Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1915, Francisco "Koko" Trinidad, actor & pioneer in Filipino radio broadcasting, was born in #Manila. His immense contribution to #PH mass media & #pressfreedom is still acknowledged as he mentored the 1st generation of Filipino broadcasters. THREAD. #History

He studied at the Manila North High School. Upon graduation, Koko pursued his passion in radio broadcasting. He entered @FEBC_ph as radio announcer while trying to pursue Law at @FarEasternU. Unfortunately he never completed the course. Soon he became prod manager at the FEBC.

But #WWII came. Even under Japanese occupation, Koko became director of stagings in Avenue, Lyric, and Strand theatres. With the destruction & liberation of Manila in 1945, he was immediately tapped as announcer for the U.S. Office of War Information.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1468552367281152001?s=20&t=IpRDNVoq83DrUxsJQW6oYg

... and Program Director of the U.S. Information Service, as #PH prepared for independence from the U.S. in 1946. In 1947, he decided to enter the Philippine Broadcast Service, and became the pioneer of using radio as medium for distance learning.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1543808413313880064?s=20&t=IpRDNVoq83DrUxsJQW6oYg

He partnered w/ Bureau of Public & Private Schools under DepEd to promote learning via info radio programs in 1959. This, he consciously patterned, after the radio programs of the British Broadcasting Co. (@BBC). The prog was shut down during Martial Law.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1573164504506310656?s=20&t=IpRDNVoq83DrUxsJQW6oYg

He retired from radio in 1970 but entered UP Institute of Mass Communications (UPIMC) as faculty, upon w/c he became a mentor to a generation of #PH broadcasters (1970-1980). After EDSA, he became sec-general of @UNESCO Nat'l Commission of #PH in 1986.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1497074146030673930?s=20&t=IpRDNVoq83DrUxsJQW6oYg

Koko was instrumental in the elevation of the UP Mass Communications from an institute to a college (@upcmc) in 1988. He was given the Testimonial Plaque of Recognition, & Certificate of Appreciation during the Silver Jubilee of the college. He died in 2001.

Photos:
- Trinidad at home, Dec 1985, from photographer Manny Reyes
- Trinidad w/ his wife, writer, artist, & radio drama scriptwriter Carolina Flores-Trinidad ("Lina Flor"), from @NewsRmn
- Avenue Theater, Rizal Ave. #Manila (undated), from Manila Nostalgia

- Lyric Theater, Escolta St. #Manila, 1937, from Eduardo de Leon
- College of Mass Communication building (Plaridel Hall), undated, @Official_UPD

For @subselfie
@jmnualla
@tonitiemsin