Timow P

[Timow’s QuOP No. 34] Balitanghali and Beyond: QTV at 20 TWO DECADES AGO, on November 11, 2005, a modest yet memorable channel quietly appeared on our screens. I was in Grade 6. It didn’t demand attention with teleseryes or gossip shows. Instead, it whispered, “Quality Television.” QTV-11, later simply as Q was a GMA Network sister channel that dared to be different in a world dominated by heavy drama, slapstick, and sensationalism.

"Kwento natin 'to."

It was and it was colorful and memorable.

The “Energy” disruption: What happened, now that Papa Jackson quit as station manager? WHEN A STATION known for laughter and love stories suddenly falls silent, it sends chills through the radio dial. That’s exactly what happened at 106.7 Energy FM, once a lively hub of talk, advice, and high-voltage personality. In mid-October, listeners noticed something was wrong—the voices were gone. The jingles still played, but the energy—the essence that made the station feel alive—had vanished into endless music and ads.

It seems like the radio dial is getting a shake-up! 📻
Earlier this month, one FM program ended silently after the most popular expose (which I take great responsilbility.)
Now, another famous personality stepped down 🎙️, either quietly or with a delayed fanfare. What's going on?! 🤔
#RadioDrama

[#PHTV72] ABG: The New Media Frontier In the noisy jungle that is Philippine media, the loudest beasts—those roaring networks with decades of legacy and ego—often steal the spotlight. But if you tune your frequency a little finer, you’ll catch the hum of a quiet disruptor that’s been busy building something of its own: Prage Management Corporation (PMC), better known under its louder, glossier banner—the…

#PHTV72: ABS, though celebrating their day today, is NOT the ONLY media entity in this country. (I hope people understand that.)

Five years has passed, I think this entity needs to be appreciated with their workarounds lately.

Expectation vs. Reality: Bubble Gang’s 30th Anniversary IN THE WHIRLWIND WORLD of Philippine television, where shows often vanish as quickly as they appear, only a handful manage to etch themselves into the nation’s cultural DNA. Bubble Gang isn’t just one of them—it’s in a league of its own. For three decades, it has made Filipinos laugh, taught us new lingo, and parodied every fad and phenomenon. Since its inception, the show has been a Friday late-night staple, a perfect cap to the work week that provided necessary satirical relief.

Bubble Gang hits the big 3-0 this month 🎉

Just like turning 30 in life—expectations pile up, but reality keeps it real. 😉

#BubbleGang30 #ComedyClassic

a black and white cat with the words my god what have i done behind it ALT: a black and white cat with the words my god what have i done behind it

My blog post put a second-to-last straw of Magic 89.9's Boys Night Out last night.

I would've also written about Wave 89.1 (the R&B radio) but it will end up with a similar conclusion.

RBC Media Group: Central Luzon’s Homegrown Media Powerhouse WHILE EVERYONE'S eyes are on the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship—especially with Alas Pilipinas (as gracious host) fighting tooth and nail for national pride—and amid ongoing frustrations in national and international politics, I was left stumped. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty to write about mass media. Since I published my blog post on Magic 89.9 last month—my most viewed article in nearly 12 years—requests have been pouring in nonstop.

I have to reclaim my control of the blog.

Therefore, I'll move away from Manila radio for a moment to discuss what has happened recently in my neck of the woods.

The First 60 Days of XFM 99.5 Manila: Where It Stands and What Can Still Be Enhanced TWO MONTHS after 99.5 FM rebranded as XFM Manila, the station is revealing its true form. In July, we noted its quiet, strategic entry into Metro Manila’s crowded airwaves. Back then, XFM was in “soft opening,” with a minimal schedule and listeners wondering what would fill the gaps. After 60 days of experimentation, a few talent shake-ups, and more show launches, XFM Manila now has a clearer identity.

OK, make it more than 60 days.

[GUIDE] 2026 National Public Holidays & Leave Filing NOTHING BEATS A JET—oh wait, scratch that. This isn’t a sponsored post. What we do have is something many Filipinos look forward to every year: the official list of holidays. Yesterday, Malacañang issued Proclamation No. 1006, laying out all the national public holidays for 2026. Perfect timing for those who hoard planners, calendars, or those limited-edition coffee chain diaries (yes, the ones you exchange after downing too many holiday frappes).

[GUIDE] 2026 National Public Holidays & Leave Filing

NOTHING BEATS A JET—oh wait, scratch that. This isn’t a sponsored post. What we do have is something many Filipinos look forward to every year: the official list of holidays. Yesterday, Malacañang issued Proclamation No. 1006, laying out all the…

Smooth Jazz and Philippine Radio: Losing Rhythm? FOR YEARS, smooth jazz was more than a radio format in the Philippines—it was a cultural niche, a lifestyle, and a daily soundtrack that eased Metro Manila's traffic. But today, it seems to have lost its rhythm on the airwaves—and online. The recent closure of Crossover Radio Online, the digital successor of the legendary Crossover 105.1, marks the near extinction of the genre.

Another request post on radio. What's next, R&B?

The Underrated Success of Monster RX 93.1 to Listener(d)s WHENEVER you hear the word “success” in the world of FM radio, which stations come to mind? Most would likely say Barangay LS 97.1 or Love Radio 90.7. And that makes sense—they’ve been leading the airwaves since MOR 101.9 was shut down five years ago in a politically driven shake-up (with its orchestrator now facing trial in The Hague). With MOR unlikely to return, LS and Love have pretty much cemented their dominance.

📻 Which radio station do you think rules the airwaves—Barangay LS or Love Radio?

Sure, they’ve got the reach 🎯. But did you know there’s an underrated underdog not even registered in Kantar or Nielsen? 👀

#RadioTalk #UnderdogVibes #PinoyRadio

From Dr. Love to ‘X Rated’: Are Sexy Influencers the Future of Radio Love Advice—Yay or Nay? DJ Chacha and Erika Balagtas. The former has a lot of professionalism over the latter; when it comes to shock value, it's the opposite. Yet they both have experience on radio advice. DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS RATED SPG. A common program in local radio stations is "love advice. For decades, such shows thrived as safe spaces: anonymous callers, soothing hosts, and an audience bound by heartbreak and healing.

The following blog post is rated SPG.

(NOTE: This is the last blog post for August. No requests will be entertained until September.)

Malou Choa-Fagar, Ghost Month, and the state network’s gamble in entertainment Ah, Ghost Month. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it's when starting big ventures, signing contracts, or making major decisions is seen as asking for trouble. Elders warn against moving houses, launching businesses, or even getting a haircut—lest your soul become itchy in the afterlife. Will she stay on for a few years or for a few months? And yet here we are, on a long weekend that overlaps with the start of Ghost Month, watching the state-owned…

ICYDK: 👻 TAPE Inc's Malou Choa-Fagar is the new GM of PTV!

Announcing an entertainment program after losing Lotto to IBC? 💸 Uh-oh. Maybe wait 'til the spirits are less… restless? 😬

#GhostMonthProblems 🍀📺

(Yes, consider this as the first Ghost Month special.)

Storm over Magic 89.9: The BNO rift, management tensions, and what’s at stake for the station MAGIC 89.9 has long been a staple in Metro Manila’s FM radio scene, featuring a mix of music, entertainment, and personality-driven shows. But last July, the station found itself embroiled in a controversy spilling over into social media and the broader entertainment press. Classified as B-tier in our July MoSS rankings—below S- and A-tier stations but still competitive—Magic 89.9 now faces challenges not just in ratings but also in reputation.

THIS RADIO INDUSTRY DRAMA needs to be RESOLVED FORTHWITH.

Due to the changes in events last night, one section of our current Monthly Sundry Survey has been removed while the rest continues as normal.

Please lang po, BARMM.

Still closing on Sunday: www.surveyking.com/survey/kbtak

YouTube video by Timow P The Best Current AM and FM Radio Stations in Metro Manila (July 2025) #timowstidbits

Timow's Tidbits is back. (For real na.)

youtube.com/shorts/Eglb8...

The 37th PMPC Star Awards for TV: Finally Here, But What’s the Real Story? After more than a year of deafening silence, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) is finally set to hold the 37th Star Awards for Television. This event was supposed to honor the finest achievements in Philippine TV for the year 2023. This happened a few months after the 38th edition was held. The much-delayed awards night will take place on…

Because of oversight, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) has to catch up with the Star Awards for TV... honoring the "excellence" back in 2023.

YouTube video by Timow P A tribute to my dad.

Tomorrow will mark three weeks since Dad passed peacefully from this world.

As I try to return to YouTube regularly, here's my eulogy tribute: youtu.be/kynLewnZ-_o

The Slow & Steady Unveiling of 99.5 XFM Manila METRO MANILA'S AIRWAVES are transforming as new broadcasters prioritize substance over style. Among them, 99.5 XFM Manila, part of a fast-growing national network led by Palawan entrepreneur Remelito Uy, stands out. The key question: can XFM carve a foothold in a market dominated by established news FM giants like Brigada News FM 105.1 and 105.9 True FM?

New FM radio station alert in Mega Manila! 📻

What are your first impressions after the long wait? 🤔

Share your thoughts! 👇

[Timow’s QuOP No. 33] A Very Difficult Day HELLO, EVERYONE. Today is a very difficult day for me. But I’ll try my best to digest and share what’s been happening—in the country and in my life—in the next 1,600 words or less.

[Timow’s QuOP No. 33] A Very Difficult Day

HELLO, EVERYONE. Today is a very difficult day for me. But I’ll try my best to digest and share what’s been happening—in the country and in my life—in the next 1,600 words or less.

What's your most and least preferred AM and FM radio station in Mega Manila?

www.surveyking.com/survey/rj1qi

Timow’s Turf Midyear Report 2025 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? We're past the halfway mark of the year. Doesn't it feel like just yesterday we were all collectively sighing about sky-high oil prices (now getting rollbacks), international chaos brewing, a change in a Universal Church leadership and a whole lot of grumbling right here at home? In the Pinoy media realm, H1 2025 was definitive from the infectious theme music of…

We're past half of a year. We're also past halfway in a presidential administration.

How did the legacy media go so far? And what's to come?

DZMM’s back… but it’s not the same. IT FEELS LIKE déjà vu—but this is real. The call sign and typeface has returned less than a month ago. If you grew up listening to AM radio, particularly 630 kHz, then you probably remember the iconic jingle or that signature siren without any volume to amplify. Whether you were in a jeepney, a tricycle, or your grandma’s kitchen, a powerful voice from the radio would tell you what was happening—flash floods in España, rallies in Mendiola, traffic on EDSA, breaking news from Malacañang.

The call sign is back but some voices will never be heard again.

Timow's Turf Monthly Sundry Survey (June 2025) Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.

tally.so/r/n05NqP

GMA at 75: The Birthday Bash from Within [WARNING: The following post would trigger a certain segment of readers. This is not about network wars but a reflection within themselves. Read at your own risk!] ON THIS SPECIAL MONTH, GMA Network is now celebrating three-quarters of a century (75 years) in broadcasting. And what better way to mark that milestone than the debut of their original shows: …

Sorry for being a party pooper 🙈 pero real talk po. #GMA75

a birthday cake with a candle and the words " happy birthday " on the bottom ALT: a birthday cake with a candle and the words " happy birthday " on the bottom

@bykev.co happy birthday.

The “2Cat” Case: Is there a Catalyst for Regional TV Innovation in a Challenging Philippine Landscape? [PERSONAL NOTE: This request stems reflects his strong interest and advocacy, reminiscent of my post last September about creating a Bicolano community channel, sparked by the abrupt and disrespectful closure of GMA Regional TV's Balitang Bicolandia.] IMAGINE a TV channel that entertains while promoting a regional language and culture—a platform engaging directly with local communities. That's the goal of 2Cat, RTVE’s initiative to launch a Catalan-only channel.

Pardon my brainstorming block after the election.

Is there any catalyst left for regional TV in the country? Or there's no more?

Timow's Turf Monthly Sundry Survey (May 2025) Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.

Welcome to the post-election Monthly Sundry Survey!

Sports fans would love to guess which teams will advance to the finals in basketball and ice hockey.

tally.so/r/mR2kXp

[Timow’s QuOP No. 32] Five years on… and the immediate challenges ahead [DISCLAIMER: This is not a post that glorifies trolls and fanatics. If you can't handle this, skip it. Otherwise, read at your own risk.]

Here we are: half a decade since that notorious day of PH media history.

Was it profound? Undoubtedly, yes.
Was it consequential? Duh!

With a papal conclave and the campaign closing this week and the election next week, how will the new players cope up?

In the papal conclave: If it's a black smoke, there's no decision. If white, there's a new Pope.

What happens if the chimney emanates red or green smoke?