DWRT-FM

For the same radio station, see DYRT.

DWRT-FM (99.5 RT)

Rhythm of the City
Mandaluyong City
Broadcast area	Metro Manila
Frequency	99.5 MHz
Branding	99.5 RT
Programming
Format	CHR
Ownership
Owner	Real Radio Network Inc.
History
First air date	1965 (as DZTR) September 1, 1976 (as the first iteration of 99.5 RT) January 1, 2007 (as Hit 99.5/99.5 Hit FM) March 23, 2008 (as 99.5 Campus FM/Campus 99.5) September 1, 2008 (as the second iteration of 99.5 RT)
Former call signs	DZTR (1965-1976)
Former frequencies	1250 kHz (1965-1976)
Call sign meaning	DW Remedios Tuason (RhyThm)
Technical information
Class	A/B/C
Power	25,000 watts
Links
Website	http://www.dwrt995.fm

DWRT-FM, operating as 99.5 RT, is the Flagship FM radio station owned and operated by Real Radio Network Inc. in The Philippines. Its studio is located at Unit 906-B, Paragon Plaza Building, EDSA corner Reliance St, Mandaluyong City and transmitter is located at Palos Verdes Executive Village, Brgy. Seven Hills, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal, sharing the same site of 93.9 iFM.

History

As 99.5 RT (1976-2006)

DZTR changed its call sign to DWRT-FM, moved to the 99.5 MHz frequency and branded itself as 99.5 RT in September 1976. Its studios were located for most of its existence on Ayala Avenue in the central business district of Makati, at one time in Pacific Bank Building. It was then originally owned and operated by Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corp. (currently operating Radyo Inquirer 990, Cebu's Y101, Davao's Rock 100.3, & Butuan's Majik 97.5, RT's original sister station). with owner Emilio Remedios Tuason, who also became one of the deejays (his on-air name was "ET"), until personal problems forced his retirement from the station in 1987.

99.5 RT became famous for playing the hits three months ahead of most other music stations because its programming philosophy did not pander to the masses nor cater to the lowest common denominator. It was more concerned with bringing the latest hits to the audience as soon as they were released by the artists. One of the most remembered examples of this was in the early 1980s when RT broke in the song "More To Lose" by the obscure English duo, Seona Dancing (one-half of which is the now famous lead actor and comic of the British television hit series The Office, Ricky Gervais). The station kept everyone guessing about the identity of the song by announcing the title as "Medium" and done by the artist "Fade", two words which were actually descriptions of the song: medium tempo with an ending that faded out. Over the years, RT became popular with different slogans such as "The Rhythm Of The City" (1976–1996, 2008–present), "Red Hot Radio" (1983–1988),"Source For The Best Hits" (1996–1998) and "Your Music Authority" (1998–2001), From 2001 - December 18, 2006 before it was rebranded, 99.5 RT's slogan was "The Most Hit Music".

RT was also home to some of America's popular hit countdown shows like American Top 40 and the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40. In the early 1980s (specifically 1983-1984), RT also ventured into the music-video business. As one of the pioneer music video shows in the Philippines, "Rhythm Of The City" which aired on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm on then government-owned MBS Channel 4 (now NBN Channel 4), showcased then ground-breaking videos from artists such as Men At Work, Naked Eyes, Real Life, Michael Jackson, and some of the best acts in North America during a time when then-fledgling MTV had not yet established its presence in the Asian region.

It is also known for its oldies shows , 24K Friday playing the hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

It was also known as the first radio station in The Philippines to have ventured into having a home on the World Wide Web, launching its bulletin board in 1995.

On June 14, 1996, Trans-Radio sold RT to Supreme Broadcasting Corporation (now Real Radio Network Inc.) and moved to the Royal Match Building. Under new management, the station tried its best to maintain its upscale and niche-market on-air identity and programming format, unlike many other stations which reformatted after being sold.

On April 1999, it moved to its present location at the Paragon Plaza Building, along EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

Over the next few years, 99.5 RT's sound slowly became similar to other CHR radio stations in Manila. By 2004, most of its veteran DJs had left and were replaced by younger ones. During the period, programs like Up and Coming (a new music countdown show, which later split into two: RT Top 10 Biggies (daily) and the RT40 (weekly)), On the Decks (a dance show hosted and with live dance music mixes by Dj David Ardiente), RT Sunday Sessions (where performed live in the radio station's studio), The Get Up and Go Show with Joe Schmoe, Alex and Lellie, Dinner and Drive Show (formerly known as Da Brainy Bunch), and The Playground with Da Kid, Lexi Locklear and BB Fred were developed. Beginning in 2004, RT put up an annual concert event called, "Ripe Tomatoes", featuring up to 30 OPM bands playing back-to-back on a single night.

In 2006, a corporate decision was made to rename RT to "HiT FM" starting January 2007. Thus, at midnight on December 18, 2006, the station signed off as the First iteration of 99.5 RT. For the next two weeks, the station played non-stop music, with occasional liners from the DJs, and teasers about the new station. On January 1, 2007, it officially signed on as HiT 99.5.

99.5 RT DJs (1976-2006)

• Joppy (deceased)
• Al W. Leader (current GMA Network voice over)
• Dr. John Madness
• Eric Caine
• Fat Albert
• Adam Kite
• Brian Panty
• Leroy La Bamba
• Batsy Ross
• Joey Pizza
• The Kaizer
• Johnny Caesar
• George Boone (1978–1982)
• Jeremiah Junior
• Bob Curry
• The Mighty Thor
• Mike Bennett
• Candy-O
• Paul Reno
• North Andrew
• Jake Swann
• The Doctor
• Bob Magoo
• The Ghost
• Thomas J
• Kerry A
• BJ Funk
• Rico Stub
• Martin Gil
• Boo Kyler
• Jiggy
• OB Hollywood Andrew
• Dick Rees
• Joe Schmoe
• Mark Cross
• Joshua
• Vince St. Price (former Philippine Basketball Association courtside announcer from 1992–2000)
• Bam Rhino/ BJ Funk
• Ernie Santana
• Mark "Paper" Bond
• Johnny Kawa
• Big O' Brian
• Rick Shaw
• Oatmeal O'Neil
• Ron Miles
• Fat Albert
• Alex
• Corrine
• Lellie
• BB Fred
• Lexi Locklear
• Da Kid
• Da Blobb
• Nick Burn
• Allan Ranch
• Marty
• Dada
• Liz
• Tracy
• Neil
• Rain
• BA
• Slyde
• Lindy
• Vicky(Nievera) twin sister of Martin Nievera

As Hit 99.5/99.5 Hit FM (2007-2008)

On January 1, 2007, Hit 99.5 signed on and presented almost-uninterrupted music programming with live announcers and its new programs officially debuted on January 8, 2007. The programming was essentially the same as RT's, but more content-driven rather than music oriented. It catered to a young audience, whose demographics included kids in high-school and college; from the aspirational to the affluent backgrounds. It used cutting edge production techniques and materials to accent the music with an upbeat and hip sound image that identified the station distinctly from competition. In August of that year, its on-air name was changed to 99.5 Hit FM.

Programming

There were special programs to highlight the variety of music played on Hit FM. These included:

• The #1 Hit Weekend - The hottest songs from the 90s were played on request. This was also similar to 105.9 Mix FM's The #1 Weekend.
• Sunday Sessions - The hot OPM bands come in to the HiT FM studio to play their hits live. It was previously known as RT Sunday Sessions.
• The 24K Experience - Yesterday's hottest hits of the 1970s and 1980s, based on the 24K Friday format of the original 99.5 RT as hosted by Joshua.
• MigZ Big Night Out - A weekly opener to David's House, hosted by MigZ with a Z offering remixes, mashups, mixes, and hot spots in the metro to go out and party.
• David's House - A show that plays house music mixed live by DJ David Ardiente and remotely broadcasts from different night spots in the metro every Saturday.
• Wake Up Call - Sunday morning show that plays rock songs to wake up listeners. hosted by Lellie.
• Reel Hit Soundtracks - music from television and film soundtracks, slanting towards alternative, on Sunday nights, hosted by Ron.

Programs previously aired on Hit FM that did not last until its close include:

• Old School Wednesdays - The program that played 80s and 90s hits. It lasted from January to August 2008.
• 24K Friday - Yesterday's hottest hits of the 70's and 80's the same as 99.5 RT. It lasted from September 7 to November 2, 2007 before being replaced with The 24K Experience.
• The Factory - A radio show with Ron and Carlie. It lasted until the middle of August 2008. It was similar to Mellow 947's C & C Factory.
• Morning After - An early to rise show for listeners hosted by Liz, full of rants, raves, and opinions.

Other programs focused on entertainment:

• Sam vs Sam - the station's first morning show, with Sam Y.G. and Sam Oh. It lasted until mid-July 2007 when Sam YG transferred to Magic while Sam Oh did one-month hiatus
• The Hit Morning Crew - the on-air crew (including the Flushmasters) waking up the mornings including the wackiest game segment "Beat The Flush", with Sam Oh, Bennii and Christina (previously with Robi, Chevy, Sonny B. and Tin)
• You Pick The Hit - an all-out phone-line request show
• Beauty Meets BahagZ - with Tracy and MigZ, replacing Great School Coaster
• The Homerun - with Winner and Lellie; one of the most listened show on HitFM along with Brewrats and Mornings with Kelly and tin. they catered the audiences with games such as Uhm, Uhh, Panic, Secret Sound, Acro and others. They also have special program named The 8-ball countdown which features Top 8 songs according to the listeners' votes and request. The Homerun lasted throughout the station's entire history
• The Midnight Ride - with Dj David Ardiente; The show for those who want more beyond the usual listening hours, from Tuesdays to Fridays.
• Mornings with Kelly and Tin - previously Afternoons with..., it lasted until December 31, 2007, when Kelly left the station.
• Totally Mental - a phone-in program hosted by Ron and Borgy Manotoc; this was substantially different from its original version, which aired on K-Lite 103.5.
• The BrewRats! - A show starring Ramon Bautista, Tado and Angel from the TV show, Strangebrew, in a three hour, anything goes radio show. It first aired on August 20, 2007.

The Hit Squad

• Dick Rees
• Joshua
• Sonny B.
• Bennii
• Robi the Rascal
• Christina
• Issa Litton
• Carlie
• Bryan Aaron/BA Boy
• Rain
• Enrique
• Liz
• Kelly
• Tin (now known as Suzy of Magic 89.9)
• Tracy Abad (now in Mellow 94.7)
• Sam YG (now in Magic 89.9)
• Sam Oh
• Slyde
• Migz with a Z
• Winner
• Lellie
• Dada
• Borgy Manotoc
• David Ardiente
• Marcelo Gemalan
• Ramon Bautista
• Angel Rivero
• Tado

All-time 8-Ball songs

The daily countdown program was the "8-Ball". There was no weekly countdown program. The final edition of the 8-Ball, aired during the last edition of The Homerun, was devoted to the best-performing songs in its existence.

1. "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance
2. "Jenny" by The Click Five
3. "Hero/Heroine" by Boys Like Girls
4. "Cat and Mouse" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
5. "No Air" by Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown
6. "Nine in the Afternoon" by Panic! at the Disco
7. "Di Ko Alam" by Pumpin Pluto
8. "Your Guardian Angel" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

The end of Hit FM

99.5 Hit FM signed off for the last time on Holy Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Some Hit FM jocks later moved to Jam 88.3 and Magic 89.9. The last song "Nice to Know You" by Incubus was played before the holy week.

As Campus 99.5 (2008)

Campus 99.5

The 99.5 frequency resumed broadcast as 99.5 Campus FM on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, with some of the announcers coming from Barangay LS 97.1 (formerly "Campus Radio 97.1") and some of the retained Hit FM jocks. The new incarnation of 99.5 reflected the spirit of the former Campus Radio. Early in May, 2008, it was renamed Campus 99.5. The on-air format was essentially the same, with familiar programs and segments and jocks from Campus Radio 97.1 re-introduced later on.

Collectively, the station's on-air announcers were known as the Campus Air Force, as they were with DWLS-FM.

Special programs

• Campus Classic Weekend - a whole day special format featuring classic songs from the 1990s and early 2000s, on Saturdays and Sundays, and the successor to Campus Radio's Retro Jam
  • Revenge of the 80's - a special show on the Campus Classic Weekend heard on Sundays 8:00-9:00 a.m. and 6:00-7:00 p.m. presenting the memorable hits from the 1980s.
  • Jazz Downbeat - a reincarnation of a jazz program on WLS-FM during the late 1980s, it plays 4 hours of non-stop jazz music, every Sundays from 8:00-12:00 M.N. Although its playlist dates back to the 1970s, it is considered a part of Campus Classic Weekend.
• Campus Aircheck - select students from Metro Manila colleges and universities are given a hands-on deejaying experience.
• The Top 20 at 12 - the longest-running countdown show in the Philippines and Asia, which started out with Kiss FM 101.1 (now Yes FM 101.1)(every Saturday) in mid 1986 and was originally hosted by "George Boone" and "Jeremiah Junior" as co-host and Executive Producer. Then with 97.1 WLS-FM (weekdays at 12nn)hosted by "The Triggerman" in the 90's. On its return on April 25, 2008, "No Air" by Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown became the first #1 song on the weekly edition. "Damn Regret" by emo rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus became the first daily #1 on April 29, 2008. Unlike in its previous home, the weekly countdown usually happens on Friday nights, at 10:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m., because of Campus Classic Weekend; the daily edition retains the 12:00-1:00 p.m. afternoon slot.
• Front.Center - where a certain singer or act is featured every month and is given preferential airplay by the hour with various songs. It was announced in July 2008.

Two programs from 99.5 Hit FM were retained for the Campus format:

• BrewRats - Ramon Bautista, Tado and Angel from the TV show, Strangebrew, in a three hour, anything goes radio show
• David's House - a Saturday night show with house music mixed live by David Ardiente.

The Campus Air Force

• John Hendrix
• Joe Spinner
• Jaybee
• Jimmy Jam
• The Big Z
• BoyToy
• The BrewRats!
  • Ramon Bautista
  • Angel
  • Tado
• Jagger - pinch hitter
• Piper
• Alex (at one time was known as Yvette)
• Zack Attack
• Mister E
• Sparky / Mister Vader
• David Ardiente (for David's House)
• The Triggerman (for The Top 20 @ 12; also the station manager)

Newscasters & traffic reporters

• Nana
• Dada
• Pidro
• Hot Mama Maria

The end of Campus FM

On the afternoon of August 14 at 4:00 pm, the management abruptly discontinued Campus 99.5, due to management difficulties. The station then switched to an automated all-music format with only pre-recorded station ID's played intermittently between songs. The BrewRats program continued on its usual schedule until August 21, after which it went on a one week hiatus. On August 24, a new set of stingers announced that a new format and station image would be premiered in days.

Campus Radio revived on March 21, 2009 as an internet radio station.

The return of 99.5 RT (2008-present)

File:Logo of 99.5rt.jpg

Logo used since September 1, 2008

On September 1, 2008 at 6 a.m., after two weeks of automated music programming, the station resumed its broadcast under the reinstated name 99.5 RT. Joshua Z was the first DJ to go on board that morning, followed by other jocks who have worked with the frequency's three incarnations (mostly from the RT roster and HiT and one from Campus). The station is now reusing its old and familiar slogan, "The Rhythm Of The City". The playlist is more progressive and experimental, attempting to sound like RT's first Iteration. The deejays have a collective tone similar to parent station, Magic 89.9, due to the use of Tagalog-English or "Taglish" during live spiels. They also introduced a secondary slogan, in use since 2009, dubbing the station as playing "The Best Music on the Planet".

For Summer 2009, it brought back the "Red Hot Radio" slogan, which was originally used from 1983 - 1988. In the third quarter of 2010, RT began to play some Modern Rock music, earning its third slogan "The Drive", after the former Sunday night-only program of the same name. However, its initial format (CHR) is still retained. It is unknown whether RT will become an all-rock radio station after the demise of NU 107.

On-air staff

• Jeremiah Junior (Gerry Magnaye) (1980–1985, 1989–2005, 2008–present)
• King DJ Logan (Carlo Del Carmen) (August 2009–present)
• Cleo Torres-Caliente (Jan Marie Aliño) (2008–present)
• Marf (Mark Lester G. Marfori) (2009–present)
• Lou Skywalker
• Anna Q5 (Anna Gonzales)
• Neil Almighty (Neil Pagulayan) (2003–present)
• Scarlet
• Mr. Slyde (Ian Ardiente)
• Inka (Inka Pellicer-Magnaye) (2008–present)
• Sam Oh (Oh Sang-Mi) (seen also in Delicious, Sarap at Home on Q-11)
• Gibb
• Koji Moralez (Miguel Villaroman, formerly Joe Spinner of Campus FM)
• Ron Valentine (Ron Poblete, formerly Ron South)
• David Ardiente (2007–present)
• MigZ with a Z (Miguel Anzures)
• Da Kidd
• Dirty J
• Moby Nick
• K-Pop Lollipop
• DJ Nino Belza
• The Farm
  • Ella Smile
  • Big Ben Dover
  • Lee Major
  • Criena House

Former DJs

• Ramon Bautista (2007–2009, now with U92)
• Angel Rivero (2007–2009, now with U92)
• Tado Jimenez (2007–2009, now with U92)
• Joshua Z (2008–2009, now with U92 as Joshua Yu)
• Lellie
• Tina Ryan (now with 103.5 Wow FM)
• Don
• Robi The Rascal (2007–2010)

Newscasters

• Carissa - formerly of Citylite 88.3, now (Jam 88.3)

Programs

• Disturbing The Peace - The current morning show hosted by Sam Oh and Gibb; Mondays to Thursdays, 7:00 am – 10:00 am.
• The Revolver Show - Hosted by Koji Moralez; Mondays to Tuesdays, Ron Valentine, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00 am – 12:00 nn.
• The File Show - Hosted by MigZ with A Z; Thursdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 nn.
• Afternoons with Inka - Hosted by Inka; Mondays to Thursdays, 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm.
• The Awesome Show - Hosted by Neil Almighty & Scarlet; Mondays to Fridays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
• The Disenchanted Kingdom - hosted by King DJ Logan, Lou Skywalker, Anna Q5, Marf; Mondays to Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
• Gravy Sauce - The loudest late night show on radio hosted by Dirty J, Moby Nick and K-Pop Lollipop Mondays to Thursdays 10:00 pm – 2:00 am:
• Sleepless Sexy - hosted by Cleo Caliente; Tuesdays to Fridays 3am-7am.
• Afternoon Delight - hosted by Dirty J; Fridays, 12:00 nn – 3:00 pm.
• Homegrown Rhythms - Hosted by various members from various OPM bands; Fridays, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
• The RT30 - The revival of The RT40, the weekly chart show playing the 30 most voted-for songs, hosted by Inka; Fridays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
• LA Live - Simulcast of Power 106's DJ IcyIce; Fridays 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• David's House - A house music show with live mixes by David Ardiente, Fridays 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.
• 24K Weekend - The revival of 24K Friday, playing the hits from the '80s, '90s and 2000s; weekends, from 6:00 am Saturday to 12:00 midnight Sunday.

Former programs

• BrewRATS - the anything-goes show with Ramon Bautista, Tado and Angel from the TV show, Strangebrew.
• The Morning Show with Joshua Z - The former flagship morning show hosted by Joshua Z.
• The World Chart Show - A syndicated program hosted by U.S.-based radio personality Lara Scott. It is a weekly roundup of the Top 20 songs from around the world.
• Static Interference

Compilation CDs released by 99.5 RT

• 24K Friday (MCA Music Philippines, 2006)
• 24K Friday 2 (MCA Music Philippines, 2007)
• Freestyle: "Playlist" (Viva Records, 2009)

See Also

• Real Radio Network Inc.

External links

• The Official Website of 99.5 RT
• 99.5 RT on Facebook
• 99.5 RT on Twitter