SLRC FEMALE ENGLISH NEWS ANCHOR, ZEENATH BONGSO DAUGHTER OF SENIOR ENGLSH ANCHOR IN SLRC FAIZAL BONGSO FOR THREE DECADES FROM 1985 TO 2016 ESTABLISHING A GLOBAL RECORD PRESENTING NEWS TOGETHER AS FATHER AND DAUGHTER REMINISCED – By Sunil Thenabadu
Though renowned news anchors and program presenters father and daughter Faizal Bongso and Zeenath Bongso are contemporary Muslims by peers but both have studied in Buddhist schools v.i.z.,initially at I Isipathana College later for advanced level at Wesley College and Musaeus Colleges respectively. Faizal is multifaceted genius apart from television triumphs in year 1981 had emerged as the male winner in an inaugural singing competition Faizal though from old school generation from year 1985 in the media says he had got rationalised by moving with adolescents with aspirant ambitious young blood who had joined as counterparts lately in the decade of two thousand. Faizal is a strong believer that in whatever field one excels one must subject to change with time which is vital is the hallmark of any profession. As a television presenting host one has to possess a good voice which needs to be clear, articulate, and authoritative in order the presenter to convey evidence, with confidence and true professionalism, while sounding natural, engaging fully to connect with the audience. All these possessed by Faizal was undeniably inherited to Zeenath via hereditary affiliations. Faizal and Zeenath has created a world record by narrating English news together at SLRC Channel Eye on the twenty fifth anniversary year of Faizal at the SLRC when Zeenath was barely seventeen years old girl following father’s causeways But later on Faizal’s son Javed Bongso too had joined though in year 2013 the in bestowing sports news which too is a world record where a trio from the same family been on air on a core national television channel.
Faizal recollects his father had been police officer who has had a sturdy voice which he believes has inherited to him too one who cannot speak softly but very fluent in both English and Sinhala dialects. Zeenath recollects that she was only six months after joining SLRC in year 2011 when she and other presenters all were on a roaster. On that particular day one presenter who was assigned had been on leave hence coincidentally she was to be father Faizal’s colleague though hitherto she had presented only sports news. Faizal was a bit nervous if Zeenath said thank you ‘Dad’ instead of Faizal. But Zeenath was confident of not making that blunder. Faizal was well aware of the ability of Zeenath in this field , also her speed , pronunciation , disposition and temperament .This rare occasion the duo had not thought then to record and preserve for posterity, but it remains as an immortal record. Unlike Zeenath Faizal had said it was not the same with son Javed who had to be hard-pressed into this field recollects been forced to take part in the screen audition test. Like Faizal who had played Rugger ,participated in Athletics while in school also had been a member of the All island school teams. Javed too had been a sportsman having captained prestigious S.Thomas’ College cricket team at the famous longest standing ‘Big Match’ ,the famed ‘Royal Thomian’ annual encounter. Faizal recollects as he was not at all punctual used to shout at him to be in time particularly when he was captaining the college team. Faizal recollects as his voice is so thunderous the neighbours had thought he was scolding the son
Zeenath strangely had not participated in any media societies as in competitions if was Dad Faizal was a chief adjudicator in the school Judge Board. Zeenath had reasoned that if she participated and won the onlookers would say Judge Faizal may have favoured her to be elected . Zeenath had in a television dialog added she got this craze of becoming a television host when she had seen Dad Faizal on the television screen, one day while watching Faizal on television she had been outraged when he walked in the dwelling concurrently.. This had aroused a gigantic curiosity for Zeenath to know ‘how did it happen’ when it was explained by Faizal as it was a recorded program Her curiosity had grown to giant boosts after this incident. Zeenath had participated with Faizal to ‘coffee morning programs, ‘dinner dances’ and numerous such events at her own consensus where she was able to watch the manner Faizal presented with diversity
Zeenath attended Musaeus College a predominantly Buddhist school .At the interview the school authorities had asked Faizal whether she would follow Buddhism as a subject to which he had said definitely.Zeenath had obtained a ‘A’ pass in her ordinary level been on par with Buddhist students. Not only that Zeenath had by hearted the Thun Suthraya which is incredible for girl with Muslim heritage. At a television dialog she successfully narrated the entire ‘Karaneeya Mettha’ Suthraya to ultimate precision Though Zeenath is a born Muslim she believes follows, familiarlty philosophies of all religions. As she matured Zeenath believed Buddhism teachers the correct path to the lives of human beings. At parent teacher meetings when Faizal represented Zeenath the teachers were full of praise to Zeenath for scoring top marks for Buddhism been born a Muslim .She recollects she was frightened to bring the report home with low marks for English.But Zeenath had been equally bright in her aptitude for English of course having hereditary affiliations to Faizal’s flair for English. Zeenath in school had been a keen sportswoman having taken part in sprint events in Athletics. She had quoted had not proceeded in sports owing to transport facilities as Faizal could not cope with his busy daily schedules to give her transport to her dwelling. One other reason was brother Javed had too taken part seriously in cricket.
Zeenath also in a television confrontation stated that she had lost her mother when she was barely eight years and brother was six years. This was the period any daughter would need mother to guide her. It was revealed that Faizal had functioned in both roles to his utmost not allowing them to feel the loss of mother. She recollected that she used to keep the alarm to get up in time to dress up, waking up Javed was cumbersome ,as he who was a guy not easy to be woken up in order to be ready to board the school vans in time. Zeenath also recollected despite Faizal coming home in the wee hours of the morning if a request was made by Zeenath or Javed to drop them at school Faizal had never refused to oblige them despite his fatigue state At a later media dialog Zeenath added she now feels the role she had to play as she is now a mother of growing up daughter.
Now Zeenath comprehends why Faizal had been so strict to the siblings when young , as his main intent had been to bring them up to be precious citizens to motherland with immaculate traditions. It was revealed by Zeenath later that the two siblings had viewed Faizal as an absolute role model to be emulated by all fathers in a single parent venture. After losing wife Faizal had added that he thought for himself he would not be able to complete this daunting task, picking them from sports activities from school attending to his accountable work bestowed on him at office as the director of a reputed mercantile firm. A tale Faizal recollected that he used to feeding and changing clothes of son when young inside the car dropping him for practices and return to office to face bestowed challenges in office.
Faizal as a follower of music had followed Derana Dream Star season one in year 2008 had been a fan of Milinda Sandaruwan , had met personally too .Faizal had said to Milinda that he lives in Nawala area to visit him anytime, For the final of the Derana Dream Star gruelling contest Faizal had bought two tickets to watch with a colleague but as he failed to attend he had asked Zeenath though she was not that interested she had obliged Dada. Milinda had been adjudicated the runner up had not been in good frame of mind for not becoming the winner. However after the presentation Faizal had congratulated Milinda had told his daughter Zeenath too accompanied him. Milinda was introduced to Zeenath who had shaken hands in a very unique manner which had surprised her.On a subsequent day while Milinda had been driving his vehicle had broken down in Nawala area.Milinda had called Faizal to find a mechanic. To everyone’s disbelief the car had stopped right in front of Faizal’s dwelling. That day Faizal had connected him to a mechanic had driven Milinda to his destination in his car..On a subsequent day not at all deliberately his car had caused trouble again at the same location when Zeenath had whispered to Faizal ‘why his car has to break down near their dwelling’;. On that day Milinda had asked for Zeenath’s mobile which she given with much deliberation. He had then called her frequently, later had told he is interested in her.Zeenath had not responded as her intention was to prolong her studies. Zeenath had told about it to Faizal who had one day at 2 am called Milinda and asked whether this is serious , if Zeenath is willing he has absolutely no objections .The duo had tied the nuptial knot in year 2011 at an impressive ceremony. The duo is blessed with a daughter and son eleven and nine years both doing well in studies winning awards domiciled in Kurunegala at Milinda’s house adjoining to his parental duo’s dwelling.
After the birth of her kids Zeenath had stopped reading news though she had received many invitations as she dislikes distant driving. But she does workshops, announcing as a subject, does public speaking for students in grade three and four at the Royal International school Kurunegala where the administrators motivate her abundantly to get the best out of her though she has not commenced her own school. But Faizal is still active having his own school academy ‘Faizal Speech Academy’,
Zeenath could be contacted on WIX HOME Zeenath Bongso https://zeebongso wixsite .com / zeenath.bongso
A brief account of Zeenath in her role as a Teacher and Grade Coordinator. Zeenath is a dedicated and influential public speaking trainer renowned for her ability to nurture and elevate the oratory skills with an enthusiastic developed passion of her own. Her target is always to make gaugeable enhancements by her way of teaching with her inimitable style focussed. Zeenath integrates her immense expertise as a media overriding personality to host her sessions extremely dynamic and factual manner. As a Grade Coordinator she provides tailored guidance to both students and staff . Her leadership fosters a combined atmosphere where students’ academic and extracurricular performance thrive to tall summits. Zeenath’s diverse setting in media and education situations makes her a versatile involved educator
All her students and followers would wish Zeenath Bongso to continue her career in the same vein with enhanced strength to continue with her already established lust.
