Every August 17, I find myself looking back at a chapter of my life that I will forever treasure.
It was sometime in July 1995 when Sir Perry Pangan formally introduced me to Sir Levy Laus. At that time, the plan was to formally open the radio station in San Fernando under the name Radio World Broadcasting Corporation, with the frequency 95.1 FM.
Our first meeting with Sir Levy remains vivid in my memory.
I can still hear his words:
“Telakad ke ing radyo para Mika boses la reng Kapampangan king national para isalba taya ing Pampanga king lahar threat. Kailangan magmasigla tamu para Mika engineering intervention to save Pampanga.”
That statement captured the very reason why Sir Levy put up the radio station.
He wanted radio to be more than entertainment.
He wanted it to be the voice of Pampanga.
On August 17, 1995, exactly 31 years ago today, RW 95.1 FM was formally inaugurated on Sir Levy’s birthday.
And for me, that was the beginning of one of the most meaningful chapters of my media life.
Radio in the Middle of the Lahar Crisis
The birth of RW 95.1 FM came at a critical time for Pampanga.
The province was still struggling with the devastating effects of the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Lahar continued to threaten communities, homes, livelihoods and the future of Pampanga.
Around the same period, the Save San Fernando Movement and Save Pampanga Movement became strong voices calling attention to the province’s plight.
I remember how the people of Pampanga were fighting for their communities and their future.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos eventually allocated funds for the construction of what became known as the FVR Mega Dike, stretching from Porac toward Bacolor, a major engineering intervention designed to protect communities from the continuing threat of lahar.
Radio became part of that fight.
RW 95.1 FM, together with the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), helped monitor the movement of lahar coming from upstream of the Pasig-Potrero River.
A handheld radio frequency was stationed at Delta 5, allowing us to monitor developments on the ground.
Our call sign at RW 95.1 was “Eagle Base.”
And I became “Eagle Patrol,” or “Eagle One,” the field reporter.
Sir Levy’s call sign was “Flying Eagle.”
Those were more than call signs.
They became part of our identity during one of the most difficult periods in Pampanga’s history.
The Eagle Patrol
Whenever I think about those days, one person immediately comes to mind — Sir Paul Laus.
Paul was my driver of the Eagle Patrol vehicle during our lahar coverage.
Later, his call sign became “628,” together with his friends Nhatt and Milo.
We went where the story was.
We monitored the rivers, the lahar flows and the communities at risk. We reported what we saw and what we heard.
There were long nights.
There were moments of fear.
There were times when we did not know what the next hour would bring.
But we stayed on the air.
Because people were listening.
People needed information.
And somehow, radio became a lifeline.
The Birth of “Talakayan”
RW 95.1 FM also became home to one of the programs that I remember most fondly — “Talakayan.”
It was the station’s news and current affairs program, bringing together voices that mattered to Pampanga.
It was hosted by veteran broadcaster Perry Pangan, the late Art San Pedro, and Atty. Atlee Viray.
Then came Max Sangil, Boy Santiago, and later Albert Lacanlale.
There were so many people who helped build the station in those early years.
Among the pioneers I remember were Dalsa Montalban, Yolly Liwanag and Anna Gonzalez.
On music and programming, there was Nicollete Mostajo.
On the technical side were Cris Aquino, Ricky Punzalan, Larry and Elaine.
And who could forget the ever-loyal errand boy, Roel Miranda, who remains with the station to this day?
Each of them became part of the RW story.
Each left a footprint.
And Then There Was Mam Tess
But there is one memory that always warms my heart.
Mam Tess Laus.
During those difficult days — especially whenever a typhoon was approaching and the rest of us had to stay inside the radio station overnight to monitor the lahar situation — Mam Tess would come and bring food for the staff.
It may sound like a simple gesture.
But in those days, it meant so much.
While we were busy with microphones, radios, reports and monitoring, she was making sure that nobody went hungry.
That was the Laus family.
They did not make us feel like employees.
They made us feel like family.
My Second Family
Looking back now, I realize that RW 95.1 FM was not simply a radio station for me.
It was a school.
It was a newsroom.
It was a battlefield.
It was a community.
And most of all, it was family.
Sir Levy Laus and his family became my second family.
They were instrumental in my journey in media, together with my ninong and mentor, Sir Perry Pangan.
Whatever I became in broadcasting and journalism, a part of that story will always lead me back to that first meeting in July 1995.
Back to Sir Levy.
Back to Eagle Base.
Back to Eagle Patrol.
Back to the long nights of lahar monitoring.
Back to Talakayan.
Back to the people who believed that radio could give Pampanga a stronger voice.
31 Years Later
Today, August 17, RW 95.1 FM marks 31 years since that day in 1995 when Sir Levy’s dream became a reality.
But this anniversary is also bittersweet.
Sir Levy is no longer here to celebrate his birthday with us.
So today, I celebrate him from the heart.
Happy, happy birthday in heaven, Sir Levy.
And to RW 95.1 FM — Happy 31st anniversary.
Thank you for the memories.
Thank you for the friendship.
Thank you for the lessons.
Thank you for giving a young broadcaster like me the opportunity to become part of something bigger than ourselves.
Thirty-one years have passed, but whenever August 17 comes, I still hear the voices from Eagle Base.
I still remember the Eagle Patrol.
I still remember Sir Paul behind the wheel.
I still remember Talakayan.
I still remember Mam Tess bringing food during those long, sleepless nights.
And most of all, I still remember Sir Levy saying that radio should give Pampanga a voice.
That voice continues to echo.
And for me, it always will.
Happy birthday in heaven, Sir Levy Laus.
Happy 31st anniversary, RW 95.1 FM.
From your Eagle One — with gratitude, love and memories that will last a lifetime. DENG PANGILINAN