“Tug-ani ang Lungsod, Kauban ni Choy Torralba”

“Not only truth will set you free, it protects you as well..” a time-tested moral maxim according to veteran Cebu-based radio broadcaster, Choy Torralba.

At the outset of the Philippine radio broadcast industry, local airwaves has been made the battleground of different aspiring personalities. Throughout time, names come and go, but some are fated to remain. For thirty four years, Choy Torralba of dyRF soared the ups and downs of his career but never gave misfortune the chance to disprove what he is worth today.

In the early 80s, Choy Torralba was not doing well in his ‘buy and sell’ ventures.
Consequently, he made an “inadvertent” decision to enter into the much complicated world of radio broadcasting. Just months before the late Serge Remonde made himself known on air, Choy Torralba was already doing his thing as co-anchor, alongside Attorney Geronimo ‘Boy’ Creer in an evening talk show entitled “Tug-ani Ang Lungsod” at radio dyLA.

Later on, he was invited by Serge Remonde–who by then was already the training director of Broadcast Production and Training Center (BPTC)–to join him at dyLA’s ‘interaction’, a fearless morning show that thoroughly tackle matters relating to public affairs.

Eventually, people like Boy Kiamco (who is now a famous painter) and Atty. Dave Ompok became part of that daily morning program. For years, their radio show has become household name.

It was during these early days that destiny really took things with its own hands by planting the seed of loyalty between two young men, ensuring that the friendship they had molded would last for a lifetime. It was in these crazy old days that the two ‘Columbus of the Night’–the late Press Secretary and the vernal Choy Torralba– would be having their best times.

Depressingly, both became victims of marital dysfunction but unsurprisingly, these young rascals seems to have liked it. They took freedom to its logical conclusion and took a nearly limitless flirtations with other female mammals.

Attempts on his Life

“I thought I was going to be dead for a long time..” Choy jokingly mumbles to himself thinking he is endowed with a gift of resurrection. What actually transpired on that one sunny day was absolutely unforgettable, he said. After embarking to his car, he suddenly heard countless shots bursting from a lone gunman.

“Every morning when I wake up I always keep it as a prayer, that should one day I’d be put into a terrible peril, I pray to God that He better grant me a chance to defend myself. I just want to have a good fight. I don’t wanna to die helpless..”

Yes, he was able to grab his handgun and gave the culprit a glance of what hell is. Choy Torralba simply fought back.

Just before the glass of wine reaches his lips, he took a paused with muted a grumble: “A scarless soldier is unworthy of medal… And the same applies to broadcasters who suffered not from the fangs of discomfort brought about by a libel suit.”

Yes, he has been crossing swords against the prominent. A career flooded with court cases– from the original eighteen libel suits down to one. In fact, one of which made it through the Supreme Court cited in the landmark case of ‘Circe Choy Torralba Vs. People of the Philippines. G. R. No. 153699, August 22, 2005.

A Matter of Taste

“I don’t write.” The guy nods in regret. Though one time he wrote for a travel magazine circulated by Philippine Airlines. Most of the time he makes himself busy by turning down offers like joining the ranks of Max Soliven at the Philippine Star. Aside from his admission of being a bad writer, he simply hates the complexities of grammar and composition. For him, writing is a matter of taste.

Obviously he loves a sinking ship because he never jumps away from it. Never afraid to proclaim that he is and will forever be a proud Marcos loyalist. When asked why hold so much reverence for the late dictator, he smeared thus “Ferdinand Marcos was a visionary and true to his purpose. Even the combined accomplishments of all Philippine Presidents won’t suffice to that of Marcos or even closer.”

Credibility

There is an old saying that a man’s reputation precedes his character. Credibility, credibility, and credibility are the only gems that a broadcaster must sincerely guard with his own life. As a way of tossing a token of advice to broadcast newbies, he declares with confidence that “If you want to convince the listening public, persuade them using your credibility. Orators do it thru the tongue. While the credible is doing it thru the heart. But I’am no orator.”

Today, the new media operates in a much pervasive scale. It invaded what used to be a heavily fortified walls of ethics and lofty journalistic principles dating back since the ancient times of the pre-tablet era.

The internet generation has become an easy source of information. “Back then, we get information straight from the horses mouth. We do a lot of interviews. There was no internet to rely upon.” He said.

Choy mockingly adds “there was no text messaging; not even hand-held radio. Live reporting coverage from outside studio was literally done by being bold enough to plead to those who owned telephone lines located nearby by allowing us to use it for free or otherwise..it’s harder than you think..”

Still on Air

At present, legendary Choy Torralba is still broadcasting at dyRF (Word Broadcasting Corporation). He is a known political supporter of Senators Bong Bong Marcos, JV Ejercito, and Loren Legarda.

Once he retorted “I just want to be sure in one thing…I do it for free because they are my friends and not for anything else. Our relationship lies beyond politics….I do open campaigning for them because I knew these people well…sometimes I even spend using my own personal funds…”

In the long run, Choy Torralba as a broadcaster, may not be the thundering type who blows his lungs out by polluting the airwaves with fury and fiery invectives. But when one becomes an adverse subject to his surgical scrutiny, expect that skeletons inside your closet will surely dance like crazy in a public square.

Finally, his moral transformation became the very foundation of what he is now as explicitly expressed in his favorite quip: “Make God the center of your life. For he is a just God. And whatever you do always remember the golden rules of doing or not doing things to others. Good things can happen to good men….lastly… your foolishness will always go back to your body.”