By: John Lexter Emano
K5 News FM Iloilo has come a long way over the three years since its debut in this city in 2021.
From humble beginnings, it has become a trusted voice in the community. With its unwavering passion, commitment and service to the public, the station now dominates the digital platform and airwaves in this southern city.
To celebrate this another milestone, K5 News FM Iloilo, formerly known as Radyo Bandera Iloilo, held a red and orange-themed Gala Night at Grand Xing Imperial Hotel on July 3, 2024 for its third anniversary with the theme, “Keeping the Fire Burning Through the Years”.
The grand celebration was indeed a testament of the station’s unwavering passion, commitment, and service to the public.
The big night started off with the performances of Tribu Manduriyaw, Thy Kingdom and Kultura Band.
It was followed by the entrance of the heads and station managers of the different K5 News FM stations nationwide and the powerhouse team of K5 News FM Iloilo 88.7 led by the “captain of the ship”, station manager and concurrent area manager of K5 News FM Philippines Panay and Mindanao, Rey Espeja Umalay.
Doc. Ramel Ytang Uy, the chief executive officer of 5K Broadcasting Network Inc., along with his sons, Karl Obadiah Uy and Kenneth Isaiah Uy, then made his grand entrance.
The highlight of the celebration was the station’s giving of recognitions and awards to its employees, partners, supporters, and stakeholders that contributed to the burning success of K5 News FM Iloilo through the years.
The Performance Excellence awardees are the following:
- Bronze Awardees – Nadelyn Siatong, Arnold Soqueña, Erick Cañizares, Ramelo Palec, and Nicole Tiprado.
- Silver Awardees – Karen Badilla, Jenny Rose Caoyonan, Paul Adrian Dejada, Alex Escalante, Rechel Jaca, Andrei Lapastora, Edmar Lequiña, Sonny Punay, Aaron Lloyd Refoyo, Von Carlo Sapio, Wayne Señerez, Lawrence Soliman, and Jeson Talaron.
- Gold awardees – Melmar Dela Cruz, Manilyn Palec, Eric Cordova, Andrecito Sunico, Enrico Surita Jr., Kimberly Caluyo, and Ralph Mosqueda.
Operations Excellence Awards
- Melmar Dela Cruz – Best Content Editor
- Manilyn Palec – Best Digital News Editor
- Wayne Sefierez – News Writer of the Year
- Jenny Rose Caoyonan – Event Organizer of the Year
- Andrecito Sunico and Melmar Dela Cruz – K5 Creatives Awardees
- Kimberly Caluyo – Outstanding Beat Reporter
- Ralph Mosqueda – Reporter of the Year
- Enrico Surita Jr. – Investigative Reporter of the Year
- Aaron Lloyd Refoyo – Digital News Reporter of the Year
- Gem Clare Bustamante – awarded with plaque of appreciation
Also receiving plaques of recognition were talent employees of the station: Ted Aujero Francia, John Sapio, Jun Alojado Capulot, and Matt Tajala a.k.a. “Matcho Kulit.”
Special Citation Awards were also presented to Surita (reporter), Melmar Dela Cruz (video editor), and Kimberly Caluyo, Alex Escalante and Jenny Caoyonan (researchers and content contributors).
Additionally, Human Resources Department Special Award was given to Kimberly Caluyo as the Most Competent Employee, Ralph Mosqueda (Excellent Professionalism Award), Jenny Rose Caoyonan (Most Altruistic Award), Manilyn Palec and Gem Bustamante (The Mediator Award), and Enrico Surita Jr. (Moral Commitment Award).
The station likewise granted the Loyalty Award to employees who have rendered their service in the company for more than three years: Manilyn Palec, Jeson Talaron, Alexandria Luise Escalante, and Karen Badilla.
The station also recognized the outstanding officials of Iloilo City and Iloilo Province, law enforcement agencies, support groups, sponsors, and media partners for their unwavering support and commitment to the station.
Mr. Umalay, in his message, highlighted the journey of the station that started from a dream of Doc Ramel Uy to establish a station in the land of all giant media networks —Iloilo City.
With their first mission of establishing a small digital news station, the team of six members started on March 4, 2021, and went on air for a test broadcast on July 5, 2021, marking their official day of service, at a small apartment at Swan Rose Bldg. on Commission Civil St., Jaro, Iloilo City. From that day onwards, the station underwent growth in championing and serving the Ilonggo people with their hearts.
As the story of K5 News FM Iloilo continues to unfold, we are even more eager to create memorable moments, touch more lives, and inspire the Ilonggo community in ways they never thought possible,” Umalay said.
Doc Ramel Uy, meanwhile, reminded the K5 News FM Iloilo team to stay grounded despite their success and always consider the importance of their job.
“K5 Iloilo, you are where you are right now, but do not be contented. Always be adaptive so you can never be left behind on change. Always put your head in the game and together we can strive for more,” the CEO added.
The K5 News FM also received virtual greetings from Vice President Sara Duterte, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Sonny Angara, Sen. Francis Tolentino, and Sen. Chiz Escudero. Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Trefias and Iloilo’s Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. also extended their well wishes to the station.
K5 News FM Iloilo’s 3rd Anniversary Gala Night proved that the station’s fire continues to burn brighter than ever. With an unwavering dedication to championing people’s lives and delivering quality news, public affairs, and entertainment to the Ilonggo people, K5 News FM Iloilo is poised to keep the fire burning into the future./PN
