THE City of Bacolod joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Radio Day Wednesday, with various activities, including an awards night for outstanding local broadcasters and radio talents on February 27.

Internationally, this is now the 8th year of the World Radio Day celebration and is being spearheaded by Unesco.

In Bacolod, it is now on its fifth edition, with the city government spearheading the celebration, in partnership with the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas)-Negros Occidental Chapter, which is composed of 18 AM and FM stations.

The international theme of the World Radio Day this year is, “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.” The Bacolod theme is, “The Evolution of Radio: Keeping Up With The Times.”

The Bacolod celebration started with a mass at the Bishop’s Chapel at the San Sebastian Cathedral Wednesday, February 13, officiated by Fr. Jonas Sumagaysay, who is also the chairman of KBP-Negros Occidental Chapter. Sumagaysay serves as the station manager of DYAF–Radyo Veritas.

Afterwards, the station managers, reporters, disc jockeys (DJs), and staff of both AM and FM stations in Bacolod, accompanied by the staff of the City Public Information Office (PIO), participated in a motorcade from the Bacolod Plaza to Punta Taytay Barangay Hall, where a feeding program for about 100 children were sponsored by the KBP.

The feeding program was in partnership with Barangay Captain Leah Palma and her barangay council.

The group then proceeded to Shelton Beach Resort for lunch.

On February 27, the KBP- Negros Occidental Chapter will host an awards night, dubbed “Tingog Kag Handurawan Awards,” to recognize and honor outstanding radio reporters and talents, at the SMX Convention Center.

On its website, Unesco stated that the World Radio Day “marks a time where people around the world celebrate radio and how it shapes our lives. Radio informs, transforms and unites us. It brings together people and communities from all backgrounds to foster positive dialogue for change.” (PR)