After 20 years in Love Radio as Nicole Hyala’s “katambal” or radio show partner on Tambalan, Chris Tsuper is flying the coop in pursuit of other dreams. The rest of the Love disc jockeys sent him off with tearful recollections, heartfelt sentiments, and loving well-wishes. This is what they had to say.
Nicole Hyala: Walang Nicole Hyala, kung walang Chris Tsuper
As Chris’ partner in Tambalan, she led the farewell with a poignant message. Thanking him for 20 years of laughter and stories, she pointed out that, for half her life, he had been her companion.
“Walang Nicole Hyala, kung walang Chris Tsuper (There is no Nicole Hyala, if there is no Chris Tsuper),” she acknowledged.
She confessed her radio persona was just an exaggerated, loud version of who she was away from the mic, and that it had been 20 years spent together, which might be why she was finding it hard to let go. She told him that although she felt crushed, she was happy their paths had crossed. It wasn’t every day she would get to meet someone like him, she said. She was convinced she never would.
She wished him well, and prays for his success in this new direction he’s headed, assuring him that one day, she would be okay again.
When Chris confessed Nicole had become “part of (his) DNA,” she responded that her heartbreak had “served its purpose.” She had always questioned if Chris cared about her apart from their work, and this had confirmed it.
Mara Tonee: Malaking factor siya sa’kin
As the newest of the bunch, Mara thanked Chris for his patience and trust, and recounted how encouraging he’s always been. She said this was a “big factor” in her work.
“First time kong makakita ng boss na ang haba-haba talaga ng pasensya. ‘Yung tipong kagalit-galit na ‘yung ginawa mo pero, ‘Okay lang Mara, kaya mo ‘yan. Tuloy ka lang,’” she related.
(It’s my first time seeing a boss who’s very. very patient. Even though what you’ve done was maddening, it’s still, ‘It’s okay Mara, you can do it. Just go on.’)
She wished him all the best for his future plans. The DJs agreed to give Chris a White Elephant gift each, so she handed him a pack of cookies called Smileys because he’s always smiley and it makes her happy.
Angkol Dagol: Isa sa naging inspirasyon ko
Angkol shared that he and Chris had talked a lot about their past experiences in radio, like having been a fledgeling DJ during the earlier days of radio. He was a DJ in Davao on a rival radio program but hoped he could someday make it in Manila, like the Tambalan had.
“Kayo po ni Ma’am Nicole, Chris Tsuper, ‘yung mga iniidolo ko doon,” Angkol admitted.
(It’s you, Ma’am Nicole, Chris Tsuper, whom I idolized before.)
He couldn’t have imagined that from Mindanao, he would come all the way to join the Love Radio Manila team. He was thankful, felt honored, and said the work culture was conducive for growth. He noted that Chris in particular was appreciative of everyone’s strengths and talents, and that he had learned much from him. Angkol expressed his support for Chris’ next move in life.
He gave him chicharon, simply because it is his favorite.
Conyo Bicolano: May purong puso
Conyo started off on a congratulatory note, and said he was glad Chris had taken the time to explain his decision amid a myriad of circulating rumors and assumptions. Conyo said Chris had inspired him to choose to be strong every day, despite its difficulties, because other people were also counting on his strength.
He gave Chris hulled rice grains as he would always see Chris eating, joking that it must be where he draws his wit, energy, and humor. Conyo said the white rice represents Chris, a person with a “purong puso,” or a pure heart, whose only intention is to make people happy and give.
“Sana ingatan mo lagi ‘yung intentions mo sa ibang tao, ingatan mo lagi ‘yung puso mo, kasi kahit gaano yan kaputi, there will always be (people) out there, na dudumihan yan. Kasi yung industriya natin, nakita ko bilang baguhan na napakaraming magagaling … pero kakaunti yung magagaling pero tao pa rin,” he told Chris.
(I hope you will always safeguard your pure intentions for other people, keep your heart safe, because no matter how white it is, there will always be people out there looking to spoil it. Because in our industry, as I’ve seen as a novice, there are so many who are great at what they do … but few are great while still humane.)
Conyo thanked Chris for reminding him of this through his everyday feedback. Conyo observed his senior’s feedback was always on the positive side, which Conyo thinks is a quality of born leaders: always seeing the best in people.
Conyo initially thought being a DJ just entailed bantering on air, but was taught to respect radio and put his heart into it. He concluded by addressing the people in Lucban, for whom Chris is running for Councilor, and assured them they will be given “purong serbisyo.”
Robin Sienna: Marami talaga kayong na-inspire
Robin began by saying she wasn’t speaking as her DJ persona Robin Sienna, but as the “young Camille” who met with a lot of resistance in pursuing her dream. She confided that, because there had been a Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala, she kept on and continues pushing for it.
She shared that she and Chris would sit and talk over coffee, both being introverts and authors. She also shared she was an overthinker who always thought about the next steps. At that moment, she admitted she was scared about the future of Love moving forward, without the Tambalan.
Through tears, she said it was a consolation to hear the whole story, and to know Chris did not just turn his back on them. He had planted another dream in her, that she would take up a Masters in Business Administration while working as a DJ. She hopes he won’t forget how many people he’s inspired, as much as she hopes the best for him, knowing he can help even more people.
She didn’t know how to end her speech as she couldn’t bear to place a period on Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper.
Robin gave him a mug, and Chris assured her it was a sign they would have more coffees together.
Tanya Chinita: Kahit sikat, puwede pa ring nakaapak sa lupa
Tanya called Chris’ departure from Love Radio as the plot twist you would have never seen coming. She said they still couldn’t grasp that after 20 years, the Tambalan has come to an end, although she acknowledged that everyone has their own lives to lead. Chris in his new endeavor was an example that no matter your age, one can still go after what they want, go after the greater purpose God has set for them. She was happy for Chris and promised the team’s support in whatever plans he has for his life.
She thanked him for exemplifying that a person could be famous, but also be down-to-earth. She said both Nicole and Chris were like that, and weren’t just approachable—they would approach you themselves.
“Kahit sikat, puwede pa ring nakaapak sa lupa talaga (Even with fame, one can still have their feet on the ground),” Tanya said.
Tanya praised him for being a “servant-leader” and thanked him again for his humility. She told him he would always be their idol, and joked that all the DJs in the Philippines will have to agree: it is in his footsteps they should follow.
Lastly, she gave him perfume. Chris can afford expensive, branded ones for himself, but had instead bought Kadyot Pinong perfume before.
Diego Bandido: Hall of famer na ‘yan
Diego shared that he had started out annoyed at the Tambalan, but it had been because they were so great at what they do. As a matter of fact, the carinderia near his previous station tuned in on Love Radio and Diego, while eating, would hear Chris’ and Nicole’s laughter.
“Kinaiinisan ko, then i learned to love them,” he disclosed.
He said that there was something magical about their dynamic and often cited them as the “perfect” example “of a generator and reactor.”
He strives to be a “unicorn,” in that he seeks to be flexible and perform as necessary, but says the management’s decision to have him substitute for Chris as Nicole’s tandem partner was heavy on his part. He reasoned that no one can truly replace Chris Tsuper. He said the duo were Hall of Famers in Philippine radio and joked that he could be the conductor for the segment, because the “tsuper” or driver cannot be paralleled.
He gave Chris a steering wheel cover to remind him that he will always be Chris Tsuper, and that what he has been for the Tambalanistas—his and Nicole’s listeners—the people of Lucban will now benefit from. He credited Chris for being there during the hard times, and said he prays that the Lord guide him in his new path.
Raqi Terra: We have so much respect for you
Raqi gave him hotel toothbrushes, as he was always brushing his teeth. She admired the discipline he showed in his self-care, and more so in looking out for the other DJs, among other things.
She recalled a photoshoot with some big names in radio and was sure they weren’t going anywhere. She had been sure the Tambalan was going to last forever. But as DJs left, and now Chris following suit, she felt unable to process the departure of what she believed was the foundation of Love Radio.
“We have so much respect for the both of you: your work discipline, yung attitude niyo, yung humility ninyo ... and the stories that you tell us every time nagkakasama tayo off the air, it means a lot to us and natututo kami dahil doon,”
(We have so much respect for the both of you: your work discipline, your attitude, your humility, and the stories that you tell us whenever we’re off the air, it means a lot to us and we’ve learned from them.)
She promised to listen to them as individuals, believing their individual voices have much to offer.
Lala Banderas: Ray of sunshine ka to everyone
Every time Lala sees a permanent marker, she’s reminded of Chris. Others think he’s nonchalant, but in her opinion, Chris is simply perpetually at peace, holding no grudges. She admitted to being envious of that.
“You’re okay with everyone because that's just how you are: ray of sunshine ka to everyone (you’re a ray of sunshine to everyone). when everything around you is chaotic, ikaw yung beacon of light na nagsasabi na (you’re the beacon of light that says), ‘Everything happens for a reason ... like everything else, this too shall pass,’” she told him.
She said Nicole and Chris were the parents they had never thought they would have. She expressed her gratefulness for 20 years of bringing people joy, 14 years of being an “icon and a legend” in her life. She said it must be about time Lucban saw why the crew loves Chris so much.
Chris Tsuper filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) and is running for Councilor in Lucban, Quezon. Diego Bandido will temporarily accompany Nicole during their program slot.
