DWRR-FM

DWRR-FM (101.9 FM) – branded as MOR 101.9 For Life! – is a 24-hour music radio station of ABS-CBN, and is also the flagship FM station of My Only Radio Network in the Philippines.

It was founded in 1956 as one of the radio stations of Chronicle Broadcasting Network (ABS-CBN). It was revived in 1986 and reformatted several times, it is broadcast live throughout the Philippine archipelago, and throughout the world via The Filipino Channel (TFC). The studios are located at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Sgt. Esguerra Ave., Cor Mo. Ignacia St., Diliman, Quezon City and its 22.5 kW transmitter is located at the Eugenio Lopez Center, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal.

History

DZYL-FM, DZYK-FM, DWWK and OK 101 BBC Radio 101.9 FM (1956–1986)

DZYL-FM 102 MHz, later named DZYK-FM 102.1 MHz, is the first FM radio station in the Philippines and sole FM station of the former Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN). DZYK-FM was founded in 1956 and played oldies music and the latest songs of that time. In 1957, CBN bought Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) resulting in a merger under the name Bolinao Electronics Corporation, later named ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation in 1967. Staffed by eight DJs, DZYK-FM 102.1 MHz was popularized to listeners in Metro Manila area. DZYK-FM remained as the FM radio station of ABS-CBN until the station was forced off the air by Ferdinand Marcos under martial law.

When martial law was declared in 1972, DZYK-FM along with ABS-CBN's two TV channels and six AM radio stations in Manila were shut down under strict censorship. The FM station was taken over by Roberto Benedicto and changed to DWOK-FM (as OK 101.9) of the Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation, which had aired in 1973 as DWWK, a jazz format radio station. It wad staffed by Jing Magsaysay, Wayne Enage, Ed Picson, Dody Lacuna, Ronnie Malig, Pinky Villarama and Ronnie Quintos. DWOK is an AM-formatted FM station which features news, public service programs, and music from the 1950s to the 1970s. Helen Vela also came to the station in 1984 with her counselling program Lovingly Yours, Helen. However, DWOK, DWAN and BBC-2 had been dissolved since the government-controlled radio and TV stations were stormed by reformist rebels. It was given back to ABS-CBN after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, and returned on the air as DWKO, though on test broadcast.

Knock Out Radio 101.9 DWKO-FM (1986–1987)

The fall of the Marcos Regime brought about the return of ABS-CBN. In July 1986, then newly formed Presidential Commission on Good Governance turned two radio stations, DWWW (under 630 kHz) and DWOK-FM, over to ABS-CBN from Marcos ally Roberto Benedicto. DWOK (the former FM station of Benedicto-owned Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation) changed its callsign to DWKO and resumed broadcasting four months later. Lito Balquiedra Jr., Vice-President for Radio, spearheaded the return of the giant network to the local broadcasting scene. The station's former disc jockey Peter Musngi (then known as Peter Rabbit has worked Knock-Out Radio 101.9 and Zoo FM 101.9) has been the network's voice-over sjnce the reopening in 1986. The slogan of the station is "Panalo Ka Talaga!", voiced by Peter Musngi.

The network started recruiting both experienced and new employees and DJs. Prior to the adoption of masa format, all FM stations are English based with the use of the English language during the 1980s and 1990s. After days of careful planning and a period of test broadcast, DWKO was born – the first ever FM radio station with an AM format, carrying the name Knock-Out Radio 101.9 in October 1986 (a month after the re-airing of ABS-CBN on channel 2) and playing the hits during that time. Since then, KO-Radio has aired Pinoy hits from singers of the 1970s and 1980s such as Rico J. Puno, Yoyoy Villame, APO Hiking Society. When it was debuted, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) stars like Gary V, Regine Velasquez, Janno Gibbs and Donna Cruz, and Christmas songs are also debuted there. DWKO-FM was re-changed after its broadcast ended on February 28, 1987 as DZOO.

Zoo FM 101.9 (1987–1989)

On March 1, 1987 (following The Star Network era), the station reformatted and became known as Zoo FM 101.9 (DZOO-FM) Hayop Talaga! (manned by a group of eight DJs) which is best known for its diamond logo and a slightly uptrend pop sound led to the introduction of OPM and disco hits. It was also served as the home of OPM stars like Gary V, Randy Santiago, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid and others. Due to its popularity, Zoo FM 101.9 introduced OPM songs both in disco and love songs which were used after the implementation of Executive Order No. 255 by President Corazon Aquino and made as requested favorites among listeners from morning to evening, because Zoo FM is being competed with other FM stations such as 97.1 WLS-FM (now Barangay LS 97.1), 99.5 RT (now 99.5 Play FM), Magic 89.9, 89 DMZ (now Wave 89.1), NU 107 (now Wish 1075) and more. But because of a massive competition from the rival DWLS, Zoo FM 101.9's DJs and staff are decided to end broadcasting having faltered from DWLS's dominant listener ratings (and with GMA-7's TV ratings uprisings, despite the uprising being cut short in 1988 by the resurgence of ABS-CBN and the network being catapulted to first place in the TV industry) in January 1989. Two years later, DZOO-FM was signed off as it ended its broadcasting on the night of July 31, 1989 (at 11:00 pm), in order for the station to change its call letters to DWRR-FM. Listeners and DJs bade goodbye to Zoo FM which gave its final broadcast, and with the last song, "Farewell" by Raymond Lauchengco.

101.9 Radio Romance (1989–1996)

On the morning of August 1, 1989 (at 6:00 am), it reformatted again and this time it became popularly known as 101.9 Radio Romance, hence the initials RR, playing all easy-listening love songs, manned by all-female jocks (fewer male jocks are also added). That year also signaled the station's first nationwide reach when 103.1 MHz Baguio simulcasted its signals, ensuring travelers from Manila to as far north as Ilocos Sur, uninterrupted listening of its programs. At the same time, OPM songs are also played on DWRR to produce its weekend OPM program every Sunday.

"Radio Romance" became a title of the movie and a theme song of the station composed by Jose Mari Chan during its popularity. On April 28, 1996 Radio Romance signed-off due to to its station reformat.

WRR 101.9 All the Hits, All the Time! and WRR 101.9 For Life! (1996–2005)

On April 29, 1996, WRR regenerated itself into a mainstream pop music station branded WRR 101.9 All the Hits, All the Time! in response to growing trend of "masa" radio or FM radio for the masses launched by 102.7 Star FM a year earlier. This format plays not only love songs, but also dance and rock hits. On November 2, 1998, it changed to WRR 101.9 For Life! giving life to listeners with entertainment.

Alam Mo Na Yan! 101.9 For Life!, and Bespren! 101.9 For Life! (2005–2009)

In July 2005, DWRR-FM's on-air personalities had dropped the station call letters (WRR) and would just say Alam Mo Na 'Yan! 101.9 For Life! (You Already Know It! 101.9 For Life!) lasting from July 2005 to October 2008. In November 2008, the station went another rebrand as Bespren! 101.9 For Life! (Bestfriend! 101.9 For Life!).

The station had its last broadcast under the 101.9 For Life! brand on September 19, 2009 and underwent a transition period playing automated music in preparation for a relaunch of DWRR-FM's new branding on October 1, 2009. However, due to the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in Manila, the station rebrand was postponed for almost a month. For the time being, DWRR-FM temporarily went under the name "ABS-CBN 101.9 FM" or simply "101.9".

The postponed relaunch was set on November 4, 2009. Prior to the announcement of the launch date, the station's DJs began providing live spiels again every top of the hour since October 12. But as part of the ongoing transition, the disc jockeys had limited their use of the neither the "Bespren" nor the "For Life!" slogan and no longer mention the format of the station's SMS syntax except the text hotline itself.

Tambayan 101.9 (2009–2013)

The former logo of Tambayan 101.9 from November 4, 2009-May 2013.

Some logo used in Tambayan TV when the station was named as 101.9

On November 4, 2009 at 9:00pm, there was a broadcast about the history of DWRR. After that, it relaunched as Tambayan 101.9 (tambayan is the Tagalog word for hangout) starting with the theme song & live debut at a venue in Makati. Tambayan 101.9 launched its video streaming called Tambayan TV where DJs are seen live from the booth. In between songs playing, some information plugs were seen (such as Tambayan's Slumbook). Just like DZMM Teleradyo, plugs were also aired during commercial gaps. Tambayan TV is aired 24 hours over the Internet.

The station was also launched via HD Radio technology.^[1]

In May 2013, ABS-CBN Corporation decided to drop the Tambayan brand and revert to the name "ABS-CBN 101.9 FM" or "101.9", due to management decision and signifying another rebranding of the station.

MOR 101.9 My Only Radio For Life! (2013–present)

On July 8, 2013 at midnight, 101.9 rebranded as MOR 101.9 My Only Radio For Life!.^[2] Regular programming began at 5:00am, with Joco Loco, Maki Rena & Eva Ronda as the first jocks to go on board. The DJs from WRR 101.9 For Life! like Toni, China Heart (now Chinapaps), Reggie Valdez (now Reggie V.), Martin D. and Geri (now Ms. M) were still part of the on-air team. The DJs from Tambayan 101.9 like Charlie (now Papi Charlz), Jasmin (later Baby Basha, then Baby Girl Jasmin, now Jasmin once again), Arnold Rei (later Popoy Bibbo, now Popoy), Gigilicious Bea (now Bea), ChaCha (later ChaCha Babes, now ChaCha once again) and Onse were still part of the station. The rebranding of this station now creates a unified brand for ABS-CBN's FM radio stations nationwide, which are under the MOR station brand. This also reverts the slogan of the station's second incarnation of "For Life" which was first used during the WRR 101.9 For Life! era.

The rebranding proved to be hugely successful, as the live concert of the station during the Grand Kapamilya Weekend on October 5–6 as part of ABS-CBN's 60th anniversary was crowded by many people, and with the rebranding, the station posed as very serious competition to many masa stations in the Mega Manila market. Within the first 6 months from July to December 2013, the station ranked as the No. 1 FM station in Mega Manila based from the Kantar Media and KBP Radio Research Council survey, battling competitor stations– including 90.7 Love Radio and 101.1 YES! FM (both owned by Manila Broadcasting Company; ranked as No. 1 and 2, respectively)–into the top FM stations in the market.

MOR has also organized special events, including the MOR Pinoy Music Awards and launching new books as popularised by MOR's top-rating programs Dear MOR with Popoy and Jasmin (which became the first radio drama to be aired on FM radio, and setting the trend of broadcasting radio dramas on the FM band) and Heartbeats with Chacha.^[3]

Awards

• 16th KBP Golden Dove Awardee, Best Radio DJ for Martin D.
• 14th KBP Golden Dove Awardee, Best Variety Show Host for Laila.
• 13th KBP Golden Dove Awardee for Outstanding FM Radio Station.
• 13th KBP Golden Dove Awardee for Texter's Choice FM Station – Luzon
• 12th KBP Golden Dove Awardee for Best Radio Station.
• Recognized as the Number 1 Radio Station in Metro Manila based on the 2002 KBP-RRC Survey.
• Station of the Year in the 2002 Dangal ng Pilipinas-Consumer's Choice Awards.
• Best Public Service Ad (Pinoy, Ang Galing Mo!) in the 2002 Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Theme music

• As Radio Romance 101.9, the jingle was composed and sung by Jose Mari Chan, used from November 6, 1995 to April 28, 1996.
• In 1998, the "For-Life" jingle was launched. This was sung by Jolina Magdangal-Escueta and Jimmy Bondoc. This also had other shorter versions by various recording artists, having used until March 6, 2004.
• A re-hashed version was used from March 7, 2004 to September 18, 2005 by Heart Evangelista-Escudero and Erik Santos.
• On September 19, 2005 the station launched a new and hip station jingle courtesy of Vhong Navarro on vocals using the slogan Alam Mo Na 'Yan! in the lyrics, used until August 31, 2007.
• Patti Austin sang a shorter version of the "For-Life" jingle.
• On September 1, 2007 the latest 101.9 "For-Life" jingle was launched. This newest station theme was composed by Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich (former drummer of The Eraserheads) and interpreted by Itchyworms and by Yeng Constantino-Asuncion of Pinoy Dream Academy. It was used until September 19, 2009.
• As Tambayan 101.9, the 1st version jingle was popularized by Skabetche Band and Empoy, used from November 4, 2009 to December 2010.
• In December 2010, the theme was remixed and sung by the DJs for the station's Christmas 2010 jingle, being used again in Christmas 2011.
• In January 2011, the 2nd version of the Tambayan jingle, which is a DJ-like mixed jingle, was used by the station which was done by the station's resident DJ Martin D.
• In February 2012, the 3rd version of the Tambayan jingle was a remix of the 2nd jingle which was heard on the Budots Budots program. This was the jingle used by the station until March 4, 2012, hence it was short-lived.
• From November 24, 2012 to January 6, 2013, the 2nd Tambayan Christmas jingle was sung by KZ Tandingan featuring Loonie.
• The 4th version of the Tambayan 101.9 jingle is sung by Jovit Baldivino, Yeng Constantino-Asuncion, Gloc-9 and Phylum Band, used from March 5, 2012 to May 2013.
• On July 8, 2013, together with the rebranding of station as MOR 101.9 For Life!, a new jingle & music video was launched on ASAP 18 and was performed by various artists. The 1st version of the new jingle is recorded by Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, Vice Ganda, and Daniel Padilla. The jingle was used until August 7, 2016.
• The 1st version of the MOR Christmas jingle is sung by Angeline Quinto and Juris, used from November 30, 2013 to January 5, 2014.
• The 2nd version of the MOR Christmas jingle is sung by Michael Pangilinan and Morissette Amon, used from November 17, 2014 to January 4, 2015.
• The MOR Valentine's Day Jingle in February 2015 was used.
• The 3rd version of the MOR Christmas jingle is sung by Marlo Mortel and Janella Salvador, used from November 28, 2015 to January 3, 2016.
• On August 8, 2016, the 2nd version of the MOR jingle is sung by Bailey May and Ylona Garcia.
• The 4th version of the MOR Christmas jingle is sung by CJ Navato and Kristel Fulgar, used from November 30, 2016 to January 1, 2017.

ABS-CBN FM Radio Network

MOR is also broadcast to 16 provincial stations in the Philippines.

Further information: Regional Stations

See also

• ABS-CBN (television network)
• DZMM Radyo Patrol 630
• DWWX-TV
• My Only Radio (ABS-CBN's FM radio station)
• S+A

References

External links

• Official website

Radio networks in the Philippines
Major networks	Aliw DWIZ 882 97.9 Home Radio Bombo Radyo ABS-CBN DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 MOR 101.9 Brigada News FM RGMA Network Barangay LS 97.1 Super Radyo DZBB 594 MBC DZRH Love Radio Cebu(Easy Rock) Pacific(Aksyon Radyo and Yes FM) MBSI PBC(UNTV) UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 Wish 107.5 Quest RBN RJ 100.3 DZRJ 810 AM RMN DZXL 558 93.9 iFM RPN SBN TV5 92.3 News FM UBSI
State-owned networks	PBS Radyo ng Bayan 738 IBC
Minor networks	EBC DZEC Radyo Agila 1062 Pinas FM 95.5 MBNI
Religious networks	CMN Radio Veritas 846 CEBSI INC Radio 954 DBS FEBC Philippines NDBC SMNI DZAR 1026 Sonshine Radio UCB Philippines(The Edge Radio) ZOE Broadcasting Network DZJV
Regional networks	ABS-CBN My Only Radio Radyo Patrol Apollo Pampanga CLBC Pampanga RGMA Network Super Radyo Barangay FM MBC Hot FM Radyo Natin MBI PBC Palawan PBN Bicol RadioCorp RPN Radyo Ronda SBC Zambales TV5 Radyo5 Viva/Ultimate Oomph! Radio
Campus radio networks	Adamson University Falcon Radio Station Ateneo de Manila University Magis Radio De La Salle University DWSU Green FM Silliman University Silliman NetRadio University of the Philippines DZUP DZLB DYUP UP-FM Radio University of Santo Tomas UST Tiger Radio
Internet networks	Campus Radio Online Dream FM Network MBC Aksyon Radyo U.S. My Only Radio Live Streaming Radio Pilipinas Sutton Radio
Shortwave	Radio Veritas Radyo Pilipinas
HD Radio	iFM 93.9-2 FM Top 40 Hits iFM 93.9-3 FM Classic Hits MOR 101.9-2 Hits MOR 101.9-3 Easy Listening
DTH satellite	TFC Direct! DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 MOR 101.9
Defunct	Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation