|
By Maria Nikka Garriga and Judith Sancha, Special
to the Manila Times
 |
 |
|
Magic 89.9’s Junior Jocks
of 2008.
Photo by Pix Republik Studios |
Today’s era of technology has dubbed radio a
dying industry. From Ipod’s, multimedia cell phones and unlimited
access to the World Wide Web, everyone just went crazy over these
innovations that offer instant entertainment with their newest
designs and specifications.
So when it comes to music and convenience, radio
may faces new competition compared to how it was a few decades ago.
However, the airwaves are still alive and kicking with the next
generation of talents ready to revivify this dynamic industry!
There is one thing radio has that gadgets or
other alternatives for radio doesn’t: entertaining disk jockeys
with wonderful voices that provide everyone with not just the usual
genre of music—but even the latest updates that your widget
can’t possibly feed you. Here is a radio program of brilliant,
young teens that enliven today’s airwaves and may soon take over
as the next generation of the radio industry.
The Junior Jocks Program of Magic 89.9 is based
on giving people experience by teaching them the basics and know
how’s behind working and operating a radio show. CJ Rivera, also
known as DJ CJ on-air, heads the student DJ program. “The program
started when I took over. It was formerly known as Campus Patrol.
James Bang and I wanted a fresh start for the program, so we thought
a new name would go with it,” he said.
Tin Gamboa, or DJ Suzie as she is known on-air,
came from the Junior Jocks program last year. And now besides being
a DJ for Magic’s The Big Meal, Saturday Slam and the Magic 30, she
also helps educate the DJ hopefuls. “Magic has the best DJ’s
around. What we promise in JJ [Junior Jocks] is a fun and memorable
experience; molding them to be the best DJ’s in the industry like
Mo Twister, Boom Gonzales, Sam Y. G,” she said.
Junior Jocks cater to individuals who show
interest and talent in becoming disc jockeys. Some of the aspiring
student DJ’s in this year’s program is JJ Dale, whose real name
is Joshua Ylaya, a junior multimedia arts student; JJ Tyler, also
known as Nikko Angelo Ramos, another junior from the University of
the Philippines-Los Baños; pre-medicine student JJ Nestle, or
Malyzon Nestle Garcia in real life and JJ Jessica, or Jessica
Mendoza, a communications student from the Ateneo De Manila
University.
Popoli: What are some of your experiences during
the audition for the Junior Jocks?
Tyler: “It was difficult thing to describe
because it happened so quick. A friend of mine told me a day before
about the auditions. We were fortunate because when we got there,
there was not so much in the line. So, I had my interview easily. I
got told I was in.”
Popoli: What is it like that you’re actually a
part of the program?
Dale: “It’s like on TV, it’s just that
you’re not in the camera. You’re involved in music, with
entertainment and how to operate shows.”
Nestle: “With Magic, they give us more
exposure, the people there train us personallly and we learn a lot
of things. It’s a fun station.”
Jessica: “Being a Junior Jock, it’s more
than just training, like talking on air; you have to learn how to
work with the console.”
Popoli: What are some advantages you get as a
Junior Jock and as a student?
Jessica: “All my classmates were taking up
Journalism major so all of them were into writing. With Magic, it
helps me with the other part of it—broadcasting.”
Tyler: “Some people may argue that this is a
destruction to your academics. But the Junior Jocks program actually
helps me a lot [in my studies]. Magic 89.9 is a very important
environment, very light, very young and they value education very
highly.”
Nestle: “It helps me be more versatile.”
Popoli: What can you advice for those aspiring
individuals who want to be in the career you are right now?
Jessica: “Know your music. Know the popular
music and artists. Practice reading out loud. You need to be updated
not only with the current events but with other things to talk about
such as sports. Even though I am not that sporty, I need to be
updated. You have to be energetic. Magic loves energetic personality
and being just you.”
From just mere listeners to being the ones
listened to, these group have gone far as to actually becoming part
of the radio station they have always loved. “The program is both
fun and enriching. It is a dream come true from both the members and
our station. It’s a testament on how radio shoot should be
inspiring and fun,” DJ CJ added.
“I’m very proud of our Junior Jock program.
This year alone, over 300 students from the top schools in Manila
auditioned and this batch is extremely talented. It only shows how
radio is alive and part of the lifestyle of today’s youth,” says
Andrew Santiago, station manager of Magic 89.9. “It will be an
exciting year. We plan to change the face of radio and I’m happy
these students are a driving force behind the magic.”
Sure, music lovers definitely pay a worthy price
to have gizmos provide them with music and entertainment by just
rotating a finger or clicking on a button. However, one can agree
that free radio is still what regular commuters and drivers turn to
when stuck in the daily rush-hour traffic not just for free
music—but news or traffic reports.
And with Magic’s Junior Jocks, listeners can
find a reason to stay tuned to a group of smart and witty disk
jockeys playing good music, giving updates and sharing to the world
what today’s youth has to offer. (To know more about the Junior
Jocks, visit their multiply site at www.juniorjocks899.multiply.com
or listen on air every Saturday, 12 noon-2 p.m. at Magic 89.9 www.magic899.fm).
|
