DZFE

DZFE on 98.7 mhz has been the sole classical FM music station in Metro Manila for  many years now.  Run by the Far East Broadcasting Company, this station is also a Christian gospel station--its monicker "The Master's Touch" is in reference to both the Divine and the master composers whose music the station plays.  I was driving along EDSA the other day, and tired of the long traffic lines, I tuned in for some soothing quartet music.  At the end of the piece, I was especially impressed with the announcer's clear description of what it was all about--the song title, the composer's name, the music at the time the piece was written, how the composer drew inspiration for the music, and some comparison with the music of the era.  I don't remember exactly what the piece was, but I remember that the station had put a lot of thought into describing the music and explaining the background of how the music came to be.  This approach definitely paves the way for a clear appreciation of classical music; I just wish that the DJs of pop stations would take the same painstaking care in dishing out their brand of music to the public.

DWBR

I read that Angelo Castro, more popularly known as the veteran TV news anchor of Channel 2 and husband of Radio Bandido announcer June Keithley, passed away recently, and I remember the morning talk show he did for Business Radio DWBR on 104.3 FM.  In the early nineties, I remember sending his show a letter giving my two cents worth on current affairs--his witty insights on business and political affairs, not to mention his wonderful taste in music, will be sorely missed.

My thoughts turn to DWBR, which used to have the station call sign DWIM prior to the EDSA Revolution and rumor has it that the "IM" stood for the initials of then First Lady Imelda Marcos.  Operated by the Philippine Government via the Philippine Information Agency, the station functions like the Philippine version of the Voice of America.  I've been a listener of the station since the late seventies, as Kong Kong made it a habit to monitor the morning stock market reports detailed by the station, very much a blow-by-blow account of the bears and bulls of the market.  Also, the station was known for playing the standards--which means relaxing music from the forties to the sixties, including those sung by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Julie London (my favorite), Eydie Gorme, Ella Fitzgerald and many more.  Aside from Angelo Castro, the noted DJs, announcers and commentators that have been featured at the station include such radio and TV luminaries such as Eddie Mercado, Art Galindez, Tina Monzon Palma, Bong Lapira (still did his show even after his stroke), and I can still hear Bon Vibar doing the news to this very day.

Listening to the *?&$@%+! that comes out of some of the radio stations today makes me long for some good old fashioned radio, where announcers mentioned the exact time of day, when disc jockeys waited for the song to finish before carefully explaining who the artist was, then giving the full name of the song that was just played.  Modulated voices, proper enunciation and good diction were the hallmarks of radio talents.  Casual conversation and light banter were also done during talk shows but the hosts were kind, prim and proper, unlike some of the radio hosts around these day.  In general, radio and TV announcers then were much much more respected than the whole bunch of these comedians we hear on-air today.

Oh well, c'est la vie...! They say that progress come with a price!

Barry Mint

I heard that the Hotdog would be staging a reunion concert at the Dusit Hotel this month.  Brings back a lot of memories!  To those of you who listened to the Manila AM band in the seventies, I'm sure you came across DZBM, lovingly referred to by the jocks to "Barry Mint."  This was the main competitor of DZRJ, the Rock of Manila (still broadcasting after all these years, now on 100.3 FM).  When 92.3 FM called itself with a human name "Joey," it was actually following the tradition set by Barry Mint!  Together with DWKW, these 3 stations were the staples of the 70s and the music format they played brought in a lot of excitement to our generation.  Of course we'd also listen to the stations of the oldies (who can forget Bong Lapira, Eddie Mercado, Art Galindez?) but Barry Mint brought in the music of our generation.  That was really cool!