Another award is given to BMPI President and CEO Daniel Razon for his achievements in the broadcast industry. (Photo by Eron Romero)

Veteran television and radio broadcaster Kuya Daniel Razon was hailed as the Most Outstanding Global Newscaster by the Gawad Amerika Awards, citing his innovations not just in broadcast journalism, but in the field of public service as well.

At the early age of 15, Razon had his first exposure to broadcasting when he served as the director and video editor of the award-winning religious program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).
His professional broadcast career dates back to the late 1980’s when he worked as a disc jockey at two FM stations. Shifting to television, Kuya Daniel became one of the most sought-after newscasters and TV hosts of the largest networks in the country.

Currently, Razon presides over Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI), the company that provides content for UNTV, Radyo La Verdad 1350, and Wish FM 107.5.

Pioneer in public service, broadcasting

Kuya Daniel is the man behind the “Tulong Muna Bago Balita” campaign of UNTV News and Rescue which aims to provide aid first to the needy before delivering the news.

Razon is known for his one-of-a-kind initiatives that center on public service. It was he who started UNTV’s flagship “Tulong Muna Bago Balita (Rescue First, Report Later”) campaign, which encourages media practitioners to prioritize helping people in times of crises and disasters.

His main philanthropic projects include the charity basketball league UNTV Cup, the free educational institution La Verdad Christian School, and regular free medical, dental, and legal missions.

Drone journalism in the Philippines was also pioneered by Razon, making good use of technology for amplified news reporting and rescue missions. Apart from this, he was also the one who conceptualized Radio La Verdad’s radio booth on-wheels, as well as the celebrated Wish 107.5 Bus.

Gawad Amerika noted UNTV’s prominence as the only public service channel in the Philippines.

“UNTV has the reputation, it is very solid, it is very fair, it is right to be an awardee of this event,” said Charles Simbulan, president of the respected civic organization.

“Humble person, nice person, intelligent, he knows what he is doing,” Simbulan also described Razon. “It is right for him to be recognized not only [in the country] but globally,” he added.

Another year to be thankful for

With a lot of broadcast innovations and public service projects Kuya Daniel has pioneered, he has been recognized not only here in the Philippines, but around the world.. (Photo by Rommel Flores, Photoville International)

This recognition came timely with Kuya Daniel Razon’s celebration of his 34th year in service to God and humanity on November 28.

Earlier in May, he was the recipient of the prestigious Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the youngest media practitioner bestowed of the honor.

In the same month, he was also recognized as a world class Filipino achiever by the World Class Philippines Awards.

Razon’s achievements this year further include his second coffee table book titled after his talk show, “Get It Straight with Daniel Razon”, launched successfully in June.

Despite the awards and recognitions, Razon abounds with humility as he marks another year in service.

“Life — we owe it to God. Time — we owe it to God, too. The achievement, we cannot achieve anything without God. I give all the honors to the One above Whom all these awards really belong to,” Razon said in his acceptance speech during the KBP Golden Dove Awards.

Written by: Elizabeth Borromeo