The history of DZRH, the flagship station of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), is akin to flipping through the pages of a book, each chapter reveals its pivotal moments, challenges, and triumphs.
Throughout its 84 years of radio service, DZRH has been unwaveringly committed to delivering the latest news and information to Filipino listeners nationwide.
DZRH’s humble beginnings
The radio station, originally called KZRH or Radio Heacock, took its first breath inside a small radio studio in the bustling streets of Escolta, Manila. KZRH first went on-air on July 15, 1939, with announcer Hal Bowie greeting Manila “Good morning!”.
Years later, KZRH faced its first adversity when the Japanese took over the operations of Philippine radios during World War II. KZRH staff were among Filipinos who were forced to join the bloody Bataan Death March.
KZRH, however, was able to rise above when it resumed operations through the makeshift studio station built by KZRH manager Bertrand Silen and chief technician Simon Cheng in Corregidor in 1941. The said makeshift studio was then hailed by Gen. Douglas Macarthur as the “Voice of freedom.”
The end of the bloody World War II marked a new beginning for KZRH, whose name by that time was converted to DZRH, after Filipino diplomat and businessman Joaquin Miguel ‘Mike’ Elizalde and his two brothers, Federico and Manuel bought the radio station from the Heacock Company.
The Elizalde brothers then established the Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation and the DZRH became its flagship station in June 1946.
Shortly after, DZRH expanded its service, going beyond delivering news and information. It delved into providing entertainment to Filipino households — from radio drama, musical shows, and sports news to quiz bees.
DZRH today
Fast forward to the millennium, DZRH was a witness to some controversial events in Philippine history, including the Plaza Miranda Bombing, the 1972 Martial law, Ninoy Aquino assassination, the EDSA People Power Revolution, and the Maguindanao massacre.
DZRH then entered television broadcasting in 2007. It has established a pay TV channel that allows its radio programs to reach more Filipino audiences across the country. This pay TV channel was called TV-Natin which eventually became RHTV and is now known as DZRH Television — a free-to-air channel at the present.
The radio station has also assured that its public service will not just be heard on the airwaves but be felt by Filipinos themselves. By 1978, then program host Caloy Castro established the socio-civic organization Operation Tulong. Guided by the credo “Serbisyong Bayan”, Operation Tulong extends help to Filipinos in the forms of feeding programs, medical and dental missions, bloodletting activities, job fairs, and other outreach activities in cooperation with local government units, non-government organizations, medical associations, and private companies.
In 2023, DZRH Operation Tulong went big when the Manila Broadcasting Company launched the organization nationwide, allowing barangays to avail assistance through relief operations and community programs.
DZRH continues to prove its excellence in radio broadcasting. The radio station and its prominent anchors and reporters had bagged left and right recognitions in various award shows.
The radio station has also been topping various radio surveys over the past years, with results showing that Filipinos trust and prefer to listen to DZRH in Metro Manila and Mega Manila.
DZRH, the Kauna-unahang radyo sa Pilipinas, relentlessly epitomizes excellence, setting standards in the radio broadcasting industry.
Something NEW is coming
In 2024, DZRH together with its sister stations: Love Radio, Yes The Best, Easy Rock, Radyo Natin, and Aksyon Radyo under the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) is coming up with something new and bigger for its audience nationwide.
To be unveiled on February 6, 2024, get ready to immerse yourself in a new MBC, this time, more than radio!
