On Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Why Good News Still Matters

Marking milestones in life and media, this column reflects on purpose, gratitude, and the enduring role of good news for Filipinos. Photo taken at GNP offices in IWG SPACES World Plaza BGC.

Birthdays and anniversaries are curious markers. They do not stop time, but they ask us—quietly—to pause. To take stock of where we have been, who has walked with us, and what still calls us forward.

Today, I pause for two reasons. It is my birthday, and it is also my 12th year walking with Good News Pilipinas.

This year arrives differently. It is my first birthday without my mother, who passed away in 2025. Grief has a way of sharpening perspective. It reminds us that while roles may change and seasons may end, purpose—when it is real—endures.

Twelve years ago, I said yes to a mission I deeply believed in: advocating for good stories to be part of every Filipino’s staple diet. In a media environment often dominated by conflict, crisis, and controversy, I have always believed that Filipinos deserve balance. We need to be informed by hard news, yes—but we also need to be sustained by stories of grit, compassion, excellence, and hope.

Good news is not escapism.
It is context.
It reminds us of who we are—and who we can still become.

Over the years, Good News Pilipinas has evolved. Platforms have shifted, audiences have grown more fragmented, and the pace of information has only accelerated. Yet the heart of this work has remained constant: to tell stories that uplift without denying reality, and to amplify voices that deserve to be heard.

This journey has never been solitary.

I am deeply grateful for the trust and stewardship of our Chief Editor, Rico Hizon, who has entrusted me with the care of Good News Pilipinas through the years. Leadership, after all, is not simply about vision; it is about trust passed from one steward to another.

I also acknowledge the many team members—past and present—who have poured their talent, discipline, and belief into this platform. To our collaborators and contributors who continue to share their stories and expertise, you are the reason our pages remain alive and relevant.

And to our readers—our audience—thank you. Thank you for choosing to consume good stories, to share them, and to make space for hope in your daily media diet. Your presence affirms that this work still matters.

As Good News Pilipinas looks ahead to its 20th year, this milestone is not merely about longevity. It is about responsibility. In an increasingly noisy and divided digital world, the work of telling good, truthful, and meaningful stories becomes even more essential.

Birthdays remind us that life is finite.
Anniversaries remind us that purpose can endure.

As we move forward—toward new chapters, new challenges, and new stories—I hope you continue walking with us, choosing good news not as an escape, but as a conscious act of hope.