Five Seconds to Air - Father George Nolan, C.P.
Christmas 1971 saw the beginning of Radio Station DXCP in General Santos City, Philippines under the auspices of Bishop Reginald Arliss, C.P. of the Diocese of Marbel. Father George Nolan was the director. Ordained in 1949, Father Nolan eventually was assigned to West Springfield where he was associated with Father Rice, C.P. during the beginnings of the Passionist radio and television apostolate. In 1958 Father Nolan was assigned to the Philippines.
Information obtained for the Stotts Report showed that DXCP was on the air from 5 A.M to 10 P.M. daily. To defray expenses commercial advertising was accepted. During the time of martial law in the Philippines the radio station had to walk a political tightrope. For a variety of reasons, it was commonplace at that time to tape radio shows rather than to air live broadcasts. Each day one could tune in to a variety of religious broadcasting which included Scripture spots every half-hour, religious music, Mass on the radio-this included a broadcast message-as well as dramatic presentations. It was not uncommon to hear shows on moral or social issues. Over the years shows have been broadcast in Tagalog, Cebuano, and English. Father Nolan died in 1985 in the Philippines.
When it began in 1971 a good many people in the Philippines did not have access to television so radio played an important role. Historians may be interested to see how, overtime, DXCP a radio station has emerged from its Passionist roots so as to broadcast today on 585 AM (5000 watts) from General Santos City.
Father Fidelis Rice, C.P.
Father Mark Connolly
Father George Nolan, C.P.
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