For many Lasallians, De La Salle University is where lifelong passions take root. For Alvin Kingson Tan (ID 101), it began with a love for basketball, a championship victory, and a choice that quietly shaped his future.
He entered DLSU as a Marketing Management major and graduated in 2004, choosing Taft over other universities after witnessing the Green Archers’ triumphant win against UST. That defining moment, paired with the familiarity of friends from the Chinoy community and the practicality of a daily commute from Binondo, made DLSU feel like home even before classes began.
More than school spirit or convenience, Alvin’s Lasallian journey shaped both his character and career. Under the guidance of Ms. Milette Zamora in Market1, he was challenged to move beyond a Chinese school background rooted in memorization and develop confidence in communication through demanding recitations. What initially intimidated him became a turning point, motivating him to enroll in Speech Power, an investment that would later serve him well in media and public speaking.
His love for basketball soon led him to Plaridel, where writing for the iSports section unexpectedly introduced him to the world of media. Although he initially joined to gain access to games, the experience planted the seeds for a career that would eventually lead him to CHiNOY TV. Beyond academics and opportunities, DLSU also gifted him lifelong friendships—bonds that have endured for nearly 25 years and grown into a support system marked by shared milestones and deep trust.
From Marketing Graduate to Multimedia Leader
Alvin’s path to leading a multimedia company unfolded unexpectedly. He initially ventured into the IT industry, while his family maintained a modest blocktime television show rooted in traditional broadcast media. In 2010, when business partners parted ways and the show’s future became uncertain, he stepped in, armed with his Marketing background, to pitch and negotiate with television networks.
What began as a practical intervention soon became a calling. One network saw promise in the concept, and CHiNOY TV was born.
Over the past 15 years, CHiNOY TV has evolved from a weekly television program into a full-fledged multimedia platform spanning broadcast, digital media, print, and live events. This transformation was driven by a rapidly changing media landscape and the rise of digital platforms, especially during the pandemic. Today, digital media has become the heart of its storytelling, transforming CHiNOY TV into a living community where audiences actively participate in shaping narratives and sharing lived experiences.
A Lasallian Identity Rooted in Inclusivity
Looking back, Alvin credits La Salle’s spirit of inclusivity as one of its greatest gifts.“Growing up, most of my world revolved around the Chinese community. DLSU became a turning point because it exposed me to people from all walks of life,” he shares.
This perspective became especially meaningful during the pandemic and amid heightened Philippine–China tensions, when CHiNOY TV embraced the tagline “Chinese by Blood, Filipino by Heart.” What began as a community-focused platform grew into a bridge—fostering dialogue, understanding, and shared identity between cultures. These Lasallian values of service, inclusivity, and purpose remain at the core of his work.
Advocacy Born from Love
The past few years have tested Alvin beyond any professional challenge. In 2022, his wife was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. After a recurrence and months of treatment abroad, she returned to the Creator in May 2025.
Grief, he reflects, is not something one overcomes, but something one learns to live with. In this season of loss, the Christian formation and Lasallian values he received at DLSU quietly sustained him—anchoring him in faith, compassion, and trust in God’s greater plan.
From this deeply personal journey emerged a renewed sense of mission. As CHiNOY TV expands globally, one advocacy remains closest to his heart: cancer care.
In partnership with the Sagip Buhay Foundation, he is launching the Chinatown Global Gala, with proceeds supporting underprivileged patients with stomach cancer. This initiative honors the legacy of his wife through the Christelle Chow Tan Stomach Cancer Care and Support Initiative.
Today, Alvin balances leadership with fatherhood to three young children. Choosing trust over control, he has learned that leadership is rooted in delegation, clarity of purpose, and presence—both at work and at home.
If there is one guiding principle that sustains him, it is simple yet profound: “Let go and let God.”
To Lasallian students and young alumni aspiring to pursue careers in media, his message is clear: storytelling is a form of service. When guided by integrity, empathy, and purpose, media becomes a powerful force that can unite communities and cross borders.
He shares a message to the Lasallian community:
“Carry your values wherever life takes you. The world may change, but faith, integrity, service, and compassion will always matter. Animo La Salle!”
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