[OPINION] Rippling to our country the change that moved me

Who would have ever thought that a chance encounter in an event at school would lead me to cover events and write stories about the recent election with the nation as my audience? (READ: MovePH heads to Saint Louis University for #MoveBaguio)

It is indeed a quite surreal experience especially knowing that all of it happened in just a span of two months. In that short amount of time, I was able to become one of Rappler’s Core Movers who inspire courage in the MovePH community and the country as a whole. Surely, it’s something I can tell my grandchildren in the future. (READ: Rappler trains citizen journalists ahead of 2019 elections)

Being a mover, I was able to experience all sorts of things I never dared to try before. Gone are the days when I only concerned myself with the basic facts, and the pen-and-paper of a story. This time, I was able to hold a camera and focus my lens on the faces of those who matter the most during polls – the people. I was able to understand their political views by knowing their side.

Why did you vote?

First-time voter Kristine Masliyan, 21, said, "Kasi kailangan ng bayan natin. Para sa pagbabago at para sa mga taong naniniwala sa pagbabago."

[More to follow]#PHVote | @MovePH @phvote @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/KWsogrmML9

— Janric Bayao (@BayaoJanric) May 13, 2019

Life-changing work

On a personal note, the things I did have allowed me to lead other people. Before, I have always been the reserved one who only speaks when I feel I need to respond. It enabled me to have my own set of movers who willingly worked with me to inform the public about updates in the Baguio-Benguet area concerning the midterm polls.

It’s always a gratifying feeling to work with them – our publication’s junior news writers Meha Damiyay, Brian Millanes, and Jules Tillay; photojournalists CK Valeriano, Marco Ilagan, Ralph Dollaga, and Franz Del Rosario; and our Editor-in-chief Diwata Donato and the whole of White & Blue Student Publication of the Saint Louis University – Baguio City.

They were the reason why I was able to get through the election day because they were there to help me in any way they can, from gathering information, interviewing authorities, and even to live tweeting whatever issue we might stumble and discover from every precinct we visit.

Covering the midterm elections helped me in regaining my faith for the Philippines and its future. Truth be told, I was one of those people who gave up on our country and hoped for greener pastures abroad.

I used to be so disappointed with the local and national news from mainstream and social media. It’s wondrous to know that a single event with Rappler had given me hope for our country and that I, albeit an ordinary student, can be part of the change this nation needs by simply reporting the truth. (READ: Baguio journalists urge youth to help fight disinformation)

‘More stories to tell’

Knowing and understanding the political landscape and dynamics of Baguio City and its candidates have allowed me to make my fellow highlanders informed citizens.

It will always be a delight to hear from a friend or classmate that they were able to create informed decisions during elections because of the updates we’ve provided.

However, being a mover does not end with the elections. There will always be more stories to tell, more issues to bring light upon, and more people whose voices need to be heard. (READ: WATCH: Why be a Rappler mover?)

Despite these responsibilities, I know I will be up for the challenge of becoming a journalist. After all, the truth is needed more today than it has ever been. – Rappler.com

Janric Bayao is a Rappler mover in Baguio City. He is an incoming 5th year BS Accountancy student and the news editor of White & Blue, the official student publication of Saint Louis University in Baguio City.