ANGEL OF THE AIRWAVES
She went from radio to TV, and now she’s living her childhood dream. This is Dylan Vizcarra’s glamorous nine-to-sawa.
By CHONX TIBAJIA

She makes work look like play, but Dylan is quick to note that her job as multi-tasking bi-media host is not always as easy at it seems. Still, her job much-coveted, no matter how unglamorous she says it is. Not your typical nine-to-five, her day job can quickly turn into an all-nighter, if demand calls for it, but she’s not complaining. Here’s how she snagged gig after gig, after gig, after gig…

What was your dream job as a kid? I wanted to be a rock star. Didn’t everybody?
What job title/titles do you hold now? Radi¬o jock, TV host, events host, sometime writer, full-time dreamer, and frustrated musician. I spent roughly three years in radioland before I got into the mad world of TV.

How did you land your radio gig and how did it lead to you hosting a show on Jack TV? It was one foggy night in Mayric’s and I was pleasantly tipsy and somehow charmed my way into one of the senior jock’s consciousness with my impressive stories. Mostly untrue, I think but my delivery sealed the deal. He asked me to audition and I got the job. Once I got into radio, I started hosting events mostly gigs and rock concerts. Producers of the show on Jack TV seeked me out, after catching one of the shows I hosted, thinking I had the exact personality they were looking for to host their new show.

Do you think your job is glamorous?
If you call taking the bus-fx-tricycle combo going to the studio in Antipolo glamorous, then I guess so.

What is your typical workday like?
On the busiest of my days: Shoot in Antipolo studio at 10am. Then, run to the NU studios at 3pm to do DJ work until 6pm. Then, head off to a hosting gig that usually lasts until the wee hours of the morning.

What are the most common misconceptions people have about your job?
That it’s all fun and free food. Well, it is mostly fun and free food. Just not all the time.

Looking back, what’s the best thing or decision you’ve ever made, career-wise?
On the day I was hired to be a copywriter for a really big ad agency, NU107 called me up to say I got the job as a jock. I had to choose overnight between the two evils. I went with the DJ job. This is what I’d tell anyone who’d ask: When faced with a difficult choice, always go with what your heart tells you.

What is the best perk of your job?
For radio, it’s being able to come to work in comfy slippers. For TV, it’s the free stuff. I have to admit, it’s always the free stuff.

What are the three biggest challenges of your job that you’ve learned to overcome?
1) Not being able to broadcast your true emotions. I’ve had a friend commit suicide and minutes after I just heard the news, I had to go onboard and carry on with my radio show like nothing happened. Your listeners expect you to always be on top of things no matter what. 2) The getting up and going to work. I used to be really tardy for work and had numerous absences. Only when I started showing up for work everyday and on time did I reap numerous benefits. There’s nothing like going to bed at night knowing you have accomplished another hard day’s work. It’s quite empowering, really. 3) The haters. It took me some time to figure out the old cliche that you can’t please all the people all the time and now I treat praise and criticism the same way – not too seriously.

What is your dream job now?
To host an international show. Maybe Amazing Race although I’m not buff enough for that yet.

What other hobbies would you like to pursue?
Scuba diving has always been a temptation.

What would people find surprising about you?
I hate wearing make up. I take the bus everyday. I’m your average bear.

About your job?
With TV: That sometimes, it would take hundreds of takes to get that one perfect little shot. It’s a lot of hard work. A lot of waiting, sweating, and more waiting, but once the episode comes out and looks great, then you know it’s all worth it.

What’s your advice for those who want a job like yours?
While nothing beats the good ol’ combination of prayer, hard work and a chock full of discipline, I think loving your job, having loads of fun and most importantly, marching to your own beat and staying true to yourself are all precious tidbits of advice, too.