DWAV (89.1 FM), on-air as Adventist World Radio 89.1, is a radio station owned by Blockbuster Broadcasting System and operated under an airtime lease agreement by the Adventist Media. The station's studio is located at the North Philippines Union Conference Compound, #210 San Juan St., Pasay, while its transmitter is located at Palos Verdes Executive Village, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo.[1]

AWR Manila (DWAV)
Broadcast areaMega Manila and surrounding areas
Frequency89.1 MHz
BrandingAdventist World Radio 89.1
Programming
Language(s)English, Filipino
FormatReligious Radio (Seventh-day Adventist Church)
NetworkAdventist World Radio
Ownership
OwnerBlockbuster Broadcasting System
OperatorAdventist Media
Through Adventist Media
DWVN-DTV (Hope Channel Philippines)
History
First air date
1975
Former call signs
  • DWKB (1975–1989)
  • DZMZ (1989–2001)
Former names
  • KB 89.1 (1975–1989)
  • 89 DMZ (1989–2001)
  • Wave 89.1 (2001–2024)
Call sign meaning
WAVe (former branding)
Technical information
Licensing authority
NTC
ClassA (clear frequency)
Power20,000 watts
ERP60,000 watts
Links
WebcastListen live
Official livestream
Websitehome.awrmanila.ph

History

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1975–1989: KB

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The station first aired in 1975 as KB 89.1 under the call letters DWKB-FM. It was under the ownership of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation. In a short time, it became one of the country's most listened easy listening FM stations.

In 1987, the management planned to reformat the station, which would play Pinoy music, for the announcers to be competitive. However, the latter preferred to continue its old format.[2]

1989–2001: 89 DMZ

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The station later rebranded as 89 DMZ and also changed its callsign to DZMZ-FM. It was known for airing dance, techno-pop,[3] hip hop and remixed music throughout its existence. The late rapper, Francis Magalona, worked with the station beginning in 1994[4] through his program, "The Word-up Show", which aired on Saturday nights. It also became the home of the "Mobile Circuit" aired on Friday nights.[5]

From May 2000, in what was the first in the country's broadcasting, the station simulcast a Tuesday primetime variety show of IBC-13, DMZTV, whose format is similar to that of MTV.[6][7]

Government bidding and change of ownership

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The station was among those assets of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation which had been sequestered by the Aquino administration through the newly-formed Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG); with the network's privatization being planned since mid-1990s.[8][9] The station was eventually acquired by the Vera Group though Blockbuster Broadcasting System, Inc. in a bidding held by the Presidential Commission on Good Government in December 2000.[10] However, the station shared its transmission facilities with IBC-13 until 2014 when it transferred its facilities to Antipolo.

2001–2024: Wave

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Wave 89.1 began regular broadcast on March 1, 2001, simultaneous with a media launch in a hotel in Makati.[11] It also changed its callsign to DWAV to reflect the branding. Managed by former Magic 89.9 jock Rolando Sulit a.k.a. Joe D'Mango,[11] the station initially carried an urban adult contemporary format, playing contemporary pop music and rhythm and blues.[12]

 
Logo in 2009

In 2007, Gary Caoili took over the management of the station after Sulit departed his management duties for both Wave and sister station Jam 88.3 (and subsequently transferred to ABS-CBN before migrating to Australia for good). A year later, after the demise of Blazin' 105.9, the station shifted to Urban Contemporary, playing more Hip Hop and R&B.

From 2010 to 2014, the station has been known for hosting the Urban Music Awards.[13][14]

 
Logo in 2015

From 2015 to mid-2022, Nelson Capulso ("Sgt. Pepper"/"The Sarge") was the station manager.

On April 14, 2024, Wave quietly signed off for the last time.[15][16]

2024–present: AWR 89.1

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On March 10, 2024, the Adventist Media, the local radio arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that runs Adventist World Radio (AWR) and Hope Radio, signed an agreement with Blockbuster Broadcasting System, wherein it will lease the station.[17]

On April 15, the station returned on air on test broadcast. It was officially launched on April 24, 2024 under the Adventist World Radio network, though occasionally dubbed as AWR on Wave 89.1, until October 31, 2024.

Compilation CDs of Wave 89.1

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References

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  1. ^ Telum Media (June 6, 2019). "Interview: Dannie Farmer, Wave 89.1FM, Philippines". Asia Radio Today. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  2. ^ Nigado, JC (May 10, 1987). "The Channel 13 controversy; Noel Tolentino speaks up". Manila Standard. p. 14. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Jimenez, Alex (November 25, 1996). "Current radio programming trends". Manila Standard. p. 29B. Retrieved July 1, 2023 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Saspa, James (September 5, 1994). "Francis M in the booth". Manila Standard. p. 24. Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Glodove, Vinci (2019). "Batang 90s". PSICOM Publishing. Retrieved August 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "New shows from IBC-13". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 2, 2000. p. B9. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Sicam, Edmund (August 19, 2000). "Switching channels; IBC-13: 'Don't count us out'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. G2. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ Frialde, Mike (December 27, 1996). "19 bidders qualify for IBC-13 auction". Manila Standard. p. 3. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Batino, Clarissa (December 6, 2000). "Indicative price: P3.59B; IBC-13 bidding on Dec. 21". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. B3. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Rivera, Blanche (December 29, 2000). "IBC-13 sale: PCGG undaunted by contempt threat". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A4. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ a b Philippines. Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
  12. ^ Salterio, Leah (February 23, 2001). "Showbiz Tidbits: Joe D'Mango says goodbye". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A25. Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  13. ^ "MyDSL artists win Urban music awards". The Philippine Star. February 5, 2010.
  14. ^ "Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to perform at the Urban Music Awards 2014". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 30, 2014.
  15. ^ Garcia, Nick (April 16, 2024). "Wave 89.1 announces final broadcast: 'What a wild ride it has been, Manila'". Philippine Star Life. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  16. ^ Aguila, Nick (April 16, 2024). "Radio Station Wave 89.1 Bids Farewell". Esquire Philippines. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "AWR Manila Launches on 89.1 FM". Southern Asia-Pacific Division. April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "'Because of You' and other soothing music". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 24, 2003. p. A24. Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via Google Books.
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