r/Philippines • u/jacquemanabat • Jul 13 '24

NewsPH I'm Jacque Manabat, the journalist who TikTok'd the news before it was cool. After 17 years with ABS-CBN, I'm now charting my own digital path. AMA!

https://muckrack.com/jacque-manabat/bio
838 Upvotes

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u/sarcasticookie Jul 13 '24

AMA closed. Thank you u/jacquemanabat for gracing r/Philippines again. 🫶

Message from Ms. Jacque: https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/s/jdDdh3EtVh

Thanks, everyone for participating!

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

Hi everyone! That was fun! As the time has come for me to wrap up this AMA, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you who participated. Your questions were insightful, engaging, and truly made this a wonderful experience. A special shout-out to the MODERATORS for keeping things running smoothly and ensuring that this platform remains a great place for open dialogue. I apologize for any questions I didn't get to, but duty calls—in this case, dinner! I hope we can continue the conversation another time. Stay curious and keep the questions coming. It's been an absolute pleasure.

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u/_lechonk_kawali_ Jul 13 '24

I remember that you covered the effects of Super Typhoon Rolly after its first landfall in Catanduanes in 2020. That hit me close to home po kasi both my parents grew up there. Are there any anecdotes po from that specific assignment na willing kang (and puwede mong) i-share? Thanks in advance po.

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

It was one of my most memorable assignments. I went to the area to cover the inspection of ports, but then Typhoon Rolly struck. I felt like a fish out of water because I don't usually cover disasters. Our team was the first to arrive and the last to leave. We had no place to stay and not enough food to eat. The internet signal was intermittent. More than 90 percent of the island was almost washed away. It was a humbling two-week experience for me. This is what really got to me the most: two ladies handed me a handwritten thank-you letter, saying that it is their custom to give pasalubong to visitors. But because they had nothing left, they gave me a thank-you note instead. They also mentioned that more than the stories we shared, they were thankful that we helped their stories reach their loved ones and that help came. It was the first time I cried in my entire career.

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u/sarcasticookie Jul 13 '24

What inspired you to transition from traditional journalism at ABS-CBN to focusing on digital content creation?

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

I have always been on a lookout for new approach to journalism. That is what I have been trying to do for almost a decade. I saw the opportunity of reaching a broader audience with digital content creation. The audience that traditional newsrooms have lost.

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u/jenner__ Jul 13 '24

Hello Ms. Jacque, big fan! Were there things you wanted to say during broadcast which you were explicitly prohibited to do so? Could you share stories? Goodluck with your new career direction :)

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

We had editors to check our scripts, second-eye our copy. Of course you have opinions on things but it's different with straight news.

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u/abelknightroad_ Jul 13 '24

Hi Jacque! Can you share us about your future plans carving a digital path now?

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

I hope to build a digital newsroom with my own team soon from the learning I gathered from my years of experience with TV and the exchange programs in US, Germany, Singapore, and Italy.

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u/HatsNDiceRolls Jul 13 '24

Hi Ms. Jacque! How does one balance journalist ethics and speed of content in the world of fast content?

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

Hence it is better to be right than quick. Journalists have experienced pitfalls trying to break the news first. I think we learned our lesson.

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u/[deleted] Jul 13 '24

Hello po! Big fan haha. How would you describe the journalism scene sa Pilipinas? The pay, the risks, the censorship, and how easy it is to enter the industry from someone not studying journalism. I heard kasi na it's not worth the risk given na my program offers a "more lucrative" salary, but I love writing and journalism.

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

The bitter pill to swallow is that journalism is not for the faint of heart; those that are privileged are the ones that survive because it doesn't pay that well compared to other industries particularly community journalism. That is why I am trying to change that. I am exploring digital tools to make the future of journalism more sustainable.

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u/trufflepastaxciv Jul 13 '24

How did you react to Ces Drilon's abduction and the Maguindanao massacre? Did either event give you second thoughts about pursuing journalism?

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

After that incident, rules were laid to prevent that to happen again. It was unfortunate it had to happen in pursuit of truth. Pero IMHO, there are ways to write a story without endangering yourself. No story is worth dying for. You cannot tell stories from the grave.

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u/chocolatemeringue Jul 13 '24

Hi Jacque! Now that you are charting an independent path, what are the things you miss (and don't) from your stint at ABS?

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

Hi chocolatemeringue! I miss my colleagues and the adrenaline rush whenever I cover big stories. I don't miss the hourly, daily deadlines and missing holidays with the family and friends.

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u/Reasonable-Link7053 Jul 13 '24

OH MY GOD MS JACQUE?!

Hanggang ngayon naaalala ko pa nung pumunta ka live sa rally ng BBM-SARA tapos pinakita mo yung nasa ecobag nh isang dumalo na may lamang kape with mukha ni BBM

This happened sa SRO.

You're a KWEEN✨️

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

Thank you! It was a risky move, but I had to do it.

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u/eyydatsnice Jul 13 '24

Hi Ms.Jacque Any ghost encounters or spooky stuffs that you experienced while you are working that you wont forget?

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

Ghosting ng interviewee. Scary.

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u/Jhnrz_Gry39_Zzz Jul 13 '24

Hi po 🫶🏻 Can you share some experiences na hindi nyo malilimutan nung nag sisimula pa lang po kayo sa journalism.

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u/jacquemanabat Jul 13 '24

When I was still working at the regional network group of ABS-CBN, I was held at gunpoint when I asked a political candidate why he would run for office despite having no experience beyond serving as the lawyer for former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. My cameraman had to carry me on his back and whisk me away to our mobile unit. We then had to find a hotel outside of that province for safety. I was also at a school when a shooting occurred while covering the election count.

I will also never forget how Filipinos in Hong Kong helped me survive nearly a month of news coverage during the protests. I was there without a crew, with no clear plan on how to cover the protests. I went to Jollibee and asked for help to navigate Hong Kong and to understand the subtleties or nuances that I might miss while writing my reports. I also experience tear gas inside the subway and it was the Filipinos who gave me milk to lessen the effect on my skin.

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u/[deleted] Jul 13 '24

Hi Jacque, Did you experience not being 100% ready or sure about the news you’re going to cover? If yes, how did you handle it especially the pressure of doing a live coverage?

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