Bombo Radyo Philippines

Bombo Radyo Philippines is one of the largest radio networks in the Philippines spanning across 20 major provinces. It is a conglomeration of three smaller radio networks--Newsounds Broadcasting Network, Inc. (NSBN) in Mindanao, Consolidated Broadcasting System (CBS) in Visayas, and People's Broadcasting Service (PBS) in Luzon.

Bombo Radyo's slogan

• Bombo Radyo Philippines - Basta Radyo, Bombo!
• Bombo Radyo Philippines - The #1 Radio Network in the Country!
• Bombo Radyo Philippines - Ang Pambansang Radyo ng Pilipinas! (The Philippines' National Radio)

Bombo Radyo

Bombo Radyo Philippines AM division, although not having a station in the capital city of Manila (but maintaining a news central in Makati), is by far consistently strong in ratings particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Its flag ship station, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, based in Iloilo City, has been enjoying the prestige honor of consistently being the number one radio station since its inception during the 1970s. The Bombo Radyo brand has been closely associated with fearless commentaries and controversial exposes against prominent and powerful Filipino politicians, thus making it popular among the masses. ^[1]

Bombo Radyo stations

*not operating

Star FM

Bombo Radyo's FM network group, popularly known as Star FM, is equally as strong as its sister AM network group. Its flagship station based in Manila, even with the existence of a substantial number of FM stations operating and stiff competition from both ABS-CBN's and GMA Network's own networks, is the number one radio station in Metro Manila. The network's strongest market segment is with the provincial or rural people currently residing in Manila helped by its strong brand name in the provinces. Prior to 1994, Bombo Radyo managed its FM stations locally with each individual unique brand name. However this has all been changed in April 1994 when the network officially re-branded all 14 FM stations to carry the brand name Star FM and now share the same vision and objective. The re-branding proved to be successful as Star FM now enjoys strong ratings all across the country. On occasion, Star FM stations are tapped to do news gathering, especially when covering local and national elections. ^[2]

Star-FM stations

*not operating

Bombo Radyo Drama Production Center (Baguio City)

This arm of the radio network has been supplying radio soap opera series for airing at times in between its morning, noon, and evening newscasts and public affairs programs in the Luzon area, notably its Ilocano-speaking populace. Once part of DZWX Bombo Radyo Baguio, It has been spun-off in late 2007 as the Saleng Productions (Baguio City) Company ("Saleng" meaning "Pine" in the Ilocano dialect, as it is based in Baguio City). Its most famous productions were "Pagsarmingan" (Ilocano for "Looking Glass"), "Laughingly Yours, Bianong" ("Bianong" is the nickname of Fernando Ubado, one of its talents and scriptwriters), and "Doming Mabalin-Amin" (meaning "Do-It-All Doming"). The latter ended its decades-old run in 2005, when reformatting began.

They also produce special programming for Holy Week.

Significant Productions

Pagsarmingan

("Looking Glass") Hosted by senior scriptwriter/director/voice talent Remy Balderas, this program focuses on various situations, and are aimed to teach the listener words of wisdom.

Dagiti Tugot iti Dana ti Biag

("Footsteps on the Road of Life") In this program, senior scriptwriter and director Remy Balderas reads the letters (and, with the advent of SMS, text messages) of listeners in Ilocandia (the Ilocano-speaking world). These letters and SMS messages often relates the life stories of the letter/SMS sender.

Doming Mabalin-Amin

This now-classic program featured Doming, a comic artist with a wide imagination, but easily falls asleep. But when he falls asleep, he dreams lots of situations, usually involving his wife and in-laws. Since the program often focuses on his dreams, he is either the hero, antihero, extra, or observer--hence his moniker "mabalin amin," or "do-it-all."

Kapitana Orang

This is the fourth comedy series done by the production outfit, featuring the fearless, tough Barangay Captain Orang and her archenemy Torcuato (because she beat him in the elections). Drawn into their melee is Orang's son Gerald (a teacher), Torcuato's daughter Vicky (whom Orang derogatorily calls Bekay--because she is Gerald's girlfriend), her mother Lumen (who suspects that Orang is stealing Torcuato from her), and the meddling tattletale Pepito. In later episodes Pepito's rich cousin named Bartolo enters and tries to steal Orang's heart; as well as Pepito's recently adopted daughter Kimberly, who is "naughtily innocent." Most of the time Orang and Torcuato butt heads and egos, but the funny thing is that it is Orang always lays the smackdown on the (evilish) Torcuato.

Laughingly Yours, Bianong

In this program, lead scriptwriter Fernando "Bianong" Ubado reads letters from listeners, mostly problems, and he gives advice. The difference between Remy Balderas' program and his program is that the problems are taken from a funny point of view--where Bianong could see a funny side to these problems. It has recently been discontinued after running for decades (it outlived Doming Mabalin Amin).

Saripda Salvacion

This is the production outfit's attempt at a crime series, featuring a female police sergeant. Big-time criminals often boast that they could finish her off, but they always fail. However, for her, she has had some close calls...especially if the criminal is hell-bent on finishing her. There is a new story every week.

Once, There Was A Love

Obviously inspired by the song, it features situations of unforgettable love, either ending happily or otherwise. The series has a new story every week.

Ti Libro ni Apo Guido (The Book of Apo Guido)

This was perhaps the outfit's only horror-inspired series, with a new story every week. It ended its run sometime in the mid-80s.

Bombo Radyo Drama Production Center (Iloilo City)

This arm of the radio network has been supplying radio soap opera series for airing at times in between its morning, noon, and evening newscasts and public affairs programs in the Western Visayas and parts of Mindanao, notably its Ilonggo-speaking populace. Its most famous productions were "Tuyang Irmitania", "Condorilla", "Provincial Jail", "Once There was a Love", "Brandon, Alagad sang Kasuguan" among others.

Significant Productions

Tuyang Ermitania

This is Iloilo's best, longest running and most-loved comedy show. Set in Barangay Monay, this show tackles varied topics from sex to politics. Famous characters are Tiyo Tagoy and Tiya Alvina, who are constantly at war with each other, thus calling each other as Buklan ("full of boils") and Barikuson ("full of varicose veins"). Also in the cast is Ati, a business-minded native who is also a good sex counselor.

Condorilla

This show features the adventures of Peping, a ten-year old boy(which seems not to grow up since 1999) who is also the Prince Eczor of the distant planet Tabrix, who is also Condorilla. Half-condor and half-gorilla, this creature always saves the world every time it is in danger in the hands of Braga, Condorilla's eternal nemesis.

Provincial Jail

This show narrates the story of a letter-sender and how this story leads to the incarceration of some of the characters.

Once There was a Love

This is the story of every one who has fallen in love and the joy and the pain that it has caused them.

Brandon, Alagad sang Kasuguan

This is the production outfit's attempt at a crime series. It features Brandon, a strong-willed policeman whose main aim is to eradicate evil in society. This, however, had ended when the writer-director transferred to other production outfit.

Bombo Radyo Drama Production Center (Cebu City)

This arm of the radio network has been supplying radio soap opera series for airing at times in between its morning, noon, and evening newscasts and public affairs programs in Central Visayas and the entire Mindanao, notably its Cebuano-speaking populace. Its most famous productions were "Ang Taxi Driver",etc.

References

External links

• Official Website of Bombo Radyo Philippines
• Official Website of STAR FM