Kara David ventures into podcasting, features Shuvee Etrata as first guest

Broadcast journalist Kara David has celebrated three decades of informing and entertaining viewers on TV. Such a milestone is also a look-back on her colorful career as a production assistant, researcher, writer, reporter, anchor, host and small-screen personality.

Her rise from the ranks is a display of dedication and commitment to work, passion to tell stories and loyalty to a home, where she thrives.

“Yung pagiging Kapuso (being a Kapuso) is recognizing that lahat tayo may pare-parehong tinitibok ng puso (that we’re beating for the same thing),” said Kara in a brief e-mail chat with this paper. “Lahat tayo may puso. Hindi tayo kailangan maging magkakamag-anak, magkakaibigan, hindi kailangang pareho tayo ng lahi (we all have hearts. It does not need that we’re relatives, friends or we belong to the same race).”

“The fact that we all have hearts and we beat for the same things, we yearn for the same things, we are all Kapuso,” added she. “And that’s what being a Kapuso is.”

Looking at it within a network like GMA, encompassing its news team, Kara continued by saying, “bina-value ‘yung differences ng mga tao (the differences are considered and accepted). Lahat ng mga tao dito may iba’t ibang talento (everyone here has his or her own talents), pero lahat kami pare-pareho ng misyon at serbisyo (but we all have the same mission and service) — ito ‘yung prinsipyo ng Serbisyong Totoo (that’s the principle of genuine and real service).”

It’s the driving force behind why GMA news workers create and curate timely and relevant broadcast content.'

As for what makes one stay and remain loyal to a company, Kara said, “I will always be very, very grateful to GMA for giving me a chance to be one of the documentarists of ‘i-Witness.’ This has helped me, not only in my career, pero pakiramdam ko nag-grow ako bilang isang tao dahil sa ‘i-Witness’ (I feel that I’m growing as a person because of the news program). I’m also very thankful na binigay sa akin ‘yung ‘Pinas Sarap’ (that the infotainment show has been given to me) kasi na-explore ko ‘yung aking quirky, fun side and pagiging lover of life (because I get to explore my quirky and fun sides and my being a lover of life) kasi I just love adventure.”

“Lahat ng mga programang binigay sa akin ng GMA sobrang grateful ako — from ‘Case Unclosed’ to ‘100% Pinoy,’ ‘Brigada Siete,’ ‘Brigada,’ and now with this new podcast, ‘yung ‘I-Listen,’” added she.

Kara with ‘Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition’ housemate, Shuvee Etrata, as the first guest of ‘I-Listen.’

With that, Kara is lucky to have found a network that consistently gives her opportunities to grow and showcase her interests.

“Maraming salamat lang sa tiwala, GMA (thank you very much for the trust),” said she. “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng Kapusong sumusuporta sa atin (thanks a lot also to the Kapuso viewers who support me). Huwag po kayo mag-aaalala kasi pagbubutihin ko po — lahat po ng opportunity na binibigay ninyo sa akin, pagbubutihin ko pa po talaga (don’t worry. I will work harder and value every opportunity that is given to me).”

And her recent endeavor is the GMA Public Affairs podcast “I-Listen.”

According to the network’s publicity team, “I-Listen” promises and engages one with “raw, heartfelt, and intimate conversations that highlight extraordinary Filipino stories — each one inspiring reflection, empathy and hope.”

The podcast features celebrities and everyday Filipinos and their remarkable journeys, it shares,  “Each episode explores struggles and triumphs that shape the human spirit.”

Its first guest was Shuvee Etrata, Sparkle GMA artist and “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” housemate.

“I-Listen” is available on Spotify, Apple Music and the official GMA Public Affairs YouTube Channel.

Beyond her documentarist and host persona, Kara is a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines.

“I’m a teacher, but I’m also a student,” said she. “Importante kasi that we never stop learning. I love teaching kasi hindi lang ako nakakapagbahagi ng aking kaalaman, natututo rin ako sa aking mga estudyante (because I don’t only get to impart my knowledge, but I also learn from my students). ‘Yung mga klase namin, maraming discussions, tawanan, debates (my class is filled with a lot of discussions, laughter and debates) kasi I want to share my knowledge, but I also want to learn from my students.”

As a documentarist, Kara shares meaningful contextual knowledge about her subjects and topics and the latter also enrich her.