The Inception of Pinoy Radio

Pinoy radio made a remarkable significance in the history of the Philippines. In the year 1922, Henry Hermann established a 50-watt radio stations in Pasay and Manila. News and other programs for entertainment were featured in these radio stations. Filipinos were immersed with the programs such that local businessmen saw this as a business prospect. Several businessmen also established their own radio stations and some became channels in advertising of products and services.

Milestones of Pinoy Radio

> The letters "KZ" were given out to all of the radio stations in the country in 1924 to refer to the station. This was implemented when the Americans occupied the country.

> The 50-watt Pinoy radio stations were replaced with 100-watt.

> KZRC Radio Cebu was opened however it was soon closed because of the problems encountered with relay signals between Manila and Cebu.

> Commonwealth Act No. 3840 or the Radio Control Law created the Radio Control Division which serves as the regulatory board of broadcast industry. The name of the board was changed to Radio Control Office when the country was under the martial law during President Marcos' regime.

> Six radio stations were already established when the Japanese came in the country. Out of the six radio stations, only KZRM stayed long on air.

> After the attack in Pearl Harbor, the United States of America provided shortwave relay station to the Philippines. The process of relaying the radio programs from Washington, NBC network, KGEI in California to be broadcast in Manila and Cebu but was short-lived. It lasted only for six days until Manila was declared as an open city by General McArthur. Although there were alternative was provided for the shortwave relay station, it was also destroyed when Japanese attacked Cavite. KZRF was the only surviving radio station during that time. Three radio stations were then forced to be opened and operated by Japanese. During the war, the radio was one of the tools that inspired the Filipino to be freed from Japanese. They hold on to the promise of "I shall return" by General McArthur.

> After World War II, KZFM was opened and operated by the US Army Officer of War Information. When President Harry Truman proclaimed that the Philippines was already a free country, the management of the radio station was turned over to the Philippine government on September 11, 1946. KZFM was renamed DZFM and became the core of the Philippine broadcasting System.

> Francisco "Koko" Trinidad, the father of the Philippine broadcasting insisted on the replacement of the fist letters KZ. DZ was assigned for Manila, DW for Luzon, DY for Visayas and DX for Mindanao. Subsequently, the two call letters DZ were used for both Manila and Luzon.

Bombo Radyo Philippines is among the largest radio networks in the Philippines today, a network which spans across 20 major provinces in the country. It is well known for fearless commentaries and exposés against the prominent figures in politics. This won the heart of the common people which made the station ranked top in ratings. Star FM is the sister station of Bombo Radyo and it is also based in Manila broadcasted strongly like Bombo as far as rating is concerned.

A Pinoy radio network mostly airs radio soap operas, newscasts and public affair programs while different genres of music are played in the FM stations. The type of music depends on the program that the station has for the particular hour. Some segments of a radio show may include an advice for different problems but the most common topic discussed is about love. There are also portions that include guessing games which are often informative. Some radio programs allot time slots for doctors have a slot to discuss health related matters. Sometimes, radio is also a good means to call for the attention of missing items, persons and make known notices or announcements.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Memorandum Order No. 913 wherein National Telecommunications Association (NTC) to monitor the compliance of all radio stations for the musical format, that all radio stations should have a minimum of 4 original Philippine music compositions in every clock hour of each program. In this way, pinoy radio will serve as an instrument to promote the nation's cultural and historical privileges while making it popular. Filipino artists will be given the chance to show their talents, fostering the evolution and nourishment of Philippine music.