Caroline Hammat
After more than three years ethnic programming is due to return to Millicent community radio station, 5the FM, next Tuesday.
Presenter Dianne Castaneda volunteered at the station for six years before ending her two programs in 2020 during the covid 19 pandemic.
Ms Castaneda previously hosted an English speaking program and, in collaboration with Terri Laucirica, a weekly Filipino speaking program.
With Anabella Del Pilar by her side Ms Castaneda has returned to the station and is preparing a new Filipino program featuring music, news and healthy living tips.
Both women have been training how to use the the upgraded station equipment and for Ms Del Pilar, radio is a new experience.
The retired teacher and principal moved to Millicent around 12 months ago and with a background in education, writing and journalism is well suited to radio.
Ms Del Pilar said she is looking forward to getting involved in her new community.
“I have nothing to do at home, so it is better to have some things to do here that will help the community,” she said.
“I can be a little bit useful here.”
The new program will have a range of variety with Ms Del Pilar saying she will be playing love songs and ballads and Ms Castaneda preferring rock.
“In the Philippines we love dancing, we love singing and we love karaoke, It will be good fun,” Ms Castaneda said.
5the FM chair David Walshaw said when the new board assumed responsibility for the station it was a priority to inject community back into the space.
“We are conscious that our community comprises a lot of multicultural people and we want to make sure their voice is being represented on community radio.
“Equally for those people who don’t want to be here, they can listen to programming in their own language.
“The Filipino community have certainly embraced coming back on air and they are back with a vigour and enthusiasm we haven’t seen before.
“Dianne and Anabella have looked at our Filipino music and said it’s too old and they are going to bring some modern Filipino music back into the fold.
“We are really excited about having them on, and we are hoping this will be the catalyst to attract other multicultural groups once they see how successful this is and how easy it is to get on air,” Mr Walshaw said.
The Filipino show will be livestreamed to Facebook making the program accessible to anyone in the world with Facebook and an internet connection.
