It started with a conversation on a balcony, and the realization that the voices of students needed to be heard.

The people behind The Bosun, the official student publication of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), wanted students to speak up so more people can take action to change UA&P for the better. These guys stop at nothing—10 p.m. meetings, sleepless nights, production headaches and all—to spark intriguing and important discussions around the university. They want students to be more daring, have more empathy, and be more socially aware.

And so Discussion Room 95 (DR95), The Bosun’s first podcast, was born. The podcast is a venue for students to voice out their thoughts about and experiences around the campus, bringing together academic life and culture in one platform. Org members, varsity players and all kinds of students are given a voice on the podcast.

Meet the founders of DR95.

Kyle Valencia, marketing director

Kyle Valencia is the lolo of DR95. Though he isn’t a marketing major, he’s obsessed with it. He’s in charge of the podcast’s content, creatives and marketing strategy. As DR95’s main host, he controls the quality of the conversation and produces content the audience would love to hear.

As a graduating student, Kyle wanted to leave a legacy at the university. He wanted to produce something he would be proud to show his kids one day.

Producing a podcast is not easy. He’s had to make sacrifices in other aspects of his life, including his part-time job in an ad agency. But he feels it’s worth it.

His main vision for the podcast is for ordinary students to take action on current issues. He knows DR95 will be something he will be proud of as an alumnus.

“You can love, hate or both when talking about our podcast,” Kyle said. “I just want students to have more say in this university. Sparking a discussion is good enough for me. It’s okay if they disagree with me as long as students take action for the better.”

Marco Pantaleon, editor in chief

Marco Pantaleon is the backbone of DR95. As editor in chief of The Bosun, he calls the shots on the direction of the podcast team.

Having a podcast was his vision, as he sees the potential for growth in the industry.

Marco is the visionary of DR95. While he may not do the technical work, he gives the other members the freedom to shine and showcase their respective talents.

Part of his task is to lay out the mission and vision for the podcast. He realizes they will need to find people who will continue the legacy down the road.

“It’s just my style of leadership,” he said. “People think I’m hands-off on things but I just want these boys to grow … Basically I give them the script and they run the show as they like.”

JM Fariñas, executive director

The glue that holds DR95 together, JM Fariñas is the videographer, editor and production go-to guy. He handles everything from the recording equipment and lights to voice checks, audio quality and more.

JM said he has never seen guys as passionate and as willing to contribute as the boys of DR95. He’s amazed by the lengths and sacrifices the others do for the success of the podcast.

He admits it is difficult to have people talk about taboos, controversies, stereotypes, but he acknowledges the importance of these conversations.

JM is in his second year and can see DR95 as a way for him to make an impact on UA&P for the better.

“I should not be at the same table as these guys,” he said. “I’m a sophomore in the company of seniors. I’m lucky that they brought me in and asked me to help out in something I am passionate about. It’s the best decision I have made so far.”

Derick Lee, executive producer

Derick Lee calls himself a college outcast who brings grit and resilience to the team. Crowning himself the most “expandable” in the team, his work ethic is contagious. Passion, doing something you love and putting your head down to work is the formula he uses to bring DR95 to life.

The broadcast head keeps himself available. He thinks that everyone can have an impact on the school in their unique way, and DR95 is his way.

“Find what you are passionate about, lock in on it, and just work through the ups and downs. It will be worth it,” he said.

The boys of DR95 are proud of what they’ve started, and they’re not done yet. Expanding their members from eight to 30, they get to improve on production, marketing and the reach for the podcast. They want to continue the informal, unique, free-flowing, unfiltered and unorthodox conversations so more people can speak their minds.

For many of them, working on the podcast is their act of service and gratitude to the university. DR95 is a platform for discussion and a source of entertainment for college students, and they want to keep it that way for many years to come. —CONTRIBUTED