For Luis Alberto Gutiérrez Abreu, there are encounters that seem to be the product of chance, but end up marking the course of an existence forever, like that moment when, for the first time, he walked through the door of a radio booth.

The aptitude test took him there and, almost without knowing it, in front of a microphone, a story began that continues.

A graduate in Film, Radio and Television Directing from the ISA, he arrived at Radio Surco 34 years ago, a station that ceased to be merely a workplace and became home, craft, passion and companionship.

«Part of my life,» Luis replies when asked what the station means to him. And after more than three decades in front of the microphone, perhaps there is no simpler or deeper answer.

Over these years, his career has been recognised with the Radio 95th Anniversary Seal, the Radio Microphone, the status of Artist of Merit and the Raúl Gómez García Medal for more than 25 years in the culture sector.

However, among so many recognitions, there is one memory that occupies a special place: Campo y Punto.

That programme allowed him to find his own way of making radio. Luis wanted to move away from the stereotypes with which the peasant was often represented and to build, from authenticity, a proposal capable of connecting with those on the other side of the receiver.

And he succeeded. The true reward came from the public, from that acceptance that no diploma can replace.

Because radio has precisely that mystery: it allows you to converse with thousands without seeing their faces and, at the same time, to make each listener feel that the voice they hear speaks to them up close. Luis knows that mystery well.

He also knows its transformations. He has seen times, technologies and ways of producing and transmitting content change. But there is something that, in his view, remains intact: radio’s capacity to accompany life.

Radio is life

And he explains that, like existence itself, it too transforms, demands learning, adapting, enjoying and facing difficulties. But in his personal balance there are more reasons to celebrate than to regret.

That is why he also does not speak of retirement as a full stop. With the humour that characterises him, he assures that, when the moment comes, he will accept it… as long as they hire him again.

The phrase provokes a smile, but it contains a truth: there are crafts that end up being much more than a job.

After 34 years, Luis Alberto does not seem willing to say goodbye to radio. He still speaks of projects, of the future and of those «surprises» that, he assures, the road always holds.

On 10 October, Radio Surco will reach its 74th anniversary of foundation. Seventy-four years of voices that have accompanied generations of Avilanians; of journalists, producers, announcers, technicians and workers who have made its studios a space of creation and service. Among those voices is that of Luis Alberto. He came to radio by chance. He stayed for love.

And after more than three decades, when asked whether one can fall in love with radio, he answers without hesitation:

Yes, very much, very much. It becomes almost indispensable.

Perhaps that is where the true dimension of his story lies. Because there are people who work in radio. And there are others who, over the years, end up being part of it.