'Stand For Truth' report on baby-faced teacher gets more than 5M views online

A report on "Stand For Truth" on a baby-faced teacher in Bulacan has been a big hit, drawing more than five million views on GMA News and Public Affairs social media platforms.

The report features Ian Francis Manga, a teacher in San Jose del Monte who is always mistaken for being a student because of his looks.

The video has been viewed nearly 4 million times on YouTube and more than 1.4 million times on Facebook.

The story was reported and produced by Stand For Truth's Manal Sugadol, one of the millennial reporters in the lineup of the pioneering digital newscast.

Manal said she was heartened by the response to the story.

"I am so overwhelmed with the numbers," she said. "It reflects that Filipinos (wherever in the world) were inspired with Sir Ian's personal story and his passion for teaching."

For Manal, a Muslim reporter, the story of Teacher Ian is universally relatable because it shows that "differences should not be the hindrance to achieve our goal."

"It is really rare to see a Muslim reporter, like me, (who wears hijab — a headscarf) in the mainstream media because of the stigma that attach to being a Muslim in this country, a minority. It's a one in a million rare opportunity to have a spot," Manal said.

"I am thankful to Stand For Truth for opening the doors of diversity in the mainstream media, representing culture and generation," she added. —Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/JST, GMA News