DZBB radio anchor Gani Oro is doing exactly the same thing from Mondays to Fridays, for two straight hours. Starting at 12 noon, Gani sits inside the radio booth with co-anchor Melo del Prado to deliver top stories and interact with the listeners of Super Balita Sa Tanghali Nationwide. By 1 p.m., Gani lends an ear to people seeking for help in his one-hour program Aksyon Oro Mismo. There were even times that he went beyond his routine schedule in an aim to provide positive results pronto, or lighten whatever the burden of those who come to him.
But Gani neither complains nor falters a bit in his passion towards work. “As long as I have the voice, there’s a microphone in front of me and a number of people who are there to listen then I’ll go on with my work as (radio) announcer and continue doing public service because I enjoy what I do,” says Gani, an education graduate of PUP, who joined the broadcast media 25 years ago.
It was in 1983 when he discovered he has the nose for news after covering the death of Ninoy Aquino, his first reportorial assignment for RMN where Mike Enriquez also worked as a DJ for its FM band. Then Gani transferred to ABS-CBN and stayed there for almost 10 years. He then returned to RMN and continued his radio work.
People, Gani recalls, would ask for his help even if he was not directly involved with the public service program at that time. Thus, when Mike became head of GMA’s radio arm, he took Gani in and assigned him to a 4 to 6 a.m. slot with Balita Oro Mismo. But Gani left for the US to seek greener pastures only to return home after three short years. He was re-hired to co-anchor Super Balita Sa Tanghali with Melo and the public service program Aksyon Oro Mismo which he solely handles with much enthusiasm to this day.
Perhaps, Gani’s parents must have instilled in him the Love Thy Neighbor rule that led him to naturally respond to those who cry for help. Handling a public service program, Gani shares, is far different from doing straight news.
“In a newscast program, your foremost duty is to tell the truth and it ends there right after the show. But in public service (format), you must have the heart to help because your obligation doesn’t stop when the show ends. We need to do some follow-up or we try to find the right contact person in some cases.”
There were also instances when Gani would shell out money from his own pocket. Although, it’s no longer part of his job to provide monetary help, Gani says, “Hindi rin kasi nawawala yung natulungan mo na, hihingi pa ng pamasahe sa ‘yo. It’s okay hangga’t may laman ang wallet kasi nakakaawa talaga.”
The act of kindness visibly reflected a soft and big heart. “Kasi siguro galing ako sa hirap, pinalaki ako ng magulang ko sa pagsisikap, kaya alam ko kung ano ang sitwasyon kaya mababaw ang puso ko sa pagtulong.”
And Aksyon Oro Mismo fits him to a T. An average of 10 people a day come to the station to personally seek help. Gani’s staff, on the other hand, screens the callers’ concerns before putting them on-air.
The program sets its parameters to maintain the show’s credibility, thereby, living up to the station’s mantra of Walang Kinikilingan, Walang Pinoprotektahan, Serbisyong Totoo Lamang.
“We don’t entertain concerns with political color, neither are those who have personal motives. Oftentimes, I get both sides of the story before making an action minsan kasi meron lang palang di naipaliwanag ng maigi kaya nag-rereklamo.”
Aksyon Oro Mismo is not just for people searching answers to their concerns. It also deals with news and entertainment. Showbiz and sports personalities are occasionally invited to guest in the show. Variety, shares Gani, is the key to grabbing the attention of listeners especially in the “sleepy” afternoon hours. By the way, CMMA recently named Aksyon Oro Mismo as the Best Public Service Radio Program. Gani gives credit to the production team that keeps the show way ahead its competition.
“We are a team here. We always innovate and try our best to keep a balance of everything — from public service to news and entertainment. We do public service in a most diplomatic way, di ako basta bumabanat inaalam ko muna lahat hanggang legalidad kung kailangan. Of course, there are cases that we can’t find solution due to some legalities.”
Outside of his radio program, Gani still searches for ways to help. He produces concerts where 10 percent of the proceeds go straight to charity foundations. Jolina Magdangal, Arnel Ignacio and Jake Vargas were some of the artists who took part in his benefit shows. His chosen beneficiaries are the children because “my heart bleeds whenever I learn about missing children or their parents cannot afford to send them to school.”
Asked if he spares some time for leisure, Gani answers, “Yeah, I do have a nightlife to unwind. I love singing. In fact, I have a composition, Try Natin, included in the J Brothers Jammin’ album. I also go out of town with my family during weekends or I play golf. ”
Discover how Gani manages his time from sunup to sundown:
His everyday routine starts at 8 a.m. — I get up on bed and prepare for work. Actually, aside from doing radio, I attend to my travel agency business (Las Vegas Travel & Tours).
9 a.m. — I should be ready to leave the house, drive straight to the travel agency and stay there until 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. — I’m already at GMA for my radio program with Melo
12 noon to 1 p.m. — I’m on the air for Super Balita Sa Tanghali Nationwide.
1 to 2 p.m. — Still inside the radio booth for another radio show, Aksyon Oro Mismo. Sometimes, I stay until 3 p.m.
3 p.m. — Return to the travel agency to hold office sometimes until 11 p.m.
11 p.m. — There are times that I have a nightlife. Kakanta muna sa videoke to relax, if not, I go straight home.
1 or 2 a.m. — I hop on the bed and sleep.