30 Years of RW 95.1 FM: For the Love of Music, Public Service and You
By Sophia “DJ Ellie” P. Velasquez
We’ve said it for so many times over the years, but it’s more than just a phrase. It’s more than just a habit of saying. It’s an invitation to something so familiar, so close to your hearts–it’s a call to come home.
And for as long as I can remember, I’d always hear it from every radio I passed by, on the road, in jeepneys, at home, or while walking around the city as a student, catching faint voices of DJs in the background, never even knowing then that one day, I’d be part of it all. And now that I am? How wonderful it is to belong to something this beautiful.
For the past years, every anniversary has been a chance to show our gratitude, but it’s no easy feat reaching the 30th mark. It’s something else. It’s a testament of how far we’ve come–the dark days of lahar rampage, calamities hitting the province, and the long stretch of COVID-19 pandemic–RW 95.1 FM stood strong through it all. These are ever changing times, but some things still endure like radio, stories, beautiful music, and you. So much of our journey was possible because you chose to trust and stay with us. That’s the kind of faith and loyalty you don’t see just anywhere.
We are humbled to have been recognized with multiple KBP Golden Dove Awards for Best Provincial FM Station in the country in 2011, 2016, and 2019. In 2007, we earned a national distinction as the Best FM Station in the Philippines, besting even the capital’s largest networks. Often times, it makes us wonder, maybe we’ve done something really good. Maybe we’ve managed to stay grounded in our purpose to always serve and connect with you–like those heavy mornings where you don’t feel like getting up but then you hear a song that spoke to you. Or maybe it was all those afternoons that never seemed to end, stuck in traffic or weighed down by the day, where you couldn’t wait to get home to your kids and family when you heard a voice on the radio, saying something exactly what you needed to hear during those moments you felt vulnerable.
But maybe it’s not just about the bad days, too. RW 95.1 FM has brought people together through fun celebrations, staging full scale concerts of household names in the region and bringing AniberSAYA sa Barangay in different parts of Pampanga as part of keeping the spirit of community and camaraderie alive. That even when the weather wasn’t exactly on our side, you chose to stay because in those moments, you saw a glimmer of hope and joy, that life could still be good even if it surprises you in the most unexpected ways.
“Palagi kaming nakikinig sa inyo”, is what you often tell us. And with every broadcast, we hold it close to our hearts. We try to reciprocate the same kind of love through words and music. Because sometimes, the best things in life don’t have to be grand. It doesn’t have to be something big or fancy. Sometimes, it’s just doing the usual things you do, listening to the familiar voice on the radio, the anthems of your life and childhood. Sometimes, It’s the comfort of knowing that someone’s on the other side, talking and listening to you, even if you’ve never met.
RW 95.1 FM was built from a dream: one that belonged to our late founder, Mr. Levy P. Laus. His vision and belief on the power of local broadcast were bigger than any of us could’ve ever imagined. Thirty years later, it has become a staple in every household–a home to stories often left untold, and a stepping ground to young voices, eager to thrive in the industry. We carry his purpose and legacy, always with pride and honor.
It’s also more than just a commitment to be here. It’s a whole team of dedicated, passionate individuals pouring their hearts into everything they do–from anchors and radio jocks to admin, sales and marketing, production and programming, finance, and technical teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes, all for the love of service and community, to uplift, to entertain, and to show up for you. We celebrate them too.
And now, we’re even stronger. We’re staying true to that same purpose as Radioworld Broadcasting Corporation: Reaching Beyond Channels. We don’t stop here. We keep going.
Thank you for letting us do all of that for you. Thank you for making the past 30 years possible. Thank you for being with us.
As Freddie Mercury once sang it best, we hope you never leave, old friend. Even in the years to come, in spite of the media landscape continuously evolving and new stations rising, when someone sings “Radio, someone still loves you”, we hope that it’s still you.
We are deeply honored to celebrate life and music, to serve the community, and to connect with you, our dearest cabalens.
This is RW 95.1 FM. Nukarin Ka Pa? Keni Na Ka!
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About the Writer
DJ Ellie hosts Fine Tunes on RW 95.1 FM, weekdays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A lover of music, musicals, and books, she pairs heartfelt conversations with a mix of old school favorites and today’s most loved hits, making the perfect soundtrack for your afternoon wind down.