The radio is alive with new programs from Radyo5 TRUE FM, the country’s newly awarded Best Radio Station, at the 11th Makatao Awards of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).
This holiday season, Radyo5 TRUE FM is set to bring joy to its listeners with the “12 Gifts of TRUE Christmas,” an initiative that involves launching new programs that create a safe space for genuine conversations and insights from trusted radio hosts.
For those facing relationship challenges or seeking open discussions, Radyo5 TRUE FM proudly presents Heart-2-Heart. Hosted by seasoned host Arnold Rei Dela Cruz, this new radio program offers a unique opportunity for listeners to delve into their deepest thoughts and emotions. Arnold is known for his compassionate approach to addressing various issues.
Heart-2-Heart goes beyond the ordinary, covering all aspects of relationships, trending topics, pop culture, and contemporary issues that impact people’s lives.
In addition to Heart-2-Heart, TRUE FM listeners can enjoy a new evening hangout with beloved DJ Laila Chikadora in SHOUTOUT. This program offers heartwarming stories, beautiful music, and touching connections. SHOUTOUT features engaging segments, including the ‘Love Note Hour,’ ‘Love Stories,’ and ‘Dedication Corner,’ allowing listeners to share their heartfelt notes.
Arnold hosts Heart-2-Heart, a live call-in show for heartwarming conversations from 12 pm to 1 pm daily. Unwind after a stressful day with DJ Laila’s SHOUTOUT, airing daily from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Glory days
On her radio program, DJ Laila said: “Sa radio show ko, ibinabalik namin yung old days ng radyo.. Yung time na yung DJs ask you to call at may interaction ng mga listeners. Puwede kang tumawag. But we discourage them to post their cellphone numbers sa comment section of Facebook kasi baka ma-scam. So PM na lang nila kami ang kami na ang tatawag sa kanila para hindi rin mabawasan ang load nila. Puwede rin video call kung confident ka.”
She added: “Meron pa rin kami na introduce to make it more interactive. What we want for that time slot is not only to bring back the glory days of radio. What we want is kahit nakikinig ka lang kasali ka pa rin.”
(We still have something to introduce to make it more interactive. What we want for that time slot is not only to bring back the glory days of radio. What we want is even if you’re listening, you’re still involved.)
Despite her busy schedule, DJ Laila said that she will still cover other beats in the morning until late afternoon. “I will still cover pa rin in the morning kasi gabi naman ang radio program ko. Mas nakakatulog na ako ngayon kasi dati madaling araw ako.”
Having been in the radio industry for 22 years, DJ Laila said she enjoys being a disc jockey. Before TRUE FM, she was one of those women who made a “loud” impression on another radio station
“Noong na-masa-fy yun Love Radio, kami yung unang ni-launch na maingay noong 2001,” she said. DJ Laila smiled as she looked back at the days when she was just starting.
“Noong unang araw ko as a DJ, na good time pa nila ako. Kasi nga hindi ko alam ang pipindutin. Nagpanic talaga ako. Tawa lang sila ng tawa s alabas. Wala talaga nagturo and I had to learn on my own,” she said.
(On my first day as a DJ, they made fun of me. Because I didn’t know what to press (in the radio booth). I panicked. They just laughed outside. No one taught me, and I had to learn independently.)
Despite the challenge, DJ Laila said she does not retaliate against newcomers.
“So yung mga bago hindi ko ginagawa sa kanila yun. Yung iba di ba gumaganti? Pero kasi naisip ko na dapat ipasa mo yung natutunan mo. Alam ko yung feeling na na-bully ka. So more on mapagkalinga ako.” (So with the newcomers, I don’t retaliate. I thought you should just pass on what you learned. I know the feeling of being bullied. I just take care of them.)
DJ Laila, who loves sleeping and pets, shares advice for aspiring radio hosts.
“Kahit na people tell you no, even if people reject you, hindi sila ang magsasabi nun. They might say no, or reject you. But it will never stop you from chasing your dream. Basta go ka lang ng go hanggang sa makuha mo. Kung maraming try ka na, baka naman sa mali ka nag-aapply or baka naman may kulang pa. Sometimes you have to ask ano pa kaya yung kulang ko? Para sa susunod mong apply, alam mo na,” she said.
(They might say no or reject you. But it will never stop you from chasing your dream. Just keep going until you get it. If you’ve tried many times, maybe you’re applying incorrectly, or something needs to be added. Sometimes, you have to ask what else I’m missing. So the next time you apply, you already know.)
DJ Laila said she’s happy to entertain the mass in Tagalog. “Masaya sa masa kasi ma-wrong grammar ka man, tatawa ka lang. Yung iba hindi nila naiintindihan yun.” (It’s fun for the masses because even if you have wrong grammar, you’ll just laugh. The others don’t understand that.)
Words of wisdom
Arnold, who has been in the radio industry for 18 years, is a former mentor of DJ Laila. He hopes to share a radio program with her in the future.
Asked about his style in giving advice, Arnold said: “There’s no template sa pagbibigay ng advice. We heard some personalities before sa radio na masyado rin naman aggressive. I’m not aggressive. I don’t have to be aggressive. Doon lang ako sa assertive na may may respeto pa rin. You have to be responsible sa pag broadcast.”
(There’s no template for giving advice. We heard some personalities before on the radio who were also very aggressive. I’m not aggressive. I don’t have to be aggressive. I’m just assertive with respect. You have to be responsible for broadcasting.)
Arnold said he gets words of wisdom from personal experience and exposure.
“I get it from personal experience, sa exposure natin. Lumaki rin ako sa simbahan. I’m a son of an Aglipayan bishop. They can marry. So my orientation is pipiliin mo kung ano yung lumalabas sa bibig mo. Parang pari. Sabi ko nga dapat nasa pulpito ako but sometimes, my dad would text me. Sasabihin niya, ‘nak, medyo green yata yung jokes mo.’ Sabi ko, ‘Daddy our difference is nagse-sermon ka sa pulpito, ako naman nagsesermon sa radyo. Iba na ang audience ko.’ ”
(I get it from personal experience, from our exposure. I also grew up in the church. I’m the son of an Aglipayan bishop. They can marry. So, my orientation is you choose what comes out of your mouth. It’s like a priest. I guess, I should also be in the pulpit, but sometimes, my dad would text me, ‘I think your jokes are a bit green.’ I said, ‘Daddy our difference is that you preach on the pulpit, I preach on the radio. My audience is different.)
Arnold is convinced that radio will continue to exist, despite the constantly evolving media environment.
“Based on experience, sa lahat yata ng medium na ginagamit natin, TV, radio and print, mukhang yung radyo, mahirap siyang palitan or patayin. Why? Punta tayo sa mga pagkakataon na walang kuryente. Puwedeng lagyan agad ng baterya ang radyo. May kalamidad, ang pwedeng ma-on mo agad ay radyo. No offense sa mga nasa ibang medium. Sa digital, paano kung walang signal? Pero ang radyo andyan lang,” he said.
(Based on experience, I think that in all the mediums we use, TV, radio, and print, it looks like the radio, it is difficult to change or turn it off. Why? Let’s go to times when there is no electricity. You can immediately put a battery on the radio. There is calamity, the only thing you can turn on right away is the radio. No offense to those on other mediums. In digital, what if there’s no signal? The radio is just there.)
His advice to the young generation who wants to try radio is not to overanalyze things.
“Para sa mga bata ngayon, huwag kayong maniwala na radio is a dying medium of communication. Malayo pa tayo roon. Siguro nagulat lang tayo na may mga bagay na instant at may mga bagay na naging obsolete. Do not over analyze things. Huwag kayong panghinaan ng loob. Ang dapat natin pag-ingatan ay fake news. Yung mga kumakalat na wrong information. Pero kung mapupunta ba ako sa TV, radyo or print, you don’t have to worry about that. Ang information laging andyan,” Arnold said.
(For the younger generation, don’t believe that radio is a dying medium of communication. We are still far from that. Maybe we are just surprised that some things are instant and some things have become obsolete. Do not overanalyze things. Don’t be discouraged. What we should be careful of is fake news. The ones that spread wrong information. You don’t have to worry about where you will end up: TV, radio, or print. The information is always there.”
Arnold added: “I love this job. I realized being on the radio was flexible, entertaining, and satisfying. It’s not about the price but what you can contribute to your listeners. Dapat passionate and dedicated ka sa ginagawa mo.” (I love this job. I realized being on the radio was flexible, entertaining, and satisfying. It’s not about the price but what you can contribute to your listeners. You must be passionate and dedicated to what you do.)
Radio, what’s new? Someone still loves you!
Originally published on Manila Bulletin.
