It takes courage to be a news reporter. The goal of a reporter is not just to serve the public and provide them with the information they need every day, but also to learn from different people's stories and perspectives.
RH reporter Sherwin Alfaro came to these realizations after his unforgettable experiences in Bato, Catanduanes, during the devastating Typhoon Goni, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Rolly, in November 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rolly made its first landfall on Catanduanes Island at peak intensity, bringing violent, catastrophic winds to areas near the eye of the storm.
According to the government's data, at least 25 people have died and more than 390 have been injured, while six people remain missing in the aftermath of the super typhoon.
Alfaro witnessed the destruction caused by Rolly where homes and lives were taken away from the people.
"Siya yung pinakamalakaas na bagyo na tumama sa bansa during that time and during the pandemic. Nasa 200 kilometers per hour yung lakas ng hangin nang tumama yung bagyo sa Bato, Catanduanes, and lahat ng tao non naka-isolate.”
“Marami sa mga kababayan natin nawalan ng bahay, nasira yung properties dahil sa bagyo. Parang double whammy yung nangyare sa kanila na pandemya walang resources na pagkukuhanan, then ganon pa yung nangyareng kalamidad.”
During his mission to report events from Bato, Alfaro met Lola Elena Belezaria whom he said impacted him as a reporter.
According to Alfaro, Lola Elena was a retired teacher from Manila. Unfortunately, the house she invested in from her late profession ended in destruction brought by the super typhoon.
Alfaro did not hesitate and shared Lola Elena's story on air. During the interview, Lola Elena narrated in teary eyes how she worked hard for the house. The interview has led to an unexpected event.
"Noong nireport ko yun sa DZRH, maraming mga taga Metro Manila na naging estudyante niya ang nakapanood noong kanyang interview, may tumawag sa estasyon at nagpa-abot ng tulong sa atin,” said Alfaro.
Alfaro was moved by the incident and came to see how useful the media might be in providing help to others. He thought about how a simple story of an individual could create a message to the public.
“Sabi nila kapag nasa harap ka ng camera kapag nasa live report ka dapat hinihiwalay mo yung personal na nararamdaman mo doon sa nararamdaman mo. Pero kapag nagbabalita ka ng kalamidad at trahedya parang ang hirap paghiwalayin ng puso doon sa taong nananawagan,” Alfaro reminisced.
As DZRH is celebrating its 85th Anniversary, Alfaro said behind the success of longest longest-running station in the country is the people who continuously listen and share their stories.
“Gaya ni Lola Elena Belezario, sa mga tao na kapag dumaan ka, nakita yung sasakyan ng DZRH tinatawag ka, sa mga tao na patuloy na nagmamahal siguro sa estasyon na hindi naman kami makakarating sa kinaroroonan namin ngayon kung hindi dahil sa sariling tulong at pagmamahal niyo sa estasyon," he furthered.
“Sa napakalawak na walumpu’t limang taon na nasa industriya yung dzrh hindi lang yung entertainment hindi lang yung impormasyon hindi lang yung pagbabahagi ng mga political views and opinions. Pinakapuso ng radyo yung public service, yung nagagawa niya sa kaniyang kapwa," he added.
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