Daniel Razon

For someone who initially wanted to be a doctor, it’s amazing how Daniel Razon has advanced himself in the field of broadcasting, for which he has spent more than half of his life. Starting out as a disc jockey for an FM station after college (he graduated from Centro Escolar University where he took up Mass Communications upon the advice of his uncle, Bro. Eli Soriano), Daniel (fondly called “Kuya” by his fans, supporters and the beneficiaries of his generosity) slowly climbed up the ladder of success to become one of the most respected broadcast journalists in the country.

From being disc jockey, Daniel worked his way to become a news anchor in radio and a later, in television when he became newscaster/anchor in PTV4 news programs such as “Pangunahing Balita” and “Balita Ala-Una,” and as host of public affairs programs “Ang Pandayan ni Mang Pandoy” and “Dakila Ka Pinoy.” He was with PTV4 for four years and while still there, he also worked behind the camera for IBC 13, as executive producer and director of the public affairs program “Ikaw ang Humatol” from l994-1997.

It was in 1997 when Daniel started his career in the big networks. He became the program host of ABS-CBN’s “Hoy, Gising!” a daily afternoon public affairs program from 1997-2003. He also got the chance to be seen worldwide through ANC (formerly Sarimanok Channel) as newscaster/anchor for “Dateline News” (2000-2003) and as program host of “Kamusta Ka, Bayan” in The Filipino Channel (TFC).

From ABS-CBN, he moved over to GMA 7 to become one of the hosts of “Unang Hirit” and news anchor for its news segment “Unang Balita.” He also co-anchored the network’s primetime news programs, “Saksi/Frontpage.”

Having also honed his broadcast management skills, Daniel went on to become chairman and CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, Inc. (BMPI), the company that manages the “Kasangbahay” network, UNTV-37.

For Daniel, his public service advocacy is a moral commitment to the people. He is the brains behind UNTV’s “Isang Araw Lang” public service campaigns.

Aside from “Clinic ni Kuya,” which gives medical service to the poor and needy, he also spearheaded “Libreng Sakay sa Bus” not only for senior citizens but for everybody regardless of class, gender or affiliation. They now have three buses plying the Monumento-Divisoria route, and one jeepney “para sa mga looban naman,” he said.

‘Get it Straight’

By the way, starting on Tuesday, June 1, UNTV will relaunch “Get It Straight with Daniel Razon,” which will be part of his “Good Morning, Kuya” morning show that starts at 4:45 a.m. “Get It Straight” will be aired from Monday to Friday, at 7-7:30 a.m.

Expectedly, “Get It Straight” will be presenting no-holds-barred interviews of Daniel with his guests.

In the line-up of guests are politicians, entertainers, celebrities, scientists, newsmakers. For Tuesday’s episode, Daniel said they invited former Rep. Peping Cojuangco. In forthcoming editions, they have invited Congresswoman-elect Imelda R. Marcos and Jun Urbano (Mr. Shooli among others.

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Play the Winema at SM Cinema 1

SM Cinema again revolutionizes the movie watching experience with the recent launching of Winema, an interactive game at the SM Megamall Cinema 1.

Winema, which stands for “We Interact with the Cinema,” is very much like the Nintendo Wii game, only on a much bigger screen. A motion sensitive camera installed in the digital cinema allows moviegoers to play the game by waving their hands in the air – left and right – to control the characters in the screen.

Moviegoers can play two Winema games – Boink Out, an Arkanoid game; and Power Catcher, where one cleans the cinema of any litter by catching all falling objects.

Winema runs for only 2-3 minutes in between film screenings. It gives added value to watching movies, not only because of the excitement, but also because participants can win a prize if they can beat the high score collectively as an audience.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on June 1 go to Sen. Ping Lacson, Rhea Santos of GMA 7’s “Unang Hirit,” Alicia Alonzo, San Diego, CA-based realtor Max Ricketts, Eva Abesamis, Aissa Miranda, Froilan Antonio, Angela Andal, Ms. Clarissa G. Antonio-Estefa of Ontario, CA; Mrs. Nita Magat, Lauren Gabrielle Espiritu, Vic Guevarra, Jessa and Dingdong Avanzado’s daughter Janelle Amanda, Jojie A. Tan of the Pansol Tourism Council, and US-based Gina Pajo and Jo Diaz Garcia. Happy wedding anniversary to Eric and Shirley Cruz (Nee Halili).