It's the end of the world as we know it
MANILA, Philippines - Hey, look at that staircase,” says Evee Simon, pointing to the steel structure in the middle of the NU 107 office. “That staircase leads nowhere.”True enough, the staircase leads to the ceiling.
It seems Evee, one of NU 107.5’s new disc jockeys, might’ve been on to something metaphoric. On the day of this shoot, days before the last NU Rock Awards, rumors continue to circulate about the ultimate fate of the station, with some reports talking about a reformat. Like the prematurely interrupted staircase, the almost 23-year-old station seems to have met a premature ending.
The atmosphere in the station feels like the last scene in Empire Records, employees with a whiff of frustration, but with a feeling of love nonetheless, for each other and everything the station has accomplished.
“Ask rock musicians from bands in the ‘90s to bands of today,” says Roanna Ruiz, one of the disc jockeys, “which radio station they all wanted their music aired, and the answer would be the longest running rock station in the country. I think this alone, should speak for itself.”
On the morning after the last NU Rock Awards, Supreme runs a postscript on what is arguably the local scene’s most credible music awards, and the station that birthed it.
Straight from the horses’ mouths, NU 107.5 from three perspectives: the boss, the veteran, the relative newbie:
Francis Brew, Disc jockey since 1988, Current musical Director when did you join NU?
I’m not sure, but it was maybe five to six months after the station opened in ’88.
Why are you a DJ and why NU, of all local stations?
I’m a DJ because of NU, because I believe in the format. I don’t think I’m employable as a DJ anywhere else as a result. [Laughs.]
What’s your proudest NU moment?
Everything. Even when times were bad because we have to figure out a way to get back up.
When the big book on NU is written, what do you think NU’s legacy will be?
NU from day one never had a problem complying with the mandatory OPM requirement. We always played local artists including unsigned unknown bands. Some of those unknowns went on to redefine the local music industry’s landscape.
In your opinion, what was rock pre-NU and what is rock post-NU?
The music itself is what it is, in the many forms it takes and NU really is just the vessel for the musicians. There really is no need for a musician to worry about whether his or her song is commercial enough for radio so I do believe that NU, in a way, encouraged the local rock musicians to do what they do. Other radio stations will always look for the instant pop hit, and they tend to bypass local musicians. NU always encouraged original Pinoy rock. In a post-NU world, Pinoy rock music will live on and creativity is independent of airplay obviously. But you will hear it a lot less on radio, a lot less... and we will be back to formulaic safe pop and novelty songs.
Roanna Ruiz, Disc jockey Since 2008
When did you join NU?
I joined NU December of 2008.
Why are you a DJ and why NU, of all local stations?
I was in the corporate world for a while, but realized that what makes me happy is getting back to my roots of loving art versus business and formalities involved with being in the corporate world. When I decided to become a DJ, this was when I turned my back on high-paying corporate salaries to say hello to the struggling yet fulfilling world of art and music. I applied at NU because I had always listened to the station even as a young teen. When I had just moved back to the Philippines from California, NU107 was the only station that played the same songs I just heard on KROQ (US radio station I listened to) prior to my departure.
What’s your proudest NU moment?
1. Interviewing Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie though phone patch and building such great rapport with him that we both felt we were just chatting with an old friend.
2. My very first live feed report which was for the Eraserheads Final Reunion Concert press conference only a month after getting hired.
3. Getting a Documentary Radio Program proposal approved (The Reel Score) and achieving a local and international fan base.
4. When I received the text message that I passed the audition and to come in for training with Jay!
When the big book on NU is written, what do you think NU’s legacy will be?
It really is the home of rock. A home where so many have found a roof over their head of dreams and musical aspirations; mine included.
In your opinion, what was rock pre-NU and what is rock post-NU?
Prior to NU107, bands were close to non-existent in the country. There were probably as many bands in Manila as the number of fingers on my hands. But because of NU107, and its role as a vessel that carried the young Filipino’s music through the airwaves to be heard nationwide, indie bands in the ’90s found the support they needed to not only get their music heard, but also helped shape the culture of the Filipino youth.
Twenty-plus years later, after NU107’s inception, you’ll need a thousand people’s fingers to count the talented musicians and bands we have sprouting out of nowhere every year. These musicians, who without the father of rock radio stations leading the way for more than two decades, would not have found the courage to seek a future in the music industry, let alone even bother learning a musical instrument. Because NU107 was a visible tool in aiding young bands find success, this kept the Filipino youth inspired and motivated that they too can dream of making a living doing what they love to do.
Atom Henares, NU top brass
Take me back to the start. How did you guys start NU? More importantly, why this concept ?
When I was still courting Vicki (Belo), she loved listening to radio station DWRT and had crushes on its DJs. As part of my strategy to win her heart, I promised that one day I would put up a radio station for her.
I think I over delivered on that promise because our Progressive Broadcasting Corporation’s network now has five FM radio stations under NU 107 and two UHF TV stations under UNTV.
Our FM Radio began with a mission to start something original, something always fresh and new. At a time when every FM radio station was either pop or easy listening, we took a gamble and pioneered with niche programming.
Among the niche formats, we decided on rock because rock music is always young, fresh and new. And to make sure that we never lost sight of that vision, we named it NU (pronounced new) 107.
What did you want to accomplish with NU ?
With NU 107 we wanted to give rock in general, and Pinoy Rock in particular, a “home.” A home that would nurture Pinoy rockers’ talent and musicality. A home that would give them a platform to reach wider audiences. Audiences that would grow into communities that embraced their music. Music that would flourish from small bars to large clubs and eventually to huge concerts. These communities would eventually adopt alternative lifestyles, fashion, and sports.
I’d like to think that these communities grew from the original “home” provided by NU 107. And that’s why we call our station the “Home of NU Rock.”
How about the NU Rock Awards?
We produce the NU 107 Rock Awards every year. It is a very involved and elaborate exercise which is planned and executed over a six-month period. It is also a very expensive production which is promoted heavily on our radio station network, on NU 107 FM.com, and on television. The event is also supported by the whole rock community including venue owners, concert producers, record labels and the music press.
And all the effort and cost is worth it because the Rock Awards provides a platform for us to honor, celebrate, and project the best rock artists and music that our country produces.
We have been producing the annual NU 107 Rock Awards for 18 years now. And every annual awards show is special because it is a tour de force of the best rock music that was created, aired, and promoted during that year.
When the big book on NU is written, what do you think NU’s legacy will be?
NU 107 has celebrated and promoted the Pinoy Rock scene for over 23 uninterrupted years. In fact it is the only station that has stayed true to its original format from our radio station’s first test broadcast in October 31, 1987 up to today.
And NU 107 is truly the “only station that rocks the nation” as it has pushed the local rock scene beyond Manila and, through our provincial stations, in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro and every place throughout our country where rock bands have flourished.
In your opinion, what was rock pre-NU and what is rock post-NU?
Pre-NU 107 Pinoy Rock was played in underground clubs and small rock bars. Places where rock thrives best. Pre-NU 107, a lot of really good rock music did not go beyond the garage recording studios they were recorded in.
NU 107 changed that. It has given Philippine rock a much larger audience. Taken it mainstream. Put it on noontime television and made Eli Buendia and Rico Blanco household names.
Mission accomplished. Pinoy Rock has arrived. There’s no turning back. It’s here to stay.
