‘Ang Maestro,’ a different breed of radio program

“…But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate…” –Mark 10:6-9

For Filipinos who long for a different breed of radio program, one that offers analysis and discussion of history and its impact and relevance to the present generation (and succeeding generations), I recommend “Ang Maestro: The Unfinished Revolution,” or “Ang Maestro,” which airs Monday to Friday, from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., on Radyo ng Pilipinas Uno 738 kHz (formerly Radyo ng Bayan). It also airs live on Facebook.

The program features former Quezon City Mayor Brigido Simon, Jr., multimedia personality Herman Tiu Laurel, historical commentator Ado Paglinawan, broadcaster Juvy De Guzman, and movie director and columnist Mauro Gia Samonte. Their show is different because the on-air personalities regularly discuss history “from the point of view of the other side” (the side the mainstream media often ignores).

One such example is the country’s colorful and economically satisfactory relationship with Chinese traders, which preceded the western colonizers who descended upon the country and imposed Christianity.

The program offers history context to the country today

Using the Chinese example, the hosts show Filipinos should not fear the Chinese. They believe President Rodrigo Duterte is on the right track in pursuing friendly relations with

China, notwithstanding the on-going misunderstanding regarding land in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in relation to possible “joint oil exploration.” The “Ang Maestro” personalities believe joint oil exploration would be beneficial for the Philippines, which, if oil is found, prices would fall and the country could profit off the newlydiscovered resource.

With regard to brownouts, the show blames the matter on former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Benigno S. Aquino III, her son, due to their staunch opposition to the Bataan nuclear power plant, primarily because it was built during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Their decision leaves the country with an unaffordable and insufficient power source.

Congratula ons to my nephew Jus n Bambico Mauricio, the eldest son of my brother Philip, and Angelie Deolan, who were married yesterday at the St. Michael’s Cathedral in Iligan City, Mindanao.

The two met eight years ago as sports excellence students at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, where they learned they were each chosen by God to be partners. Their love developed into something beau ful under the love, care, and protec on of God.

The Mauricio and Bambico families of Tarlac, the Deolan family of Cebu and Iligan City, along with friends and other families were all happy to witness their marriage. As the Tagalogs would put it, “Pagkahaba-haba man ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.” In terms of the couple, the procession (their rela onship) was long and it led straight to the church (for their wedding).

We pray for the continuing presence of Jesus, our God and Savior who is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for Justin and Angelie, and for their soon-to-be offspring. Amen.

Watch and listen to “Ang Tanging Daan,” a Bible exposi on and prayer session that runs 24/7 and is broadcast in English and Filipino. The show airs live on Facebook at facebook. com/angtangingdaan. Please send reac ons to 0917‐984‐ 2468, 0933‐825‐1308, 0977‐ 805‐9058, or via email at batasmauricio@yahoo. com./WDJ