Today, the popular morning talk show Open Your Eyes is celebrating an incredible 16 years of bringing education, entertainment, and inspiration to viewers across Belize since its first debut in 2008.
Channel 5 CEO Marleni Cuellar, who was the original host, recalled the vision behind the show: “In 2008, when the show was launched, I came on board full time at Channel 5 primarily as a host… It was a vision to create a morning show that allowed us to have deeper conversations and look at different aspects of culture and life in Belize,” Cuellar said.
After 14 years, Cuellar passed the hosting baton to news anchor Sabreena Daly. Daly, who joined just over a year ago, shared how the experience has transformed her. “It’s been such a learning curve… I get to have these extensive conversations that would normally be controlled by the news cycle,” she explained.
Currently, Open Your Eyes is hosted by Sabreena Daly, April Martinez, Paul Lopez, and Isani Cayetano, who continue the legacy of providing engaging, insightful content every weekday morning from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Behind the scenes, producer Viannie Reyes plays a crucial role in the show’s success, ensuring everything runs like clockwork. “It takes preparation, dedication, and commitment to make a production successful,” said Reyes.
This year, Open Your Eyes received a Special Mention at the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards, a recognition of its high standards and consistent quality. Cuellar attributed the show’s recognition to the show’s commitment to excellence: “We ensure that we get guests who are well versed… that our hosts are as prepared as they can be… and I think that’s a standard we’ve carried through all these years.”
As the show looks to the future, the current team promises even bigger and better content for its viewers.
Happy 16th anniversary, Open Your Eyes!
