# Kabayan (radio program)

Kabayan (KApangyarihan ng mamamayan, BAlita at talakaYAN; lit. transl. Power of the People, News and Discussion) is a long-running radio program anchored by Noli de Castro that currently airs on DWPM and its television counterparts TeleRadyo Serbisyo and PRTV Prime Media. Spanning various iterations and revivals, it previously aired on DZMM from 1986 to 2010 and was simulcast on both DZMM and its television counterpart, DZMM TeleRadyo, from 2010 to 2020. It continued to air as a cable-only program on TeleRadyo and on Kapamilya Channel from 2020 to 2023.

## History

Kabayan (Kapangyarihan ng Mamamayan, Balita at Talakayan) originally premiered in late 1986 on DZMM with Noli de Castro as host of the program, coinciding with his re-assignment from the station's late afternoon slot to early mornings after Radyo Patrol sa Madaling Araw helmed by Lito Villarosa.
The program primarily focused on issues relating to the political and social situation in the Philippines especially timing its launch during the early months of the Corazon Aquino presidency for expanded interviews and listener call-ins for their opinion about the topic at hand. Its efforts resulted to the show becoming DZMM's top-rating radio program.
In March 2001, Kabayan had to end its run as de Castro ran and eventually topped the Senatorial campaign. Neil Ocampo and Todo Balita took over the timeslot.
On July 12, 2010, Kabayan relaunched with de Castro on DZMM, replacing Todo Balita on the 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. time slot. During this period, its first 15 minutes was also simulcast on free-to-air television via ABS-CBN. On January 10, 2011, the program was moved to the 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. time slot, combining it with Radyo Patrol Balita: Alas Siyete, wherein de Castro joined Ted Failon as the co-anchor of the newscast from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.; Failon also co-anchored with de Castro for Kabayan's 7:30 a.m. extension. In January 2020, the program updated its OBB and title card on DZMM TeleRadyo, in preparation for the 10th anniversary celebration of the program's return to air.
From March 18 to May 1, 2020, Kabayan and Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Siyete were simulcast on ABS-CBN from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., temporarily replacing Umagang Kay Ganda as provisional programming, due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was also simulcast alongside Radyo Patrol Balita: Alas Siyete from June 15 to September 18, 2020, on Kapamilya Channel.
On September 21, 2020, Kabayan was moved to 8:00 am, on a reduced runtime of one hour, to make way for the return of Gising Pilipinas at 6:00 am. The move temporarily ended its simulcast on Kapamilya Channel before resuming again on October 26 as the outlet expanded its daily simulcast of TeleRadyo from two hours to three
On October 7, 2021, the program ended its broadcast for the second time as de Castro left the network to run for senator once again. TeleRadyo's special coverage of the last day of filing of certificate of candidacies for the 2022 elections took over the timeslot the following day with On The Spot, hosted by Tony Velasquez expanding to the vacated slot on October 11. However, de Castro withdrew his candidacy on October 13, Kabayan returned on November 8, regaining the status quo.
Originally, Kabayan, along with other TeleRadyo programs, were slated to air their respective final live broadcasts on TeleRadyo and Kapamilya Channel effective June 29, 2023, after ABS-CBN announced its planned cessation of the channel's broadcast operations on pay TV and satellite. However, a few days before its closure, the network backtracked and announced instead that the program would continue to broadcast, this time on TeleRadyo Serbisyo and DWPM - properties operated conjointly by ABS-CBN News and the Philippine Collective Media Corporation, marking Kabayan 's return to AM radio starting June 30 after three years of absence.
On May 27, 2024, the program began its simulcast on the newly launched PRTV Prime Media, marking its return to free TV.
In January 2025, de Castro took a temporary leave from the program.

## Format

Kabayan is a commentary program where de Castro tackles the latest issues.
Among the notable features of the program was its signature closing song, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Kenny G. The ending song was temporarily shelved in January 2019 and replaced by random old songs chosen by de Castro. However, it was reverted back to What a Wonderful World after a few weeks. It lasted until May 8, 2020 when the song was replaced by Kapamilya Forever, in support of ABS-CBN and DZMM when both stations were closed due to a cease and desist order issued by the NTC. However, in 2021, the closing song had its replacement, Feel Good Pilipinas by KZ Tandingan and BGYO, until it was temporarily replaced by various ABS-CBN promotional compositions for summer, monsoon and yuletide seasons, except when the program runs overtime. On July 11, 2023, coinciding with the program returning to AM radio, the original signature closing song was reinstated.
From 2011 to 2020, Kabayan and Radyo Patrol Balita: Alas Siyete were integrated wherein de Castro joined Ted Failon as the 7:00 AM newscast's co-anchor.
On occasions when de Castro would not appear on the program due to special assignments, health concerns, and other days off, an alternate anchor would host the program. Prior to the show moving to its current 8:00 am timeslot, the 7 am newscast would be anchored by Failon (until August 31,2020) and the designated substitute.
Among de Castro's current and former substitute presenters were the late Lito Villarosa, Ted Failon, Erwin Tulfo, Cheryl Cosim, Ricky Rosales and Gerry Baja - with Villarosa being the most notable due to his vocal timbre's resemblance with de Castro; this lasted until 1993 when his role as a lead reliever was taken over by Ted Failon. De Castro would recount during DZMM's 30th anniversary specials in 2016 as well as the accompanying 30/630: Tatlong Dekada ng DZMM documentary that his running gag on such absences during the early years of the show was to remind Villarosa (a fellow native of Mindoro) not to introduce himself by name as a relief anchor using his similar vocal timbre to create an impression for listeners that de Castro was always present on the show

## Anchors

* Noli de Castro (1986–2001, 2010–present)

### Substitute anchors

* Adrian Ayalin
* Johnson Manabat
* Alvin Elchico
* Robert Mano
* Tony Velasquez
* Danny Buenafe
* Doris Bigornia
* Jeff Canoy
* Jonathan Magistrado (2023–present)
* Peter Musñgi
* Rica Lazo
* Ricky Rosales (2010–2022; 2024–present)
* Nico Bagsic
* Steve Raz

### Former anchors

* Ted Failon (2011–2020)
* Erwin Tulfo (1996–2001)
* Cheryl Cosim (1996–2001)
* Lito Villarosa (1986–1993)
* Gerry Baja (1993–2001, 2010–2020)
* Joyce Balancio (2017–2024)
* Henry Omaga-Diaz (1995–2001, 2010–2024)
* Sherrie Ann Torres (2016–2024)

## Awards

* Finalist of 2012 New York Festival (NYF) for World's Best Radio Program