Campus-based radio makes waves
Station. We had the chance to visit the small studio of what is now known as Cebu’s very first campus-based broadcast station. While it is located within the Mandaue City College (MCC) campus in Barangay Basak-Canduman, dyPC 91.8 FM is being heard not only within the school vicinity but also in areas outside of it. We learned from MCC president Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete that this station’s crystal-clear signal also covers the rest of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities, the towns of Consolacion, Compostela and Cordova and even some portions in Cebu’s mid-west area like Toledo City and the towns of Balamban, Pinamungahan, Tuburan and Asturias.
Broadcasters. We also gathered from Cañete that dyPC 91.8 FM, while broadcasting on the frequency modulation (FM) band, is adopting the amplitude frequency (AM) programming format. It means it offers public service programs like news and public affairs, commentary or opinion talk shows as well as music and entertainment presentations. Handling different programs are some of Cebu’s veteran broadcasters such as Dr. Emy Bustillo, lawyer Vic Biaño, Dr. Ondo Mantilla, George “King” Suazo, Dr. Russel Fullosos, Roger Cimafranca, Tony Villanueva, Romy Limpangog and Dr, Cañete himself. We also offered to handle a program but this is still subject to discussion with him.
Salute. We salute Cañete for his initiative in putting up this campus-based broadcast station as MCC’s humble contribution to serve the community. Yes, it is the college that operates and manages dyPC 91.8 FM but it is through Cañete’s desire and passion to widen and strengthen MCC’s standing and image as the “real” city college in Mandaue that emboldened him to set up this broadcast outfit. As we all know, there’s another MCC in the city but we need not discuss the controversial issue here.
Television. In our one-on-one talk, Cañete sounded ambitious when he told us that he also intends to set up a television station soon, also to be operated and managed by MCC that he is heading. But knowing his determination and zeal to achieve whatever he wants to accomplish, we are confident that his dream of running what will soon be known as Cebu’s, if not the country’s, very first campus-based television station is easily realized. He has been unfairly assailed in the past but Cañete did not surrender. We wish him good luck as he continues to involve himself in media by setting up dyPC 91.8 FM—and soon the television station that we understand is now on the planning stage.
Deadline. Attention, local songwriters. You have until Sept. 16 to submit your entries to next year’s 34th Cebu Popular Music Festival. Please be aware that there are three categories/genres open: (1) ballad and pop ballad, (2) folk, country and novelty and (3) upbeat and dance music. Allentries must be submitted to the University of the Visayas Alumni Office. Screening of all entries is on Sept. 21.