DWLA-FM
DWLA, branded as True FM, is a radio station owned by Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation, and operated under an airtime lease agreement by TV5 Network, Inc. It serves as the flagship station of True Network, one of the assets of News5. Its studios are located at the TV5 Media Center, Reliance cor. Sheridan Sts., Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong; its transmitter is located at 125 St. Peter Street, Nuestra Señora de la Paz Subdivision, Brgy. Santa Cruz, Antipolo. Bright Star's sales office is located in Southland Estates, Las Piñas.
History
1989-2000: LA 105.9
The station was established in 1989 as LA 105.9 by Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation, owned by polo patron and Banco Filipino owner Albert “Bobby” Aguirre. Under the helm of Production Director and Chief Announcer Ramon Zialcita, LA initially carried a pop format in its early years. In April 1990, it went off the air after its original studios located at the 19th floor of the Philcomcen building in Ortigas were burned down.In February 1991, LA returned on air, albeit transmitting in a low powered signal, airing classical and middle of the road music. By August 1992, it adapted a World music format. On November 30, 1993, the format was dropped due to shortages of music material and a need for a stable revenue. In preparation for its transition, they played non stop Christmas songs from December 1 to 25 before going off the air the next day. On December 27, it adopted a modern rock format, with the tagline Rock of the World.
In July 1998, it rebranded as WLA with the tagline We Love Adventure and shifted to an automated format, featuring a mix of electronic dance music and Top 40 hits.
2000-02: DWLA 105.9
By late 2000, the station was simply known as DWLA 105.9 FM and diversified its programming beyond pop to include Latino, techno, reggae, world music, and occasionally OPM, rap, rock, hip-hop, and jazz. During the 2001 elections, independent record producer Ed Formoso introduced “pop and politics” programming with political features for young adult voters.2003-07: Blazin' 105.9
On October 20, 2003, the station relaunched as Blazin' 105.9. It was operated by Empire Entertainment, owned by radio veteran Marcelle John Marcelino, and Cavite businessman-politician Mayor Dino Chua, President of Cavite Broadcasting Network.Blazin' played various rap, hip-hop, and R&B, including underground hip hop, and produced the first Black Eyed Peas concert in the Philippines.
In late 2006, Empire Entertainment subleased the station to Ramon Jacinto's Rajah Broadcasting Network. It was inactive from January to July 2007, with Wave 89.1 taking over the Pinoy hip hop scene in 2007 and creating the 1st Urban Music Awards in 2010.
2007-11: UR 105.9
On July 15, 2007, 105.9 FM resumed broadcasting as RJ Underground Radio UR 105.9, airing a mainstream rock format. Functioning as a child station of RJ 100.3 FM, it mirrored the pre-1986 DZRJ Rock of Manila and even LA 105.9, playing three songs in a row, with exceptions for special programs and “Sunday Rock Jam.” Initially, it primarily used public address systems on weekdays, later introducing on-air talent. Veteran DJs from the original RJ Rock of Manila hosted "Sunday Rock Jam." Within months, RJ UR increased its transmission to 25,000 watts, though its signal remained limited in distant areas.Sundays on RJ UR 105.9 featured legendary DZRJ rock jocks Jamie Evora, Hoagy Pardo, Mike Llamas, and Alfred Gonzalez, broadcasting from the United States. Also, legendary rock DJ Dante David returned to FM radio and the RJ group with his Sunday afternoon program, “RJ Pinoy Rock and Rhythm,” following a stint with the short-lived Rock 990. David's program continued until his death in May 2008 due to health reasons.
After four years, UR management decided not to renew the lease on 105.9. On May 28, 2011, UR 105.9 relaunched and migrated to the internet as UR Faceradio, though the station continued to air the online feed until the end of June. It was later discovered that Rajah Broadcasting Network had an issue with Bright Star Broadcasting Network Corporation over its unauthorized use of the network.
2011–14: Radio High
On July 1, 2011, Francis Lumen's Hi-Definition Radio Inc. acquired the station's airtime lease, relocating studios to Silver City Mall in Pasig.On July 14, 2011, it began test broadcasts as Radio High 105.9, adopting a smooth jazz and varied format similar to the defunct 923 Joey and 106.7 Dream FM. Its programming included quarter-hour segments like “Global High”, “High on the 80s”, “Lite Jazz High”, and “Natural High”, alongside sponsored programs and “105.9 Hours of Christmas”.
Due to financial losses, Lumen subleased the station in February 2014, with the format airing until March 27, 2014.
2014–18: Retro 105.9
On March 1, 2014, DCG Radio-TV Network, led by Joselito Ojeda and Domingo C. Garcia, subleased the station's airtimer. Concurrently, a team of veteran DJs, headed by Jonathan “JJ Sparx” Jabson, developed a new format playing “songs listeners grew up with.” After teasers, the station relaunched as Retro 105.9 DCG FM on March 28, 2014, at 5:00 AM PHT. This format quickly became successful, boosting listenership and inspiring similar "retro" stations across the Philippines.In October 2014, Jabson resigned, leading to Cris Hermosisima being hired as a consultant and subsequent changes in the DJ lineup. Retro 105.9 also introduced new programs like “Discoteria” and “Retro In Love.” Willy "Hillbilly Willy" Inong took over as station manager on October 12, 2015, but left on June 4, 2017, due to “creative differences.”
For nearly two years, Retro 105.9 was Nielsen's #1 station in the Niche market. However, by 2017, the station reduced its terrestrial broadcast hours to 19 daily for transmitter maintenance, continuing online overnight. On November 20, 2017, the “DCG FM” tag was removed, and most DJs were dismissed, leaving the station largely automated outside of newscasts.
Retro 105.9 ceased broadcasting abruptly on May 25, 2018, at 6:00 PM. It was later disclosed that DCG Radio-TV Network failed to pay its debts and did not renew its sublease with Bright Star.
2018-19: Like FM
On May 26, 2018, 105.9 FM returned to air as Like FM 105.9, featuring an Adult Top 40 and talk radio format. The station's airtime was taken over by a new investor group, including former personalities Jabson and Manny “Jimmy Jam” Pagsuyuin. Regular broadcasting began on July 28, 2018, at 6:00 AM.In February 2019, after Jabson's departure, Like FM adopted the tagline “The Best of the '90s and Beyond” and started playing jazz and R&B during late nights, while largely maintaining its format.
Like FM 105.9 ceased operations on July 23, 2019, at midnight, after previously announcing a reformat.
2019: Lite FM
On July 24, 2019, the station rebranded as Lite FM 105.9, adopting a smooth jazz format for the second time in its history.However, this branding was dropped by early December of the same year, and the station entered a period of transition.