It all started with a school event and a press release. I was just a student trying to get some coverage for a campus activity when I handed a PR article to Ms. Linette Catalejo, the editor for SunStar’s youth section. I didn’t expect much, but she saw something in my writing style that I hadn’t even fully recognized myself. She looked at me and asked a question that would change the trajectory of my youth: “Do you want to become a contributing writer?”
Naturally, I said yes.
That single “yes” launched one of the most exhilarating chapters of my young life. Every Monday, our dedicated youth section would hit the streets. It was a tight, impactful one-page feature, and it became my personal canvas. I was given the creative freedom to write about random, youth-related topics—diving into the trends, the struggles, the music, and the collective heartbeat of our generation.
Back then, newspaper boys were still a staple of the morning commute. I vividly remember the intoxicating rush of energy every Monday morning. I would jump out of bed, climb into the car, and wait with bated breath. Every single time the car stopped at an intersection and a newsboy approached the window, my heart would race. I’d eagerly buy a copy, flip it open, and search the page.
Seeing my byline in print for the first time—and every time after that—was an absolute thrill. For a young writer, seeing your name anchoring a published story is a profound validation. It felt like a massive milestone, a badge of honor, and a tangible achievement that made me hold my head a little higher.
Eventually, life pulled me toward bigger cities and different screens. I packed my bags, flew to Manila, and transitioned into the fast-paced world of television. Working as a TV Writer and Producer for ABS-CBN was an incredible adventure, but the demanding rhythm of television production meant that my print writing eventually had to take a backseat. I stopped writing articles, trading the printed page for scripts and broadcast monitors.
Yet, no matter how many years pass or how digital the world becomes, I deeply miss that raw, nostalgic experience of print journalism. To this day, I still keep my old SunStar newspaper clippings, preserved in pristine shape, as a reminder of where it all began.
Looking back, I am filled with immense gratitude. Thank you, SunStar newspaper, for giving a young, ambitious kid a voice, a platform, and a definitive purpose. You didn’t just publish my words; you helped me discover my passion for writing and journalism.
