Meet Elijah Edward Ronquillo Santos of World Citi Colleges – Binalonan Campus

Truth seekers. Truth speakers. Truth defenders.

Elijah Edward Ronquillo Santos urges young journalists to continue advocating for genuine press freedom in the country. 

He serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of The Chronicle, the official student publication of World Citi Colleges Aeronautical and Technological College – Binalonan Campus.

To get to know him better, Republicasia asked Elijah a few questions about his journey as a student journalist fighting for press freedom in the country. 

Behind the Persona

Tell me about yourself as a student journalist and your life outside of publication.

It hasn’t been that long since I became a student journalist, as I joined this publication out of my love for writing. My life outside being an Editor in Chief is just a man in his 20’s enjoying his youth. I’m currently a 4th year BS Aeronautical Engineering student at WCC-ATC Binalonan. I am a writer and an author of a poetry book. I also join spoken poetries, pursuing my passion for arts, writing poetry on walls, graffiti, and sometimes collaborating with other artists. I’m also a part of the art movement happening in Pangasinan. A skater, skimboarder, surfer and an adrenaline junkie. 

Defining Moment

Tell me about that ‘defining moment’ that made you pursue journalism and continue to do so.

I haven’t exactly found my ‘defining moment’ as of yet. I’m new to this field and all of this is rooted to my love for writing. Although new, that doesn’t hinder me in learning everything I need to know, and what inspires me to become a journalist is that I get to serve my fellow students and aviators by sharing the truth that they deserve to know, and by speaking up to them when it matters the most. 

Generation Voice

What do you think is the most pressing issue that affects press freedom in the country nowadays? What do you think are the significant roles of young journalists in advancing genuine national press freedom?

There are a few pressing matters affecting journalism. Namely Red tagging, fake news, and media manipulation. It’s a huge risk being a journalist in our country or anywhere else. With the issues such as the blatant killings, online threats, even death threats and other forms of harassment. I think there are a lot of promising and young journalists in this generation who aren’t afraid to speak up, and courageous in demanding the truth. The student journalists of this time and our role in society are significant as we are the ones who will be advocating genuine press freedom, without fearing that our lives will be at stake. 

Powerful Quote

Tell me about your mantra as a journalist. What message can you give to the aspiring journalist of the new generation?

I don’t have a quote that I can use or relate to at the moment. But maybe I could use a piece of my own realization instead, that the truth never hurt anyone aside from the ones who are not prepared to be embraced by its whispers and its hot & thorny embrace. My message for journalists is to seek out the truth as you would pursue a lover, heed the advice of a friend, hear the scolding of a mentor.