Anthony “TonyToni” Bueno was keeping up with his busy schedules as he was anticipating Boys’ Night Out’s “#LastNightOut”.
The seasoned DJ was one of the mainstays of the now-defunct radio show that aired on Magic 89.9 from 2006 to October of this year.
Heavy rains served as a pretext for the Boys’ hangout, which was originally scheduled on Nov. 10.
In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, Tony shares his sentiments over the course of events leading to the show’s axing.
Bueno, who was with Magic for more than 20 years, was “fired” by the new management on Sept. 6 due to “severe financial losses.” He initially wanted to “just go quietly” to keep their listeners curious about what would have been his silent exit.
But he changed course three weeks later and announced that he would be leaving the station on Sept. 29. Boys’ Night Out would have its premature exit two days later.
“I did not leave Magic. I don’t think the two (Tin and Slick Rick) would leave Magic while I’m still there,” he said.
“I can’t help but (would I be) super angry or upset. Or maybe me being so nice? Superiors really have to assess who they’re hiring,” he further lamented, as he expressed dismay over his support for the station’s new program manager.
Since the show’s axing, some of Bueno’s former colleagues have commiserated with him, one of whom was pioneering co-host King DJ Logan.
Boys’ Night Out has also ventured into the online realm since its first years on the air; its own YouTube channel was created in 2007.
“The management never wanted to invest. Boys’ Night Out was our own hard work. They let us do what we wanted, they didn’t meddle with us,” he later shared, adding that they had free rein and control of the entire franchise.
Despite this, the seasoned DJ still lingers on to his desire for radio.
He reveals that he is in talks with competing stations to accommodate BNO in their roster. However, he admits that there are hurdles to them getting back together.
“The opportunity is there. It’s just a matter of who wants to go back to radio. How will I now get the full team at a high price?” Bueno pondered, given the radio market today.
In its years of keeping listeners in touch with their world, Tony says that Boys’ Night Out will “never be duplicated” by any station today, including their former home.
“We were gorillas, we did everything; gorilla marketing, events, TV, broadsheets. It was really full-force (effort),” he stressed.
When asked if the Boys will serve their own provocative nature should they find a new home on the radio, Bueno says that he is “hopeful” while reserving his full optimism.
After a delay caused by Typhoon Uwan, BNO’s “#LastNightOut” will open its doors on Jan. 14 at XYLO at the Palace.
