Truth seekers. Truth speakers. Truth defenders.
John Serge Magat hopes to serve the people by being a beacon and messenger of truth.
He serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of BACOM Chronicles, the official student publication of Universidad de Manila.
To get to know him better, Republicasia asked John Serge 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.
I started to become a student journalist way back when I was a junior high school student wherein, I became part of the pioneers of our TV broadcasting Filipino of Ang Bayani Club. What I like about being a student journalist is having that sense of awareness regarding the issues that we are facing and here, it taught me to always dig for truth, practice fairness and balance, and to use our voices to speak and stand for what is right. As a member of our publication, what we usually do is practice our skills in writing and communication. We write news stories about current issues in our society and some articles every time there is an event in our university.
Defining Moment
Tell me about that ‘defining moment’ that made you pursue journalism and continue to do so.
The ‘defining moment’ that made me pursue journalism was after our competition when I joined TV broadcasting. Although we didn’t win that time, yet, this experience made me feel that I want to be a journalist even more. I even told our adviser “Yes sir, itutuloy ko talaga yung pagjo-journ ko” and since then I promised myself that I will do everything that I can to become a well-known and good journalist but for now, what crawls in my heart is to be an individual who will be an epitome of truth to everyone who’s been lured by crooked and false information that they have gathered.
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?
As a young student journalist, I became worried about the journalists who died voicing out the truth in our society, and I think this is the most pressing issue that affects press freedom in our country nowadays. I think the significant role of a young student journalist like me in advancing genuine national press freedom is not just my wisdom and knowledge about it but also my passion and courage to face the challenges of what press freedom gives.
Powerful Quote
Tell me about your mantra as a journalist. What message can you give to the aspiring journalist of the new generation?
Dreaming merely is not sufficient to reach what I want myself to be in the future, I have to equip hard work, determination, and passion while I ascend the peak of my dream. But this dream is not only for me but also for my country. I dream to be dominated by the truth that elicits peace and unity, not lies that brag us down into a miserable pit. Palaging para sa sarili at para sa ating bayan.
