Damayan

Rosa Rosal was a famous and devoted public servant. In the late 1960s, she organized a television program for outreach to the poor. Damayan 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 began as a telethon to raise money to be donated for the victims of Typhoon Isang. Numerous stars participated in the 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, Rosal continued her public service work in the Red Cross, despite the government's increasing authoritarianism. She returned 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.

Rosal decided to revive her old show on GMA. Damayan once again premiered in 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 William Thio.[3]

Aside from providing public service in the show, Damayan discussed advancements in health, since Rosal often interviewed mostly doctors, and would even provide medical assistance on occasion. At the same time, Rosal hosted a drama anthology Ulila on 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.[2][4]

After 35 continuous years on the airwaves, Rosal announced that she would be leaving the show. It ended on November 20, 2010.[5] The executives of Channel 4 decided to not revive the show, out of respect for Rosal's audience.

Currently, Rosal still works in the Philippine Red Cross as its ambassador and a member 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.