Salamat, Tito Rick

(photo courtesy of Judith Caringal's FB page)

ONE of the Philippines' most underrated sports broadcasters has just called it a career.

Enrico "Rick" Yap Santos retired from the government-owned Radyo Pilipinas 2 918 (formerly DZSR Sports Radio) on Friday after more than 30 years as production supervisor and station manager. His last broadcast came when he did the 3 pm sports news roundup on his station.

Santos began his broadcasting career in government radio way back in the 70s during the time of the National Media Production Center during the Marcos administration. After the EDSA Revolution in 1986, Tito Rick became part of the fledging DZSR or DZFM Sports Radio which initially was on 738 khz before moving to 918 khz, trading frequencies with Radyo ng Bayan (now Radyo Pilipinas 1).

During his long career with Sports Radio, Santos was sent to cover a lot of sports events like the Asian Games, SEA Games, Olympics, boxing bouts and his favorite event, the Marlboro Cycling Tour. He even contributed to the television coverage of the Tour ng Pilipinas as an anchor for the nightly recaps on PTV 4.

Before his retirement, Santos was a consultant for Radyo Pilipinas 2 as Cecille Quimlat took over as station manager.

Being a part of a sports radio station owned by the government, Tito Rick wasn't as celebrated as other sports broadcasters like Joe Cantada, Willie Hernandez and Ronnie Nathanielsz but he was dedicated to his job all in the name of public service. He was also one of my mentors during my time as an OJT for DZSR during my college days at the University of Santo Tomas.

Tito Rick's departure comes at a time when the government AM stations under the Philippine Broadcasting Service have undergone a major rebranding and transition under Director Rizal Giovanni "Sonny B" Aportadera, formerly of 99.5 Play FM. Radyo ng Bayan became Radyo Pilipinas 1 and tapped the three Tulfo brothers Mon, Ben and Erwin to be part of the station because of their undying loyalty to President Duterte, having campaigned for the former Davao City mayor during the 2016 Presidential Elections.

Sports Radio, now Radyo Pilipinas 2, has basically maintained its identity as a sports news station but it hasn't been active in live sports coverages. The station has also added a program for mothers titled Home Eco Nanay and a political commentary program hosted by a Duterte supporter who is a blocktimer on both Radyo Pilipinas 2 and another AM station.

Many Sports Radio standouts have long retired or passed away. Myrna Haber retired from the station in 2014 before Santos called it a career. Those who have passed on include Danny Romero, Audrey Madrid, Belma Ignacio, Michael Charles Bugo and Benjie Castro, who was the station's long-time voice over announcer. The younger brother of the late World Tonight anchor Angelo Castro Jr. died in December 2016 due to a heart ailment.

Tito Rick's departure is another big loss for Philippine sports after the death of long-time coliseum barker Rolly Manlapaz a day earlier. This only shows that in life, nothing is permanent in this world except change.

Thanks for being part of Philippine sports, Rick Yap Santos.