Finding My Voice and Purpose through Explained PH Cebu

Growing up, I wasn’t just watching the news — I was watching my dream unfold.

From a young age, watching news reporters and journalists on television brought joy to my heart. Filipino journalists like Lourd De Veyra, Jeff Canoy, and Kara David are among those I’ve always looked up to. They inspired me to dream of becoming a journalist someday — and student journalism brought me closer to that dream.

I’ve been involved in campus journalism since elementary school. I started as a radio broadcaster, eventually becoming the technical director of our team. Over time, I took on roles as a layout artist and photojournalist, and in my final year of high school, I served as one of the Editors-in-Chief of our school publication, The Maroon Ink. These experiences have not only sharpened my skills but also deepened my passion and advocacy for student journalism.

During my time as an Editor-in-Chief, I was deeply passionate about taking our student publication beyond the walls of our campus. I firmly believed that student publications shouldn’t only serve the students within, but also the wider community they belong to. So when I discovered Explained PH, I was filled with joy — knowing that there was a group of student journalists who shared the same advocacy as mine.

I first met our Editor-in-Chief, Archie Bergosa and Associate Editor-in-Chief, Prences Jhewen Albis at a journalism workshop in UP Cebu organized by Tug-Ani and Lanog.

When they introduced to us their organization, their advocacies and what they do, it already clicked in me. That time I was certain that I want to join this organization. I immediately approached them and asked about how I can join the org.

Months after our high school graduation, I got caught up with college enrollments, and the thought of joining Explained PH gradually faded from my mind. But on a random Monday in June, Chief Archie messaged me out of the blue, asking if I could submit a cartoon for Explained PH. A wave of joy washed over me, realizing that a dream I had let slip away had unexpectedly come back to me on that very day. I immediately said yes and my first contribution for Explained PH got published 

Just a month later, Chief Archie invited me to cover NSPC 2024. I said yes without hesitation — it had always been a dream of mine to witness the event, especially since I never qualified for it back in school. It felt like a leap without a landing gear. There were only two of us on the field, and it was our first assignment for Explained PH. I wasn’t even sure if my allowance could cover the travel and food. Still, I went for it — because it was a door opening, a chance to get closer to the dream I had always held onto.

Eventually, I was appointed as Head Digital Strategist. When Explained PH opened its doors to a new batch of volunteers, only a few applicants from Cebu made it in. But that small number was enough to ignite a spark in me and Chief Archie — a spark that would grow into something bigger.

It was December when Chief Archie and I began planning to establish a team here in Cebu. I saw Sinulog as the perfect opportunity to introduce Explained PH to the community — after all, it's one of the biggest festivals not just in the Visayas, but in all of Asia.

It’s January, and Sinulog is just around the corner. Our coverage has already begun. Chief Archie visited us here in Cebu — we had a catching-up session with fellow Cebuano staffers and volunteers, and we also talked about our plans for the team here.

That moment made me realize how much Chief Archie gives his best as a leader of this organization. Despite the distance between us, we never really felt far from our orgmates in other regions because he always made sure we were included. That trait of his truly inspired me.

Despite the lack of knowledge and experience, I still continued. I learned how to get proper media accreditation, how to find my own ways to make things work for Explained PH. Because if you truly want something to work out, you have to be willing to make sacrifices. It’s the same with leading an organization — whether big or small, leadership demands sacrifice.

Now, when I look back, I don’t just see stories — I see steps.

Every assignment, every coverage, every sleepless night brought me closer to the person I’ve always dreamed of becoming. Explained PH didn’t just offer me a platform — it gave me purpose. That purpose, grounded in truth, service, and sacrifice, is something I’ll carry with me wherever this journey leads.