BEYOND THE LAB: Honoring Diverse Voices in Science

Diane Joy Galos and Stephanie Mae Nacional

Science does not exist in a vacuum. For discoveries to matter, they must reach the people who need them most. This is where science communication becomes essential. From pandemic updates to climate alerts, from health tips to tech breakthroughs, it transforms raw data into life-saving decisions. 

But what does it really mean to communicate science?

Science communication makes scientific knowledge understandable, accessible, and relevant to the public. Science journalists report news and information about scientific developments to general audiences. Their work involves writing clear and engaging summaries of research findings, consulting with experts, and explaining concepts in a way that non-specialists can understand. 

It takes many forms such as documentaries, educational programs, news reports, and digital content, all aimed at helping people to stay informed about their health, environment, and future. These efforts make science part of public conversation and decision-making that bridges the gap between science and society.

Every July 25, the Philippines observes National Campus Press Freedom Day, declared under Republic Act 11440. This law reaffirms the right to free expression, speech, and a free press. Schools are encouraged to support student-led programs and activities that uphold these freedoms.

The date also commemorates the founding of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) on July 25, 1931. CEGP is a national alliance of student publications, founded by Ernesto Rodriguez Jr., former editor-in-chief of The National. The law was passed through House Bill 6024, authored by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and Rep. Ann Hofer, and Senate Bill 747, introduced by then-Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

This observance affirms young science communicators’ right to report truthfully, question authority, and share science without fear of censorship.

Press freedom is important in science journalism because it enables the free exchange, discussion, and verification of scientific information. Without this freedom, important findings can be suppressed by censorship or altered for political purposes. Current threats include online harassment, misinformation, and insufficient institutional support, which affect both professional and student journalists.

More than a vanguard

Science communicators are more than just guardians of truth or translators of scientific ideas—they can be anyone.

Aside from scientists and journalists, they can be doctors, educators, advocates, or data scientists. With their diverse backgrounds, they work together to make science accessible, relevant, and meaningful to society.

In the Philippines, where truth is often obscured by noise and disinformation, science communicators in media, education, health, the environment, and technology are more vital than ever.

Across every sector, science communicators quietly yet boldly bring clarity to confusion, serving as vanguards who choose to bring science closer to the people.

Storytellers as changemakers

Many can tell a story, but only a few can turn it into meaningful change. With their diverse voices, science communicators can be both truth-tellers and changemakers.

In the field of media and broadcasting, Atom Araullo is well-known for his passionate work as a journalist. He braved the wrath of major disasters like Super Typhoon Yolanda and the Marawi siege. 

He did not simply report on calamities, but stood his ground to uphold the torch of press freedom.

The education sector relies on communicators who translate unfamiliar jargon into layman’s terms. Dr. Reina Reyes, a scientist and educator, demonstrates that complex data can be both engaging and relatable. 

Through talks, TV programs, and public science efforts, she inspires curiosity while fighting misinformation.

In health, Dr. Gideon Lasco uses his voice as a physician, anthropologist, and columnist to dissect health issues from a scientific lens. He is the author of four books exploring themes of identity, health, and social justice. 

Whether writing about healthcare systems or medical myths, he makes science a tool for public awareness and accountability.

Celine Murillo is an environmentalist who emphasizes the connection between science, community, and conservation through her photography and storytelling. She has also worked with organizations such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and National Geographic.

Staying close to nature helps Murillo convey the value of conservation more clearly to her audience.

Dominic “Doc” Ligot is a data scientist in technology who turns numbers into stories.  He leads in digital forensics, using technology to expose false information and promote the moral application of analytics and artificial intelligence.

Beyond the data, Ligot promotes media and data literacy, educating the public about how algorithms influence people’s beliefs and the importance of truth in the world of digital media.

These science communicators, coming from different sectors, prove that stories not only inform—they can shift perspectives, spark action, and lead change.

Fervent amidst defiance

Science communicators continue to speak up in a world that often tries to silence them. This is the reality where press freedom remains under constant threat.

In the Philippines, censorship remains one of the biggest battles for journalists and communicators. As they tackle politically sensitive topics, some of them find their voices filtered, restricted, or excluded. 

But suppression is not always loud. Sometimes, it takes the form of quiet erasure, like the quiet removal of a platform or the refusal to publish truth that challenges those in power. 

Beyond censorship, the digital world has turned increasingly hostile. What was once a space for open discourse now overflows with online hate. Many science communicators face harassment, trolling, and even threats for sharing evidence-based facts.

Despite it all, they remain fervent. They keep on writing, explaining, and speaking out as they know what’s at stake in this society flooded with falsehood. 

As they continue to make science relevant, they also must be protected and recognized. Defending them is not only standing with the truth, but with the right of every citizen to understand and engage with it. 

On the frontlines of truth, they breathe life into science, turning knowledge into action that uplifts and enlightens. 

Those who carry science beyond the laboratory by speaking, questioning, and promoting truth must be protected as their diverse voices are vital to upholding press freedom and crafting an educated, evidence-driven future.