Embodying the Spirit of an Iskolar ng Bayan: Following in the Footsteps of Paul Soriano
Paul Soriano, once unfamiliar with the University of the Philippines, has always carried the spirit of an Iskolar ng Bayan within his heart. With his unwavering advocacy to fight for what is right, he uses his voice for the voiceless and serves the public with his pen and the truth.
He initially served the studentry by joining the UP Baguio’s official student publication, Outcrop, as a researcher and a column writer. Later on, he had to leave Outcrop to join the student council, where his leadership and dedication shone for two terms. As a communication student majoring in Speech with a minor in Broadcasting, Soriano demonstrated unyielding commitment to the people and his craft.
Outcrop’s Basic Mass Integration (BMI), where participants immerse themselves in a community and then write stories about their experiences, profoundly changed his perspective on life and shaped him into the person he is today. He vividly recounted his first BMI where they visited Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya that was significantly affected by large-scale open-pit mining operations by OceanaGold.
“It was the first time I got to connect in such a way na alam ko na ‘yung sinusulat ko ay may halaga dahil ‘yon ay galing mismo sa mga apektadong komunidad na binista namin,” he said.
With the old van packed to its capacity and limited seats available, someone had to ride on the roof, and he was chosen to sit there. “We are on our way papasok doon sa mining community, nakita ko firsthand kung paano nagshift ‘yung green mountains to gray kasi pinasabog talaga siya.”
As he gazed upon the grim reality of a mining community in the country, he poured his observations into poetry. This became the foundation for his spread, which he carried back to UP Baguio, a captured truth in a story.
“Doon talaga nag-start lahat, like may passion for journalism, for telling stories,” he remarked, remembering how it all started. “The urge and passion to care about what is happening and to always anchor ‘yung platform, ‘yung privilege, lahat lahat ng kakayahan at mayroon ako ay anchored doon sa anong istorya ba ang kaya kong ikuwento.”
“I fell in love with the type of love that a true Iskolar ng Bayan can give to the nation,” Soriano uttered, adding that being an activist is not merely a phase or part of his youth; there are still many opportunities to continue being an activist, outside the university. He clarified that when we say “activists,” these are people who have the purpose to fight for better living conditions, equal rights for everyone, and a much safer society for workers, farmers, and the youth.
After graduating from UP Baguio, he faced his future without fear. He knew that no matter where life took him, he would never abandon the advocacies he tightly held. ‘Bloom where you’re planted’ became his guiding philosophy, inspiring him to strive and excel in every path he chose.
He first landed a job at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), where he worked in media in content management and content research for a radio program about climate change. His position was Development Communications Specialist at the central office of DENR.
Later, he sought further opportunities in the media industry. His next role was in content management and as a producer for Now You Know PH, a media start-up. He remained in this position for almost three years. During this time, he joined the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), and eventually, he was elected as an officer of the Metro Manila Chapter.
Soriano is currently working as a freelance journalist and development worker. He primarily undertakes projects related to media advocacy, focusing on media safety, self-regulation of media, media ethics, legal safety for journalists, and advocacy for press freedom. Additionally, he continues to write and report, including research on various issues. His most recent report was about climate change and animal welfare. He also engages in community and communications management work through data consultancy, in collaboration with media start-ups.
When questioned about whether he harbors fear amidst the threats against journalists, his response echoed with solemnity, “Yung takot sa tingin ko hindi siya mawawala… especially kung hanggang ngayon kaunti ang napaparusahan sa pagpatay sa mga journalists.”
“Mas nakakatakot kapag walang push back kasi mas lumiliit yung pagkakataon na mai-address natin ‘yung social ills, especially when it comes to press freedom and even freedom of expression,” he revealed the brutal truth of journalism in the Philippines. “Marami na ring mga journalists and artists ang kinulong at kung sila ay hindi makapagsalita, so walang ibang puwede mag pushback kundi yung mga naiwan na nasa labas ng kulungan at buhay.”
As a journalist, Soriano is a staunch advocate for press freedom. He quoted their former NUJP Chairperson, Nonoy Espina: ‘The press is not free because it is allowed to be. The press is free because it insists on being free.’
“Hanggang kaya natin na protektahan ‘yung katiting na freedom na mayroon tayo, we do it and we work towards addressing ng mga concerns na nagpapaliit nung democratic space to practice that freedom,” he added.
Paul Soriano has many aspirations in life, but one thing he wants to achieve for our society is to have a true democracy for our country, anchored in the freedoms of the press and expression. His advocacies ignite his relentless fight for justice. In the face of the current challenges in the Philippines, we desperately need more journalists like Paul Soriano, who use his platforms and voice to serve the masses. Indeed, he truly embodies the spirit of an Iskolar ng Bayan, even beyond the confines of the university.