DJ Richard Enriquez, popularly known as DJ Richard or DJ Richard Steele, was a Filipino radio disc jockey who was known for his musical programs on DZMM and Pinas FM. He died on October 24, 2023, at the age of 62 due to cardiac arrest.
Early Life and Career
Richard Enriquez was born on August 30, 1964 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. He grew up passionate about music and radio and started his career as a DJ in the early 1980s. He became one of the original jocks of Pinoy Radio DM 95.5 (now Pinas FM 95.5) in 1992, earning him the moniker DJ Richard Steele. He was one of the pioneers of playing original Filipino music (OPM) on the airwaves and gained a loyal fan base for his smooth voice and witty remarks.
After Pinoy Radio DM 95.5 ended its broadcasts in 2002 and was reformatted as DWDM 95.5 as an easy listening station, he transferred to DZEC 1062 in 2006 and became the host of music programs Yesterday Once More and My Melody of Love. He also hosted other shows such as The Morning Rush and The Afternoon Drive.
In 2010, he moved to DZMM as the anchor of Yesterday, a radio musical program that aired from 1:00pm-3:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday. He played classic hits from the 60s to the 90s, and shared trivia and stories about the songs and artists. He also became the substitute anchor of Dr. Love: Always and Forever, a relationship advice program, in case of Bro. Jun Banaag’s absence.
On January 8, 2013, he started anchoring Moonlight Serenade, a radio musical program that aired from 1:00am-4:00am every Tuesday-Saturday on DZMM. He played romantic songs from various genres and eras, and read letters from his listeners in the segment Moonlight Letters. He also gave headlines for Gising Pilipinas before Moonlight Serenade ended.
On January 21, 2017, his early morning musical program Moonlight Serenade celebrated its fourth anniversary with special episodes and OPM hits every Saturday. On February 10, 2018, he started anchoring Songhits: Tunog Pinoy, an all-OPM Saturday musical program that aired from 2:00pm-3:00pm on DZMM. He replaced the Saturday edition of Yesterday, which then only aired on Sundays.
At DZMM, he was known for his signature sign-off: “This is DJ Richard Enriquez saying goodbye for now, but not forever.”
Family Members
The web search results do not provide much information about DJ Richard Enriquez’s parents and siblings. However, based on his Facebook posts, he had a brother named Raul Enriquez, who passed away in 2019. He also had a sister named Liza Enriquez, who celebrated her birthday in 2020. He often expressed his love and gratitude for his family members on social media.
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Personal Life, Wife, and Death
Richard Enriquez was married to Maria Luisa Enriquez, a former singer and actress who was also his co-host on Pinoy Radio DM 95.5. They had two children: Richard Jr., a musician and producer, and Rica, a singer and songwriter.
He was also a devout Catholic who regularly attended mass and prayed the rosary. He was active in various charitable causes and supported local artists.
On October 25, 2023, he suffered a cardiac arrest while hosting Moonlight Serenade. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His death shocked his colleagues, friends, fans, and the entire radio industry.
He was given a tribute by DZMM and Pinas FM on their respective programs. His funeral was attended by many personalities from the media and entertainment sectors. He was buried at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
A Tribute to DJ Richard Enriquez, a Radio Legend Who Passed Away at 59
DJ Richard Enriquez, a veteran broadcaster and radio personality who entertained millions of listeners with his music and humor, died on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, due to an illness. He was 59 years old.
Enriquez, whose real name was Jose Enriquez Jr., was best known for hosting the popular radio programs Songhits: Tunog Pinoy, Yesterday, and Moonlight Serenade on various stations, including DZMM, DZRH and DZBB. He was also one of the pioneering jocks for Pinoy Radio DM 95.5 (now Pinas FM 95.5), a station that catered to Filipino migrants around the world.
Legacy and Impact
DJ Richard Enriquez was one of the most influential radio personalities in the Philippines. He was admired for his professionalism, charisma, humor, and dedication to his craft. He was also respected for his advocacy of promoting Filipino music and culture.
He inspired many aspiring DJs and musicians with his passion and talent. He also touched the lives of millions of listeners with his voice and music.
He received numerous awards and recognition for his work in radio broadcasting. Some of them are:
- Best Male Radio Jock (1996) by KBP Golden Dove Awards
- Best Musical Program Host (2008) by Catholic Mass Media Awards
- Hall of Fame Award (2012) by Philippine Radio Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) by Philippine Music Awards
He was also nominated for several other awards such as Awit Awards, Star Awards for Music, Aliw Awards, and Anak TV Seal Awards.
He is widely regarded as one of the legends of Philippine radio history.
Summary
| Name | DJ Richard Enriquez |
| Birth Date | August 30, 1964 |
| Birth Place | Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
| Death Date | October 25, 2023 |
| Death Cause | Cardiac arrest |
| Occupation | Radio disc jockey |
| Years Active | 1986-2023 |
| Spouse | Maria Luisa Enriquez |
| Children | Richard Jr. and Rica |
| Known For | One of the pioneer DJs of Pinoy Radio DM 95.5; One of the anchors of musical programs on DZMM |
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