Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is on a roll on this first half of the current year. The latest additions to its flagship AM station DWIZ’s programs and array of broadcasters have been receiving enthusiastic feedback from the public.
Many listeners make sure that their ideas and opinions about issues being discussed are heard by sending their reactions through text and email messages and landline telephone calls. Audio and video streaming also allows interactive communication between the studio and listeners, an exciting experience for both broadcasters and audience.
Studio staff are kept busy handling the flurry of phone calls, text messages and emails coming from listeners of these newly launched programs, among them “Imee…Sagot” featuring Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos as host; “In the Heart of Business” hosted by former banking communication executive Roni Tapia Merk along with veteran broadcaster Marou Pahati Sarne, and “Pilipinas Ngayon Na,” a public affairs program hosted by former Press Undersecretary Robert Rivera and co-hosted by newswoman Lolly Acosta.
On top of these exciting developments, a really delightful highlight of this first semester of 2018 was the awarding of the Golden Dove Award for Best Public Service Announcement to FM flagship station 97.9 Home Radio’s “Think Before You Post: A Social Media Responsibility Reminder.”
“Think Before You Post” is a public service segment conceptualized and initiated by station manager Braggy Braganza in 2015. The announcement comes as a 10- to 20-second plug being played in the middle of commercial breaks several times a day from Monday to Friday.
Braganza said the public awareness plug is part of Home Radio’s advocacy campaign “to remind and teach the public on the proper use of social media and to fight cyber bullying, and now, fake news.”
Home Radio’s campaign is indeed timely. With the growing number of the youth suffering from online bullying, parents and guardians need help in educating their children in the do’s and don’t’s in social networking sites, Braganza explained. Home Radio plays a valuable role in providing this service.
Of the lately added programs of DWIZ, “Imee… Sagot” seems to be having the most exciting time with listeners. Co-hosted by Imee Marcos with former Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the program has been getting overwhelming positive response and praises from netizens from all over the world while it is broadcast live on Facebook. Calls come from places ranging from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Canada and the US and Italy.
The two program hosts make even serious topics easier to take in, analyze and fully comprehend with their light delivery of news and views and humorous exchanges amid their discussion of issues and concerns.
A more interesting time was had by listeners and viewers on Facebook with the recent appearance of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who took over temporarily as co-host when Mr. Romualdez was unable to make it. Also occasionally pinch-hitting for him is his spouse, incumbent Tacloban City Mayor Cristina “Kring-Kring” Gonzales Romualdez.
“Imee… Sagot” airs every Monday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
“In The Heart of Business” is another timely and relevant addition to DWIZ’s program lineup. Seasoned business communicator Roni Tapia Merk and two-time Golden Dove awardee Marou Pahati Sarne lead lively discussions that offer the public a lot of opportunity to know more about business and livelihood, the economy and other financial concepts. They are joined every Tuesday by Sen. Cynthia Villar, who discusses her numerous programs on air. Also joining them is public relations veteran Bong Osorio.
“In the Heart of Business” airs every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday over DWIZ from 12:30 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Finally, “Pilipinas Ngayon Na” takes up issues and solutions to problems in education, health and social welfare. Drawing from his experience in disseminating news as Press undersecretary during the Arroyo administration, Rivera seeks to bring to listeners the fast-paced developments sweeping the country in all regions.
“Pilipinas Ngayon Na” is heard every Monday and Wednesday, from 12:30 noon to 1:30 p.m.
