Vanguard Radio Network Explained

Vanguard Radio Network
Type:Private
Foundation:1961
Founder:Manuel Galvez Jr.
Location:Mandaluyong, Philippines
Key People:

Vanguard Radio Network (VRN) is a Philippine radio network. Its corporate office is located at Rm. 614, Cityland Shaw Tower, St. Francis St. cor. Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, and its main headquarters is located at Pan-Philippine Highway, Brgy. Sangitan East, Cabanatuan. VRN operates a number of stations across regional places in Luzon under the Big Sound FM and Big Radio brands.[1] [2] [3]

VRN stations

AM stations

CallsignFrequencyPowerLocationOwned since
DZXO1188 kHz5 kWCabanatuan1969
DWMG1395 kHz5 kWSolano1969

FM stations

BrandingCallsignFrequencyPowerLocationOwned since
Big Sound FM CabanatuanDWWG101.5 MHz5 kWCabanatuan1981
Big Sound FM SolanoDWDC101.3 MHz5 kWSolano1988
Big Sound FM TuguegaraoDWXY100.5 MHz5 kWTuguegarao1988
Big Sound FM CauayanDWWC95.3 MHz5 kWCauayan1983
Big Sound FM BaguioDWBG95.9 MHz5 kWBaguio1994
Big Sound FM La UnionDWAA105.5 MHz5 kWSan Fernando1983
Big Radio TagbilaranDYVA88.7 MHz5 kWTagbilaran2015

Former stations

Former BrandingCallsignFrequencyLocationYears ownedCurrent status
DZYGDZYG1330 kHzCabanatuan1961–1972Closed during Martial Law.
Big Sound FM LucenaDWNG97.5 MHzLucena1997–2014Acquired by Southern Tagalog Sweet Life. Currently broadcasting as Gospel Radio.
Big Radio BatangasDZLC98.5 MHzLipa2019–2022Currently broadcasting as Cool FM.

Trademark dispute

In July 2011, VRN filed a legal trademark infringement case at the Intellectual Property Office against Manuelito F. Luzon, owner of ZimZam Management which operates and manages Metro Manila station DWKY (which used the "Big Radio" brand). Luzon was accused of using the said brand without any permission from VRN, citing that VRN already owned the said brand alongside the "Big Sound FM" brand.[4] The case was upheld in 2017, and Luzon violated Section 147 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Republic Act No. 3258 . The Corpus Juris . June 17, 1961 . April 23, 2019.
  2. Web site: Duterte OKs renewal of franchise to 3 broadcasting networks . . April 23, 2019.
  3. Web site: KBP Members . Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas . April 23, 2019.
  4. Web site: VANGUARD RADIO NETWORK CO. INC. vs. MANUELITO LUZON. federislaw.com.ph. Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
  5. Web site: VANGUARD RADIO NETWORK CO. INC. vs. MANUELITO LUZON. federislaw.com.ph. Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.