Kara David shares words of wisdom for young, aspiring journalists

Kara David has words of wisdom for young, aspiring journalists.

The journalist, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary in the media industry, shared some wise pieces of advice with GMA News Online after renewing her contract with GMA Network on Tuesday. 

Number one, David shared, is not to stop studying—and that goes outside the classroom.

“Hindi lang academic ha, pero ‘yung learning from people,” David said. “’Wag tumigil sa pag-aaral.”

David’s second piece of advice is not to be arrogant.

“Kailangan i-keep mo ‘yung humility mo palagi. Kailangan nakatapak sa lupa kasi walang isang taong may monopolyo sa lahat ng talento sa mundo,” she said.

Her final piece of advice? Remember that journalism or storytelling is a selfless act.

“Lagi mong tandaan na ginagawa mo ‘to hindi para sa sarili mo, pero para sa mas nakararaming tao,” she said.

“Kapag ang puso mo ay nasa tama, na ginagawa mo ‘to kasi serbisyong totoo ang hanap mo, tutulungan ka ng universe if it’s not selfishly for yourself. [Kapag] selfless—ibig sabihin for other people—the universe will conspire for your dreams." 

David also looked back on her journey as an aspiring journalist. In her speech, she shared that she failed her job application exams and auditions back in 1995, but that it was only GMA Network that took a chance on her.

When asked what advice she could give to her younger self, David shared it would be to never give up.

“Hindi ka lang maiintindihan ngayon pero darating ‘yung panahon na mahahanap mo ‘yung boses mo,” she said. “Siguro now is not your time pero that doesn’t mean you should quit. 

David added that a person should just keep trying because everything, eventually, will make sense.

“Mag-a-align lahat ng stars in the universe para ibigay sa ‘yo kung ano ‘yung nararapat na para sa ‘yo. And kahit walang nakikinig, magkwento ka pa rin nang magkwento.”

David is known for her documentaries and for hosting shows like “I-Witness” and “Pinas Sarap.” She is also a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, founder of the organization Project Malasakit, and former chair of the UP Department of Journalism. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News