The magic of radio

I have always been fascinated by radio and how it engages people. Radio is portable, entertaining and accessible even in remote areas where television cannot reach. The power of radio is massive. Remember how the late June Keithley hosted Radio Veritas during the peaceful EDSA revolt in February 1986? She and the radio crew called on people to go out to the streets and relayed pertinent messages to military units. They later moved to a secret radio station (Radyo Bandido) where the broadcast continued.

Long before Romnick Sarmenta became a household name in the ’80s and ’90s, he starred as the young Peping in the television series Gulong ng Palad together with Caridad Sanchez, Marianne dela Riva and Ronald Corveau. Did you know that Gulong ng Palad was first heard on the radio in 1949 over DZRH? Lina Flor (Carolina Flores-Trinidad) wrote the script for the popular daytime series which ended in 1956.

The mere mention of Gabi ng Lagim can send creeps and shivers to the spine of its avid listeners. As one of the longest running radio dramas in the country, the program opened with a ghastly wail of a dog followed by the eerie voice of the narrator that introduces the story. The 30-minute horror drama is still being aired Mondays through Saturdays over DZRH.

Some people ask me why I don’t try hosting a radio program. Actually, I did. In February 1998, I had the opportunity to work as an anchor host on 1026 Angel Radyo for the Boy Abunda Radio Show. The program stayed on air until January 2004.

Talking about radio, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) commemorates Feb. 13 as World Radio Day. According to UNESCO Director-General Dr. Irina Bokova, “radio provides means for change. It is a vector of cohesion, education and culture. It is a platform for exchange, where young people may find their place and express themselves.” The fourth annual World Radio Day focused on young men and women.

She shared that it is often through young people (citizen journalists or freelancers) that the international press are able to cover current affairs in perilous areas. Many have endangered their lives in the service of information and the radio. The objective of this year’s World Radio Day was to support these brave young people by giving them greater voice. “We can air innovative ideas and new viewpoints and renew collective energies,” said Dr. Bokova.

According to Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, the Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country that has been selected among the media leaders to provide the messages of solidarity from different continents comprising 194 member nations. It is in recognition of Radyo Balintataw’s public service in culture and education and its inclusive approach to include the voice of the marginalized, the youth, indigenous groups, those with disabilities and in difficult circumstances such as prisoners, refugees, abused women and children. Balintataw represents artistic interdisciplinary approach of drama, music, poetry, interviews and commentaries about the wealth of habitat, heritage, history, cultures, traditions, mother tongue and creative industry promoting peace, social justice and sustainable development.

(Guidote-Alvarez is the president of the Philippine Center of the International Theatre Institute and the director of the Earthsavers UNESCO DREAM Center .)

Women Rise! campaign

The International Working Women’s Day started on March 8, 1911. The pioneering efforts of Clara Zetkin and other women’s rights activists acknowledged the capability of women as a formidable force in changing the world, especially when they are freed from socio-economic violence.

The month-long women’s campaign is dubbed Women Rise! Fight against violence, poverty and impunity. In the Philippines, the campaign kicked off last Feb. 14 with One Billion Rising (OBR) for Revolution 2015. It was held at the Bonifacio Shrine, Taft Ave., Manila.