Born
in the seedy province of Bulacan, the Philippines, Daniel Razon was reared in a
close-knit, religious family. Taught to read at an early age, he was already
reciting poems, biblical verses and delivering sermons at the age of three
before the congregation of the Church where his family is member.
If there are child prodigies on the piano, Daniel were definitely a prodigy as
a speaker which is very unusual. The good voice, combined with his charm and
exposure to public speaking at a young age gave him the edge in joining public
speaking competitions during his elementary and high school years. Easily, he
would receive the top prizes for the different categories in public speaking he
participated in.
Daniel, whose upbringing was nurtured with the constant counseling of his
uncle, Bro. Eli Soriano, the spiritual leader of the Church of God, heeded the
latter’s prodding for him to study mass communications and broadcasting, so he
could help the Church in preaching the Word of God.
Broadcasting may be miles away from his childhood
dream of becoming a medical doctor but he believed all these efforts will not
turn futile because he is being groomed to be somebody someday, serving the
Church, a more noble profession.
While his family could financially support him in his studies, Daniel took the
long route—work to support his studies and have some income to give to those
who are in need of help. Taxi driving, selling of banana cues on stick, and
more—all these Daniel tried without hesitation.
Even while just starting in college, he had his first taste of television work
by directing a talk show on Channel 13 in the Philippines.
A year after the EDSA Revolution of 1986, Daniel finished his Bachelors of Arts
in Mass Communication, major in broadcasting at the Philippine’s Centro Escolar
University.
His first career, and a noble one, was as a vendor of goods at a local market
while still looking for a job fit for his time and schedule. His perseverance
and patience paid off because he started working as a disc jockey of an FM
station in Angeles City.
But even back then, and even in the eyes of his superiors, he seemed destined
for the Big City, confronting him and saying: ‘I don’t need you here. You
should be in Manila using your talents.’
He followed his station manager’s advice and worked
with KYFM of Mabuhay Broadcasting System. He later on moved to Manila
Broadcasting Corporation and was tapped for DZRH and DWST, now YESFM, where he
became popular as “Dr. Clark” in Philippine airwaves.
But it was while serving as a station manager of Capitol Broadcasting that
Daniel got his break on television. For six years in Channel 4, he was news
presenter of the station's Balita Ala Una with Luella de Cordova and host of
“Dakila Ka, Pinoy,” a public affairs program heralding the greatness of
Filipinos in various fields and expertise.
Network giant ABS-CBN noticed him and gave him an offer. At first hesitant, he
realized it was a good offer, so Daniel took it and joined the network in 1997.
He hosted a regular morning show with DZMM’s Gising, Pilipinas. It is in this
program where he earned the moniker, Kaka, and became popular in the
consciousness of Filipinos who avidly await his daily morning rouser, "Gising
Pilipinas, lahing kayumanggi."
His other programs in ABS-CBN include: Companero y
Companera,” “Abogado de Kampanilya,” “Pulso Aksyon Balita,” “Hoy Gising,” and
“Pasada Sais Trenta.”
For the Global Filipinos, Daniel became a reassuring
and soothing presence in the “Kamusta Kabayan” program of ABS-CBN
International's, The Filipino Channel (TFC).
His landmark career in ABS-CBN opened the doors for
countless opportunities.
Daniel moved to another TV giant, GMA 7 in 2003 to
join the daily morning newsmagazine program, “Unang Hirit.” In this station, he
frequented some of the network’s news and current affairs programs such as
“FrontPage” and “Saksi”.
Currently he hosts and produces TV programs for UNTV-37. Among them is the innovative, and one-of-a-kind interactive TV magazine cum public service program, “Good Morning Kuya”. He also hosts the bible-reading program in the same station titled, “Mapalad ang Bumabasa” (Blessed is he who Reads).