137. BASTA RADYO, BOMBO!

                                                                  BASTA RADYO, BOMBO!
                                                               Dr. Troy Alexander Gozum Miano
                                                                                   06 July 2021

Fifty five years ago, Bombo Radyo was born. In 2017, I was given the privilege to co-anchor a paid 30-minute Saturday weekly broadcast sponsored by the Provincial Government of Isabela together with the Provincial Information Officer, Mr. Jessie James P. Geronimo. The segment “Nagkaisa Para Sa Isabela” focused on updates on the programs, projects and activities of the provincial local government unit. It was a dream come true for me since during my younger days, it was my desire to sit at the announcer’s booth of the country’s number one radio station.

I was also a regular guest in the past decades most especially during public holidays wherein local and national histories were the main topic. I was also interviewed concerning national issues, tourism and personal experiences including my COVID-19 experience.

On July 6, 1966, its flagship station, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, based in Iloilo City in Western Visayas, was founded and the station's studios were located inside the Florete Building in Mapa Street, until they were relocated to the Bombo Radyo Broadcast Center along Luna Street in La Paz District. DYFM was then part of the Northern Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). Don Marcelino, the grand old man of Bombo Radyo, accepted a joint venture agreement with Ilocos Sur Governor, Antonio D. Villanueva, enabling the station to begin its broadcasts.

The Florete Group, started with a small number of employees, acquired the operations of NBC with ten stations and two affiliates in the whole archipelago. It also entered a management alliance together with Consolidated Broadcasting Systems, Newsounds Broadcasting Network and People's Broadcasting Service. In 1976, Dr. Rogelio Florete, through the advice of his mother Doña Salome Florete, had started to helm the day-to-day operations of Bombo Radyo. In the same year, the network launched DYRF 99.5 FM, now known as Star FM Iloilo. The network continued to grow and in 1987 they acquired DWXB 102.7 FM from Universal Broadcasting Network and became 102.7 WSM The Gentle Wind (now known as Star FM Manila).

At present, Bombo Radyo Holdings, Inc. main office and headquarters are located at Florete Building, 2406 Nobel corner Edison Streets, Barangay San Isidro, Makati City. Most of its stations are licensed to People's Broadcasting Service, Inc. (PBS), while a handful of its AM stations are licensed to Newsounds Broadcasting Network, Inc. (NBN). Consolidated Broadcasting System, Inc. (CBS) formerly served as licensee for some of its FM stations until 2018, when PBS took over as their licensee, following the former's non-renewal. There are 21 Bombo Radyo Stations Nationwide and 14 Star FM Stations. The Florete Group of Companies also manages banking and pawnshop operations.

One unique feature of the radio station is the use of a drum. The bass drum is beaten between breaks, during newscasts, when stressing a point and during flash reports. The drum is also incorporated as part of the network logo. “Bombo” is a Spanish and Hiligaynon term for “drum” and this is the official name used by the station.

On August 14, 1968, Bombo Radyo was first aired in the Province of Isabela at Centro District III, Cauayan and was first managed by Mrs. Carayo Tactay Perez. DZNC (801 AM) Bombo Radyo Cauayan studio and transmitter are now located at the Bombo Radyo Broadcast Center, National Highway, Barangay Minante II, Cauayan City. It caters to the people of Cagayan Valley Region and the provinces of Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and parts of Quezon.

Bombo Radyo Cauayan Daily programs includes: Daily Religious Hour, Bagong Umaga Bagong Pag-asa, Bombo Reports 1^st Edition, Bombo News & Views Morning Edition, Bombo Reports 2^nd Edition, Bombo Network News, Bombo Hanay Bigtime, Morning Drama, Bombo Hanay sa Tanghali, Afternoon Drama, Bombo News & Views Afternoon Edition, Bombo Reports Afternoon Edition, Bombo Network News Evening Edition, Zona Libre and Holy Rosary.

Bombo Radyo Cauayan Weekend schedule includes: Saturdays – Bombo Reports 1^st Edition, Bombo News & Views Morning Edition, Bombo Reports 2^nd Edition, Bombo Network News Morning Edition, Bombo Hanay Bigtime, Morning Drama, Bombo Hanay sa Tanghali, Bombo Network News Noontime Edition, Bombo Bonus Balita, Kahapon Lamang, Afternoon Drama, Bombo News & Views Afternoon Edition, Bombo Reports Afternoon Edition, Bombo Network News Evening Edition, Zona Libre and Bombo Bonus Balita.

Sunday schedule includes: Bombo Reports 1^st Edition, Bombo News & Views Morning Edition, Bombo Reports 2^nd Edition, Good Morning Philippines (Bombo Fun & Fitness and Misa sa Bombo), Bombo Success Stories, Bombo Food and Leisure, Bombo Guitara, Dura Lex Sed Lex, Doctor Bombo, Bombo Report Afternoon Edition, Bombo News & Views Evening Edition, Harana, Ama Namin and Whispers in the Night.

Bombo Radyo prominent social corporate responsibilities are: Dugong Bombo and Bombo Medico. Bombo Contests includes: 1..2..Panalo, Suwerte sa Palengke and Buena Mano Salvo. Bombo dramas in the mornings and afternoons are: Sonata ni Ayat, Kuala, Igam ken Bileg, Doming Doming, Recuerdos De La Vida and Super Pepita.

Some of the old radio programs were: Daguiti Tugot ti Dana ti Biag, Hindi Kita Malimot, Sweet Sounds and Sunset, News in Review, Doktora Bombo, This Way to Heaven, Dungngo Agriing Kan, College Bowl, Bombolilit, Tulay sa  Katanyagan, Timeless Sunday, Sikat pa rin Kami and Arimpadek ti Napalabas.

Bombo Radyo Cauayan has been the partner of the government and all sectors of society in making sure that truth shall prevail. This is in line with their company policy: “We don’t bow to anyone because our only master is the truth.”  A line in the Bombo Radyo Philippines Corporate Song also states: “We are here to speak the truth.” The station does not only educate, inform and entertain but also serves as a watch dog for the people. In 2020, Bombo Radyo launched its Facebook Page with live interviews using Zoom. It has volunteer field reporters from the United States and other parts of the globe.

One of the highlights of this year’s anniversary is the song entitled “Beat the Drum” with words and music by Elmar Jan Bolano and Enrico Jacomille:

Pick up the stick

Beat the drum

Turn on the microphone

Deliver the news for everyone

The drum is our symbol

The sound you hear

That’s what we stand for

We’re accountable to all

Chorus:

To all star nation and ka bombo

Thank you, thank you

For staying with us all year through

And because of you

Number one ang Bombo Radyo

In good times and in bad times

We communicate to everyone

Issues delivered fast in real time

Our mission is clear we fear no one

Balanced commentaries

Professionally done

Fifty five years we continue

For so many years it’s still a go

We’re the country’s number one radio network

We are Bombo Radyo

I remember a quote prominently displayed at the Bombo Radyo Cauayan old office wall which reads: “I may not agree with what you have to say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Thank you Bombo Radyo, for being a reliable partner in nation building for the past 55 years.