How JournQuest opened doors for me I never knew were waiting

Samantha Kate Hiliuano

There was a time when I treated my comfort zone like a fortress, safe and impossible to leave. I kept my circle small, convincing myself that staying within its walls was enough, even if it meant watching countless opportunities knock on doors I was too afraid to open. 

Yet, everything changed when I took my first step into The Josenian Premier (TJP) as an Opinion Writer. 

Through journalism, the lens through which I saw life slowly began to shift. In my years of writing stories and articles, I have taken many insights along my journey. Though three years have passed since I first found my way into journalism, I still carry the subtle feeling of being a newcomer. I find myself standing beside those whose passion seems to have bloomed without hesitation, as though journalism had always been a language in their hearts instinctively knew. Perhaps some people are simply born with stories coursing through their veins, with an innate hunger to observe, question, and make meaning of the world around them.

I wasn’t. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think journalism would become something I would deeply love.

Yet passion has a peculiar way of finding people.

It found me through the experiences I gained meeting different campus journalists, where I slowly understood why people choose to serve others by illuminating their stories and being the one who amplifies their voices. 

My love for journalism grew brighter with every article written, interview conducted, and conversation shared. Being part of TJP became more than just an extracurricular activity, it became the first door I dared to open. Beyond it were stories to tell, opportunities to seize, and a version of myself I had yet to discover.

I never expected that another door would soon open through JournQuest. 

When Kuya Mitz Gabutan told me that Explained PH would be bringing JournQuest to Cebu, I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity. The thought of meeting the people behind one of the country’s largest youth-driven media organizations felt both exciting and surreal. Before I knew it, the days began to pass quickly, and the preparations for JournQuest followed.

As preparations continued, we were tasked with producing a promotional advertisement for JournQuest through the collaboration of Explained PH and TJP. At first, I had envisioned myself working behind the scenes, lending a hand to our director and allowing others to take center stage. But life has a curious way of drawing us toward places we never intended to stand, sometimes placing us beneath the spotlight just when we least expect it. 

Our director, Samantha Dacayana—who, beyond the title, was also a dear friend of mine—looked at me and said, “Ikaw akong I-main character ha.” (You’re going to be the main character, okay?)

I remember the words catching me off guard. I had come prepared to remain somewhere beyond the frame, yet suddenly, I was being asked to step into it.

I hesitated. It had been a while since I last acted, and returning in front of the camera after so much time made me nervous. Despite having prior experience, I still found myself questioning if I could do it again. Fortunately, our director believed in me and her confidence gave me the push I needed to take the role.

I thought the opportunities ended there. They didn’t. 

As the team was finalizing the program, I was chosen once again—this time as one of the emcees for JournQuest Cebu. Once again, doubt came knocking.

I asked myself, “Can I really do this?”

It was the first ever big event I had ever hosted, and confidence still felt like an unfamiliar territory. Thankfully, I wasn’t walking alone. My co-host, Rexie Chu, guided me through the process of writing and the flow of the program.

When JournQuest finally arrived, so did the nerves.

Ironically, I barely had time to prepare the night before, I had completely blacked out from exhaustion and woke up past midnight. Despite the anxiety, standing on that very stage became one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. Plans changed, scripts shifted, and unexpected moments happened. But somewhere between the imperfections, I realized that the best journeys don’t always go as planned.

Standing before the audience, I saw something more than just a crowd. I saw campus journalists from different schools across Cebu, some even travelling from distant provinces, all gathered in one place, brought together by a shared love for truth and storytelling. 

Through the sessions, I learned that campus journalism reaches far beyond representing our schools in press conferences. It is about telling stories that deserve to be heard, amplifying voices that have long been silenced, and becoming a light for communities searching for truth. 

Campus journalism is not limited to covering events. It carries the responsibility of shedding light on stories that have been overlooked, overshadowed, or forgotten.

JournQuest came with a lot of realizations that went beyond what I expected. It reminded me that I am not simply writing articles and stories for my own growth or recognition. With every story comes a responsibility to represent voices that may remain untold. In a way, every article becomes more than just words on a page, it becomes a way for people’s stories to reach those who need to hear them.

The opportunity to listen to experienced campus journalists was more than just an advantage, it was an eye opening experience that challenged the way I viewed the craft. I already had experience in journalism, but JournQuest broadened my perspective and reminded me that there will always be more stories to tell and voices to hear. 

Somewhere along the way, JournQuest became meaningful to me. The advertisement, hosting, preparations, and all the opportunities that came along the way may have felt like little side quests in the journey, but they led me toward something much greater—a deeper understanding of why my passion for journalism continues to grow. 

I have been given yet another opportunity—not to stand beneath the lights or speak before a crowd, but to tell this story. 

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson JournQuest left with me: sometimes, the doors we hesitate to open are the very ones that lead us toward places we never knew we were meant to find.

And perhaps, somewhere beyond the pages I have yet to write, is the story I have been waiting to become.