In July 15, 1939, DZRH went on air for the first time. After more than eight decades, Filipinos still hear important news and updates in the first ever radio station of the Philippines. DZRH remains a relevant institution in the Philippines, supported by many listeners across the country.
How did the radio station continue to prosper for 85 years?
CREDIBILITY
Atty. Rudolph Jularbal, MBC Media Group Vice President for AM Operations, credits the longevity of DZRH to the credibility of the radio station. Jularbal said that a radio station will only survive if the audience can trust the information and news that they hear.
“Kapag wala ng kredibilidad, wala ng paniniwala ang audience mo, maglalaho yung station,” Jularbal stressed.
(When you no longer have credibility, your audience no longer believe in you, the station will disappear)
Jularbal also mentioned that a radio station must not only maintain its credibility with the listeners but also with its clients. He said that clients should trust the capability of the radio station to deliver all its services and commitments.
And as the news agency expands to television and online platforms, Jularbal hopes that the DZRH brand can maintain its credibility.
“We are a news organization so we must maintain our credibility in whatever platform. Nasa TV, nasa online, nasa radio, important na committed tayo in delivering credible news, information, and entertainment,” Jularbal said.
(Whether in TV, in online, in radio, it is important that we are committed in delivering credible news, information, and entertainment)
COMMITMENT
Aside from credibility, Jularbal also lauded the commitment shown by DZRH personnel to the radio station, which allowed it to overcome the hurdles that it faced in the last 85 years.
Jularbal admitted that DZRH faced difficult times in recent years after a fire razed the radio station in 2019, and the start of the global 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He said that the radio station pulled through these challenges due to the sacrifices made by the staff and executives of DZRH in order to remain on-air.
“Operationally, very challenging iyon (these are very challenging),” Jularbal remarked.
“Nung pandemic at nung sunog, lahat tayo ay nag-contribute para sa madaanan ng kumpanya, ng station ang difficulties na na-confront natin,” he added.
(During the pandemic and after the fire, we all contributed so that the company, the station can overcome all the difficulties that we confront)
Jularbal mentioned that the commitment of DZRH personnel does not stop inside the station but also extends to the whole broadcast industry. He explained that DZRH, as the first radio station in the Philippines, must set an example for other news organizations. Jularbal elaborated that DZRH should show ‘what a proper radio station or media station should be’.
“Dapat pinapakita natin ang tamang pag-operate ng media company dito sa ating lipunan,” Jularbal said.
(We should show how a media company should properly operate in our society)
He said that DZRH executives, reporters, and other personnel are very involved in the broadcast industry. Jularbal also added that DZRH maintains its membership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
WHAT’S NEXT?
In the next 15 years, DZRH will celebrate its centennial year, a thought that brings a smile to Jularbal. He said that the DZRH should remain a relevant and committed radio station when it celebrates its 100th anniversary. In order to remain relevant in the future, Jularbal acknowledges the need to further develop the television and online platforms of DZRH. He promised that DZRH will continue to deliver relevant news, information, and entertainment in these platforms.
“We do not know what technology will bring, change the landscape of the media industry. Radio, as it is, is just a platform but the organization, the content that we deliver, the people, kahit wala ng AM radio, kung digital in the next 15 years, so be it,” Jularbal assured.
“We will be there, and we will be delivering the DZRH brand of news, entertainment, and information,” he further guaranteed.
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