BYA Host Angelo Palmones
Angelo Palmones is the voice behind the award-winning, science-oriented radio program BAGO ‘YAN AH, that has become a household name to many and a model of science radio reporting in the country for 12 years now . He has a distinguished career as a broadcast journalist whose first experience as a news reporter was to cover dangerous events and the long-time chaos in Mindanao. His advocacy to promote science and technology started when he was asked to host the program in 1996. It wasn’t an easy job but he took it anyway and even went beyond what others expected of him to deliver.
Although he was skeptical at first, because science and technology is not a popular subject to talk about those days, he tried anchoring a couple of episodes. After talking to guest-researchers and scientists, he was surprised on how listeners responded to what they were discussing at that time. Since then he was convinced that such valuable information is needed to be disseminated. For him “Filipinos should not be deprived of it (information) especially if it will empower them to become self-sufficient, more productive, and globally competitive.” Bago ‘Yan Ah program airs every Sunday, 4:30-6:00pm over DZMM and channel 26 on SkyCable.
As host of the program, Palmones’ wits and communication skills have simplified esoteric science topics to make it interesting and understandable even to the unschooled and marginalized sector. He has the ability to discuss these topics with humor without sacrificing its scientific importance. He always focuses on presenting the practicality of the subject matter, and its applications in the everyday lives of Filipino people. Moreover, his thorough comprehension of the subject matter compliments his informal and entertaining way of discussing it with the resource persons, which has proven to be more effective in creating science culture in the country.
He introduced innovative segments in the program including “School on the Air” for various topics, and involved students and teachers (in partnership with DECS at that time, now Department of Education) in the segment “Mga Batang Scientists.”
As an offshoot of another segment in the BYA program with inventor Capt. Bong Reamon , “Kaya Mo Yan Bata ,“ teaches young minds practical projects out of scrap materials with the application of science concept into it. He organized Invent School and implemented it in various campuses in Metro Manila and provinces to promote and encourage creativity among students.
As a champion of S&T advocacy, Palmones does not only play the role of a host in the program, but he also goes out of his way to promote and support S&T in the Philippines. He works closely with the officials and practitioners in the said field, both in government and private sectors, in whatever ways he can, to enhance public understanding and appreciation of science and technology.
He was the co-founder of Philippine Science Journalists Association, Inc. (PSciJourn), where he serves now as the president for the second time around. He initiated forums, projects and help organized events and activities for reporters, broadcasters, student journalists and colleagues for better understanding of issues, and other concerns that will equip them effectively in promoting technologies and science research studies. He is also a council member of Biotechnology Conference of the Philippines and a senior lecturer in at the College of Mass Communication in the University of the Philippines.
Currently, Palmones is the Station Manager of DZMM and the Director of AM Radio Network of ABS-CBN. He was born and raised in Kidapawan, Cotobato, where he finished his Bachelor Degree of Science in Commerce (major Economics) at Notre Dame College of Kidapawan in 1987. He took up law subjects in Far Eastern University and trained for an executive development program at the Asian Institute of Management in 1999.
Angelo received numbers of awards and honors including DOST's Hall of Fame Media Award, KBP Golden Dove Award as Best News Anchor and Best Public Affairs Host, Outstanding Citizen of Valenzuela City and Lopez Achievement Award for Public Responsibility among others.
The very recent award that he got is the 50 Men and Women of Science from Department of Science and Technology. This affirmed all his efforts and significant contributions to the development of science and technology in the Philippines. The select group includes scientists, researchers, administrators, educators, technoprenuers, and communicators whose achievements made an impact in DOST’s development efforts.