Damayan

Ms. Rosa Rosal in the 1970s is a famous and devoted public servant. Her vision is to help people, especially those who are in an impoverished state. In order to keep her public service whole, she organized a television program so it could be spread to those who are in need. Damayan was premiered in October 1969 at its first home on ABS-CBN Channel 2. Back then, it was the only public service program in the entire country. It started as a telethon to raise money to be donated for the victims of Typhoon Isang. Numerous stars back then participated in this program until it became popular and the show's run has been extended. The show ceased airing on September 22, 1972, after the closure of the network due to implementation of Martial Law.

During the Martial Law years, Ms. Rosal continued her work in the Red Cross, vowing to never give up her lifelong service to the general public, even though the entire government controlled almost everything in the country. She went back to the television industry and on December 1, 1975, she hosted the public service program Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko together with future Senator and Defense Secretary Orly Mercado and Dr. Antonio Tulasan, on GMA Network, wherein the show received great reception.

When Rosal was on the perk of hosting the show, she decided to revive her old show in her brand new home. Damayan once again premiered on the same year on GTV Channel 4 (which later became MBS, PTV and NBN) to provide humanitarian work, through national television together with her co-host and pinch hitter (whenever Rosal isn't around) William Thio.[3]

Aside from providing public service in the show, it showed some numerous insights and talks about health, since Rosal interviewed mostly doctors. When their discussions are through, she would even provide medical assistance since that is her commitment. Even though she had a hectic schedule due to numerous shows she's in—such as her drama anthology Ulila in government-owned network BBC-2 from 1976 to 1980 and Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko on GMA—these particular shows earned Rosal numerous citations such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1999, Order of the Golden Heart in 2006, and the Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award in the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV.[4][5]

After merely 35 continuous years in the airwaves, Rosal announced that she would be leaving the show and so it ended on November 20, 2010.[6] The executives of Channel 4 decided to not revive the show, due to the reason that if there would be another Damayan, it wouldn't be complete without Ms. Rosal.

Currently, she still works in the Philippine Red Cross as its ambassador and one of its official Board of Governors.

After a 7-year hiatus, PTV 4 is set to revive the program as Damayan Ngayon, hosted by Emilie Katigbak and William Thio, beginning Friday, October 6, 2017, right after Sentro Balita.