December 16, 1990 to 2008
17 years in Service

 Audio (Live/Streaming, News) Radio Veritas Asia Filipino Website

The Filipino Service turns 17 this December 16. Like a child raised to teen-agehood, the broadcast has gone through evolutional experiences. But like proud parents, those responsible for its creation are happy for the way this "offspring" has developed into.

The broadcast was established in 1990, in the wake of the Kuwait invasion. Having the Filipino migrant workers in mind, the broadcast service was created. Intended to service Filipinos in "diaspora", programs sought to reach out and respond meaningfully to the unique needs of migrant life. While aiming to serve as a link between the migrant workers and the home country, the broadcast primarily worked to sustain and deepen the Christian life of Filipinos abroad. The programs were also tailored to inculcate needed values essential in equipping migrant workers who are uprooted from their culture and faith.

The target audiences of the broadcast are the migrant workers employed in the Middle East as well as East Asia. But listeners who wrote to the service reflected that the audience base is far flung with listeners coming from as far as Europe, North America and Africa. Significantly, a major composite of the audience of the broadcast are seafarers.

Vidal Quietta, a migrant worker from the Middle East, visited the staff members of the Filipino Service during his home leave.

It has become an almost regular practice that when seafarers and migrant workers go for their home leave, they visit the producers of the Filipino Service at the studios in Fairview, Quezon City. Bringing quaint souvenirs from ports of destination (seafarers) or some hastily purchased items from duty free shops, the visit of listeners become a happy occasion as they get to see the faces behind those voices they hear thousands of miles away in the target areas. Interestingly, the texting phenomenon, which has so extensively woven its way into the communication culture of Filipinos, has improved substantially the feedback mechanism of the broadcast. Texting is convenient, expedient and cheap.

And what do they say about the programs? In countries where restrictions are put a lot on religion, the Filipino Service' spiritual programs figure importantly. The program Banal na Misa is the most listened to by workers from the Middle East and also for seafarers who ply the seas for a long stretch of time. Listeners commented that they are spiritually nurtured and strengthened by the religious programs.

They find the other features, like programs on culture and development equally important as well as helpful in terms of their educational and formative content. The news, they say, bind them to the home country as they are kept abreast with the developments in the Philippines. In their letters, listeners often express their gratitude for the service that the Filipino Service gives to the migrant workers.
Truly, the broadcast has become a faithful traveling partner to the seafarer who may not be able to see land for months or a constant companion to the migrant worker who struggles with loneliness, religious restrictions and cultural dislocations. To them, the Filipino Service is an invaluable friend, making available to them God, family and country, all at the same time.