DJs Laila Chikadora, Kuya Poy recount humble beginnings in radio industry

MANILA, Philippines — Laila Chikadora, real name Jessica Asis, was turned down a couple of times by several radio stations during the early phase of her career and was even told that she wasn’t qualified to become a disc jockey (DJ). But the persistent Laila didn’t give up in chasing after her dream of becoming a DJ and went on to become one of the popular radio personalities today.

Laila admitted she was not a fan of radio before until her seatmate in high school introduced her to it. “She told me, abangan mo papabati kita sa radio,” began Laila in a roundtable interview for her program Shoutout in 92.3 Radyo5 True FM. “You have to tune in on this radio station then I will greet you. So I tuned in and heard my name on the radio, ‘Ang saya pala!’”

Since then, she got addicted listening to the radio and it also piqued her interest to become a DJ.

One summer break, while Laila and her high school seatmate were walking along Alabang Town Center (formerly called Alabang Twin Cinema at that time) to buy some school supplies, someone approached them and presented himself as a DJ.

“He said he was The Triggerman (Milo Cavarlez). I was surprised,” recalled Laila. “I listened to you,” she would tell him.

The Triggerman invited them to join a radio contest on air, the prize of which was a National Book Store gift certificate. “Eh di ang school supplies ng lola libre na. Then he said, ‘One time if you are free, you go to the station.’”

The “curious” Laila dropped by the station later. “When I went there, parang ang sarap nitong gawin habangbuhay. He (DJ) was just sitting there, playing the music, plaka-plaka, answering the phone, ‘Hello? Yes? Greetings…La la la la.”

At that moment, Laila realized that it was what she wanted to do. “I thought this one would fit me because I’m also talkative. This is the journey that I want to take but it took a different route before I got there again.”

After taking Mass Communication classes for a semester, she shifted to Bachelor of Science in Biology because her mother requested her to do so. “When I finished the course, I told my mom, ‘My, hindi ko yata talaga kaya.’ Imagine, if I became a doctor and I’m this talkative, ano na lang ang pasyente ko? Dalawa sa isang araw? Hindi tayo mabubuhay.”

So she searched for her passion. And having been exposed to radio during her high school days, she tried to get hold of The Triggerman to help her in applying for a radio job. “But I couldn’t get hold of him. I talked to another jock from that same radio station. I was seeking assistance… You know what they said, ‘It’s a man’s job (being a DJ)’… So I got the cue. No one’s gonna help me from here.”

Soon after, Laila applied at other stations until she became a traffic reporter in various radio stations. She also had a brief stint at Magic 89.9 where one of the then DJs encouraged her to apply for a regular DJ job.

She tried her luck in many radio stations but to no avail. “One radio station told me, ‘I’m sorry but you’re not blah blah blah… quality.’ Nalaglag ang panga ko. Siyempre sinalo ko sabi ko, ‘Ah OK po.  So where do you think I belong?’ You know what he said, ‘Anywhere just not here.’” (Laila would later share the “plot twist” story about the DJ).

So she continued doing traffic reports for traffic.com, DZBB, and others.

One time, while she was driving her way home, she heard an announcement from a radio station looking for a DJ. She recalled making a call, saying, “‘Hi, I heard you’re looking for a DJ?’ A man answered on the other line, he has a deep, beautiful voice, ‘Ah yes, who’s applying?’ (I answered,) ‘It’s me, Sir.’ He said to me, ‘I’m sorry but we are looking for hyper active males.

“My heart was broken. But then I replied, ‘You know what Sir, I’m not really sure if I’m male but I know I’m very hyper active.’ Siguro na-challenge. He laughed and told me, ‘OK, drop by the station tomorrow and let’s see what we can do. Bring your resume.’”

Again, Laila auditioned and she was asked to read the news in an English newspaper. After two weeks, she got a call for an interview and landed a job as a newscaster for that radio station, not as a DJ as she hoped for. But eventually, a vacant position for a DJ opened at the station and Laila took the opportunity.

“Then I became a DJ for Love Radio. (I’m) very thankful to Love Radio. Kasi before DZMB, English-speaking, puro love songs, but we were the first batch na maingay, nung na-masa-fy yung Love Radio in 2001.”

After Love Radio, Laila moved to DWRR, WOW FM, and the latest is Radyo5 True FM where she hosts Shoutout, a program that offers heartwarming stories, beautiful music, and touching connections. It features the segments Love Note Hour, Love Stories, and Dedication Corner. It airs nightly from 8 to 9:30.

Going back to the guy who told her that she was “not of quality,” she got reconnected with him through a Facebook friend.

“Fast forward to the pandemic, one of my friends posted on Facebook. I typed a comment there (on the post). (That guy) also commented there. My friend already knew the story. (My friend) told that guy, ‘You know what, years ago you told her (Laila) that she’s not worthy enough to be on a radio station. But look at her now.’”

The guy would send Laila a message and apologize to her. “He said, ‘If it means anything to you, I’m sorry. Maybe at that time, I just had a bad day. Actually, I didn’t even remember na sinungitan kita eh.”

Laila responded, “It’s OK, Sir. Because actually your words pushed me even more na hindi para patunayan sayo na hindi ko kaya, I never make it. But it (was) really a push sa sarili ko na, ‘Wait, hindi. Kailangan ko pang mag-pursige because this is my dream.’ Hindi kumo sinabi mo, ibig sabihin hindi talaga pwede. This is my dream and I will achieve it.”

Meanwhile, Arnold Rei dela Cruz or Kuya Poy on Radyo5 TRUE FM’s Heart-2-Heart saw himself staying long in the industry that he is fond of — radio broadcasting.

Heart-2-Heart is a radio program that engages the listeners in conversations about relationships, trending topics, pop culture, and contemporary issues. It airs every day from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Looking back on his early beginnings, Arnold shared that shortly after he graduated from Trinity University of Asia, he started working at the ABS-CBN-owned MOR 101.9 and stayed there for 18 years. Just last year, he was offered a job at Radyo5 TRUE FM to host Heart-2-Heart which he gladly accepted.

While he was in college, Arnold wanted to be working behind the camera but ended up on radio instead. He ultimately developed an appreciation for it as time passed by.

“I love this job,” he stated. “But now I realized how flexible, how entertaining rin para sa sarili and satisfying it is to work in the radio industry. It’s not how much (you earn) but how much I can contribute to my listeners. That should be the mindset. You have to be passionate and dedicated to what you do.”

Asked on where he draws inspiration from in giving out advice to his listeners, he told The STAR, “(Based on) personal experience and from exposure. I grew up in a church, literally. I’m a son of an Aglipay bishop. They can marry.

“So my orientation is pipiliin mo kung ano yung lumalabas sa bibig mo like a priest. That’s where my genes are. But sometimes my dad texts me when he listens to my program, ‘Nak, medyo green yata jokes mo.’ (I would answer), ‘Daddy, our difference is you are delivering your sermon in the pulpit, nagse-sermon ako sa radio. My audience is different (from yours).’”