Life coaches at home with DZRJ

MANILA, Philippines - Members of Philippine society who are considered influential in their fields are finding a home in the newly-launched all-English real time news, DZRJ 810AM.

A brainchild of Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, DZRJ 810AM is carving out a niche in the AM radio market that was long ago already considered only good for the loud and bombastic masa Tagalog type of format delving on criticizing politicians and contentious issues that pit one against the other.

“The AM radio signal reaches much farther than FM. RJ Jacinto’s idea is to have an AM radio which will educate, inspire and contribute to the lives of the Filipinos, using internationally accepted broadcasting standards which is transparent, fair, upbeat and positive. That’s why we partnered with The Philippine Star, the newspaper that’s fair and positive,” says Ramon Tuason, GM of 810AM, The Voice of the Philippines.

The segments are divided into two-minute fast-paced commentaries, played three times a day per contributor. Joining the segment contributors are Ping Valencia (Business and Social Etiquette); Lulu Tan-Gan (Fashion Files); Leo Guzman (Tips On Petcare); Lorna Capunan (Legally Speaking); Gen. Flor Fianza (On the Move); Katrina Legarda from the Child Protection Agency; Dr. Vivian Sarabia (Sense of Sight and Style); Nick Tuason (Lonely Planet); Mons Romulo Tantoco (My Life); Pit Morato (Baby Boomers (or) Booming Day; Johnny Litton with Here’s Johnny, Billy Esposo with The Filipino Builder.

STAR columnists such as Babe Romualdez and Ernie Maceda have their weekly talk shows that scoop interesting items, even before newspapers get wind of it.

DZRJ is going on its 48th year. The iconic rock and roll backyard station was a big factor in helping local bands and artists, break into the airwaves during the ’60s and ’70s. It coined the word, “Pinoy Rock” and spawned a legion of fans that grew up with the station.

It developed a cult-like following. But the radio station was seized in 1972, upon the declaration of martial law. DZRJ became (Radyo Bandido), the voice of freedom, during the 1986 EDSA Revolution taking the place of Radio Veritas, the Catholic radio station which was bombed off the air by the Marcos forces.

Its owner and chairman Ramon “RJ” Jacinto returned from exile after the Revolution in 1986. The government returned DZRJ and RJ Jacinto, then expanded the network to its present size of 11 radio stations and a TV station.

When asked if he really planned, or ever imagined that a rock and roll radio station would someday play a pivotal role in restoring democracy, RJ Jacinto simply replied, “The ways of God are mysterious. Who would ever imagine that my love for music would one day become God’s tool in freeing our country? We are lucky that The Philippine Star which was also born out of martial law repression, has agreed to partner with us. Both The Star and DZRJ are very conscious of protecting our democratic institutions and contributing to the betterment of lives of Filipinos.”