Best part of DJ Chacha’s job

DJ Chacha

When Chacha Balba started working as a disc jockey 10 years ago, some people warned her that radio may become obsolete in the near future, as digital media becomes more popular.

But she begs to disagree. As long as traffic is terrible, she jested, radio will remain relevant.

“When people—drivers, especially—begin their day, they don’t watch television. They turn on the radio and listen to our programs,” the dzMM and MOR 101.9 DJ/announcer told the Inquirer in a recent interview for Horseshoe Studio’s “Pansamantagal,” an upcoming screen rom-com she will be part of. “Besides, not everyone in the country has access to the internet or has good connection.”

In fact, Chacha feels that competition among radio stations is tighter than ever.

“Having just a good speaking voice won’t cut it these days—you have to have character and come up with original content, especially if you’re with a station that caters to the masses,” related the DJ, who goes on air on weekdays: as a daytime entertainment correspondent on dzMM; and as host of MOR’s “Heartbeats” at night.

Chacha, who looks up to radio hosts Nicole Hyala and Asia Agcaoili, won a DJ hunt in college, at Lyceum of the Philippines, her alma mater. She used to make guest appearances in an MOR program that features student DJs, and was eventually offered a job at the station.

Chacha’s blunt and no-nonsense approach to giving love advice in “Heartbeats”—and her stint in the reality talent search “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7”—has turned her into a celebrity in her own right.

“The best part of my job is when listeners give me updates on what happened to them, after giving them advice,” related Chacha, who has so far amassed over 263,000 followers on Instagram.

While she has appeared in television shows in the past, “Pansamantagal”—which opens in cinemas on March 20—is Chacha’s first film and biggest acting role so far. Starring Gelli de Belen and Bayani Agbayani, the movie tells of fleeting circumstances that leave lasting impressions.

“Most of my previous acting jobs had me playing DJs or television hosts—nothing different from what I actually do in real life,” said Chacha, who’s also part of the upcoming action flick “On the Job 2.” “That’s why I’m excited about this one. I play a worker in a resort where the two main characters meet.”