Bombo exec is first Ilonggo KBP prexy
Herman Z. Basbaño, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (AM Division) of Bombo Radyo Philippines, has been elected President of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) during the 34th KBP Top Level Management Conference held at Tagaytay City last week.
A native of Pavia and San Rafael, Iloilo, Basbaño is the first Ilonggo to hold such a position and is among the few "promdis” to reach such exalted heights in the broadcast industry traditionally dominated by executives from the national capital.
Basbaño graduated from Pavia Pilot Elementary School, Iloilo National High School and Western Institute of Technology. He virtually rose from the ranks, starting, at age 24, as a reporter/newscaster for Bombo Radyo Iloilo in 1979. As anchorman several years later, he was substantially responsible for Bombo Radyo's rise to number one in Iloilo. As Bombo Radyo rose to prominence and preeminence in the broadcast industry, so did Basbaño's personal and professional success. He was promoted news director, station manager, area manager and, finally, vice president. Along the way, Basbaño became president of the Iloilo Press Club and was granted a scholarship to the United States by Rotary International.
Basbaño thanked Bombo Radyo Philippines and its President/CEO Mr. Rogelio Florete for training him and for the opportunity of being in the industry. He is also grateful to his colleagues in the industry for having faith in him and said he hoped to be able to make the KBP responsive to the needs and challenges facing the industry.
Other elected officers of the KBP were: March Ventoza (ABS-CBN), Executive Vice President; Atom Henares (UN TV Progressive), Vice President for TV; Manny Luzon (Ultrasonic Broadcasting), Vice President for Radio; Fr. Manuel Bongayan (Radio Veritas), Treasurer; and Lito Yabut (Primax Broadcasting), Secretary.
Others elected to the Board were: Butch Canoy (RMN), chairman; Ruperto Nicdao (MBC), vice chairman; and directors - Abet Sicat, (UMBN), Arman Ursal (Quest Broadcasting) and Rino Basilio (ABC 5). Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) is a private association of all operators of radio and television stations in the country which was established in April 1973.