‘Behind the Wishper’ Concert Celebrates OPM, Charity, and the Power of Wishes

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Celebrating the power of wishes and sparking inspiration, Wish 107.5 held a virtual concert titled “Behind the Wishper” on December 20, Sunday. It paid homage to Kuya Daniel Razon’s efforts in helping elevate the modern OPM scene.

Kuya Daniel is the main man behind the FM radio station and the voice that breathed life to the now-iconic “Wish 107.5” whisper.

Chronicling a decades-long story

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The show, which was livestreamed on the Wish YouTube channel, chronicled Kuya Daniel’s awe-inspiring journey of how he came up with the idea of Wish 107.5.

It was a trip down memory lane as the concert narrated his life experiences as a college student and a choir member and then as a restaurant singer and a disc jockey in the ‘80s — all of which became pivotal in honing his dream of making a substantial contribution to the local music industry.

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“It started with what-ifs. Even having an FM station on a bus, it was just a what-if. But never in my wildest dream that Daniel was not just dreaming — he’s dreaming big. And let’s give credit to God. Because he was really blessed, that God guided him and gave him wisdom. That’s why we have all of this, we have Wish,” Allan Ungriano, one of his college friends and a choir conductor, shared in an interview for the concert.

After cradling a wish spanning decades, Kuya Daniel’s dream to help uplift OPM started coming into reality with the official launch of Wish back in August 2014.

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Within six years, the station has overcome different challenges and rose to become a vital driving force in the scene. It is known for giving a unique platform for artists — across different generations and genres. As how KZ Tandingan summed it up in her interview: “Wish 107.5 recognizes real talent and passion.”

Championing music and charity

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In between the narrations and featured interviews, the country’s top artists also showcased their musical gifts.

Rendering songs that became part of Kuya Daniel’s life and hits that soundtrack Wish’s success story, “Behind the Wishper” saw performances from KZ Tandingan, Morissette, The Juans, Yeng Constantino, Janine Teñoso, Daryl Ong, Bugoy Drilon, Marco Sison, and Wishcovery alumni The Wishfuls.

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one of the event’s highlights, The Juans hit a sweet spot as they performed a praise song penned by Kuya Daniel himself. “Alam Niya” is a heartfelt ode to God’s unfathomable mercy and understanding.

As in previous Wish-produced events, the virtual concert also highlighted Kuya Daniel’s heart for charity. For the concert, the station will be doling out tablets to deserving individuals. Similar to what it did during its sixth anniversary, the number of gadgets Wish will donate will tally up to 107.

For DJ Alice of the radio programs “The Wonderland” and “Roadshow,” it is an honor to be part of such a “big movement.”

“It’s not just great music that we’re championing, but also we are helping out and giving back to the community,” she said.

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Sharing how this noble aspect resonates with their goal, P-pop phenomenon SB19 noted that the station’s “charitable endeavors really intensify the group’s purpose.”

“Apart from bringing OPM to the world stage, our main goal is to help listeners — especially those who need it most,” the group, who took last WMA’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year award, added.

OPM figures give gratitude

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Throughout the event, key OPM figures also cited how Wish gave a huge boost to the country’s music landscape.

“I like what you guys are doing, Wish — giving a platform to up-and-coming artists and also veteran artists who people wish to see again in the scene,” OPM rock icon Rico Blanco shared.

The singer-songwriter, who also serves as the president of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), further lauded how the station has invested in the right equipment and people to showcase Filipino talents.

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Wish, under Kuya Daniel’s leadership, is known for introducing the Wish Bus — a mobile FM radio booth-cum-recording studio where live performances are being staged and filmed. Extending its reach to the digital realm, the station uploads these “Wishclusives” on its channel, which has recently garnered 10 million subscribers.

“We would like to thank him and congratulate him that he has this passion. Very few people have this passion; very few people are willing to put their time and their effort into something like this. So it’s the foresight and the love for Original Pilipino Music or any kind of music,” Mitch Valdes, a versatile entertainer and former President of the Orginasasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), relayed.

Meanwhile, National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab also noted how “the relationship of Filipino musicians and Wish 107.5 is symbiotic.”

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“Artists get to help the station’s charitable programs while Wish gets to help artists by giving them a platform to promote their music,” the OPM luminary, who was the first-ever recipient of the KDR Icon of Musical Excellence award, stated.

When asked about his wish for the Wish 107.5 innovator, he shared: “I wish Kuya Daniel to live more lives because people like him have visions. He has a very great vision for Filipino music.”

“Behind the Wisher” is brought to you by LG, Cartier Telecom, Huawei, Man of Steel, Conjug8, TGP, and PGA Sompo Insurance Corporation. Our official event partners are BES House of Chicken, Daniel’s Coffee, Salut,  EFS Apparel, Marcid Blue, KDR Adventure Camp, Smallville Dive Center and Resort, KDR Studios and Productions Incorporated, KDR Music House Company, and Morong Star Beach Resort and Hotel.