The Pseudo Expat

I was debating with myself on where, what, and how to start this mini-series of posts.

1. Radio in the Philippines limits this geographically;
2. Getting into radio is different the world over;
3. Internet radio and podcasting have changed what we listen to so my experience may be irrelevant.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

I realized that this is actually more of my way of committing to pen and paper (or shall I say electronic dots on hard drives) how it used to be when I was a jock, i.e. broadcast announcer/dj/morning show host. Sort of like a memoir slash guideline for anyone who might be interested to… listen.

You might find something useful. That, or I’ll have at least downloaded all that’s been inside my mind since leaving the FM band in 2003. It’s been four years so it’s starting to get fuzzy in me.

People used to ask me how I got started in radio. Like a cliche, I’m embarrassed to admit I’m one of those stories wherein you end up doing something you didn’t seek. You know how that goes? The story that has a person who lives, eats and breathes a dream and it eludes them? And then there’s a person who does not go out looking for same dream and it lands in their laps? My story’s the latter.

I was eighteen and a huge fan of this radio station called 99.5RT from the time I moved to the Philippines in 1981. They played Casey Kasem’s AT 40 and had songs before all the other radio stations started playing them. True trendsetters. By the time other stations played what RT had on rotation for at least six weeks, the song was already old news to us RT loyalists. I listened to them 24/7. And became best friends with a high school acquaintance because of our shared affinity for what was once known as, the Rhythm of the City. We memorized jock schedules; obsessed over favorite jocks and songs; memorized all the programs; and knew all the newscasters’ voices.

College came and I outgrew my favorite radio station. I expanded my musical horizons and discovered the joys of New Wave (i.e. 80s British bands!) from a small, barely audible station called XB 102. Plus I started singing Iron Maiden for a band called… Angel Witch. But that’s another story.

My best friend and I were both eighteen when she decided she would pursue our forgotten dream of working in our beloved radio station. She auditioned and got in! I was happy for her but happier for myself singing Iron Maiden, The Cult and The Police.

She threw herself into training as a newscaster while I attempted to learn the bass guitar and joined band competitions with Angel Witch. One day, she asked me try out for another newscaster opening and on a whim, I did. It was 1989.

I stayed and went on to become a jock which was a rarity in those male-dominated days. She went on to become a Vice President for a large multinational bank. I kept her company during drive times and she gave me financial advice.

Lesson: Speaking clearly, audibly and pleasantly is a huge factor. It is after all o-r-a-l c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t–i-o-n. Knowing someone on the inside who can put in a good word for you and tip you off when an opening comes along is an even bigger help. Being in the right place at the right time doesn’t hurt either.

Hope this helps.