Josel Sapitan

They say, “The more you hate, the more you love.” And honestly? I proved that right. Who would’ve thought that someone like me—who used to avoid writing and publishing at all costs—would one day become a well-known student journalist? Above all, it was the trust—and a promise I made to someone who is no longer here—that gave me the reason to keep going. Joining Explained PH became my first real step into the world of sports media, and from there, everything started to change.


Since elementary, I’ve always avoided Journalism—I didn’t like writing, storytelling, or anything related to it. However, when I entered high school under the Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) program, I was required to take Journalism as a subject. I didn’t expect that this mandatory subject would be the very reason I started appreciating the power of words. In 2023, shortly after the pandemic, I was given my first chance to represent my school in the Secondary Schools Press Conference. Despite being a first-timer, I won third place, which widened my perspective and made me realize that maybe, this was something I could actually do.

That same year, I discovered Explained PH through a classmate who was already part of the organization. He was the chief cartoonist that time, and I often saw him leave school to cover real events. I was amazed at how student journalists like him were trusted to be part of big coverages. When Explained PH opened its volunteer applications, I took the chance and thankfully got accepted. Entering the organization was overwhelming at first—I was completely new, surrounded by experienced and passionate journalists. The moment I joined the group chat, I was immediately teased for my name, Josel Mari Chan, and was even asked to sing a sample. That funny moment stuck with me, and despite the nerves, it was one of the first memories that made me feel I belonged.

I was initially assigned to the News Desk, but I didn’t perform well there. Later, I tried the Partnership Division under Ate Reyza, and although there weren’t many events during that time, I still appreciated her guidance. Eventually, I found my true home in the Sports Desk. Before joining, I had randomly searched for student journalists on Facebook and came across Ate Diana, not knowing she would soon become my Sports Editor. Her leadership made me feel comfortable, and I quickly became eager to learn. I always asked her questions, constantly pushing myself to improve. My first published article was the UAAP Battle of Katipunan, and I was beyond proud of that milestone.


As I continued writing, I gained more confidence and was assigned to multiple coverages. When Ate Diana stepped down, I felt anxious again. But Kuya Roy took over as the new editor, and his Filipino medium writing style aligned with my strengths. I became even more interested in getting to know him and learning from his mentorship. Around this time, I also met Kuya Vincent, the desk secretary, who became my go-to person for advice. He was always present and supportive, and I can confidently say he shaped a huge part of who I am inside the desk. Soon after, I was officially accepted as a Sports Desk staffer, and that solidified my place in the team.


One of the most unforgettable moments of my journey was when I got accredited to cover the first-ever UAAP Esports tournament. It was a historic event, and it was also my first time covering on-site alone. I traveled to Ateneo by Angkas, took photos, wrote updates, and managed everything from morning to evening. Despite the exhaustion and sudden game delays, I managed to push through. Thankfully, I met Ate Miro from De La Salle, who helped me find out what happened and even guided me on how to get home. On finals day, I came straight from school and covered the event again—this time with Kuya Jostle and Akio. I lost my power bank that day, but I gained so much experience and joy that made it all worth it.


After that coverage, I decided to step out of my comfort zone. As someone who had always written in Filipino, I challenged myself to write the Palarong Pambansa opening story in English—not because I was told to, but because I wanted to grow and improve in both mediums. It wasn’t easy. I committed a lot of errors—so many that Kuya Roy ended up apologizing for constantly asking me to revise. It was overwhelming at times, but I knew it was part of the learning process. With the help of Kuya Roy and Kuya Marjoe, who guided me with patience and clarity, I eventually completed the piece—and it turned out to be something I was truly proud of.  


Still, there were setbacks. I once made a mistake in the medal tally article that led to backlash against the organization. It was one of the most embarrassing moments in my journey, but the team stood by me. They reminded me that mistakes are part of growth—and that reminder became one of my strongest foundations moving forward.



Eventually, I became more confident in writing in English, and that opened the door to even more opportunities. Beyond my leadership as the Sports editor of the LHS Courier we took home the second place in the top Quezon City newspaper search. I started training both elementary and secondary student journalists—and before I knew it, one of my trainees had already stepped into the RSPC stage, even before I ever did. She apologized, thinking I deserved it more, but I told her she truly earned that spot. She went through over 20 revisions just to perfect her piece. That’s when I realized—the gold medal I had always dreamed of winning in press conferences, the one I never got to claim, I had already achieved through them. Their success was my success. So far, I’ve trained five champions and two regional qualifiers in Quezon City—and none of that would’ve been possible without the knowledge, exposure, and experience I gained from Explained PH.




Soon after, I was appointed as Acting Sports Editor. With that came even more milestones—I became a resource speaker in both national and international events, including LAHAB and Scores to Stories: Sports Writing 101. It was a surreal feeling meeting aspiring sports journalists and seeing my younger self in them. All I could think was how far I’ve come, and how much more I still want to do.


Explained PH is more than just a youth organization. It’s a safe space where students grow, learn, and develop real-world skills that stay with you for life. It’s where I first understood the value of professionalism and commitment—lessons I carried with me into bigger spaces, including my internship at one of the country’s biggest media networks, ABS-CBN. What I learned from Explained PH isn’t just part of my journey—it’s part of who I am as a journalist.


To my late school paper adviser, Ma’am Becauco, I hope I’ve made you proud. This journey started because of your trust, and soon, I’ll become your first graduate journalist in the field. To Ma’am Josephine Bonsol, thank you for your endless guidance and life-changing impact.



To the Explained PH team—ate Bless, ate Jhewen, and kuya Archie—thank you for welcoming me, trusting me, and shaping me. And to myself, thank you for not giving up, for pushing forward, and for becoming someone who now inspires others.
Happy 5th Anniversary, Explained PH. Thank you for existing, and for giving young campus journalists a place to grow, shine, and believe in the magic of media.

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