As
a kid, he wanted to be a doctor. But fate made him a specialist in mass
communication instead. Daniel Razon, one of ABS-CBN’s news anchors, has found
his place in broadcast journalism.
In 1987, Razon finished AB Mass Communication major
in broadcasting in Centro Escolar University. Not long after, he started
working as a disc jockey of an FM station in Angeles City. Four years before,
as a College Freshmen, he had his first taste of television work by directing a
talk show on Channel 13.
So he followed his boss’ 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.
But it was while serving as a station manager of
Capitol Broadcasting that Razon got his break on television: not from Capitol
but from Channel. For six years in Channel 4, he read the news and assumed
other responsibilities. ABS-CBN noticed him newscasting and gave him an offer.
He did not grab it. “At first I refused; later on, I realized it was a good
offer so I took it,” says Razon.
It was the exclusivity of the ABS contract that, at first, gave Razon the
jitters. But now, he is apparently happy that he joined the network in 1997.
It is this happiness in the broadcast workplace that keeps him going –despite
intrigues, problems and pains. It helps that the job pays well as well.
And the pursuit of truth is too good a motivation for a self-respecting
broadcast journalist such as Razon to resist. “You must like current issues and
finding out the truth,” he says when asked what qualities a broadcaster should
have. “You should not be cowed by threats … or be bribed … You should let the
truth prevail …”
And you should not let a not-so-pleasant voice
quality deter you either. It should be a plus. Razon agrees, if you have the
right timbre but a good voice is not the be-all and end-all of a broadcaster’s
existence. “There are broadcasters who do not have a good voice but they have
been popular,” he notes.
For somebody who started out in the FM band, Razon believes through that the AM
stations provide a better training ground for broadcasters. “When you are in AM
stations, you should talk a lot but be careful about every word you say,” says
the amiable newscaster.