|
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Nalzaro: Aksyon Radyo in turmoil
By Bobby G. Nalzaro
I received a number of calls and text messages from well-meaning radio listeners and colleagues in the broadcast industry asking me regarding the stand of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on the power struggle among officers of dyXR Aksyon Radyo of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC).
When I heard about it, I could not believe that the top personalities of the station, namely Carlo Duga-duga, station manager, and former vice governor Nanding Celeste are quarreling and washing their dirty linen in public.
Admittedly, I seldom listen to other AM stations. After handling my own program over dySS, I would rather tune in to FM stations or monitor my radio station. It’s not because I don’t like my competitors but because I am already bored of the issues discussed on air. Almost all AM public affairs anchors tackle the same topics.
But one night last week, while driving home, I listened to Celeste’s program over Aksyon Radyo after somebody texted me that Celeste was lambasting station management and personnel. The veteran broadcaster expressed his disappointment with management and some network executives.
Celeste was even talking about the station personnel’s misery of failing to get their salaries for two months now. My Gosh, if this is true, how is the radio station surviving? In fact, some personnel are reportedly planning to bring their case to the labor department.
Celeste also lambasted Duga-duga for failing to give an accounting on the station’s promotion last December. Worse, he exposed the station’s failure to award the major prize, a multi-cab, to the winner.
When I heard Celeste comments, I told myself this is no longer a joke. And Nanding must be really mad. Actually, he is a soft spoken, but when he is mad, he fights back. No radioman in his right mind would comment on air against management and his fellow broadcasters without enough reason. I felt that at that very moment, he was ready to be fired out.
Celeste, who started as a drama soundman but went on to become a top-rated radio personality, also castigated his long-time personal and political “alalay,” Cesar Albor, accusing him of having relationship with some female members of Celeste’s Tabang Alang Sa Katilingban (Task). He even called Albor, whom he brought to the station, ungrateful.
But the hard-hitting Duga-duga refused to bite Celeste’s bait. He said he doesn’t want to appear bastos on air. His appeal is for the problem to be resolved internally. Sources at the station told me Celeste at one time ordered the station’s transmitter technicians to switch off operations during Duga-duga’s board time. But the technicians refused to follow the order.
Although, we are competitors, I feel sad every time I hear about the misery of broadcast practitioners. So what can the KBP do about it? In my capacity as regional coordinator, I would say KBP could not interfere, as this is not an industry matter. This can even be resolved at the station level and through the intercession of the network’s bigwigs.
KBP is not a labor union that interferes in labor disputes. KBP has nothing to do with the hiring or firing of the personnel of a member station/network. So I just hope our friends in Aksyon Radyo can patch up their differences and continue serving the Cebuanos and the people in the Visayas and Mindanao through their informative and educational programs.
(Send your comments and suggestions to: Bobby@sunstar.com.ph or at bgn@cebu.gmanetwork.com. My cell phone number is 09193181404)
(June 4, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
