Bea Allyson Alimangohan

This wingman already has a voice but they are the ones who truly value it. They gave me a seat I never expected, even though I am not an NSPC champion or one of the best campus journalists. That was because they accepted me and believed in something that made me shine even without the title.


My journey in Explained PH started when I just heard about it because of our previous EIC. I thought before that having the “Explained PH Volunteer” in my name was just for another credential but it turns out it's not. After six years in campus journalism, now as a Grade 11 student, I already had that voice as a TV broadcaster before, a photojournalist, and a writer. However, it wasn’t always empowered or recognized. There's a table in this organization that I used to think was only for those who already achieved great awards or expertise in the field. 

First of those many ways in which the Explained community makes me feel valued as other volunteers and staff, it was obviously my opportunity to write an essay for the anniversary special without those prestigious awards. Before writing this essay, my soul and mind didn’t cooperate much with me until I played an online game with them. It was an unexpected reason for me to finally finish this one. It woke me up that people need to hear my story. I'm not yet a year inside this organization but I already feel that I have become part of it from writing articles to going out of my comfort zone. They prove to me how journalism can go beyond the contest.

That’s when I became that wingman in this community, I already wrote many news and fact-check articles, hosted various internal and public events and even met the people behind the success of Explained personally! They went to our city just to meet us after an event, it’s already 5:30 PM and we just finished training at school and they willingly and joyfully bond with us. Buy street foods, drink milk tea, go for a night walk, tell stories with us, share laughter with them, and advice us for our incoming college life. 

A wingman who supports this organization, a wingman who can now fly, and a wingman who’s now sitting at a table with them. Why a wingman? Because of that game, I received the “Expert Wingman” award because of that only one hero I knew how to use. They let me fight using it, protect me, trust me, and help me win in every battle—not just in the game, but in life itself. Offering me the tasks or events to attend seemed to be small but it pushed me to use and amplify my voice.

I may not be the best, however, inside the organization were those memories that sharpened my skills. Those people who taught me how to keep trying, how to believe in what I can do, and people who became my family too. I am forever grateful for them. 

They uplifted my voice and gave me a seat they had never withheld.

______
In celebration of Explained PH Month this April, we are publishing series of essays that commemorates our half a decade of impact.