MANILA, Philippines — Bro. Jun Banaag continues to give love and life advice and share spiritual wisdom to his listeners through his program, Dr. Love, now on 92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM. He bid adieu to his DZMM TeleRadyo show in December of last year.
In his program’s new home, still titled Dr. Love, he maintains the “color and life of the program” and the “kind of music” of his previous show.
“We just gave more time for our listeners to do their greetings, so that they can further get to know me. But then, the liham kasaysayan (and) the phone-in calls ng mga may problema (from listeners with problems), it’s still our priority. The spiritual side of the program and the compassion to our listeners (are) still there,” he told The STAR in a one-on-one interview during the grand relaunching of 92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
The public can tune in to Dr. Love from Mondays to Fridays from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight. The program will also be simultaneously streamed on Dr. Love’s Facebook page.
Banaag is also part of TV5’s Face 2 Face as one of the resident Trio Tagapayo representing the clergy. The reboot of the “barangay hall on air” is hosted by Karla Estrada and Alex Calleja.
He expressed his gratitude to his loyal supporters, who are mostly adults and senior citizens. He shared, “These are the people who can appreciate the songs that I play. The tracks are from the 1950s like the music of Andre Williams and Nat King Cole. The time slot of the program is the time where your audience needs to relax. That’s why I have that kind of music.”
“Most of my audience are mature ones,” he observed. “But then, we also have younger ones, like in their 20s, calling us. They have problems with their boyfriends or girlfriends.”
Nonetheless, he was glad that the radio show had a broader audience now — from the young ones to the oldies. “Nakakatuwa kapag may magsasabi sa akin na, ‘Yung pong lola ko ang original na nakikinig sa inyo. I was in elementary that time. But now I already finished college and I’m the one listening to you now.’”
“It’s like the program has a legacy that (is being) maintained (throughout the years),” he declared.
“I think there’s no gap when it comes to the problems that people experience,” he articulated on the show’s wider listenership. “The problems of the youth also become the problems of the older ones when it comes to their relationship with other people, husband or wife, in-laws and siblings. Even when you’re young and until you get old, you still encounter issues.”
Banaag is very proud to say that the listeners of the program from 25 years ago are still there. “To have a program that is really trusted by people is an achievement for us,” he added.
On the secret of Dr. Love’s longevity, he said it’s all about honesty. He furthered, “’Pag niloko mo ang tao, madali nilang malalaman na binobola mo sila (When you fool people, they will easily know you are flattering them). It is important to be truthful to them. And that is also the key to a good relationship with your friends and loved ones.”
“Be truthful and be honest,” he stressed. “That’s why I am also happy with Radyo5, they have TRUEFM. Yung totoo.” The radio station came up with a new tagline “Dito tayo sa totoo!”
“In a relationship, (being true) is significant,” he continued. “Alam ng listeners kung pinaglalaruan mo sila (Listeners know if you’re playing with them). They would also feel if you have compassion and if you really care for them.”
When asked if he applies the advice he would offer to his listeners to his personal life, he replied, “Yes, of course. There are times that I go to my friends and ask their opinion also about my problems. It’s difficult if it’s your own personal problem so you also need the points of view of other people.”
The radio host raised a caveat though, saying: “Just choose the people whom you would talk to and ask for help. Kasi maraming nakapaligid sa atin who are not really your true friends. Some of them are just an acquaintance, not a friend… Kunti lang ang kaibigan pero pagkakatiwalaan.”
The greatest love mantra that he always believes in, is again, practice “honesty” in all kinds of relationships — whether friendship or romantic love.
“Present who you are to them. You have nothing to be afraid of. Kasi ‘pag nag-plastic ka, you are hiding something. One day, lalabas yung tinatago mo. Walang mabaho na hindi naamoy. It will come out eventually.”
Banaag ended the interview, quoting an adage, “Love encompasses everything.”
“Walang makakapigil sa pag-ibig at ‘pag pag-ibig ang naghari, this is a better world to live in. Wala ng maninira kasi lahat may pag-ibig. That’s about it, let’s just love each other,” he advised, before quipping: ‘Wag lang yung pagmamahal sa may asawa ha.”