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| Broadcast area | Mega Manila and surrounding areas |
| Frequency | 105.9MHz (HD Radio) (FM Stereo) |
| Branding | 105.9 True FM |
| Programming | |
| Language | Filipino |
| Format | News,Public Affairs,Talk,Drama |
| Network | True FM |
| Affiliations | One PH Nation Broadcasting Corporation True TV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation |
| Operator | TV5 Network, Inc. |
| Through TV5: DWET-TV (TV5) DZKB-TV (RPTV) DWNB-TV (One Sports) | |
| History | |
First air date | April 1, 1992; 33 years ago (1992-04-01) |
Former call signs | True FM: DWFM(2010–2024) |
Former names |
|
Former frequencies | True FM: 92.3 MHz(2010–2024) |
Call sign meaning | WeLoveAdventure(former slogan) |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | NTC |
| Class | A (clear frequency) |
| Power | 20,000watts |
| ERP | 60,000watts |
| Repeaters | Cebu City:DYFM 101.9 MHz Cagayan de Oro:DXRL 101.5 MHz |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Live Stream |
| Website | news |
DWLA (105.9FM), branded asTrue FM, is a radio station owned by Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation, and operated under anairtime lease agreement byTV5 Network, Inc. It serves as the flagship station ofTrue Network, one of the assets ofNews5. Its studios are located at theTV5 Media Center, Reliance cor. Sheridan Sts., Brgy. Highway Hills,Mandaluyong; its transmitter is located at 125 St. Peter Street, Nuestra Señora de la Paz Subdivision, Brgy. Santa Cruz,Antipolo. Bright Star's sales office is located in Southland Estates,Las Piñas.
Established on April 1, 1992, as LA 105.9, the station, owned by polo patron andBanco Filipino owner Albert “Bobby” Aguirre'sBright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation, initially broadcast a modern rock format.[1] In July 1998, it rebranded asWLA (We Love Adventure), shifting to an automated format of electronic dance music and Top 40 hits. Due to financial difficulties, WLA ceased operations on November 26, 2000.[2]
By 2001, the station, now simplyDWLA 105.9 FM, playedpop music. Duringthe 2001 elections, independent record producer Ed Formoso introduced “pop and politics” programming with political features for young adult voters.[3] Later that year, the station diversified its programming beyond pop[4] to includeLatino,techno,reggae,world music, and occasionallyOPM,rap,rock,hip-hop, andjazz.[5]
On October 20, 2003, the station relaunched asBlazin' 105.9.[6] It was operated by Empire Entertainment, owned by radio veteran Marcelle John Marcelino (DJ Htown),[7] andCavite businessman-politician Mayor Dino Chua, President of Cavite Broadcasting Network.[8]
Blazin' played various rap, hip-hop, and R&B, including underground hip hop, and produced the firstBlack Eyed Peas concert in the Philippines.[6]
In late 2006, Empire Entertainment subleased the station toRamon Jacinto'sRajah Broadcasting Network. It was inactive from January to July 2007, withWave 89.1 taking over the Pinoy hip hop scene in 2007 and creating the 1st Urban Music Awards in 2010.
On July 15, 2007, 105.9 FM resumed broadcasting asRJ Underground Radio UR 105.9, airing amainstream rock format. Functioning as a child station ofRJ 100.3 FM, it mirrored the pre-1986DZRJ Rock of Manila and even LA 105.9, playing three songs in a row (modern rock, classic rock, and Pinoy rock), with exceptions for special programs and “Sunday Rock Jam.” Initially, it primarily used public address systems on weekdays, later introducing on-air talent. Veteran DJs from the original RJ Rock of Manila hosted "Sunday Rock Jam." Within months, RJ UR increased its transmission to 25,000 watts, though its signal remained limited in distant areas.[9]
Sundays on RJ UR 105.9 featured legendary DZRJ rock jocks Jamie Evora (“The Spirit”), Hoagy Pardo (“Cousin Hoagy”), Mike Llamas (“Stoney Burke”), and Alfred Gonzalez (“The Madman”), broadcasting from the United States. Also, legendary rock DJ Dante David (“Howlin' Dave”) returned to FM radio and the RJ group with his Sunday afternoon program, “RJ Pinoy Rock and Rhythm,” following a stint with the short-livedRock 990. David's program continued until his death in May 2008 due to health reasons.
After four years, UR management decided not to renew the lease on 105.9. On May 28, 2011, UR 105.9 relaunched and migrated to the internet as UR Faceradio,[10] though the station continued to air the online feed until the end of June. It was later discovered thatRajah Broadcasting Network had an issue with Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation over its unauthorized use of the network.[citation needed]
On July 1, 2011, Francis Lumen's Hi-Definition Radio Inc. acquired the station's airtime lease, relocating studios to Silver City Mall inPasig.
On July 14, 2011, it began test broadcasts asRadio High 105.9, adopting asmooth jazz and varied format similar to the defunct923 Joey and106.7 Dream FM. Its programming included quarter-hour segments like “Global High” (world music), “High on the 80s” (80s music), “Lite Jazz High” (smooth jazz), and “Natural High” (New Age Music), alongside sponsored programs and “105.9 Hours of Christmas” (a 106-hour Christmas music marathon, later adopted byRJFM).[11]
Due to financial losses, Lumen subleased the station in February 2014, with the format airing until March 27, 2014.[11]
On March 1, 2014,DCG Radio-TV Network, led by Joselito Ojeda and Domingo C. Garcia, subleased the station's airtimer. Concurrently, a team of veteran DJs, headed by Jonathan “JJ Sparx” Jabson, developed a new format playing “songs listeners grew up with.” After teasers, the station relaunched asRetro 105.9 DCG FM on March 28, 2014, at 5:00 AM PHT. This format quickly became successful, boosting listenership and inspiring similar "retro" stations across the Philippines.[12]
In October 2014, Jabson resigned, leading to Cris Hermosisima (DJ Cris Cruise) being hired as a consultant and subsequent changes in the DJ lineup. Retro 105.9 also introduced new programs like “Discoteria” and “Retro In Love.” Willy "Hillbilly Willy" Inong took over as station manager on October 12, 2015, but left on June 4, 2017, due to “creative differences.”
For nearly two years, Retro 105.9 was Nielsen's #1 station in the Niche market. However, by 2017, the station reduced its terrestrial broadcast hours to 19 daily for transmitter maintenance, continuing online overnight. On November 20, 2017, the “DCG FM” tag was removed, and most DJs were dismissed, leaving the station largely automated outside of newscasts.
Retro 105.9 ceased broadcasting abruptly on May 25, 2018, at 6:00 PM. It was later disclosed that DCG Radio-TV Network failed to pay its debts and did not renew its sublease with Bright Star.
On May 26, 2018, 105.9 FM returned to air asLike FM 105.9, featuring anAdult Top 40 and talk radio format. The station's airtime was taken over by a new investor group, including former personalities Jabson and Manny “Jimmy Jam” Pagsuyuin. Regular broadcasting began on July 28, 2018, at 6:00 AM.
In February 2019, after Jabson's departure, Like FM adopted the tagline “The Best of the '90s and Beyond” and started playing jazz and R&B during late nights, while largely maintaining its format.
Like FM 105.9 ceased operations on July 23, 2019, at midnight, after previously announcing a reformat.
On July 24, 2019, the station rebranded as Lite FM 105.9, adopting a smooth jazz format for the second time in its history. However, this branding was dropped by early December of the same year, and the station entered a period of transition.
On December 5, 2019, at 4:00 PM, the station began carrying the brandNeo Retro 1059 and adapted an adult hits format. Its official broadcast commenced on January 1, 2020. In May 2021, the station relocated its studio fromPasig to Southland Estates,Las Piñas. Neo Retro 1059 signed off permanently at midnight on November 4, 2024.
On November 4, 2024, at 4:00 AM, the station returned on air as105.9 True FM, broadcasting from theTV5 Media Center inMandaluyong. This move followed True FM's transition fromNation Broadcasting Corporation's (NBC)92.3 MHz, a result ofPhilippine Collective Media Corporation's airtime lease and content agreement with NBC for most of its radio assets.[13][14][15]
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