Dannyka Manangan

DJ Chacha celebrates her 17th anniversary on air: 'I'm still in love with radio'

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>When she first got her start as a student DJ during her college days, DJ Chacha (real name Czarina Marie Balba-Guevara) worked hard which paved the way for her to eventually be offered a job at the ABS-CBN’s FM station MOR 101.9. She stayed with the station for more than a decade until it stopped operations in 2020 during the pandemic. </p><p>This year, she celebrates another milestone in her career as a radio personality, as shared in her latest Instagram post last June 5. DJ Chacha also shared snapshots from her visit to her alma mater at the Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila.</p><p>“17 YEARS ON AIR — AND I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH RADIO 🎙️📻 Parang kailan lang yung unang tapak ko sa mundo ng radyo. Wala pang DJ Chacha noon —just a girl with big dreams and a love for radio. Seventeen years later, this industry has become more than just a job… it’s my second home. And just in time for this milestone, I’m coming full circle — going back to my alma mater, the place where everything started. Dito ko unang pinangarap maging boses sa radyo. Dito ko unang naramdaman na may puwang ako sa mundong ito.”</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKhd6z6vagD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A210739.5%2C%22ls%22%3A210412.8999999999%2C%22le%22%3A210419.80000000028%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="542" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2020/7/16/fresh-scoops/dj-chacha-pens-emotional-post-as-she-announces-mor-29386"><strong>READ: DJ Chacha pens emotional post as she announces MOR 101.9 stopping operations next month</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>In the same post, DJ Chacha also shared all the challenges she went through in her chosen career path.</p><p>“This journey has been one of joy, heartbreak, growth, and grace. It’s shaped the woman I am today. And every moment behind the mic — puyat man o walang boses — has been worth it. Hindi lang trabaho ‘to. IT’S PURPOSE. IT’S PASSION. IT’S ME. At araw-araw, pinapaalala ko sa sarili ko: Ang swerte ko kasi hindi lahat nabibigyan ng chance gawin ang bagay na mahal nila. From the sleepless nights at MOR where &#x27;DJ Chacha&#x27; was born… to the early mornings with Manong Ted at @truenetworkph — thank you for letting me be part of your lives. 🥹🫶</p><p>These days, it’s more than just entertainment. It’s news that matters, interviews that asks the tough questions and public service that truly matters. Mas seryoso na, mas mabigat na ang responsibilidad — pero mas malalim na rin ang sense of fulfillment. I’m still here, mic in hand, heart wide open — ready to serve, to speak truth and to be your companion in this ever-changing world. Salamat sa 17 years. Hindi pa ito ang ending. Public service continues. Tayo pa rin sa radyo — para sa bayan. 🎙️💛”</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHvt1J9PdbR/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A251193.2000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A210412.8999999999%2C%22le%22%3A210419.80000000028%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="790" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/24/dj-chacha-recovers-from-injury-you-re-not-25-anymore-1539"><strong>READ: DJ Chacha recovers from injury: ‘You’re not 25 anymore’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Earlier this year, DJ Chacha bagged her first award for news radio which she also commemorated with a special post.</p><p>She wrote, “I’ve been blessed in the past with several awards na puro Best FM Radio DJ, but tonight is truly different. THIS IS MY FIRST Outstanding Female Radio News Anchor Award. When I started doing news, I dreamed of one day receiving an award like this. But with so many incredibly talented anchors in the radio industry, HINDI NAKO NAG EXPECT. I simply told myself, &#x27;I’ll just do my best, and if God wills it, He’ll make it happen.&#x27; Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Laurus Nobilis Media Excellence Awards.”</p><p>She currently co-hosts a program with former longtime <em>TV Patrol</em> anchor Ted Failon. </p>

<p>Former MOR 101.9 host DJ Chacha looks back on her journey as a radio personality for the past 17 years.</p>

Former MOR 101.9 host DJ Chacha looks back on her journey as a radio personality for the past 17 years.