Bohol media icon Fred Araneta, 74

By Leo Udtohan

Veteran Boholano broadcast journalist Fred Araneta, one of the most recognizable voices in Bohol airwaves, passed away last Monday, Sept. 12. 

He had been a broadcaster at station dyRD-Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation for 49 years.

At 16, he started his broadcast career with dyML in the 1960. He then transferred to station dyRD where he practiced his craft from 1973 until his death.

He was the anchor of popular radio programs such as "Eveready Newscast", "7 'O Clock News" and "Inyong Alagad" with dyRD.

The "7  O’Clock News" with Araneta has maintained its popularity among radio listeners to this day that it serves as "alarm clock" to residents before going to offices and schools.

"Inyong Alagad" earned the program as one of the nominees as "Most Outstanding Radio Programs in the Philippines"  by the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP).

Araneta served as a longtime president of the Bohol Tri-Media Association (BTMA). 

Araneta’s colleagues, friends and listeners were among those who expressed condolences to his bereaved family, saying

morning radio will never be the same.

"Bohol and Tagbilaran lost an icon in broadcast media! Some shoes are just so difficult to replace. You are irreplaceable," said Rosalinda Paredes said Araneta, community oganizer and USAID-Surge project coordinator. 

"My life as a media person will never be the same without you, Fred. I will miss you forever in my life. FOREVER! Rest in peace, Dong," said Araneta’s sister, Ardy Araneta-Batoy, who is also a media practitioner, in a Facebook post.

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