Rappler's new Community Engagement Specialist, [full name withheld], is making history as the first Ilongga to join the team. Her journey began months ago when she found herself standing in a Cotabato classroom, helping young student journalists learn the art of community storytelling.
This wasn't the first time she'd been in front of a classroom; she's a former college instructor, and the familiarity felt natural. But this time, she was there as a Rappler specialist, and the experience was surreal. Not too long ago, she was sitting where they were, introducing herself with the same passion and curiosity.
She began her journey with Rappler as a Mover, a vibrant community of citizen journalists, storytellers, and changemakers who refuse to let local issues stay invisible. At the time, she was active in advocacy work, but she struggled to make people care about issues beyond their communities. Becoming a Mover introduced her to storytelling as an answer.
As a Mover, she contributed stories about her community's historic milestones, elections, and how civic advocacies were integrated into local festivals. Covering these local narratives opened up a world of opportunities, making her realize that civic engagement had always been her true calling. Her experience paved the way for her to attend the One Young World Summit in Germany as a Rappler scholar, where she met young leaders from around the world and reinforced that local stories are never just local.
When the opportunity to join Rappler's team came up, she hesitated for a moment, considering leaving her community behind. But it also meant an opportunity to help create the same experiences that had inspired her. So she applied, and her journey as a Community Engagement Specialist began.
As she settled into her new role, she reflected on the person who had guided her years as a contributor – Samantha Bagayas, who led MovePH. The full-circle moment felt complete, as she began her new chapter alongside the person who had shaped her journey.
Samantha's guidance helped shape not only [full name withheld]'s writing but also her understanding of storytelling as a form of civic engagement. She was always encouraged to think more deeply about the communities she was writing for and to question why her stories mattered.
Throughout her journey, [full name withheld] has been driven by a passion for civic engagement and a desire to make a difference in her community. Her experience with Rappler has given her the platform to tell the stories of the people she meets, and her new role as a Community Engagement Specialist marks a significant milestone in her journey.
As she looks to the future, [full name withheld] is committed to helping young student journalists learn the art of community storytelling and to creating experiences that inspire a love of civic engagement. Her full-circle moment is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on communities.
Rappler's Mover Network is a vibrant community of citizen journalists, storytellers, and changemakers who refuse to let local issues stay invisible.
'Local stories are never just local; the challenges facing our community echo conversations happening thousands of miles away.'
[Full name withheld] will be working closely with Samantha Bagayas to ensure that the stories of young student journalists are amplified and that the power of storytelling continues to drive civic engagement in her community.
And as she looks out at the students gathered around her, [full name withheld] knows that she's exactly where she's meant to be – helping young people find their voices and telling the stories that need to be told.
[Full name withheld] will be leading workshops and training sessions to help young student journalists develop their storytelling skills and learn how to use the power of storytelling to drive civic engagement in their communities.
'As a Community Engagement Specialist, I'm excited to help young student journalists learn the art of community storytelling and to create experiences that inspire a love of civic engagement.'
[Full name withheld]'s experience with Rappler has given her the platform to tell the stories of the people she meets, and her new role as a Community Engagement Specialist marks a significant milestone in her journey. The stories she tells will continue to inspire and educate young people, driving a love of civic engagement and a desire to make a difference in their communities.
The power of storytelling is a double-edged sword: it can break down walls and bring people together, or it can create divisions and push people further apart. [Full name withheld] has seen the impact of storytelling firsthand, and she knows that when done well, it can be a powerful tool for driving civic engagement and creating positive change.
As [full name withheld] looks to the future, she's committed to helping young student journalists learn the art of community storytelling and to creating experiences that inspire a love of civic engagement. Her full-circle moment is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on communities.