Radio as source of information

Radio is proving invaluable in terms of delivering information. It is a much more portable medium than other traditional media. Listeners can tune in on radio programs on-the-go whether on their phone while in transit, while driving, and in other ways. One can see the importance of radio, as an accessible source of information, in the experience of one of the avid listeners of S’bang Ka Maguindanao.

Bai Moniera sa Marhaban, this has been the tag line of Moniera when the anchor reads her text message during the program. Bai Moniera Panga, Al-Hadja, is her complete name, she lives in Barangay Salimbao (Marhaban), Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. In year 2019, she started listening to 99.0 Voice FM Cotabato, a radio station where S’bang Ka Maguindanao aired. 

“Everyday I listen to the radio to get timely news. I liked to listen from 6:00 to 7:00 in the morning, because most of the radio stations has their news and public affairs program.” Moniera said.

“Nakikinig ako nun sa radio, umaga pa lang yan at Voice FM talaga ang aking pinapakinggan, usually sa radio station na ‘to kapag 12:00 pm, may adhan, hanggang sa hinitay ko na mag-ala una ng hapon at yun narinig ko ang programang S’bang Ka Maguindanao” [I would tune in on Voice FM in the morning until 12 noon. Then I remember to wait until 1 o’clock in the afternoon to tune in on S’bang Ka Maguindanao]

When I continue listening to S’bang Ka Maguindanao, I learned a lot because the program has numerous topics and different guests who shared their knowledge and ideas on a certain issues. This program has been given me a wide-ranging of knowledge that I can use in every aspects of life, including health, education and religion.

S’bang Ka Maguindanao encouraged Bai Moniera to listen more to radio, through this medium, she can get relevant and accurate information and be well-informed on the pressing issues happen in Bangsamoro Region.

One of the episodes that stuck in her mind is when the topic is about Islam “When the leader is performing their duty in accordance to the law of Islam and fear Allah Subhanu Wa’ Taala, conflict won’t happen and peace will reign in the community” Moniera shared.

Moniera also liked the idea of Balita sa Ngayon of S’bang Ka Maguindanao. According to her, news is more accurate and relevant when you hear it from the radio.

“Ginagawa ko ng background ang programang ito, tatapusin ko muna hanggang 2:00pm bago ako matulog sa hapon” [I like to keep the program running on the background until the end of it before I take my afternoon nap].

She also emphasizes that radio still reaches people who have no Internet connection. “The power of radio to educate and inform people like me (Moniera), who have no Facebook, is just as important today and possibly for the days to come.”

S’bang Ka Maguindanao has a good point in making the program broadcast in the local language. This also encouraged Bai Moniera to listen to radio because the program used Maguindanaon dialect.