Change maker

I am yet again on another journey, one that took me to a beautiful part of Southern Thailand. It was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lush greenery and the calming waves of the sea. Khao Lak, part of Phang Nga province, has left me breathless. I thought it would just be another workshop where we would be taught the basics of storytelling for impact. Little did we know that we were about to embark on an unforgettable ride, one that would stay with us long after the sessions had ended.

I found myself alongside explorers who told stories through photographs and videos. Their passion for storytelling transcends beyond words and orality. It is reflected in the images they carefully frame with their eyes and capture through the tools in their hands. Their work is not about creating content for engagement or chasing viral moments. It is about leaving a lasting impression that can influence mindsets, shape policies, and eventually change the world. There is, indeed, a career in changemaking, and it reminded me that journalism has always belonged in that space.

While it may sound like a lofty ambition, many have already given up on this path simply because they believe nothing is happening. Progress is painfully slow, and victories are often invisible. The state of our climate policies and environmental practices continues to worsen. I look back at my latest work on Cebu's garbage situation, particularly after the landfill collapse, and there really is not much movement to celebrate. The investigation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources seems slower than a sloth—or perhaps we simply are not hearing enough about it. Workers in the area continue to hope for better days despite losing many of their colleagues. The city remains trapped in a labyrinth, searching for ways to deal with the thousands of tons of garbage that still need to leave the transfer station. I do think we are in some sort of trouble.

I commend the many colleagues who continue doing an excellent job reporting on this situation. It may not be the most appealing story to tell, but the updates, however scarce, still matter. Some narratives may already sound repetitive, yet repetition is sometimes necessary because people deserve to know what is happening and what the government is actually prioritizing. Journalism does not stop becoming important simply because the headlines have become familiar. If anything, that is precisely when it becomes even more necessary to keep asking questions.

Apparently, it is not only us struggling with the garbage problem. Much of Southeast Asia, deeply entrenched in a sachet-driven culture, is facing the same crisis. Plastic convenience has become an environmental burden shared by millions. The challenge is regional, but the consequences are painfully local. Perhaps that is why this workshop in Khao Lak resonated with me. Change does not always happen overnight, nor does every story immediately result in new laws or better policies. Sometimes, changemaking begins with refusing to look away.