Ateneo de Manila University went on air for the first time on Ash Wednesday, February 14, when it soft-launched its very own campus radio station, Radyo Katipunan. Radyo Katipunan is managed by Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom), the media arm of the Philippine Jesuits.
“It has been our long-time dream to help Ateneo de Manila University set up a radio station,” said JesCom Executive Director Fr Emmanuel Alfonso SJ during the station’s first live broadcast. “In our research, almost all the universities in the United States and I guess in the United Kingdom have campus radios because their campuses are separated. So we said we should also have a campus radio in the Philippines.”
Fr Alfonso said that JesCom provides the perfect setting and much-needed continuity necessary for Radyo Katipunan’s long-term success.
Similar to other university-based radio outlets in the country and abroad, the pioneering project aims to build unity among the diverse units and departments of the university through values-enriched programming.
The Basic Education unit (Grade School and High School), the Loyola Schools, Alumni Association and Residence Halls together with their representatives compose some of the groups tapped for the station’s prospective programme line-up.
Radyo Katipunan will also serve as a vital media outlet for communicating public announcements as well as increasing the visibility of the university’s administration, primarily its president, Fr Jose Ramon Villarin SJ.
Currently operating on a 10-watt capacity, the standard for community radio broadcasting, the station’s signal range extends to neighbouring areas such as Barangka in Marikina City, Quezon City Circle, as well as nearby residential villages. Radyo Katipunan can also be heard and seen worldwide via Facebook.
Improvements to the current 50-foot tower and procurement of additional operating appliances are being planned to further enable Radyo Katipunan’s expansion to internet broadcasting.
“Our prayer for Radyo Katipunan is that in the long run, many more college organisations, faculty members and departments will be involved in our campus radio,” said Fr Alfonso.
The campus radio station will be launched formally during Easter Week.