Damayan Ngayon, also known as Damayan was a Philippine public service talk show program, and is one of the longest-running public service programs in the country. The first incarnation of the show was hosted by veteran actress and Philippine Red Cross member Rosa Rosal and William Thio, which first ran on ABS-CBN from October 20, 1969 until it closed down on September 21, 1972 as a telethon, and was revived on December 1, 1975 and aired on GTV until November 20, 2010, after merely 35 years. The second incarnation of the show premiered on PTV on October 6, 2017 and now airs every Fridays. It was hosted by Thio, and new host Emilie Katigbak. The show tackles different informative subjects and solutions that surely helps not just the viewers but also the real people especially those who are in need.
History
ABS-CBN Era (1969–1972)
Ms. Rosa Rosal in the 1970s is a famous and devoted public servant. Her vision is to help people, especially those who are in an impoverished state. In order to keep her public service whole, she organized a television program so it could be spread to those who are in need. Damayan was premiered on October 1969 at its first home on ABS-CBN Channel 2. Back then, it was the only public service program in the entire country. It started as a telethon to raise money to be donated for the victims of Typhoon Isang. Numerous stars back then participated in this program until it became popular and the show's run has been extended. The show ceased airing on September 22, 1972, after the closure of the network due to implementation of Martial Law.
During the Martial Law years, Ms. Rosal continued her work in the Red Cross, vowing to never give up her lifelong service to the general public, even though the entire government controlled almost everything in the country. She went back to the television industry and on December 1, 1975, she hosted the public service program Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko together with future Senator and Defense Secretary Orly Mercado and Dr. Antonio Tulasan, on GMA Network, wherein the show received great reception. When Rosal was on the perk of hosting the show, she decided to revive her old show in her brand new home. Damayan once again premiered on the same year on GTV Channel 4 to provide humanitarian work, through national television together with her co-host and pinch hitter William Thio. Aside from providing public service in the show, it showed some numerous insights and talks about health, since Rosal interviewed mostly doctors. When their discussions are through, she would even provide medical assistance since that is her commitment. Even though she had a hectic schedule due to numerous shows she's in—such as her drama anthology Ulila in government-owned network BBC-2 from 1976-1980 and Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko on GMA—these particular shows earned Rosal numerous citations such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1999, Order of the Golden Heart in 2006, and the Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award in the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV.
Rosal's final telecast, life after ''Damayan'' (2010-2017)
After merely 35 continuous years in the airwaves, Rosal announced that she would be leaving the show and so it ended on November 20, 2010. The executives of Channel 4 decided to not revive the show, due to the reason that if there would be another Damayan, it wouldn't be complete without Ms. Rosal. Currently, she still works in the Philippine Red Cross as its ambassador and one of its official Board of Governors.
Revival as ''Damayan Ngayon'' (2017-present)
After a 7 year hiatus, PTV 4 is set to revive the program as Damayan Ngayon, hosted by Emilie Katigbak and William Thio, beginning Friday, October 6, 2017, right after Sentro Balita.
Concept and legacy
Damayan featured mostly doctors and other personalities to discuss further on the welfare of health and in public service. Usually, Rosal would interview them and they would have a live discussion about a certain topic. It also hosted telethons to provide financial aid to those who are in need such as typhoon victims, those with no medical assistance and others to name a few. Damayan has inspired most of the Filipino people, because the show never gives up in providing service, to those who are in need. Numerous organizations recognized the show for its core values and its never-ending mission.
