Pioneer DJ shares great time in DXGN

My name is Alex T. Aquino, 48, married with three (3) kids (all boys) and a proud grandfather. I am presently connected with a land developer company as their Human Resource Officer here in Davao City. I am one of the pioneering DJs of DXGN 89.9 FM, The Good News Radio, under the Bishop Thibault Media Center supervised by the Monsignor Mabutas.

I started my DJ stint sometime in 1986 – 1987; it was a short experience for me because I have to prepare for my upcoming marriage that time and later transferred to Kidapawan City. I could still remember my colleagues: May the manager, Lito Gualberto (marketing), radio technicians (Lito Adana, Roger Lagrada, Oliver Durado), Jing (librarian), and the first batch of DJs (Rose, Jong, and Raul “Bong” Roxas (Buddy Roy), Noel Amoroso (later became Manager of Energy FM, Wilson Etrata).

DXGN started as a commercial radio station playing commercial songs both local and international and having programs somewhat similar to the other stations, trying our best to gain listenership and put DXGN in equivalence to the other FM stations like DXBM, DXXL, DXSS and at that moment also a new player in the broadcasting industry, DXWT (Wild FM), a radio station of UMBN which opened just a few months ahead of DXGN.

My stay made me a person closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. I remember Lito Adana to be my mentor in teaching and coaching me on classical music and songs which later assigned to me to handle the program every Sunday. I learned to love gospel and religious songs of praise which I guess, inspired me to be a church choir member and psalmist at Sta. Ana Shrine Parish up to the present.

Although I have been a music lover during my high school days and have been active as a DJ during school programs and activities, I am proud and thankful that DXGN gave me the chance to experience and be hired as a DJ professionally.

Once a music lover and a DJ will always be one. I miss the work when I transferred residency in Kidapawan. So, without hesitation, I applied and got hired in Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC) 88.7 DXDM-FM (DM means De Mazenod taken from the name Saint Eugène De Mazenod).

I stayed for 4 years as a DJ and field reporter. During these years I was able to return to Davao and had a one week board time with DXGN again. This was when NDBC rented DXGN Davao.

Later, I joined another station as a program director, Charm Radio (DXCA). Within the span of four years I managed to give DXCA its place, listenership in the radio industry particularly in Kidapawan City, and the neighbouring municipalities of North Cotabato.

Years later, I went back in Davao City. I visited some of my DJ friends who are still active in the industry. Most are already station managers of different and new radio stations. I wished to work again in the broadcasting field, but stations are already using the new technology (computer applications) therefore needing less manpower to operate.

So I presumed that I don’t have the chance anymore and looked for other field of work.

After so many years of silence, recently I heard news from the church where I serve as a choir member and psalmist (Sta. Ana Shrine Parish) that there is a plan to reopen DXGN. This made me so excited that I have to confirm the (Good News) myself, so I visited the office and met the staff who generously gave me the information and confirmed the reopening plan of DXGN.

Like I said, once a DJ will always be a DJ, and no matter how long it has been, the love for music and the love of sharing the music through the airwaves will always be in the heart of a DJ spreading good music, good information, and the good news from our Lord above to His people through broadcast media. This is the reason why DXGN 89.9 Spirit was conceptualized before and now, reborn. I hope that I could be part of the new team and through its programs be able to share and impart once again the learning to His people. To be His instrument of spreading the Word of God through music, and songs is my heart’s desire.