TINIG ng MALAYANG MANGGAGAWA ON AIR
Now, our voices could be heard

Magandang Gabi...” Quite a typical greeting on a late weeknight. But that cold December night—when this uniquely Pinoy greeting was uttered—was no ordinary night.

It was the launching of “Tinig ng Malayang Manggagawa,” the FFW’s very own radio program, which caters to the needs and aspirations of all “free workers”.

Leaders, members and staff of the FFW shared the excitement leading to the first broadcast of Tinig ushered in by the drumbeat of “Awit ng Malayang Manggagawa”, heard over DWSS 1494Khz on the AM band.

Encouragement

FFW President Ramon Jabar was the first interviewee to be heard over a phone patch. “Mabuhay,” he said, congratulating the Federation for the pilot episode of its radio program.

FFW National Vice-President Atty. Allan Montaño, on the other hand, was at the studios for the initial episode as the first resource person for Tinig’s Talakayan portion, where the burning issues of the day are discussed.

For the pilot episode, Atty. Montaño gave light on the issue of labor-only contracting, which he stressed was illegal especially since “it is not even found in the Labor Code.”

Well-wishers flooded the first episode with local presidents of FFW egging on the Federation and appreciating the initiative to finally get labor’s message across using the airwaves.

Great voices on Tinig

Right on its second episode, Tinig was able to guest big names. Former Sen. Bobby Tañada, long time human rights advocate discussed the issue in length, relating his experiences and the spirit and letter of the law.

The broadcast was on the eve of the celebration of Human Rights Day.

Sen. Tañada is also the lead convenor of the Fair Trade Alliance (FTA), which espouses “fair” not “free” trade. FFW is an active member of FTA.

The same episode featured Labor and Employment Sec. Pat Sto. Tomas, who spoke on the relevance of human rights to labor.

After she wished Tinig well, she candidly referred to FFW as her “favorite union” owing to its good track record and its sense of responsibility.

Jitters

“You might get nervous in the beginning but it will soon go away,” FFW-CNV Workplan Project Manager Ephraim Guerrero told his colleagues shortly before the program went on air. He acts as one of the anchors of the radio program.

Ka Eph is no stranger to broadcasting, having been an anchor of an alternative radio program a couple of years ago. His advice was well taken by the radio broadcasting neophytes in the booth.

“I tried to modulate my voice,” says Julius Cainglet, Tinig’s co-anchor. “Eventually I realized that talking to unionists and workers, as we do in the program is an everyday occurrence so I just let it flow until it came out naturally.”

During the pilot episode, Trade Federation Coordinator Reo Bicierro taped his Balitang Unyon segment so he wouldn’t have to deal with stage fright as he reports on the activities of the Federation, its TFs and its locals.

He was happy to finally do a live broadcast in the next episode. Asked about his reaction after the show, he said, “Nairaos din!”

Workplan Secretary Juliet Palabon lends her voice a la Tiya Dely in the segment OSH Tips, where occupational health and safety issues are discussed.

Also a regular in Tinig is FFW Legal Center Head Atty. Sonny Matula, who discusses labor laws in Batas Paggawa.

In-house talents

The finale of the show, MensAwi (Mensahe sa Awit) is arguably one of the listeners’ favorite segments. It is a satiric take on a burning issue that is sang by Ka Jules to the tune of a hit song. Riding on popular culture, the segment conveys the message of the Federation.

In the very short history of Tinig, this segment’s title has evolved from PalitAwit (literally meaning “change the song”), to SalinAwit (translate the song) and finally to MensAwit.

Tinig episodes go on-air utilizing available talent and manpower from the Federation.

Unlike other radio programs that have a battalion of staff for a show, all pre-production, airing and post-production work are handled by the FFW-CNV Workplan team.

The team itself conducts the research and prepares the script weekly. Assistance from the radio station only comes in at the highly technical level.

Other segments of the program include Tinig Malaya: Labor Trivia para sa Manggagawa and Balik Tanaw, a look back to the history of the FFW, its core values and its contributions to the labor movement.

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