Radioman host Weng dela Peña was caught by surprise when he was offered by the executives of GMA to become the voice of the network.
A longtime AM personality who is now with DZBB-AM, he says that his new role, succeeding longtime announcer Al Torres, was not part of his career plans.
“Sometime in July or August, I was asked to do an audio-visual presentation for Pulang Araw. Afterward, I received several calls to do samples of other programs. I thought it was just for another project; I was surprised. It turned out that GMA was looking for a new sound. I did not realize this until late December,” he recalls in this exclusive interview with the Manila Standard Entertainment.
As the new sound, whose rich baritone voice can be heard from early morning until midnight, he was introduced to the viewers at the start of the year.
In taking on his new role, he portrays a character in every script he reads, helping connect these lines to the audience.
“We are promoting emotions; these are important for us to connect with what we are hearing and watching. I am not only projecting to support my image but also the one I am representing, especially now that GMA is the number one network in the country,” he later says.
Before stepping inside the network’s complex, Dela Peña had long been exposed to the broadcast industry, tracing his roots to Zamboanga.
“Everything that happened in the past contributed to my development. My experiences working for various radio outfits, big or small, have given me so many lessons. Not only as a voice talent but even as a person. I learned how to hone my craft and not to be complacent with it,” he reflects.
As loyal Kapuso viewers tune in to a different sound, he hopes to earn the viewers’ trust amid public reception.
“I just hope that they’ll give me the chance to continue (doing this role) and that they will appreciate what I’ll be able to give them on a day-to-day basis. I hope it’s a happy surprise for them,” he says.
Weng will continue to work as the sound of the network, reading scripts for its promos and teasers in his newfound responsibility, which he finds “lovely.”