Continuing the “twilight” saga of the Extra Long Weekend, I went on to Ortigas for an eyeball between my fellow listeners in the Max FM studios in Jollibee Plaza on Bonifacio Day. What supposed to be the grandest EB in the biggest town in radio turned out to become the widest invasion of radio stations all in one day!
I. DWKX-In Tune with Manila
Still reeling from that party fever over the weekend in Laguna, all I want to do was to take another whole day to sleep it all off. But then I remember that I still have to attend the gathering of the “Loungers” (fans of Max FM’s noontime program, The Lounge) the next day.
I arrived around a quarter before 10 at the 15th floor of Jollibee Plaza, the most un-“Jollibee”-ish building I’ve ever seen among all JFC-owned buildings. Thinking I was late, I was surprised to learn that I’m the first guy to arrive. The rest came an hour later starting with Drin, then Bhunnie and Lyn, after that Steph and her mom and later, the president of our organization, Mark Allen. Liza came in later. Then came the sudden realization that I’m the youngest of the pack.
I finally got to meet some of the DJ’s of Max, including Scarlet (Madam S), Zip Cody, Bryan Scott, and HTown. I also saw Tony Spark but he was in a hurry though to leave so I never got to greet him right away. Maybe next time? 😀
The food was awesome: pancit, donuts, puto, and CAKE! Boy was I stuffed!
We took some pictures inside the station, including the booth itself. Dim-lighted but not too dark.
The word of the visit: “Amelia“
II. DWLL-Sounds Good!
I’m not much of a listener for Mellow 94.7 but when I chanced upon the station I would listen to it sometimes. Although as a little boy the helpers in our house would tune in when the station used to be The Mellow Touch. One voice I still remember during their Mellow Touch days was Chris. He forms one half of C&C Music Factory with Chloe. Unfortunately, he was absent during the show by the time me and the guys went on to gatecrash on the stations based in Paragon Plaza in Mandaluyong.
The first DJ we met is Ingrid who hosts the show preceding C&C, The Afternoon Cruise. This is probably one of the few Mellow shows that I know of besides the former and Sunday in Time.
Ingrid looks like Nina the singer, also nice and lovely. Afterwards, we headed off to get inside the booth, which is jampacked with fans of Mellow. Inside, we saw stacks of CD’s and what looks like records piled in shelves behind where Chloe is sitting.
Word of the visit: “Sounds good!“
III. DWTM-Today’s Best Music
Magic is leading the pack, ’nuff said. I got to tell you, I have have a crush on two of the lady DJ’s over at 89.9: Grace Lee and Andi9. Security in Paragon was lax so it was easy for many of us to go inside.
Upon entry Top 5@5 with Andi9 and Jessica was still on. We were able to gain netry inside the booth and was surprised to see THE ANDI MANZANO! Jessica is just as pretty as well, ’cause she looks like a courtside reporter (actually: she is).
Later, we caught up with two-thirds of Boys Night Out: Slick Rick and Sam YG. Tony Toni is somewhere and he won’t be back until further notice. I remember last year, BNO fans were clashing against the Brewsters, loyal subejcts of DWRT’s The Brewrats. The “un-feaud” ended after both shows made guest appearances to each other’s radio stations.
The word of the visit: Yeah men!
IV. DWRT-The Rhythm of the City
Last station to visit was 99.5RT. I haven’t been visiting for quote sometime now so I thought that it’s high-time to check what’s going on inside 906-B Paragon Plaza.
Considering the clock has yet to strike 6, I thought Inka who usually mans the booth from 3-6pm to is around. Got disappointed upon learning she got sick but good thing Ron Valentine was around to pinch-hit for her. (That reminds me of the day before: Inka’s famous dad, Jeremiah Junior got hit with laryngitis so he can’t speak in his usual cheerful self for 24k Weekend last Sunday. He made up for it by donning a deeper voice.)
Eventually, the hosts of the next show arrives: Sam Oh and Gibb. Sam Oh very friendly and bubbly, Gibb is frank and funny. The two of them make such good chemistry.
The word of the visit: “Inka is sick“
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It’s been one heck for a whirlwind ride for me. I got to meet new friends, see old faces as well as new ones and get to be inside more than 2 radio stations in one day! (Breaking the record of having been in 2 stations a year ago: RT and Magic.)
Hanggang sa uulitin!
Next Part: Quake-Drill Encoding
