“Ang DZRH will stay beyond 100 years!”
This is how confident Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Cesar Chavez is with regards to the station’s future.
Chavez currently hosts the program Special on Saturday, from 7am to 9am, every Saturday on DZRH and DZRH TV.
In a sit-down interview with DZRH Online, Usec. Chavez stated that the reason for DZRH’s longevity is because of the right “business model” and how it is moving forward with technology.
“Ang DZRH will stay beyond 100 years, sapagkat nakuha niya ang business model. At the same time, naka-angkla sa technology,” Chavez said.
Chavez personally witnessed how DZRH transformed from a popular and well-respected radio station to being one of the upcoming multi-media broadcasting companies in the country.
Senate: Univerity of Life
It all started in 1987, just after the People Power or EDSA Revolution. This was also the period when the new Senate under a new Constitution was convened.
“For DZRH, after the People Power, si Joe Taruc from DWWW joined Manila Broadcasting Company. Three (3) months after that, pumasok ako. Second year [college] student, pinakabatang reporter ng DZRH News Center,” Chavez narrated.
“Una kong assignment was to cover cause-oriented groups because I was with the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, National Union of Students of the Philippines, and at the same time University President of Adamson University. Sabi ni Joe Taruc, napaghahalata ang report mo na malapit ka sa cause-oriented groups. Punta ka na ng Senado,” Chavez said.
According to Chavez, while he was a reporter for DZRH, it felt like he was also attending a university or institution while covering the Senate, with the likes of Jovito Salonga, Wigberto Tanada, Renato “Rene” Saguisag, Tito Guingona, Neptali Gonzales, Orly Mercado, Heherson Alvarez, Leticia Shahani, and Santanina Rasul.
He considered this “the best Senate” with the best and the brightest lawmakers during the time.
“In fact, that was the best Senate and therefore habang reporter ako ng DZRH, ako rin ay pumapasok sa isang institution which I mentally converted into a bigger university than my school,” Chavez mentioned.
He also learned from “the best” lawmakers and how critical the experience was for him to learn what makes government tick.
“Nakita ko kung paano, to a certain extent, nabastos ang mga bureaucrats, how senators dressed down a cabinet member to the lowest [ranking]. Yun yung lesson nung pumasok ako sa gobyerno, ayoko mangyari sa akin. Alam ko na kapag may kalokohan, makikita nila. Alam ko na pag may kapabayaan, makikita nila at alam ko kapag may pang-aabuso,” Chavez relayed.
Impactful Lessons
When asked how young, aspiring reporters who do not have extensive experience and access to the government as he did be effective journalists, Chavez shared this tip:
“Magbasa, magbasa, magbasa.”
“Marami na sa atin naka-based nalang sa kung ano ang press release sa viber, messenger, sa email, pero sa tingin ko, magbasa, magbasa, magbasa,” Chavez added.
Chavez explains that this is needed so that a journalists’ report has the right background and context.
Also, be ready to compete and develop your craft. “Natutunan ko kay Orly Mercado, the original Radio Patroller, Chief of Reporters ng Radio Patrol, you are as good as your last word. You are as good as your last performance.”
It would also help if reporters can do further studies or take additional courses.
“Maswerte rin ako sa panahon ko dahil tuloy tuloy ang pag-aaral ko,” Chavez said.
“In order words, hind ka lang dapat nagbabasa. Mag advance ka rin dapat sa sarili mo,” he adds.
DZRH and the future
Winding down the interview, Chavez believes that there is no greater advocacy than empowering the Filipino people with timely and accurate information.
“Masarap yung sa pakiramdam kapag bago ka matulog na you empower people by timely, relevant and accurate information.”
He encourages the younger generation to look up to the trailblazers of the industry, seek inspiration from their success stories, learn from their failures and always develop yourselves to be able to serve the public through media.
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