Bombo Radyo Philippines
A Philippine radio network operating Bombo Radyo AM stations and Star FM stations across the country.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Bombo Radyo Philippines is a Philippine radio network operated by Bombo Radyo Holdings, Inc., a member of the Florete Group of Companies. The wider group also has interests in banking and pawnshop operations. The network’s principal office and headquarters are in Barangay San Isidro, Makati, while its broadcasting operations extend across multiple Philippine regions, particularly the Visayas and Mindanao. Its station portfolio uses two principal brands: Bombo Radyo for its AM broadcasting operations and Star FM for its FM network. The network traces its history to Bombo Radyo Iloilo, which began broadcasting in Iloilo City on July 6, 1966. The station originated under the Northern Broadcasting Corporation, and a joint-venture arrangement involving Don Marcelino and former Ilocos Sur governor Antonio D. Villanueva enabled the station to commence operations. Its early studios were located in the Florete Building on Mapa Street in Iloilo City Proper. They were later transferred to the Bombo Radyo Broadcast Center near Luna Street in the La Paz district. Bombo Radyo Iloilo became a leading station in its market during the 1970s and served as the foundation for the later national network. From 1967 through 1975, the organization established stations in a number of provincial markets, including Laoag, Vigan, Cauayan, Bacolod, General Santos, Palawan, Baguio, Daet and Davao. The Florete Group subsequently acquired the operations of Northern Broadcasting Corporation, bringing with them a network of ten stations and two affiliates. Expansion was supported by management relationships with Consolidated Broadcasting Systems, Newsounds Broadcasting Network and People’s Broadcasting Service. The network’s station licenses have not always been held by a single legal entity. Most stations are licensed to People’s Broadcasting Service, Inc., while several AM stations are licensed to Newsounds Broadcasting Network, Inc. Consolidated Broadcasting System, Inc. previously served as licensee for some FM stations from 1992 until 2018, after which People’s Broadcasting Service became the licensee following the non-renewal of CBS’s authorization. Rogelio Florete began directing the organization’s day-to-day operations in 1976, following advice from his mother, Salome Florete. That year the network entered FM broadcasting with DYRF. In 1987 it acquired DWXB from Universal Broadcasting Network; the station later adopted the call letters DWSM. Until April 22, 1994, the network’s FM outlets were managed locally and commonly used individual station identities. They were subsequently organized under the Star FM brand. Star FM has positioned itself strongly in provincial and rural markets, including listeners from the provinces who later reside in Metro Manila. The FM network has also been used as a reporting resource during elections, legislative hearings, typhoons, disasters and other major breaking-news situations. A decline in network income during 2004 led to a reduction in the number of FM stations from 22 to 11. One notable change involved 95.1 Star FM Tacloban, which was rebranded as Bombo Radyo Tacloban and aligned with the AM network’s identity. The remaining Star FM network later regained strong nationwide ratings according to the reference account. The name Bombo derives from the Spanish word for a drum. A bass-drum sound and its beats form part of the network’s sonic identity and are commonly heard between sections of newscasts. The brand’s public role is centered on local and national radio news, public-affairs programming, music and regional broadcasting rather than on a single consumer product. Its continuing importance rests on its provincial station footprint, recognizable audio branding and integration of news gathering with local radio service.
History
Bombo Radyo Philippines developed from Bombo Radyo Iloilo, which began broadcasting on July 6, 1966. The Iloilo station operated initially under the Northern Broadcasting Corporation. A joint-venture arrangement involving Don Marcelino and Antonio D. Villanueva, a former governor of Ilocos Sur, helped establish the station’s broadcasting operations. Its original studios were situated in the Florete Building on Mapa Street in Iloilo City Proper. The station later moved to the Bombo Radyo Broadcast Center near Luna Street in La Paz. During the 1970s it became a leading radio station in Iloilo and formed the base for a wider provincial network. Between 1967 and 1975, Bombo Radyo established stations in Laoag, Vigan, Cauayan, Bacolod, General Santos, Palawan, Baguio, Daet and Davao. The Florete Group later acquired Northern Broadcasting Corporation’s operations, including ten stations and two affiliates. Network development also involved management alliances with Consolidated Broadcasting Systems, Newsounds Broadcasting Network and People’s Broadcasting Service. These relationships became significant because different legal entities held licenses for different portions of the station portfolio. In 1976, Rogelio Florete assumed responsibility for the organization’s day-to-day operations, following the advice of his mother, Salome Florete. The network entered FM broadcasting in the same year with DYRF. It expanded further in 1987 through the acquisition of DWXB from Universal Broadcasting Network; that outlet subsequently used the call letters DWSM. Bombo Radyo’s FM operations were originally managed on a local basis, with individual station names, until the stations were consolidated under the Star FM identity on April 22, 1994. Star FM’s audience base has been particularly associated with provincial and rural listeners, including people from the provinces who later moved to Manila. The FM service also contributes to network news gathering during elections, congressional and Senate hearings, typhoons, disasters and other major events. The network experienced financial pressure from declining income in 2004 and reduced its FM presence from 22 stations to 11. In one related brand change, 95.1 Star FM Tacloban was rebranded as Bombo Radyo Tacloban and aligned with the Bombo Radyo network’s objectives. The Star FM brand subsequently remained a significant part of the organization’s nationwide radio portfolio. The network is operated by Bombo Radyo Holdings, Inc. under the Florete Group of Companies. Its headquarters are in Makati, although its broadcasting identity and strongest market presence are rooted in provincial stations. Most stations are licensed to People’s Broadcasting Service, Inc.; a smaller group of AM stations is licensed to Newsounds Broadcasting Network, Inc. Consolidated Broadcasting System previously held licenses for some FM stations from 1992 through 2018, when People’s Broadcasting Service assumed the relevant licenses after CBS’s non-renewal. The Bombo name comes from the Spanish term for a drum. Drumbeats, especially a bass-drum motif, are used as an audio signature between portions of newscasts. This sonic identity complements a programming model built around regional news, public affairs, music and timely coverage of weather, disasters and political events.
- 2018
People’s Broadcasting Service becomes licensee for former CBS stations
[1]People’s Broadcasting Service takes over licensing for FM stations previously licensed to Consolidated Broadcasting System after CBS’s authorization was not renewed.
- 2004
FM portfolio is reduced
[1]Following a decline in network income, the number of FM stations is reduced from 22 to 11.
- 1994
FM stations adopt the Star FM identity
[1]On April 22, the network’s previously locally managed FM stations are organized under the Star FM brand.
- 1987
Acquisition of DWXB
[1]The network acquires DWXB from Universal Broadcasting Network; the station later uses the call letters DWSM.
- 1976
Florete management takes operational leadership
[1]Rogelio Florete begins directing day-to-day operations, and the network launches its first FM station, DYRF.
- 1975
Initial expansion phase concludes
[1]By this point, the network had established stations in several Philippine markets, including Laoag, Vigan, Cauayan, Bacolod, General Santos, Palawan, Baguio, Daet and Davao.
- 1967
Provincial network expansion begins
[1]Bombo Radyo begins establishing additional stations outside Iloilo, continuing its expansion through 1975.
- 1966
Bombo Radyo Iloilo begins broadcasting
[1]The network’s flagship station begins operations in Iloilo City on July 6, establishing the foundation of the later Bombo Radyo network.
Products and positioning
A province-centered Philippine radio network combining local news, public affairs, music and emergency information, with particularly strong historical reach in the Visayas and Mindanao.
AM radio network · 1966
Bombo Radyo
Bombo Radyo is the network’s principal AM radio identity. Its stations provide regional and national news, public-affairs programming and other general radio content, with a particularly strong historical presence in the Visayas and Mindanao. The network does not maintain an AM station in Manila, but it maintains its headquarters and newsroom there.
FM radio network · 1994
Star FM
Star FM is the network’s FM brand, created by consolidating stations that had previously operated with locally managed and individually named identities. It targets provincial and rural audiences and has particular recognition among people from the provinces living in Metro Manila. Star FM stations also support news gathering during elections, legislative hearings, typhoons, disasters and other major events.
Flagship radio station · 1966
Bombo Radyo Iloilo
Bombo Radyo Iloilo is the network’s flagship station and began broadcasting in Iloilo City in 1966. It was the origin point for the later national network and has historically been one of the leading radio stations in its market. Its studios moved from the Florete Building on Mapa Street to the Bombo Radyo Broadcast Center near Luna Street in La Paz.
Brand decisions
2018
Change in licensing for selected FM stationsOtherBackground
Consolidated Broadcasting System had licensed some FM stations from 1992 until its authorization was not renewed.
Action taken
People’s Broadcasting Service became the licensee for the affected stations.
Aftermath
Most stations in the network were subsequently licensed to People’s Broadcasting Service, while several AM stations remained licensed to Newsounds Broadcasting Network.
2004
Reduction of the FM station portfolioStrategyBackground
The network experienced financial losses associated with declining income during 2004.
Action taken
The number of FM stations was reduced from 22 to 11.
Aftermath
The reference account states that Star FM later achieved strong nationwide ratings, while the Tacloban outlet was rebranded as Bombo Radyo Tacloban.
Sources2 sources
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