On-Air

Note: The recording of Dessert Comes First on Mellow 94.7 FM is available for download here.

Guesting on a radio show is a strange thing: my mind goes totally blank when I’m in front of the mic, and then seconds later when the mic is turned off, my mind fills up with all the things I could’ve ”“ er, should’ve — said.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda. As DJ Marco keeps telling me tonight for Dessert Comes First on Mellow 94.7 FM, “Re-LAX, Lor!” Yes, easy for him to say since he does this every night. I know I used to do this too ”“ everyday in fact ”“ but that was more than ten years ago, for crying out loud! Like the mic that Marco flips on and off when it’s time to talk, so goes my brain — off, that is. Ah, the terror of facing a new medium.

Radio has changed a lot since my days as a newsreader at the now-defunct 103.5 K-Lite. Now, everything’s computerized and online; gone are the chunky “boxes” that ads used to be stored on and shoved into a machine that would “read” it and blare it over the air. Gone too are the occasional turntables that had to be cued, replaced by what appears to be a gazillion cds. And then there are the numerous computers that spew out dozens and dozens of text messages like a ticker tape on a sugar high ”“ fast and frenzied.

Still, tonight is a rush especially when people I know text in with a question or even those that are only familiar by name on my website call in just to say hey; an enlightened “Oh, so that’s what you sound like,” is a message I receive more than a few times. The real star of the show however, is Marco, who seems to have eight hands, a complete pro at this multi-tasking business of cueing songs, flipping through the ad line-up, YM’ing (Yahoo! messaging), answering the phone, talking to me, and pressing various switches. He’s incredible. Whenever we’re on air, we stare intently at each other as if communicating telepathically and when he says something I’m not expecting, I look at him wild-eyed, like a deer caught in a car’s headlights.

For all my flubs and failed steps, Dessert Comes First on Mellow 94.7 FM was a lot of fun. Thanks to all who participated and who made the effort to try and win the prizes.

Winners (please bring a valid ID) may claim their prizes on:

Saturday, April 5, 2008at the Ice Cream Bar, Joya Tower
Rockwell Center, Makati
anytime from 11am-1am.

Marco and I will be there between 4-5pm to hang out. Come and join us if you’re in the area, even if you didn’t win a prize. We’d love to meet you.

Hearty thanks all around once again to the sponsors of this event. Listed below is a complete list of the winners.

A Dinner for two gift certificate worth P2,500 at Myron’s Place — won by JENNIFER UY-WONG

Greenbelt 5, Ayala, Makati, Metro Manila

A Dinner for two gift certificate worth P2,000 at Restaurante Pia Y Damaso — won by KATRINA MYLA LIM

Unit 2-053, Greenbelt 5, Ayala, Makati, Metro Manila, (632) 729-5511

A Lunch for two gift certificate worth P1,000 at Kooky & Luscious — won by ERNESTO SOON III

G/F Metrobankcard Building, 6778 Ayala Avenue, Makati, (632) 817-3577
3/F Eastwood Cybermall, Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City (632) 667-3554
4/F Doctors Lounge, Medical City Ortigas, Pasig

2 gift certificates for a “Signature Concoction” from The Ice Cream Bar — won by MARIAN TORRES and RAQUEL PADILLA

Joya Tower at Rockwell Center (beside Power Plant mall).

3 Bodum “Give Up Bad Coffee For Good” Travel Mugs courtesy of Garden Barn, Inc. — won by ELAINE DALUSUNG, JUDITH GARCIA, and MELODY TAN

Bodum is available at:
Our Home Megamall
Our Home SM North Edsa
Homeworld Megamall
Homeworld Makati
Rustan’s Dept. Stores
Selected Seattle’s Best Coffee and Figaro Outlets

1 large box of handmade chocolates from the Peninsula Manila — won by JACKLYN VITUG, Manila

The Peninsula Manila
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226 Makati City, Metro Manila,
Republic of the Philippines
(632) 887-2888

3 starter sets of Premium gold cake boards from Scala Printing & Packaging — won by RODERICK DY, Fort Bonifacio

Scala Printing & Packaging
7 Tiyaga Street, Plainview
Mandaluyong City
(632) 532-2020 / 532-1628