Redirected, Not Defeated

The path to our ambitions is never smooth—that’s simply how life goes. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I began my journey as a student journalist late in elementary, bringing only a pen and paper to the screening, yet I ended up as a radio broadcaster later on. In a way, it foreshadowed the unexpected turns this journey would take.

Nowhere to go but up

Pinagsamang boses at matalinong pagsusulat—iyan ang puhunan ng isang radio broadcaster. When I passed the auditions for radio broadcasting in Grade 6, I thought I had already grasped the entire idea of what broadcasting should be like just by hearing reports from the TV during dinnertime deliver news with clarity and diction. 

In just two months, I entered my first press conference. Our team, composed of six first-timers, had already gone through intensive trainings, revisions, simulations, and scoldings. Fortunately, we were guided by our passionate mentor, Ma’am Rain, who was already well-versed in the national stage. With her expertise and our determination combined, we propelled ourselves to the 2020 NSPC.

That school year, numerous disasters struck Bicol, cutting our practice time short. By February, the 2020 NSPC had been cancelled due to a virus, yet we continued training. When we finally reached Tuguegarao City, the intensity of the competition was at its peak.

We had already won in the divisions and regionals, and the national crown was ours to claim. Then came another redirection—we would not attend the awarding ceremonies. The stage we imagined erupting in cheers was suddenly out of reach. 

Yet despite that, on the bus home, chasing the hours before Manila locked down, we learned we had earned 2nd Overall Best Radio Production and many more minor awards, and I was named one of the country’s best anchors.

I thought there was nowhere to go but up.

But alas, redirections had other plans: “not yet.”

Regain strength, rebuild mindset

Press conferences were halted for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, I was already in high school, aspiring to join the Broadcasting Team of Ang Haraya, the official publication of Legazpi City Science High School.

During this time, online press conferences began to flourish, but I lacked the confidence to join. Instead, I focused on improving my writing, crafting short stories and essays. I practiced writing articles from data sheets I saw online. I discovered and looked up to youth-led organizations that thrived during the pandemic—one of them being Explained PH.

By Grade 9, press conferences had finally returned. It was 2023, and I reunited with my former elementary teammates, Lance and Ghaneema. This time, however, radio broadcasting teams were limited to only five members.

The challenge was clear: how could we surpass what we had achieved in Tuguegarao?

It struck us hard that this wasn’t elementary anymore. Our competitors were older, more experienced, and knew how to “play” with their voices. But sometimes you have to believe in your own abilities. In just three months—from the DSPC in May, through the RSPC and intensive trainings in June—we had claimed our second crown in Cagayan de Oro by July.

With that success, I carried the lessons of my seniors, Ate Kate and Ate Maryjo, and my advisers, Sir Mark and Bb. Serrano, along with everything I had learned from each level of competition and the articles I read throughout the pandemic and beyond.

It became clear: campus journalism was never just “for fun,” nor merely a pursuit of certificates and awards.

Braving uncharted waters 

We saw at the NSPC that other teams had stepped up their game—after all, this was already the secondary level. Still, we believed we could compete, and we continuously sought to improve. In the following years, we kept trying, refining our approach, taking on new roles, and exploring different styles.

Despite what felt like a near-perfect journey and the naïve confidence that we’d always be victors, life just has a way of humbling you. But redirections, after all, are part of the road to success.

If I were to tell my younger self that he would never qualify for the NSPC again—he would be disappointed. Naka-dalawang NSPC na siya, anong nangyari?

Yet, now, I see it as a “needed” phase in my life that I would never trade for anything, because it led me here. It proved that redirections don’t mean failure.

By NSPC 2024, I was not in Carcar. I was #TeamBahay, cheering for my CDP GOATs while already planning for the next press conference. Explained PH was one of the active organizations covering the NSPC then. “Sila ba ‘yung meta noong pandemic?” I wondered, glad to see a youth-led media organization still thriving after all these years.

Days later, Explained PH opened its volunteer network applications—and I wasted no time applying. It was a long process of forms and even longer essay-type questions that made me write 200-word responses at 3 a.m.

I never expected to get in. In fact, I think I submitted my application three hours late. Still, I was glad I did. It felt like my life had been given a new purpose.

When results came out months later, I didn’t even know I had been accepted. I checked my email a week after the announcement. Out of nearly 500 applicants, I was one of fewer than 120 chosen to join this community.

This was never about contests anymore

When I joined Explained PH, I was assigned to the News Desk and Research Division. As a radio broadcaster, I already knew the basics of news writing, and all I had to do was passionately learn to write with greater depth and stronger impact.

Even before I was officially onboarded, I already took on my first pitch, wrote, and earned my first byline. Entering this new chapter felt less intimidating because of the warm welcome I received. The group chats were welcoming, and Ate Sheki, our then-News Desk Editor, guided me along the way. Thank you nang todo, Ate Sheki! You’re the GOAT!

Tens of articles later, I felt myself growing in the craft. I expanded into other categories, sought critiques from fellow orgmates, learned to write with more passion, and connected my write-ups with communities and social realities.

At that point, my focus shifted away from contests. I wanted to do more with the reach I now had—to serve both society and fellow campus journalists by sharing my journey and the lessons I had gained over the years.

My first opportunity came when Ate Jhewen invited me to give a lecture for students from Philippine schools in the UAE. I wasn’t sure what to do at first, but my friends encouraged me to take the offer and simply share what I can to my fellow campus journalists.

That’s exactly what I did—I shared, engaged, and listened. During the Q&A, students asked questions that also made me reflect on my own experiences. Sabi ko sa sarili ko: talo ako sa contests. Pero sa ganitong pagtuturo at serbisyo, masaya at panalong-panalo na ako.

In the months that followed, more opportunities came—more lecture invitations, an exclusive forum, my big break at JournLeashed 2.0, and especially JournCamp+. I’ll always be grateful for every chance I had to share my stories and insights, even if it meant preparing countless slides and speaking for hours.

One core memory was judging over 40 entries for the National Campus Press Summit. It took literal hours to listen and evaluate the many five-minute broadcasts. But it always felt meaningful. I knew I was doing something right.

For that, I am deeply thankful to Chief Archie, Ate Assoc Jhewen, Kuya Marion, and everyone who opened doors for me in this field of community journalism. Habambuhay akong nagpapasalamat na napabilang ako sa Explained PH.

In 2025, I officially became a News Staffer for Explained PH while also serving as Editor-in-Chief of our school publication. These dual roles sharpened my craft—I wrote with more purpose for Explained PH and helped transform our publication into a more active, student-centered platform that amplifies voices and covers meaningful events.

The redirection I needed all along

After seven years, my final high school press conference season had arrived. In teaching other campus journalists, I found that I was learning just as much from them. Every lecture became a win-win situation for me.

Pinalad kaming makalampas sa DSPC at makarating sa RSPC. Sa huling pagkakataon, ibinuhos namin ang lahat sa kategorya at lugar kung saan kami nagsimula. Ngunit muli, kinapos kami. Minsan, kailangan talaga ang mga redirection.

Sa huling team na nakasama ko sa yugtong ito, gusto ko kayong makilala ng mas nakararaming tao: Ghaneema, Lance, Margot, at Clyde, na kasabay kong nagtapos ngayong taon. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat na kayo ang kasama ko sa rurok ng paglalakbay na ito. Walang ako kung walang kayo.

Kay Asyah at Naomi, na may ilang taon pa sa laban, maaaring ilang beses tayong i-redirect ng tadhana, pero huwag ninyong hayaang tapusin nito ang kuwento ninyo. Sa susunod na henerasyong tulad ninyo na may puso para sa campus journalism, magpapatuloy ito at magsisilbi sa masang Pilipino.

In my final year, I refused to surrender. The missed chances at the NSPC became redirections. Beyond radio broadcasting, I prepared my documents and was named Most Outstanding Campus Journalist in our division, qualifying for the RSPC. 

During the RSPC interview, I held on to one piece of advice: “Kilala mo naman kung sino ka.” Years in campus journalism taught me humility, gratitude, and sound judgment. As I answered the panel, I shared the journey as it is—the wins, the losses, my work with the community, and every redirection along the way.

And those redirections led me back to my third NSPC—this time, completing my JOURNey not as a contestant, but as one of the Philippines’ Most Outstanding Campus Journalists.

This is our last dance

This year, I was the only secondary-level delegate from our division; the rest were elementary students. Among them were young radio broadcasters from my exact former school. Suddenly, I felt time come full circle. They were exactly who we once were, six years ago in Tuguegarao. 

As I stepped into Ormoc City, I realized I had finally completed my childhood goal—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. And upon arrival, I immediately saw the on-ground team of Explained PH, took pictures with them, and thought, “Grabe, ang mamaw pala talaga ng org na ’to.”

During the awarding ceremonies for MOCJs and MOSPAs, surrounded by fellow awardees, I felt close to tears. I knew how much effort, from the people around me and the experiences that shaped me, had led to this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

I attended the elementary awarding, feeling just as excited and nervous as the young broadcasters. I reminded them that reaching the NSPC was already a big achievement. But they went even further—exceeding their own limits. As if history had come full circle, they also won 2nd Overall Best Radio Production, the same rank we earned in 2020.

For the final time, Ma’am Rain—my first-ever SPA—brought me along to the podium. At last, I took a final glance up the national stage. In that moment, I felt I reclaimed the awarding ceremony moment we lost during the pandemic. I was where I needed to be.

When I visited the closing ceremonies, a campus journalist approached me and asked if I gave lectures for Explained PH. When I said yes, he shared that he had attended one of them. I was surprised to realize that, in some way, I had truly reached others—especially knowing that he actually won as one of the Philippines’ best news presenters!

My JOURNey in high school press conferences had come to an end. It was not at all perfect, not as I once imagined, but filled with turns and redirections. And still, I am grateful for how it all unfolded.

This chapter has closed, but more will open—just as they have for the younger generation of scribes and broadcasters I’ve met through the NSPC, in my lectures, and among the thousands of aspiring campus journalists across the Philippines.

Redirections do not lead to lost causes—unless you let them. The world didn’t end when I repeatedly fell short of qualifying for the NSPC again. Because in those moments, new paths opened—ones that, despite their twists and turns, led me to exactly where I am today.

Grateful, grounded, and always striving to carry a deeper purpose.