On August 14, 2025, Sibagat’s Municipal Liga Hall was anything but ordinary. The usually quiet hall pulsed with energy as teachers, barangay leaders, CSO representatives, cooperative movers, and curious young adults gathered under one roof. The occasion? A one-day Community Citizen Journalism Training Workshop organized by Solution Ecosystems Activator Inc. (SEA, Inc.) through its IPAT-SIAD program.

It wasn’t just a seminar. It was a celebration of voices—diverse in age, background, and experience—woven together by one shared mission: to tell Sibagat’s story in Sibagat’s own words.

From Teachers to Torchbearers

Among the vibrant mix stood educators from Urios High School—Ms. Charm and Sir Joshua—who didn’t simply attend the training; they threw themselves into every activity with gusto. By day’s end, they weren’t just participants. They were trailblazers, stepping up as key leaders of the newly born Sibagat Community Correspondents (SCC)—a grassroots collective ready to chronicle the truth, struggles, and triumphs of their hometown.

Guiding Hands and Open Hearts

The workshop was anchored by Avha Hilario, a journalist whose career has straddled both government and private media, and who now serves as SEA Inc.’s IPAT-SIAD coordinator in Mindanao. With stories of the newsroom and lessons from the field, Avha walked participants through the essentials of ethical reporting, media literacy, news writing, and multimedia storytelling. She didn’t just teach skills—she sparked confidence, showing everyday citizens that their voices hold weight and their stories matter.

Adding a layer of warmth were facilitators Marialou Amora and Analiza Pacheco. Far from being distant moderators, they rolled up their sleeves, joined the exercises, and became fellow learners. Their openness transformed the hall into more than a workshop—it became a circle of trust, discovery, and shared purpose.

A Pledge That Echoes

As the day drew to a close, something remarkable happened. Participants stood together, hearts aligned, and made a Pledge of Commitment: to practice journalism that is ethical, inclusive, and rooted in truth. It wasn’t just words recited—it was a promise breathed into existence, a seed planted for Sibagat’s brighter tomorrow.

Beyond a Workshop, Toward a Movement

For SEA Inc., this was more than a one-day event. It was a piece of its larger IPAT-SIAD vision—to nurture transparency, participatory governance, and community-led progress by empowering ordinary people to become extraordinary storytellers.

And for Sibagat? It marked the dawn of a new chapter. With the SCC now in place, guided by educators turned community torchbearers, the town is ready to shine a spotlight on everyday heroes, local milestones, and untold stories that deserve to be heard.

Because in Sibagat, citizen journalism isn’t just about reporting news.

It’s about building bridges, amplifying hope, and reminding everyone that a community’s truest power lies in its united voice.