Mc Richard Paglicawan
At the press conference for the Grand Launch of Radyo5’s 92.3 TRUE FM on March 11, Radyo5 Program Supervisor Cheryl Bayle along with the radio station’s anchors Ted Failon, Jun Banaag, Dr. Ednell Clavario, Danton Remoto, and Lourd de Veyra weighed in on their thoughts about radio nowadays.
With the advent of technology and multiple platforms online including social media, do they think radio still has a future?
Cherry Bayle recalled hearing many years ago that radio is a dying medium.
She said, “When I was working for an FM station, W Rock, years ago…narinig ko na yan eh. Sinabi na yan. ‘Radio is a dying medium because the billboards came out. Sabi nila, ‘No one will be advertising on radio anymore kase billboard na is the thing! That was in the 1980s.
“Dumating na yung digital media. Dumating ang lahat na ng aspeto… dumating na but radio is here. Hybrid medium na kami. We’re working with print, we’re working with television, we’re working with digital media. We’re working with billboards as well,” she added.
Also, she mentioned that radio is a versatile medium that’s here to stay. “I think radio is a very, shall we say, a versatile medium. We’re here to stay. Lagi kaming buhay kase lagi namin mare-reinvent ang sarili namin. I think that’s what TRUE FM wants to achieve, noh? Walang kamatayan sa radyo hangga’t may naniniwala na ito yung medium na…kase pag pinakinggan, iba eh!”
She shared that listening to radio shows is a unique experience compared to TV.
“It’s different when you hear the medium than when you just see it. Because with just listening to a medium, yung imagination mo pinaaandar din namin eh.
“Kung naririnig niyo lang kami, the rest of it is your imagination…how we look, how we are. Is that the truth? And you know that when you listen to us, we exude truth,” she quipped. “So, maririnig mo lang kami and we evolve, we will go with the times, and we will be here. Nandito lang kami. Dito tayo sa totoo!”
Anchor Ted Failon, who hosts his morning show from 6 AM-10 AM, explained, “Radio is the most affordable medium especially in a third-world country like ours. Now, babagsak ang lahat, mawawala ang lahat, radio will be there. And sa panahon ng emergency, sa panahon ng kalamidad, sa panahon ng wala lahat, nandyan ang radyo.
“So, definitely radio will be here. Yan ang aming pananampalataya. Ako, naniniwala ako na ang lahat na ito ay magi-evolve pero ang radyo ay nandyan pa rin. ANg radyo ang laging masasandalan ng tao sa inpormasyon sa TRUE FM, lalo na, 92.3. Dito na tayo sa totoo.”
Brother Jun Banaag, who hosts Dr. Love, said, “Alam mo, yung Dr. Love, hindi pwede mawala sa radyo dahil yung programa ay nagre-represent sa pang araw araw na buhay ng mga nakikinig.”
He added as long as Filipinos remain curious and interested in their surroundings, radio stations will stay.
“Hanggang ang Pilipino ay Marites na nakikialam at gustong marinig ang buhay ng may buhay, gustong marinig ang kasaysayan ng ibang tao which is very normal for Filipinos…mananatili dyan ang programa at Dr. Love.”
He opined about the youth in their audience. “Isinasama namin ngayon ang kabataan kase karamihan sa mga nakikinig sa program namin, yung mga advanced aged na. So, ayaw naming iwanan yung kasaysayan ng kabataan na maging bahagi din ng pang-araw araw na takbo ng programa. So, kung naiwan for a while ang kabataan, isinasama na namin ngayon sa programa.
“The program airs 10 PM to12 midnight. Ito yung panahon na nakakapagpahinga na ang tao. Yung mga namomroblema na hindi makatulog, ito yung pagkakataon nila para tumawag. We receive calls every now and then. Some are funny stories na very attractive sa mga ordinaryong taong nakikinig.”
He revealed callers seek advice for their work, long-term relationships, and even sex life.
“Ito yung mga istorya na relevant sa buhay natin. Sa iba, makulay and we keep the telephone lines open for the program.”
Banaag also incorporated spiritual teachings into his show, encouraging listeners to seek opportunities in helping others with what they can. He said, “Siguro ang kailangan natin sa mundo ngayon, yung compassion. That’s why itinuturo namin sa program, sa mga listeners natin to find the face of Jesus sa lahat ng taong nakakausap mo.
“And for you to find Jesus in every person, kailangan may compassion ka. Wala yung pagiging makasarili. Kailangan makita mo kung anong maitutulong mo sa iba. Kase lahat ng pagkakataon, may pagkakataon para matulungan ang ibang tao. Hindi lang sa pera.”
He explained that the art of listening keeps people tuned in. “Sa Dr. Love radio show, it’s the listening that is important. Yung nakikinig si Brother Jun sayo. Kase yung alam mong may nakikinig, that’s a solution already to the problem.”
Similarly, Danton Remoto, who hosts Remoto Control, said he’s glad that he has a huge following of taxi drivers. Because Remoto is a writer and professor, “Pag sumasakay ako, kinukuwento nila kung paano nakakatulong yung mga palabas namin mula umaga hanggang gabi atsaka meron ho silang sense of loyalty yung mga taxi driver na nakikinig sa amin.”
Not only are fans listening to him but they also ask for his advice about their kids, career advancement, and opportunities. ”Humihingi sila ng advice paano magaral yung anak nila, anong mga babasahin na libro…kase teacher po ako.”
Remoto felt the love and loyalty of his lesteners. “Meron silang pagmamahal sa mga nasa Radyo Singko. Kaya po ako bumalik. Nasa Amerika po ako nakatira eh.”
Similarly, Ang Hiling Galing host Dr. Ednell Clavario also reflects on the beginning of her show that provides alternative medicine and naturopathic treatments to its audience.
“Ang Hiling Galing ay mahigit labing-dalawang taon na at isinilang din sa Radyo Singko. Sa pagsisimula ng Radyo Singko, nandito na ang Hiling Galing. Sampung taon kaming ginugol ang paglilingkod sa himpapawid sa Radyo Singko. Naputol lang ng dalawang taon at ngayon ay muli kaming nagbabalik.”
She talks about the relevance of her show and how it helped her listeners.
“Still relevant pa rin ang gamutang natural, lalo nang hindi mai-angat angat ang ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Baka sakaling makatulong ang dahon ng bayabas kung may dispepsya ka, Kapatid. Hindi na kailangan mabawasan ang budget dahil mahirap ang buhay ngayon.”
How does the show tap into its younger audience?
“Maganda rin na ang mga lolang nakikinig sa Hiling Galing, nanonood sa TV5, may katabing mga apo. Kaya ang mga apo ay marunong na rin ng herbal medicine. Marunong na rin sa naturopathy kase mahirap ang mga chikiting kung laging may karamdaman at hindi alam ang gagawin.
So, pag nagdiscuss kami ng tungkol sa tonsilitis, halimbawa, o init lang po yan. Kulang sa hydration. Pag ang bata, ito ang sakit niya, tonsilitis at gumaling siya sa pagkain ng peras, ng dalandan, ng mga oranges, sa susunod na magkasakit yan, hindi na dadaing. Magpapabili nalang nitong mga natural na pagkain na nakakagaling sa kanilang karamdaman. So, mananatili at magpapatuloy pa hopefully ang Hiling Galing dito sa TRUE FM.”
She explained her show also evolves with times. “Dito sa pagbabago ng ating Radyo Singko, may mga pagbabago na nagiimprove pa rin ang gamutang natural kase nagiging moderno na tayo, may mga dagdag na herbal supplements na nakapakete na. Yung ayaw magdikdik ng dahon at ayaw magpakulo ng herbs.”
Dr. Clavario is also proud to use radio as a medium to address mental health and provide alternative solutions for her listeners.
“It helps them cut down on expenses through her. Youngsters nowadays,” she noticed, “also know about naturopathy as more people turn to natural sources of vitamins and minerals from fruits or vegetables to prevent and cure their illnesses.”
“Sana Lourd” host Lourd de Veyra added to the conversation by saying that over the years of his Radyo5 experience, “Kung anong meron ang istasyon, tingin ko yung vibe ng FM, yung linaw…pero at the same time yung pagiging utilitarian slash yung pleasure element din ng dalawang elemento ng AM at FM ay napagsasama namin.”
In Failon’s experience, radio is a platform for engagement and connection contrary to popular belief that it is a dying medium.
He shared, “Meron kaming pa-contest segment na ang tawag ay ‘Pabida sa Radyo Singko.’ Araw araw naghahanap kami ng sinumang nakikinig sa amin.” The contest requires participants to take a video of themselves tuned into the show.
“Meron kang premyo…dalawang libong piso. May mga pagkakataon na taxi driver ang hinahanap namin. Ang kagandahan dito, kase nga nage-evolve yung segment, yung taxi driver na kinakausap namin, kinukuwento lang niya ang kanyang buhay…kung gaano kahirap.
“Ang mga nakikinig sa amin, depende roon sa kwentong buhay ng uring manggagawa, taxi driver man yan, market vendor man yan…agad na nagbibigay tulong doon sa kinakausap namin.
“The sense of compassion, engagement, and volunteerism from donors and listeners during these difficult times show that people connect with real-life stories. “Hindi kami nananawagan ng tulong. Yung nakikinig nagkukusang magparating ng tulong. So, merong pagkakataon, kahapon din may isang taxi driver umabot ng P11,000. May P16,000. Ang pinakamalaki dito na nakalap namin, 106,000 pesos sa isang araw lang.
Kinukuwento lang yung buhay niya. Hindi nagpapaawa yung tao. Kinukwento lang niya, kinakausap namin. Yung volunteerism ng tao lalo na sa panahon ngayon na talagang mahirap ang buhay ng tao, ramdam ng napakarami ang hirap kaya maraming nakakaconnect sa kanila. At (yung) iba, nare-realize na sa dinamidami din ng problema nila, sila pa rin maswerte pa kumpara sa aming kinakapanayam.”
Failon shared that it brings him positive vibes to use radio as a platform of connection and engagement. “Patunay din na talagang nakikinig sila dahil yung kwentong buhay nila ay yun ang kwentong buhay ng aming inilalahad sa FM radio. Kaya napakaganda rin ng pakiramdam na maging daluyan nitong ugnayan ng nakikinig at yung aming kinakapanayam para sa biyaya ng sharing.”
Don’t forget to get ahead of your day with the latest news, happenings, and entertainment on Radyo5’s programs like Bangon Bayan with Mon Gualvez, Ted Failon and DJ Chacha, Balita Pilipinas, and Frontline Pilipinas daily.
Connect with real-life drama and laughter when you tune into Sana Lourd with Lourd de Veyra. If you want to talk about health, Ang Healing Galing with Dr. Ednell Clavario has got you covered with the best alternative medicine using naturopathic treatments.
Tune into Remoto Control and be part of the discussion as host Danton Remoto tackles the latest pressing issues in the country with humor! If you need some inspiration and spirituality, Dr. Love with Jun Banaag is all ears to listen to you from 10 PM-12 AM!
