Rhea Panela Biography

Rhea Panela is an American Multimedia journalist/Anchor working for KTVZ NewsChannel 21 since joining the station in June 2019. She became the NewsChannel 21 Sunrise co-anchors in October 2020.

Rhea Panela Education

Panela is an alumna of the University of Washington where she majored in journalism and picked up two minors in English literature and diversity and graduated in 2017. She completed one semester of law school with a concentration in intellectual property law at Seattle University before deciding to follow her heart back into journalism.

Rhea Panela Career

Panela is Sunrise anchor from 5 a.m. – 7 a.m. and reporter/fill-in producer. When she attended the University of Washington, there were very few courses about broadcast journalism. They did not have a formal student news studio. She developed her skills outside of school as a staff reporter for a student-run news publication.

The Daily, a summer morning news intern at KIRO 7, Seattle’s CBS affiliate station, and a digital production intern and on-camera talent for Seattle’s public broadcasting station, KCTS. She did a report for an international news show that aired on The Filipino Channel’s ABS-CBN news based in Manila, Philippines.

In her junior year of college, she was chosen as one of the inaugural class of the Husky 100, a selected group of 100 graduate and undergraduate students from all three UW campuses and various disciplines who have shown dedication in the areas of community service, scholarship, and leadership both on and off the UW campus.

As a first-generation college student, it has been one of her proudest moments. She was an active member of the alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority. She was elected the director of public relations for the United Greek Council Executive Board, the umbrella council for 13 fraternities and sororities within the UW campus. 

Panela can speak other languages not only English: two Filipino dialects (Ilocano and Tagalog) and understand conversational Spanish. She is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association. Panela is an avid fan of young adult/sci-fi/fantasy fiction and Victorian-era novels. Her other interests include anything Disney-related, indulging in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and bubble tea, and annoying (and spoiling) her pit bull, Ollie Pawter. She is excited and grateful to start her career in beautiful Bend.

Rhea Panela Age

Panela likes to keep her personal life private hence has not yet disclosed the year and month she was born. It is therefore not known when she celebrates her birthday. However, she might be in her 30s.

Rhea Panela Height

She stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches.

Rhea Panela Family

Panela was born and raised in Seattle, a rainy city. When she was younger, she went on frequent visits to California together with her family. Later on, she fell in love with palm trees, the rich and vibrant culture, the L.A. sunsets, and the sandy beaches which vastly differed from his hometown.

Panela’s parents immigrated to the United States from the Philippines and English was not their first language. Asides from that, she was so inspired by their ability to travel to new cities and communicate with people despite cultural barriers which she wanted to be able to do.

For her, Los Angeles was like a second home and it was the City of Dreams itself where he dreams of telling stories and connecting with different communities took off. She is happy to experience the Pacific Northwest away from the city lights. Bend has welcomed her with its beautiful natural wonders and she looks forward to exploring more of what the city offers.

Rhea Panela Husband

Panela is very private about her personal life therefore it is not known if she is in any relationship. There are also no rumors of her being in any past relationship with anyone.

Rhea Panela Net Worth

Panela has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 Million – $5 Million which she has earned from his successful career as a Multimedia journalist/Anchor.

Rhea Panela Salary

Panela earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.