CEBU, Philippines - I wasn't a fan or anything like that. But NU107 was a constant in my life, because of my brothers and college friends. I'd thought of NU107 as one of those things that wouldn't change, ever. The other mainstream radio stations I listened to had gone the way of the "Kailangan pa bang i-memorize 'yan?" mode, but that was expected, as English programming on local TV had gone the same way. But NU107? Who would have thought?
Remember what Penny Lane said about sleeping with rock stars in Almost Famous? "I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if you never take it seriosuly, you never get hurt, you never get hurt, you always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends." That part about going to a record store to visit your friends? NU107 was like that for me.
But I'm not the best person to be writing about NU107. So I've gathered the more interesting ones I've seen in the social networks as a form of tribute.
Aldus Santos: Key idea (heard DJ spiel a few minutes ago) (but I'm paraphrasing): NU107 is not "reformatting" (i.e., "turning masa"). It's saying goodbye, it's taking a willful, voluntary plunge.
Adrian Arcega: It was the most magnificent playback of "Ang Huling El Bimbo" ever in the history of Philippine radio. Then the Philippine National Anthem. And then there was static. Mabuhay ka, NU107.
Robin Rivero: There was a time when we listened to NU107 and dreamed of going to Club Dredd. Here's raising a beer in one hand for all that, and all that; and with the other giving the finger to all else, just because. Just because.
Hanah Faraon: "Must I hide? 'Cause I'll never sleep alone." Tonight, I will be sleeping with NU107 in the background, just like back in high school.
@gangbadoy NU107: An idea, some wires, engineers, voices, mics, listeners +music. But look! Look-it built a world.
@elybuendia9000: Home at last. Kids in the pool. And the black hole that used to be NU107.
@chiarazambrano: Bibili na dapat ako ng radyo para sa kwarto. Pero hindi na lang siguro. Where will I get my rock fix now. :(
@jo_beat: Woke up around 1am earlier... still wearing earbuds and just heard static. goodbye and thanks.
@akoayisangVirus: From U92 to NU107.. Don't tell me that all of the radio stations will turn in to "MASA" kind of station. Boo!
@eloindigoart: Sali kaya ako sa lotto at pag nanalo bibilhin ko NU107 para tuloy ang ROCK!
@designdeejay: Mr Ramon Jacinto. Pls sell UR 105.9 and buy NU107 plsss. Anyone? Anyone?
@teachertwish: NU107 just closed shop. Is this a symptom of a dying radio industry? or of pure rock and roll?
@mjlaquian: F*ck those masa stations. Better to turn off my radio na lang. Wala nang NU107 WHAT'S NEXT?! JAM 88.3? RX 93.1?
@marlon_mad: Maraming salamat NU107...di na ako makikinig ng FM radio.
@quarklovesyou: Listened to 107.5 for 30 minutes on the drive home, and it was nothing but static. 23 years of my life, reduced to radio silence.
@allandominguez: Kasi hindi ka cool! hahaha! RT
@ecsantiago: Why does it feel like I'm the only one who is not affected by the closing of nu107. Haha
@nu107: Live access people cleaning up the streets. You're the best listeners in the whole wide world!
And a juicy piece of trivia, which has me convinced that everything is connected to showbiz—and perhaps, even traceable to Kris Aquino, in these parts of the world:
ABS-CBNNews.com reports that Atom Henares, one of the founders of NU 107, came up with the radio station to win the heart of Vicky Belo. He says that she had a crush on many disc jockeys back then. He is quoted as saying, "I used to date Quark's mother Vicky. She had these crushes on DJs. Medyo nagselos ako. I told her 'Vicky, one of these days I will put a radio and TV station for you. It was really something I thought I could get into."
And he did get into it. And even if he split up with Vicky Belo, NU107 gave us a good 23 years. Thank you for the music, um, Vicky.
Email your comments to alricardo@yahoo.com. You can also visit my personal blog at http://althearicardo.blogspot.com. You can text your comments again to (63)917-9164421.