The COVID-19 pandemic caused much turmoil and loss globally; the calamity left nothing untouched. Unyielding and relentless, DZRH continued to serve Filipinos everywhere. The station commemorates its 85th year this July 15, 2024, and its story through such a time of unprecedented challenges is one for the books.
Preparations, changes
DZRH newswriter and anchor Kisses Javier Jabson said that although the pandemic posed a serious problem in operations, DZRH was not caught off guard. Prior to the mandated lockdown, management was already having meetings tackling the issue.
The technical team was asked to stay within office premises to ensure continued operations. Meanwhile, reporters were assigned drivers for fieldwork, and the newswriters worked from home.
The Work From Home (WFH) arrangement was nothing new to DZRH, Jabson shared. They have been doing it before the pandemic. The MBC Media Group (MMG), formerly the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), endured a "bangungot" or nightmare: a fire razed its building and destroyed everything in it. This prompted the shift in their mode of work, as well as new ways to share news. Employees adopted the use of Google sheets, Messenger, and Zoom to communicate.
"Hindi man tayo physically nandito sa studio, magkahiwalay man 'yung anchors natin pero nakakapag broadcast pa rin ang DZRH," Jabson said.
("Although we were not physically in the studio, although our anchors were separated, DZRH was still able to go on with its broadcast.")
"The show must go on"
When the Omicron variant hit the Philippines in 2022, all newscenter employees went down with the virus--except Jabson.
"Lahat ng staff ng DZRH newscenter, nagkaroon ng COVID-19," Jabson recalls. "Swinerte naman na ako lang 'yung hindi tinamaan ng COVID that time."
(All DZRH newscenter staff caught COVID-19. It was lucky that it was only me that hadn't been infected with COVID that time.")
With all men down but one woman, Jabson was resolute: "Siyempre, dito sa ating trabaho, the show must go on. Hindi po puwede na porke wala ‘yung iba, hindi mo na gagawin ‘yung iyong trabaho."
("Of course, in our line of work, the show must go on. Just because the others are gone, it doesn't mean you shouldn't do your job.")
She recounted writing news reports all by herself every night, being on air every night, and writing again late into the night until the early hours.
Jabson requested that the station play music at three in the morning instead of her program. Former station manager Cesar Chavez, who now serves as Presidential Assistant for Strategic Communications, agreed, saying that if she were to catch the virus, they would cease operations temporarily. DZRH's social media platforms, like Twitter, were also minimally maintained in the meantime.
Employees working from home augmented the number of reports, so anchors had news to read on air. Jabson was also grateful for the drivers who assisted her. They were the ones who ran to gather details in the field for reports during the two weeks she spent alone.
"Ayaw natin ng fake news"
The COVID years also saw a formidable peak in misinformation, the spread of which was accelerated by social media. When asked what formal media like DZRH has done to combat it, Jabson said the station has been wary of fake news even before the pandemic began.
"Ever since naman ang DZRH, ayaw natin ng fake news," she said. "Bago pa mag-pandemic, ‘yan ang isa sa pinakaiingatan ng DZRH: ‘yung katotohanan sa mga balita, at pinangangalagaan natin ang integridad."
("Ever since, DZRH does not like fake news. Before the pandemic, that is one of the things DZRH has been careful about: the truthfulness of reports, and we take care to keep the station's integrity.")
Never mind that big news has sprung up everywhere, if it is doubtful, DZRH will not air it, she stated firmly. The station will call key persons to confirm the truth of the report, before sharing it with the public.
"Para sa mga Pilipino, para sa buong mundo"
DZRH, as a pillar of media, played a crucial role in preserving order in chaotic times--not only for Filipinos in the country, but Filipinos all around the globe.
"Malaki ang naging tulong ng media, partikular na ang DZRH, sa pagbibigay ng mga ... mahahalagang impormasyon, para sa mga Pilipino, para sa buong mundo," Jabson said. "Hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi para sa ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa, upang malaman nila kung ano na ba ang sitwasyon dito sa ating bansa, lalo na doon sa mga lugar kung saan nandoon ang kanilang mga pamilya.
("Media, and DZRH in particular, was a huge help in relaying important information, for Filipinos, for the whole world. Not only in the Philippines but also for our countrymen abroad, so they would know the situation in our country, especially in the places where their families are.")
From government-mandated health protocols to the facts and figures concerning COVID cases, deaths, recoveries, and symptoms, DZRH delivered everything anyone had to know.
Pagmamahal sa trabaho, passion sa pagtulong
Jabson attributed DZRH's dedication to its employees' love for the work they do and their passion for public service. This advocacy has strengthened the station, she said, the very first in the Philippines.
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