"Sometimes you only get one shot" - Papa Dan

May 07 2014

“When you’re called, you’re ready, because sometimes you only get one shot, and I got it.”

These were the words of Papa Dan of Barangay LS when asked about what it takes to transform wishes into reality.

For him, it happened very early in life and he couldn’t be more pleased.

“I was in third or fourth year. College student ako sa CEU Mendiola. Broadcasting student ako… Gusto ko talaga maging DJ, tapos nakilala ko sila John Hendrix, DJ dati sa LS (na) Campus Radio pa noon. Tapos nagkaroon ng student DJ program,” he shared.

From there, he made sure not to let go of the opportunity. “[I attended] seminars, natanggap ako. We trained, tapos hindi naman talaga kami iha-hire. Student program lang.”

But because of his skill and determination, the unthinkable happened as he was one of the few students who were absorbed into the station and got hired shortly after the program ended.

“October 2003, naging DJ ako. Pangarap ko maging DJ sa LS talaga, so, ang swerte ko [kasi] first job ko, nandito na ako sa dream job ko,” he shared.

Of all stations, why did Papa Dan want to be part of Barangay LS?

“I was in fourth year high school tapos may kaibigan akong DJ sa ibang station… tapos sinama niya ko one time sa LS… Nung sinama niya ko, sabi ko, ‘Ang gagaling naman ng mga DJs dito’,” he noted.

From then on, he committed himself to gathering enough experience to deserve to be part of the roster of talented DJs in Barangay LS. “Sabi ko, 'yun 'yung huli kong magiging papasukan na work. Kung magiging DJ ako. Masyado na akong matagal sa industriya para mapunta sa LS, kasi masyadong magagaling dito,” he added.

More than a decade later, he’s still at the top of his game, doing what he loves every day.

“I’m so lucky I got [this] as my first job, tapos dream job [pa]. Sobrang swerte,” he said.

Be a witness to Papa Dan living his dream every night in Wanted Sweetheart on Barangay LS 97.1.

-- Text by Meryl Ligunas, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com