The program was launched on January 16, 1989 as TV Patrol Mindanao, the pioneer Cebuano language local newscast in the Mindanao area. Dante Luzon was its first anchor with Annie Gacayan, Christina Banluta, Tina Junsay, Manny Casiple, Helen Lorenzana, Rocky Magsanoc and Bert Gorgonio as its first reporters and was initially broadcast in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Butuan, General Santos, Cotabato and Zamboanga. It had covered stories ranging from natural disasters, man-made disasters, religious conflicts, tribal conflicts, political controversies, social issues and crime stories in the entire Mindanao island. In late 1989, Dante left to join what is now the TV Patrol Central Visayas anchor team in Cebu as co-main presenter, and was replaced by Casiple in the anchor chair with Gorgonio, Junsay and Gacayan, adopting a four-presenter format to match the then format in the national edition. At the same year satellite transmissions were launched to reach the Cebuano-speaking populations all over the island, enabling them to watch the newscast live as it happens.