Since going on air on July 15, 1939, DZRH produced and developed numerous talents in the last eight decades. Among these talents, Deo Macalma became a name synonymous to the first ever radio station of the Philippines. Known as Lakay Deo by his listeners all over the Philippines, and colleagues in DZRH, his experience as a broadcaster helped keep the radio station at the forefront of the media industry. His programs, Damdaming Bayan in the morning and Breaktime in the afternoon, remain as among the most listened radio shows in the country. His Espesyal na Balita also showcases the connections and the credibility that he built as a radio personality.
With DZRH expanding to TV and online platforms, like Facebook and Youtube, the name Deo Macalma also garner renown among the younger generations, especially those who want to join the broadcast industry.
'A BLESSING IN DISGUISE'
Deo Macalma joining DZRH came as a surprise even for himself. He just lost his job when he saw an opening for a news writer in a newspaper and applied. However, he did not know then that he will work for DZRH.
“Dati akong labor leader. Nagtayo ako ng labor union doon sa una ko na pinapasukan. Tapos, nag-strike kami. Natalo yung union namin. Unfortunately, natanggal sa trabaho pero parang blessing in disguise na rin siguro at dahil doon nag-apply ako ng trabaho,” Lakay Deo shared.
(I am a former labor leader. I formed a labor union in my previous. We had a strike. Our union lost. Unfortunately, I was fired but it is a blessing in disguise, I guess, since I applied for a new job)
Lakay Deo remembered that then-Station Manager Rey Langit interviewed him for the news writer position, and started his journey with DZRH.
FEATS
Throughout his journey with DZRH, Lakay Deo has acquired multiple awards from various organizations and institutions. The achievements, he admitted, boosts his morale and inspires him to do better in his craft. The prominent broadcaster has received recognition from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, the Catholic Mass Media, the Golden Dove Awards, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, the Rotary Club of Manila, Gandingan Awards, the Manila Overseas Press Club, and many others.
“Malaking boost sa ating career iyan at lalo natin pinagbubuti ang ating pag-serbisyo sa taong-bayan sa pamamagitan ng pagbabalita,” Lakay Deo remarked.
(These are a big boost for my career and allows me to do better in providing public service by delivering the news)
His reputation also rose for being at the front seat of many historic moments in the Philippines. Lakay Deo, particularly, mentioned the in-depth coverage of DZRH on the First People Power Revolution, which he considers as the highest part of his career. He mentioned that DZRH provided reports and updates on many key moments including the assassination of Sen. Beningno Aquino Sr., considered as the moment that sparked the Revolution; until the departure of late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and his family from the Malacanang; and up to the Presidency of the late President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino.
“Na-cover natin lahat iyan,” Lakay Deo remarked.
(We covered all of that)
THE HURDLES ALONG THE WAY
However, the ongoing story of Deo Macalma is not all sunshine and roses. He pointed out that DZRH faced many challenges, some of which even threatened to stop the operations of the radio stations.
Lakay Deo remembered the coverage of DZRH on the 1989 coup d’etat attempt earned the ire of the Cory Aquino Administration. He mentioned that DZRH interviewed Col. Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II, the leader of the rebel forces. The interview prompted then-National Telecommunications Commission chief Jose Luis Alcuaz to visit DZRH.
“Ipapasara sana ang DZRH kaya lang, mabuti na lang, may mga umawat at naayos kaya nagpatuloy ang coverage at ang pag-himpapawid ng DZRH,” Lakay Deo reminisced.
(They wanted to close DZRH but, thank goodness, they were pacified and we reached an understanding which allowed DZRH to continue the coverage and remain on-air)
In recent years, DZRH faced another incident, a fire that burnt the radio station down in 2019. Lakay Deo, the station manager when the fire happened, said that DZRH continued operations due to the contingency plans of the Manila Broadcasting Company, which operates the radio station, for such cases.
“Kung endangered ang ating himpilan, pwede tayong magtayo ng mga temporary broadcast stations. For example, pwedeng mag-broadcast ang mga mobile unit natin mismo,” Lakay Deo remarked.
(If our station is endangered, we can establish temporary broadcast stations. For example, we can continue our broadcast in our mobile units)
“Sanay ang ating DZRH Engineering Department sa ganyan. Nung ma-off air tayo, nagka-sunog, na-tayo agad yung ating transmitter at temporary studio doon sa Ortigas,” he added.
(Our DZRH Engineering Department is used to those. When we went off-air, the fire broke out, we immediately set-up our transmitter and temporary
THE FUTURE
Lakay Deo expects that DZRH will remain relevant in the next years. He assured that the radio station adapts to the changes in technology in order to continue providing important news and updates especially in far-flung areas.
“Kung ano yung magagandang nagawa natin, sa pagpapatuloy ng ating himpilan, lalo pa natin pagbubutihin. Tayo naman ay nakakapag-adapt sa pagbabago sa technology,” Lakay Deo said.
(All the good things that we do, as our radio station moves forward, we should improve. We can already adapt to the changes in technology.)
“Hindi mawawala ang mga himpilan ng radyo, lalo na ang kauna-unahan sa Pilipinas, DZRH,” he guaranteed.
(Radio stations will not disappear, especially DZRH, the first-ever radio station in the Philippines)
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