially started in radio.

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At ABS-CBN, Failon has hosted television and radio programs covering news and public affairs. He became popular after co-hosting the public affairs show Hoy Gising! He also taught journalism at his alma mater, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

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In 2001, he entered politics when he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives , representing the 1st  District of Leyte. He won the seat and defeated Cristina “Kringkring” Gonzales, nephew of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. Failon served in the 12th congress but retired at the end of his term in 2004 to resume his career in ABS-CBN. Realizing that politics was not his calling, and so he came back full-time to his first love.

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Currently Ted has programs both in radio and television. Just recently, Anak TV Seal named Ted as one of the 10 Most Admired Personalities in Television. Ted can be seen on television every night in the primetime newscast program of ABS-CBN, TV Patrol World. On radio, he can be heard delivering the news at seven in the morning for DZMM Radyo Patrol Balita, awarded by the KBP as Best Radio Newscast  and Ted Failon as Best Radio Newscaster. Then at 8:30 in the morning, Ted can be heard again alongside Korina in the multi-awarded commentary program of DZMM, Tambalang Failon and Sanchez where he delivers his signature smart and witty commentaries. And because of his background in FM radio, the top-rater program is filled with new gimmicks, amusing segments and entertaining music.

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Ted’s story reflects to his beliefs that there are no small dreams. Armed with inherent talent and the passion to learn and work, he has overcome immense challenges in his life. Forever gratefila nd low-key, Ted gives back to the people by touching their hearts and stimulating their minds. He continues to change people’s lives . Ted is simply a living prof that a little probinsyano like him can do well in the big city.