Journal

This workshop is not just a gathering, but a celebration. A celebration of courage, of service, and of the incredible stories that lie behind the uniform and badge of every Filipino firefighter…In this digital age, storytelling is a powerful tool. It humanizes our service. It builds bridges of understanding…It preserves the legacy of our firefighters …

"I am Manuel Lorenzo V Balacano, an amputee, a firefighter…The admiration of becoming a firefighter is one of the things which shaped me, molded me and prompted me to become one…everything went well according to plan until disaster strikes when a motorcycle accident has occurred and I am the victim." https://youtu.be/HYwi6YsWEd4?si=4ifMj40GX3ExkIZ5 A REALIZATION OF A …

What an incredible six days! Had the privilege of facilitating two Digital Storytelling Workshops (in person and online) with the nominees for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines (Sept 23-25 and Sept 26-28, 2025). How inspiring to hear their stories – of courage, service, and heart.Thank you, SM Prime and BFP, for honoring the …

Two places I call home – Cebu and Masbate – have been hit hard. Cebu by the recent earthquake, and Masbate still struggling to recover from the super typhoon Opong. A dear friend of mine in Australia has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for those affected. I’ve joined her effort here on the ground – …

"Katawan talaga ang puhunan sa mga katulad naming mga bumbero. Nakaka-proud at napakasarap sa pakiramdam kapag nakakatulong kami sa mga kababayan natin. To save lives and properties – yan ang mandato ng BFP. Kaya atin iyang tutuparin. Pero para sa ating mga bumbero, paano naman tayo makaka-cope sa stress na dulot ng ating trabaho?" https://youtu.be/m8YUxBLYV5M?feature=shared …

"A firefighter faces many challenges: physical and mental health risks, dangerous working conditions, and the constant need to adapt to new technologies. But for a female firefighter, the challenges can be even more complex…" From enduring rigorous training to lifting heavy equipment like fire hoses and personal protective gear, we also carry the psychological weight …

"I've finished high school life with a jersey on my back and sweat in my eyes. I learned how to push past limits, how to win – and more importantly, how to lose with heart. After receiving my degree in college and being pressured on paying back the efforts of my parents, I found that …

Before the stories are shared, there’s magic in the making.For many, the process of creating their story in the workshop feels daunting at first. My role is to guide them – helping them uncover their stories and showing them that their voices truly matter.From choosing which story to tell, to recording their voiceovers, to selecting …

"Today, I am a Jail Officer. A wife. A mom. What I lost led me to what was truly meant for me. It was God’s plan all along." MORE THAN A DREAM, a digital story by JO1 Julie Anne Chokowen. Digital Storytelling Workshop with Aurelia L Castro, 1-3 July 2025. (Hybrid Learning Approach (Google Meet/STI …

Ai Yat Goh took the stage at NuStar Cebu during the People Management Association of the Philippines – Visayas Regional Conference (24-25 July 2025), and absolutely lit it up!She shared her journey – the wins, the losses, and the in-betweens. How seasons changed, industries evolved, and challenges came uninvited. She adapted. She learned. She shifted. She kept doing …