Prince Carlo Estrella

When I was a simple senior high school student back in my hometown in Bulacan, I always wondered when it would be my turn to also grow outside of school walls. When will opportunities be laid out on my hand? When will I be seen and heard?


Fortunately enough, a drastic change happened because college life came. Then suddenly, all I remember was that: all of my questions (and prayers) were answered upon joining Explained PH.

To be honest, I felt scared at first when Ms. Prences Jhewen Albis, Explained PH’s Associate Editor, encouraged me to join because I once believe that I can never do well in their organization because I do not have enough real journalism experience.

But because I believe that nothing could go wrong with joining: I submitted my application and just wished for the best. After all, everyone can learn anything, and I mean, everything right?

So tens of articles forward, from a learning volunteer writer who always felt safe and guided by Ms. Ashe Marquez’s comforting comments and advice, I surprisingly became a Lifestyle Head at the same organization who I once thought would never see me due to my lack of real experiences.

Now, I got more than just “real journalism experiences” because I also learned and was exposed to a lot of “real life experiences” during my coverages and interviews for articles that made me an advocate for:

The empowerment of our Filipino children through language education and literacy…

What if you could find a library tucked away in the corner of a sari-sari store or even inside a jeepney? Enter the...

Posted by Explained PH on  Friday 20 December 2024

Defending our lands against oppression through an ecocentric ideology…

HAPPENING NOW: Environmental group KALIKASAN hosts a socio-political forum for Earth Day 2024 at the Makiling Ballroom...

Posted by Explained PH on  Sunday 21 April 2024

The power of youth in electing the right candidate for our government…

LOOK: Present senatorial candidates during The Rundown's opening segment, "Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot", where they...

Posted by Explained PH on  Sunday 16 March 2025

… and of course, for fighting against the tobacco industry and the big capitalist companies behind this global problem.

That is why looking back at my experiences now with Explained PH, it made me realize the power of giving young people an opportunity to experience, to grow, and to thrive in the real world. Because I believe that all people have greatness inside of them, and the right opportunity for them is the key to unlock just that.

With Explained PH offering me more than just the right opportunities for me, I never felt so unseen and unheard again.

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