'I-Witness' hosts walk down memory lane as program marks 25th anniversary

Through 25 years of making stories that not only bring wonders to the audience but also inspire them to make a change, "I-Witness" has gone to the far-flung and excluded communities to engage with individuals and sectors whose voices are not heard.

This time around, the "I-Witness" hosts graced the University of Santo Tomas and shared their experiences and the lessons they learned with students from different schools.

As they look backed on their storied past, the hosts also spoke to GMA News Online about it feels like to be a part of the award-winning documentary program.

A dream come true

Howie Severino, who has been doing stories for "I-Witness" since 2001, said his experience with the documentary program is one of the best things that happened in his life.

"It's just been an incredible ride. Being able to do journalism as part of 'I-Witness' is a dream come true, and I still feel very lucky that I'm doing it," Severino said.

Being a host of "I-Witness" is also a dream come true for Kara David.

From being a scriptwriter, she was given a chance to host the documentary program in 2001 with "Gamu-gamo Sa Dilim," featuring a small community in Oriental Mindoro which did not have electricity.

"Ang pangarap ko noon sana makapagsulat ako ng script (sa 'I-Witness') because I was a script writer back then. Nakapagsulat ako na isang episode for ma'am Jessica (Soho) and kilig na kilig ako writing for her," David said.

("My dream was to write a script for I-Witness because I was a scriptwriter back then. I was elated when I wrote an episode for ma'am Jessica Soho.")

"Hindi ako makapaniwala na (I couldn't believe that) 23 years, 24 years later, andito  pa rin ako sa  (I'm still here at) 'I-Witness.' I'm still fulfilling my dream," she added.

Meanwhile, for Mav Gonzales, joining the program is a blessing because she always wanted to do long-form stories.

Gonzales, who is also a Senate-beat reporter, said she puts emotion into her stories even when she's doing a three-minute report.

"Now that I'm writing documentaries, it became more important na nakaka-relate ka doon sa tao na ini-interview mo, na kino-cover mo, and you put across what they're going through dun sa nanonood," Gonzales said in a separate.

("Now that I'm writing documentaries, it has become more important that I can relate to the people I interview, that I cover, and put across what they're going through to the audience.")

"And there's not a lot of ways you can do that other than words if you're writing documentaries," she added.

Meanwhile, John Consulta said being a part of I-Witness is "life-changing."

"Alam naman natin ang I-Witness ay award winning, pinakamahabang Public Affairs program ng GMA, and to be just a part of it, is so much honor," Consulta said.

("We know that  I-Witness is award-winning, the longest Public Affairs program of GMA, and to be just a part of it, is so much honor.")

In 2022, Consulta did his first "I-Witness" documentary featuring the story of Rosemary Martell, who went missing in 2019.

Also a police-beat reporter, Consulta produced a documentary on alias "Luffy," who engaged in one of the biggest crimes in the Philippines and Japan.

In 2023, Consulta and Gonzales officially joined I-Witness.

Meanwhile, Atom Araullo said doing documentaries for "I-Witness" does not feel like work. On the contrary, he said it feels like he's off to a "new adventure" despite the possible dangers he might face.

"Kapag malinaw sa iyo kung anong kailangan mong gawin para manatiling ligtas, at kung maging masinop ka sa pangangalap ng impormasyon, pagkukwento ng storya, 'yun na 'yung panangga mo sa mga risks na 'yun," Araullo said.

("If you know what you need to do to stay safe, and if you are diligent in gathering information, and telling stories, that is your protection against those risks.")

Instead of being discouraged, Araullo said the risk involved in pursuing a story compels him to complete it.

"Honestly, for me, I feel good when those kinds of contradictions arise, when they feel like this story might be controversial, kasi (because) I know that the story is worth doing," Araullo said.

Araullo joined "I-Witness" in 2017 with "Silang Kinalimutan," a story about the Rohingya people, who were persecuted and forced to flee from their homes in Myanmar. The documentary won a Gold Camera Award the following year.

Don't forget to serve, have empathy

If there's one thing that Consulta learned in his experience as a journalist, it is to always grab the opportunity to serve.

His unexpected encounter with domestic helper Bonita Baran, who was maltreated by her employers, started a chain reaction, which eventually led to passing the Republic Act 10361 or the Kasambahay Law.

Consulta said that he was doing a story during a typhoon when someone asked him for help, and using his cellphone, Consulta interviewed Baran.

"After four months na umere ng story natin, naipasa 'yung matagal na nakabinbin na Kasambahay Bill, so para sa aking ang learning doon is pag may pagkakataon, grab the opportunity to serve," Consulat said.

("After four months our story aired on television, the long pending Kasambahay Bill was passed. So, for me the learning there is when there is an opportunity, grab the opportunity to serve.")

There was also a time when David wanted to resign from her job and be a social worker.

"The reason why I wanted to resign was because ang sakit-sakit na ng puso ko, interviewing all these children na mamatay sa gutom, being abused and all those things, it takes a toll on you and your mental health," David said.

("The reason why I wanted to resign was because it breaks my heart interviewing these children,   who die of hunger, being abused, and all those things. It takes a toll on you and your mental health.")

However, her team convinced her to keep reporting since she was given the gift of storytelling. This led her to set up her foundation "Project Malasakit," which funds scholarship projects.

"Nawawala kahit pano 'yung lungkot at 'yung sakit sa puso ko. Gumagaan siya kasi alam mo na we can change the world one child at a time, one community at a time," David said.

("The sadness and pain in my heart somehow disappear. It is relieved because you know that we can change the world one child at a time, one community at a time.")

Contrary to the notion that journalists are cold and calculative, Gonzales said it is important for a journalist to be "truthful" and "empathetic."

"Be truthful, be empathetic, and be mindful of what you put out. Because you know that this is not just a fun project, but it's something that's going to reach a lot of people," Gonzales said.

Advice to future journalists

One of the tips that Araullo shared for aspiring journalists is to be "a student of history."

"Marami sa mga nangyari ngayon sa ating mundo, ay matututunan natin mula sa kasaysayan. So, pagbasa kayo, mag-aral, (at) laging magkatao. 'Yun 'yung mga sandata para maging isang magaling na journalist," Araullo said.

("Much of what is happening in our world can be learned from history. So, read, study, and always ask questions. Those are the weapons to be a good journalist.")

Meanwhile, Severino said those who want to pursue journalism should have a journal to keep a record and practice writing.

"One of the things I learned is that everyone is a story, and everyone has an interesting story. Stories don't always have to come from celebrities or victims or perpetrators of something," Severino said.

With her experience in the media industry, David said a journalist is not the story but a storyteller who shares the story of other people.

Influence to the new generation

As the program celebrated its anniversary in UST, the students got a chance to hear stories from the "I-Witness" hosts, asked them questions, answered some trivia, and won merchandise.

Abi Misagal, a communications student, said that she learned a lot from the talk.

"It made me feel a lot of emotions and it motivated me to choose and stick to the path that I chose," Misagal told GMA News Online.

"I admire everything that they do kasi ang risky po and at the same time sa sobrang dami nilang na experience, andoon pa rin 'yung empathy nila and 'yung kindness nila and they never fail to show it," she added.

("I admire everything that they do because they continue to work despite being in risky situations and at the same time even though they have a lot of experience, they still have empathy and kindness and they never fail to show it.")

"I-Witness" premiered in 1999 with hosts Vicky Morales, Luchi Cruz-Valdez, Mike Enriquez, Cheche Lazara, and Jessica Soho.

The program won various awards including the Philippines' first George Foster Peabody Award for Jessica Soho's "Kamao" and "Kidneys for Sale," which aired in the documentary show's inaugural year.

In 2010, the program won a second Peabody for Kara David's "Ambulansyang de Paa." It also gained international recognition from the ABU/CASBAA UNICEF Child Rights Award, the New York Festival, and the US International Film and Video Festivals, among others.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News