A young security guard at a Dipolog City-based radio station was given a one-in-a-lifetime career break when he was asked to sit at the controls and host a long-time running local radio show last year.
While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have caused many Filipinos to look for opportunities elsewhere, then 23-year-old Kuya Nash Joaquino was on sentinel duty as a security guard when local radio host Mike “Tito” Reyes informed the station in March 2020 that he would be going into isolation indefinitely to protect himself against a possible Coronavirus infection — preventing him to continue his show-hosting duties until the pandemic eases up.
Radio show producer and station co-owner Marivic Arnas instead of panicking came up with an unprecedented solution to save the show: why not field in Kuya Nash as the host? Kuya Nash was already known around the broadcasting station for his sense of humor and nowhere was it more evident than when he himself jokingly suggested he take over for the beloved “Tito Mike”.
What was meant to be just an off-the-cuff remark, however, proved to be the trigger for both the birth of Flash Patrol and the radio station’s biggest risk yet. After some test recordings to see how well Nash could handle reading headlines and giving improvised commentary, it was clear that the folksy, irreverent Kuya Nash had an “it factor” no seasoned newscaster could replicate.
“With Kuya Nash, we had a newscaster who understood the news how ordinary people understood it, who spoke like our audience, and wasn’t afraid to be candid,” according to Executive and Co-Producer Victoria Billones, citing Kuya Nash’s lack of formal training proved to be his strength.
Flash Patrol takes on a format familiar to many news radio shows: one host reads the headlines of the day, with occasional guests to better dive into hot issues. Yet Kuya Nash is quick to think of jokes to lighten seemingly heavy topics. In one episode discussing COVID-19 vaccinations, Kuya Nash told audiences he was glad to finally be getting his second dose.
“Salamat sa Panginoon matatanggap ko na ang second dose (Thanks to God I’ll be getting my second dose). Balita ko daw hindi ka papayagan sa langit kung hindi daw fully vaccinated! (I heard they won’t let you up in Heaven if you aren’t fully vaccinated!),” said Kuya Nash.
Despite Kuya Nash entering Flash Patrol as an amateur, Billones is proud of his impact so far. Listeners have sent in overwhelmingly positive feedback, praising Kuya Nash for still being himself despite his new role.
“In a way, we’re giving the news back to ordinary people. Kuya Nash has shown that it is possible,” Billones added.
Listen to Flash Patrol every morning from Monday through Thursday Magik FM stations in Vigan, Laoag, Tacloban, Dipolog, Mandalupa, Lucena, and Tuguegarao or as a podcast for free on Spotify and other broadcast platforms.