Karen Davila: A Woman Winner in an Outstanding Man's World

A recent awardee of the prestigious The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards, TV and radio broadcaster Karen Davila has been — to many young people –– a shining example of what enthusiasm, diligence and a bubbly personality can achieve. Uptown/Downtown sat down with Karen Davila to get her thoughts on her recent award, lessons learned in life, career reflections and plans for the future.

You have recently been awarded the TOYM. How did this come about and what does this award mean to you?

I’ve been nominated for the TOYM a few times, and actually getting it wasn’t easy. I’m 38 years old now, and being recognized as one of this year’s “Ten Outstanding Young Men” has meant so much more because I’ve also had a fuller and more extensive body of work when it comes to producing and writing documentaries, which I absolutely am passionate about and also in my advocacy work for World Vision. It’s kind of given me a signal that, “I’m on the right track” and has reinforced my belief that I do have a purpose being in the field of broadcasting, that this isn’t just a job, but a calling... that there’s so much power that comes with this responsibility.

I am overjoyed and also humbled at the same time in winning the TOYM. I was told that in the last 400 winners, only seven were awarded in the field of Broadcast Journalism, both for on and off camera achievements.

Give us a run through of your years as a journalist, the highs, the lows, anecdotes of the more important stories, etc.

I’ve been a broadcast journalist for the last 15 years, straight out of UP. I took up Mass Communications. My first job was in GMA 7, and I was able to develop my writing and reportorial skills with the program Brigada Siete, hosted by the late Louie Beltran. It was also in GMA 7 that I started contributing reports for CNN World Report for four years, for free — two of my short pieces won, “Best Medical Report” in 1999, and “Finalist for Best Environmental Report” in 1997.

After 6 1/2 years of being in GMA 7, I moved to ABS-CBN in the year 2000 — and I’m grateful for how I’ve grown professionally. I now anchor two daily programs, TV Patrol World, our primetime newscast and Pasada Sais Trenta, our daily radio program.

But I absolutely love doing Correspondents, aired Tuesday nights late night. Here, I am able to do reports, long form, or documentaries where I tackle issues and topics that may not be headline material, but definitely need attention.

One of my defining stories would have to be “Batang Preso” which won the Unicef Child Rights Award in 2005. We exposed the horrid conditions of children in jail, and I was told, by Sen. Kiko Pangilinan — that report helped usher in the signing of the Comprehensive Juvenile Justice Law.

Another piece we had, “Palobo Boys,” (Children Addicts) won the Silver World Medal at the New York TV and Film Festivals in 2007 as well, and our documentaries on biliary atresia, a life threatening liver disease that afflicts babies.

I’ve continued to pursue stories that are close to my heart: malnutrition and how this affects children at school and the next generation, the lack of health care and health centers in our country — generally topics that affect the lives of everyday Filipinos.

What are the greatest lessons that you have learned as a journalist?

I think one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as journalist is that I don’t know everything, that the world around me is literally my classroom. Character is developed when we’re being stretched, not when we’re comfortable. And I see that in the people I meet all the time. I’m pushed to understand, listen, develop compassion, reach out. It’s humbling and I really am privileged to see this. I think it’s one of the greatest jobs in the world, being a broadcast journalist — being part of history as it unfolds in front of you, but more than that, being able to educate people through television, allowing them to make better choices for their future.

What do you treasure most in your life and why?

Honestly, I treasure my relationship with God the most. Next is my family and friends. People describe me as extremely loving and understanding. I tolerate weaknesses well because I think it’s easy to love people when they’re strong, but more challenging to care about them when they’re difficult. I have quiet time in prayer and read a lot, and every time something is so hard or painful — God always takes me through it. I’ve seen it in my life absolutely.

How do you balance work and your family life?

Well, I love being with my children more now. My eldest, David, is six years old and we’ve been through tough times with him. At the age of four, he had speech and social skill delays. I’m a full time career woman, but I approached a treatment for David with as much obsession and drive as I did with my job. It’s crazy! David is great now — smart, funny and makulit.

My youngest is Lucas, one-year-old. Beautiful and absolutely a riot at home! I take my kids with me whenever and wherever I can, out on coverage if I can even. I’ve learned to plan more vacations with the kids, like short quality trips — I’ve never been much of a planner, but I’m learning to because work is non-stop all year round.

Do you see yourself winding down anytime soon? Why or why not?

 No, not at all. I do hope to see a reinvention of myself in terms of what I do at work. I’d like to focus on more advocacy journalism, I’d love to have a program with that kind of branding. I’m only 38 — feeling younger and more passionate by the day.

Do you feel that TV news personalities have reached the level of TV and movie personalities in terms of popularity? Does ego play a part in the industry?

Well, the very medium of television makes someone popular. I think, broadcasters have reached the same level of popularity as showbiz personalities, and add to that the credibility and trust that people put on broadcasters.

I think a healthy ego will do everyone good, but I don’t think it should be the prime mover in why someone does something. The ego is very superficial and when left unchecked, can cause someone to behave rather meanly, arrogantly or unacceptably. An ego is not something you need in the job, but it’s definitely there.

Do you have any political ambitions? How best would you wish to serve?

I frankly don’t have political ambitions, but I do like the idea of serving, of changing things. Being a broadcast journalist in ABS-CBN has allowed me to tackle issues, call attention to problems that have been ignored. And you see it, once they’re broadcast on radio or TV, the results are pretty quick. People act. And I love action.

How do you characterize politics in the country as compared to other nations? How do you characterize the Filipino people?

We have a pretty young democracy, but our institutions have to function more reliably. We tend to be a very emotional people and that’s because we feel hopeless about how certain institutions act or don’t act upon our grievances. Going to the streets is a constitutional right, but it’s not something we can wear out each and every year.

I think the modern world is off patronage politics, but we are very much still there... owing changes in our communities to the so called goodness of personalities or specific politicians. We can only outgrow that if we allow our institutions to function properly.

The Filipino is a resilient people. Beautiful. Gracious. But as a people, we need to take our destiny into our own hands. We are responsible for our choices and where we are taking this country.

What do you think is missing within us as a people that prohibits us from progressing as a nation?

Frankly, aside from corruption on an intense scale, it’s really the lack of accountability — whether in government or as a people.

What other “mountains” are there for you to climb?

I don’t know... but I’d love to overcome the challenge of climbing mountains as much as the darkness of going through valleys.

I think, Joanne, what’s similar between us is this — as long as I can be of good use to something, I’m willing. I’m willing to serve, to work, to extend myself, to volunteer. I’ve done it, I love doing it, and I intend to keep at it, with intense passion as always.