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Journalist Kara David shared more of how she went from being a simple production assistant to who she is today—a well-respected broadcaster.
In an interview with GMA News‘ #ChooseToChallenge series, Kara admitted that when she was just starting out, she tried applying at different networks but was never accepted in any of them.
“Lahat ata ng TV network in-applyan ko ‘tas di ako pumasa lahat,” she said.
She started her career in May 1995 as a personal assistant and researcher at GMA Network.
“Nag apply ako sa GMA as a reporter/writer. I remember seeing Ma’am Marissa Flores (Senior Vice President, GMA News and Public Affairs), ‘Gusto mong maging PA?'”
She then told the story of her first ever big break which happened during the sinking of the MC Kimelody Cristy in Batangas.
“My very, very first big break came nung may lumubog na barko. Eh madaling araw yun. Tumawag si Ma’am Jessica Soho sa radyo. Nagtra-transcribe pa ako ng interview ng ibang reporter. Radyo pa nung time na ‘yun, wala pang cellphone. ‘Mayroon bang tao diyan?’ Sabi ko, ‘Ako lang po, ma’am.’ Sabi niya nandun na raw yung cameraman at assistant cameraman, kailangan nalang nila ng reporter.”
Kara took the risk and went to Batangas. That’s when her bosses started noticing her skills. She then had opportunities to appear on-cam, be a writer, reporter, and later on, a documentarist.
But even though she had succeeded in a lot of things, the journalist admitted that she still has moments of self-doubt.
“I always have self doubt. Hanggang ngayon. It keeps me on my toes. Sabi ni ma’am Marissa Flores, ‘Walang isang taong may monopolyo ng lahat ng kakayahan at katalinuhan sa mundo. You’re only as good as your last work.’ Every story that I make, (iniisip ko) maganda kaya yung magagawa naming istorya? Yung ganon tapos hihihnga akong malalim. Gaganyan lang ako.”
Kara then mentioned her subjects as her source of motivation.
“I get inspiration from the people I interview. Yung struggles nila, yung hope nila, yung strength nila. Dun ako humuhugot.”
Aside from her career, she also talked about her non-profit organization Project Malasakit which aims to send underprivileged Filipino children to school.
They currently have 25 scholars.
“Meron kaming scholars na pulis, meron na kaming mga seaman, teachers. Meron nang mga professionals ngayon, as in meron akong nagtapos sa UP ng Accounting.”
Kara said that to this day, there are still children, especially girls, who are suffering from mistreatment. However, despite their current situation, they still remain hopeful about the future.
“Sabi ni Tita Mel Tiangco sa akin, ‘When you have more than enough, it’s time to give back.'” she shared.
“Ako kasi hindi ako tumitingin sa gender, eh. Tinitignan dapat ang isang tao dahil sa kanyang kakayahan. Babae man siya or lalaki. Dun sa mga taong tumitingin dahil lang sa kasarian? Shame on you. Magbago na po tayo.”
