For more than eight decades, the Philippines’ oldest private radio station, DZRH, has continued to provide trusted news and current affairs to the people, from the moment it started on July 15, 1939, up to this day.
Its tagline, "Kauna-unahang himpilan sa Pilipinas," proved that DZRH has served as one of the pillars in the media industry, particularly in radio programming, which delivered nationwide coverage through its relay stations across the country.
As the station celebrates its 84 years in the industry, here is the timeline of DZRH throughout the years.
1939: RH’s first greeting to the people
In a little studio at the top of the H.E. The Heacock Building, located in Escolta, Manila, at exactly 6:00 am on July 15, 1939, started it all as announcer Hal Bowie took his seat before a microphone and bid his unseen audience "Good morning!"
Before gaining its name DZRH," it had started with KZRH, using a 650 kHz frequency with a power of 1000 watts, which became the fourth commercial radio station in the Philippines.
1941: Second World War
It was not a "walk in the park" for KZRH. It had gone through challenges on December 7, 1941, as its station’s puny 1,000-watt transmitter was replaced with a modern one, coinciding with the inauguration of their modern studios.
On the same day, the station became the first to announce the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
1946: KZRH was back on the airwaves.
KZRH came back from the ashes on July 1, 1946, and aired live coverage of the Philippines' independence from the United States and the establishment of the Third Philippine Republic.
As a result, the station began broadcasting in Filipino, and other radio stations followed suit.
1948: From KZRH to DZRH
Following the international telecommunications conference in the United States, the Philippines changed its first letter to "D," marking its departure from the American broadcasting milieu.
This caused KZRH to change its call letters to DZRH, and the station has since expanded to nearly 30 stations nationally on medium and shortwave frequencies.
1949: The birth of radio drama
Prior to the television industry, radio drama existed as one of the traditions of the Philippine radio, and up until today, people can still listen to it during their "siesta" time.
In 1949, DZRH started airing its first radio drama entitled "Gulong ng Palad."
1972: DZRH under strict government censorship
When former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in 1972, DZRH was briefly closed down for a few months. It reopened under tight government censorship.
1978: From 650 kHz to 666 kHz and the birth of DZRH’s Operation Tulong
Due to the changing of the Philippine AM band plans from the NARBA-mandated 10 kHz spacing to the 9 kHz regulation adopted by the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975 in November 1978, DZRH migrated from 650 kHz to the present frequency of 666 kHz.
The same year, DZRH established Operation Tulong, a socio-civic group that assists those in need.
1986: Snap election coverage
DZRH never ceased to continue covering issues in the Philippines, including the contentious snap elections, the accompanying People Power Revolution that peacefully toppled President Marcos and the final installation of President Corazon Aquino.
1988: DZRH’s new home
From its former studio located in Quezon City, DZRH moved to its new home at the FJE Building, Esteban St., Legazpi Village, Makati City.
1989: DZRH turned golden
On July 23, DZRH celebrated its 50th (golden) anniversary by launching "50 Taon ng Radyo." Parades, games, concerts, and outdoor and indoor fireworks displays were among the ceremonies and events hosted at Rizal Memorial Stadium and Araneta Coliseum.
1991: Joe Taruc takes the helm of DZRH
Veteran broadcaster Joe Taruc became the station manager and vice president of DZRH. Taruc, a pillar of broadcast journalism, is known for being the host of Damdaming Bayan, the station's longest-running public affairs program and a morning newscast. He passed away in September 2017
1994: "One Nation, One Station" tagline
In 1994, the tagline "One Nation, One Station" led DZRH to become the first AM station to broadcast in full AM stereo, equipped with an updated 50,000-watt solid-state digital transmitter. It also acquired broadcast stalwarts including Jay Sonza, Rey Langit, and Ka Louie Beltran.
2002: DZRH at the MBC Building
DZRH and other MBC stations relocated from the FJE Building in Makati to the MBC Building, Vicente Sotto Street, and the CCP Complex on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay.
2007-2008: DZRH News Television to RHTV
DZRH returned to television transmission with the debut of DZRH RadyoVision, which was renamed RHTV in 2008, and DZRH News Television in 2013. It is also the first cable channel to broadcast via Facebook Live, relaying DZRH News Television's live stream to Facebook servers.
Fast forward to 2018 and up to this year, DZRH never fails to prove its goal to continue serving people with trusted news and current affairs and has even received multiple awards from different awarding events.
The year 2019 was one of the most challenging for DZRH as its studios in the MBC Building, along with its sister MBC Manila radio stations, were affected by the major fire that started at its nearby theme park, Star City.
However, DZRH resumed its regular broadcasts the following day at 4:00 a.m. from its backup studio in the BSA Twin Towers.
In 2020, another circumstance arose for the station as it needed to suspend its regular programming, particularly the radio dramas and DZRH News Television programs, due to the pandemic. As such, the country was under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In November 2021, DZRH, along with its sister stations, debuted new logos and a new corporate tagline: Sama-Sama Tayo, Pilipino!
Until December 16, 2021, the station will maintain its interim studios at the Design Center of the Philippines, which is located near the MBC Building.
DZRH returned to the MBC Building on December 17, 2021, with fresh new studios for both radio and television operations.
Watch the full documentary for DZRH’s 84th anniversary here:
