Today, I just submitted my final requirement for my masters — and just like that, this quest for further learning has come to an end. Cliche as it goes, time does go fast. Almost one year ago, I left the Philippines in pursuit of a masters degree in Media and International Development at the University of East Anglia. I have been a media and communications practitioner in the non-profit sector for seven years, but felt like I didn’t have a strong foundation to stand on. I wanted a theory to my praxis, to better understand the world around me. The decision to take the course was pushed by two things: 1.) the growing distrust on Philippine media, fake news, and social media influence in our democratic processes and 2.) the need for better science communications, especially on disasters and climate change (remember when we had 10,000 deaths because LGU’s said they didn’t understand what ‘strom surge’ meant?). In my one year of study, I have learned so many things, and in the process questioned if …

It’s official, today marks my last day working with Climate Tracker. It’s been one of the most exciting, fulfilling things I’ve done in the last three and a half years and has certainly opened a lot of doors and opportunities for me. Thanks to Josh and Chris who saw my potential three and a half years ago, when I had no idea how crazy it is to be working in the climate space. In 2015, I applied for the Climate Tracker fellowship (then called Adopt A Negotiator) to go to the COP 21 in Paris. That year, I published my very first article on climate change at GMA News Online, “Why PNoy should prioritize climate change before his term ends.” After that, I couldn’t stop writing! I’ve published countless articles that year and my favourite one was this story on the plight of the people of Bataan against coal-fired power plants and this story on why climate change is a matter of human rights. In September 2015, I was able to join the team with …