WHEN Frank Benedicto, anchorman for radio dyRF, received news that Marie Alexi “Maxi” Bolongaita, one of their disc jockeys, was murdered inside her house, he did not proceed with his morning program.
“What for? I can’t carry on with my program with what had happened to Maxi,” Benedicto told SunStar Cebu on Thursday, September 21.
Maxi, a 29-year-old cancer survivor, was a DJ for the station’s FM format, Power 89.1, and was on board on Sundays.
While majority of the station’s DJs, including her father Alex, often play oldies, Maxi played contemporary music that appeals to those of her age.
Multi-talented
Benedicto described Maxi as a very sweet girl.
“She’s really a good girl, very polite. Anugon kaayo,” Benedicto said.
Niann Geraldizo, the station’s traffic controller, was close to tears when she talked about Maxi.
“She was always smiling when she came to the station. We were shocked when we heard the news,” Geraldizo said.
Aside from being a DJ, Maxi was also a call center agent, a host, and a theater actress.
In 2015, Maxi was in the local production of Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues,” a play on women embracing their sexuality and strength.
In a statement, Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Ebisa, SVD, station manager of radio dyRF and Maxi’s boss, condemned her murder.
“I could never imagine that this could happen to such a wonderful person,” Ebisa told SunStar Cebu.
Ebisa said the last time he saw Maxi was when he hosted the opening activities of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) Month two weeks ago.
Maxi was crowned Miss KBP in 2016 and was first runner-up at the Miss Press Freedom pageant that same year.
Ebisa, who is also KBP Cebu chapter president, assured Maxi’s family that they are behind them in every step.