How Explained PH taught me the power of showing up despite fear

Cold-calling or cold-emailing may seem like a hard shot in the dark, but sometimes, that single shot can take you to places. I can attest to that. One bold move was all it took to open doors I never imagined walking through, and Explained PH was one of them. 

Unlike most of the people inside Explained PH, I was not given a letter of invitation by the people inside the organization, nor was I given a referral. I did not even have prior experience in campus journalism; all I knew was that I wanted to write. I was an eager incoming freshman student, hungry for experience in the field I wanted to study. Explained PH was a growing youth-led media organization, and despite them not having a general application open yet, their website’s contact box seemed to flicker at me. 

I introduced myself, expressed my interest, and clicked “Send.” It took me one brave click and a dream. I had no idea what would happen next, but I knew I had to try. Thankfully, I was welcomed with open arms. 

It was scary, to say the least. I felt like I was entering something not meant for me. When everyone else had doors opened for them, I had to knock loudly and open mine on my own. 

But the future me owes everything to that version of myself who dared to reach out. The me who, despite the fear, chose to invite herself in.

Explained PH gave me more than just ink, bylines, and on-ground experiences. It gave me belief. It taught me to push past my limits and recognize that journalism isn’t just about writing stories; it’s also about the work that happens behind the scenes. Through challenging roles, I discovered that I had a knack for organizing, managing, and connecting with people. 

Explained PH honed my organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills – skills that are just as vital in the newsroom as they are in the field. It was during my time here that I realized that I do not just love telling stories, I also thrive in making sure they happen.

In my first few months, I was given the opportunity to write for the Features and Lifestyle Desk, as well as the Analytics Desk. Looking back, my early write-ups weren’t that great, but seeing those short captions posted on the organization’s Facebook page felt fulfilling for a small dreamer like me. Eventually, I joined the News Desk and was later promoted to Assistant News Secretary. I was entrusted with tracking all the news article outputs and assisting the News Secretary, all while contributing my own stories. We shifted from writing once a week to every other week, and with each piece, I saw my slow but steady growth. 

Then came 2023, which was one of my most challenging but also most rewarding years at Explained PH. It was the year I fell in love with journalism all over again.

That year, I took on my biggest role yet: becoming the Partnerships Head. This time, I truly felt the full weight of my editors’ trust as they handed me the reins to run an entire division on my own. I gradually stepped back from writing and started focusing on building bridges, forming partnerships with different organizations, and handling our external affairs. This came with the responsibility of attending our partners' events, often representing the organization by myself.

Through this role, I felt a kind of power I hadn’t known before. Not the loud kind that comes with authority but the quiet, steady kind that comes from being seen, trusted, and believed in.

As a representative of Explained, I also became a speaker for the five-week MIL training series hosted by PUP College of Communication and Rappler Move PH. It was an experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and reminded me of the power of voice.

As organizations go through challenges, I witnessed Explained PH go through waves of restructuring. But time and again, I saw it bounce back, grounded by the resilience of those who chose to stay. In response to a period of dormancy, Explained PH Core was formed – and I was among the first to raise my hand. Despite uncertainties, we pushed through with covering various events. I even attended onsite coverages for the Chinese New Year celebration in Binondo, EDSA SONA Rally, Pride Month.

Explained PH also took me to Social Good Summit 2023, where I became one of the volunteers for the event. I handled the merch booth and had the privilege of meeting Ms. Karen Davila and Maria Ressa. Later in 2024, I had the opportunity of attending another Rappler event and stepping inside their newsroom as a representative of Explained PH.

It was through these huge opportunities and experiences that I learned leadership wasn’t about titles but about trust and showing up. It’s about doing the work even when you’re unsure if you’re doing it right and showing up despite the fear.

But more than the roles or responsibilities, what I’m most thankful for is the faith someone had in me.

Kuya Archie, Explained PH’s editor-in-chief, believed in me before I learned how to believe in myself. He saw value where I saw doubt. I looked up to him deeply as he was a man of grit and determination, always clear about his goals and relentlessly pursuing them. Over time, he became more than just a mentor but a dear friend, and I will always cherish the close bond we’ve built together and remain grateful to him.

I’ve never really claimed to be the best journalist. I never chased any titles and never fought to be anyone’s favorite, either. All I wanted was the chance to prove myself. And I owe it to Explained PH for believing in me and empowering me when no one else did. 

Had they not taken a chance on someone with no strong journalism background, I wouldn’t have gained the experiences that shaped the journalist I am today. I may have long parted ways with Explained PH as a member, but if you ask me about the defining moments of my JOURNey, this organization’s name will always be one of the first I’ll mention.

Now, whenever I feel afraid to reach out, to speak up, or to step into unfamiliar spaces, I always try to remember that the first “yes” doesn’t always have to come from someone else. Sometimes, the first yes has to come from you. The rest will follow. 

So send that cold email. Ask the tough questions. Knock on those tall doors. Or better yet, build your own. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? 

Take that step, your JOURNey awaits you.