Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of abuse and violence.
GROWING UP, I always looked forward to attending class, wanting to stay outside for as long as I could. I dreaded the arrival of weekends and holidays, when I would be stuck at home. As being at home often meant hearing my mother’s cries for help and spending the rest of the day in fear of getting hit again, school became my escape.
Due to these circumstances, I thought I was already aware of life’s realities, but I soon discovered even harsher truths that other children face. Back in elementary, I stumbled across a documentary featuring young compressor miners who had to forgo their education to help their families by diving in the mud for hours.
Learning this issue frustrated me; it was heartbreaking to realize that some children could not study and were instead forced into extremely dangerous jobs.
Until now, reports highlight that three in five children have experienced violent discipline, while about 828,000 are engaged in child labor. Alongside this, the latest studies on gender-based violence reveal that women still suffer abuse from their partners. Many of these cases remain underreported, often due to financial constraints and the stigma surrounding victims.
Upset about what I continued to discover, I found the drive to deepen my knowledge of social issues and share it with others through my passion in journalism. These activities, combined with my childhood, made me realize that I want to empower the lives of the marginalized by giving them a platform to share their stories.
As a journalism student, I have been exposed to many unfortunate realities, faced by my interviewees, that impact the broader community. One of the widows of around 6,252 illegal drug war victims, Rodalyn Adan, recounted how she had to raise their seven children alone after her husband was killed in a buy-bust operation. When I had the chance to engage with Tayabas farmers, I also learned how they have yet to recover their hard-earned money from the Coco Levy Fund due to slow government action.
Turns out, injustices pick no age or gender. The marginalized continue to suffer due to the government’s inefficiencies and the abuse of those who have power. Despite these challenges, they continue to hope that their voices will be heard.
As these issues persist, the role of journalism to inform the public and guide decision-making remains more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, the industry still faces obstacles in this evolving media landscape, from attacks on journalists, distrust on media, to disinformation, among others.
Nonetheless, the passion to serve still prevails over these challenges. Journalists and campus publications tirelessly adapt to bring neglected truths to light—remaining committed to amplifying unheard voices and holding those in power accountable.
As these truths become closer to being uncovered, I desire for students to become motivated to utilize their skills in eradicating such harsh realities. I will cling to the hope that when the silenced are heard, their stories will ignite the audiences’ drive to empower the marginalized—to commit to causes greater than themselves.
Angela is a Communication student with a minor in Public Management at the Ateneo de Manila University. With her intense passion for broadcast journalism, she is devoted to enriching the lives of the marginalized by reporting truths that spark discourse and motivate action.
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by the opinion writer do not necessarily state or reflect those of the publication.
