Pilipinas HD digging for unsung heroes

THERE was an unnamed Filipino broadcaster who never relented in attacking the invading Japanese forces at the height of the last war, when the enemies sowed death, destruction, unmatched horror and terror all over the Philippines.

The story goes that Japanese intelligence one morning finally caught up with the brave mystery broadcaster, who operated from a hideout around Manila. The captured radioman was given a full day to recant all his attacks, otherwise he would be beheaded at dawn the next day.

The heroic radioman refused to budge. He was pressured repeatedly to recant, and everything would  be forgiven, forgotten. He stood his ground, stuck to all the scathing truths he had said on the air. He calmly accepted his fate without taking back single word.

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The Kapisanan ng Mga Broadfcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) had confirmed that this was not a myth. The man, either from around Tondo or Paco in Manila, did exist. He was buried in an unmarked grave.

“We will start researching Monday,” vowed Chino Trinidad, head of Pilipinas HD, a new player in the cable TV industry which makes its initial telecast Sunday.

He said he’s in possession of what could be a portion of the mystery broadaster’s anti-Japanese program. He’s calling on anybody who had heard or knew something about this hidden hero to help in making him known.

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Pilipinas HD has prepared a line of colorful, heartwarming narratives on what makes the Filipino a great race.

Lined up for Olympic Week is a feature on swimmer Teofilo Ildefonso, who won two successive bronze medals in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. A member of the Philippine Scout, Ildefonso was wounded and died while on a mission during the Japanese war.

“We will tell our children the greatness and nobility of being a Filipino,” Trinidad said.

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He said they at Pilipinas HD have taken on the task to educate and enlighten, tell truth as it deserves to be told.

And entertain, too. They are in the process of researching on the deathless kundiman and its best-known serenader, Ruben Tagalog, who died a poor man. There will be heartwarming features on great local entertainers, like the forgotten Togo of the unforgettable Pogo-Togo comedy tandem; Manuel Conde, alias Juan Tamad, and his great film Genghis Khan, which drew rave reviews here and abroad.

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As special launch-off feature, there is “Decoding Duterte” an attempt to know the incoming President Rodrigo Duterte more intimately as he sets to assume office on June 30.

Is Duterte a saviour or a tyrant?

Meanwhile, there’s an appeal to all cable providers to catch Pilipinas HD’s signal Sunday, Independence Day. It will be offered for free until June 30.