Amy Perez and Winnie Cordero celebrate a bittersweet return to the airwaves
Winnie Cordero and Amy Perez, familiar voices to many, are back on the radio. Their return to Radyo 630/TeleRadyo Serbisyo is a welcome development for listeners, but for the hosts themselves, it’s a complex mix of emotions.
Joy and Sorrow
The joy of being back on air is undeniable, yet it’s tinged with sadness for their former colleagues at ABS-CBN’s DZMM who lost their jobs after the station’s shutdown.
“It’s happy, but there’s also pressure, right? It’s on the shoulders of all of us at DWPM because, of course, we know that the program, the station, hasn’t fully recovered. So, we know that we are soldiers who follow and do our job for the betterment of everyone at DWPM. So, it’s happy because we still see our former colleagues and at the same time, it’s sad because we know that we have been reduced but we are still here, fighting. As they say in Korea, ‘fighting!'” Perez shared in a mix of Tagalog and English, her voice reflecting the emotional weight of the situation.
The camaraderie and shared passion for radio at DZMM are clearly missed. “That’s how we feel every day. That we don’t forget the people we were first with in DZMM who are no longer with us. We learned a lot from them. And thank you because we know how much they loved the station, how dedicated they were. That’s also the inspiration we carry now as we move forward with DWPM,” Perez added.
Adjusting to a New Reality
Cordero, in particular, found the transition challenging. “Bittersweet especially if you think about these people whom you were with in the past… Personally, I had a difficult time adjusting. Because, 1997 to 2021, right? DZMM forever. Actually, until now, I’m still hoping that the old DZMM will come back but then… we’re dispersed. We still remember the past that put smiles on our faces all the time. But of course, as time goes by, we are thankful that we are still here, we were chosen because not everyone was chosen. Amy and I are very grateful for that and to be able to continue what our colleagues started back in the day,” Cordero confessed, her words echoing a sense of longing for the past.
New Beginnings
Both women, who successfully transitioned from acting to radio broadcasting, are embracing their new roles at Radyo 630/TeleRadyo Serbisyo. Perez, also a host on ABS-CBN’s noontime show “It’s Showtime,” now helms “Ako ‘To, Si Tyang Amy,” a public service program focused on mental health, airing Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 3 p.m. Cordero hosts two shows: “Tatak Serbisyo,” a daily public service program airing at 10:30 a.m., and “Win Today,” a Saturday morning program starting at 10 a.m.
Despite the bittersweet feelings, their return marks a new chapter in their broadcasting careers. Their dedication to their craft and their genuine connection with their audience promise to make their programs a success.
