#CourageON: From the roads of Cebu to the world, choose to walk the hero’s path

When the world needs you the most, you show up, smile from cheek to cheek, and get ready for the big fight that’s coming your way.

I learned this at the ripe age of 10. I grew up reading comic books of superheroes like Superman, Spider-Man, and Batman, and drew so much of my ethos today from the values I picked up from these fictional characters.

But before I get into detail about how these characters shape people like me who believe in fighting the good fight, I should probably introduce myself first. 

Hi. My name is John Sitchon, and I’m a journalist.

What I do for Rappler is simple: I write stories from communities in the Visayas (especially in Cebu where I’m based), produce videos that provide context on key social issues, and brave harsh conditions like disasters to keep people in the know.

I’ve been doing this since I was a college freshman.

On most days, I like to be out in the field — traveling long distances and meeting new people in far-flung villages and isolated communities. You could say that I’m in my element when I’m surrounded by nature or if I’m out there eating linarang (fish stew) in a shanty with the locals.

You never know what you’ll find out there. 

Earlier this year, we discovered that in the islets of Olango Island, outside of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, there was an abandoned solar power plant that was supposed to provide electricity for about 2,500 residents — a forgotten project of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Philippine government.

We also published an investigative story on alleged Davao Death Squad member Royina Garma’s house, which turned out to be in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, just hiding in Cebu’s hills.

The second half of the year was a bit more challenging. We experienced heavy floods in August which damaged some of our flood control structures along the Butuanon River in Cebu City.

I ventured into the mountains and traced the path of the river to see where the flow would take me. Eventually, I would discover that several newly damaged flood control structures along the Butuanon River were only built a year or two prior.

Cebu had barely started recovering from the floods when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit it on September 30, followed by Typhoon Tino on November 4. Twin disasters in an already battered province seemed too much to take. 

But they were not enough to dissuade me from doing what I love best. I would go through the towns, riding my motorcycle, climbing through hills, crawling through the mud, trying to cover as much ground as possible to tell the world what was happening, to tell my people’s stories in hopes that these would bring help to their areas.

It’s been two months since then, and I haven’t stopped. And I think I know why.

It was one of our readers who told me via email that I had a Sisyphean quest — a never-ending and fruitless mission for good. For the past five years, I’ve been told multiple times to not play the hero, to not take the risk, and to not burden myself.

To that I say: We have to be heroes.

I know from the bottom of my heart that I don’t have powers from a radioactive spider or the power to fly or wealth large enough to support my crimefighting, but that’s not what I need. 

When I say we have to be heroes, I mean that for far too long, we’ve lived in a society that is okay with losing to corruption. When I say we can be heroes, we have to embody the values that inspire people to do good — to rise above the challenges set before us.

After all, it’s not the mask that makes Peter Parker a good person. It’s not the cape that makes Clark Kent love humanity, and it is most certainly not all the pain that Bruce Wayne feels that makes him want to seek justice.

It’s the will to be the good, especially when you’re called to it.

The mission is never-ending, yes, but it’s never fruitless. 

From time to time, our readers tell us how our reports brought help to their villages during times of calamity. Students and teachers watch our reports and cite us in their papers. I’ve met good governance advocates who’ve told us that our work makes it easier for them to write policy briefs and recommendations.

The year is about to close but the story never ends. We will show up when it matters the most and when we do, we hope you will stand with us. 

The journalism we’re pursuing — what we’re trying to keep alive — needs you as well. 

So join us in our fight to keep good journalism alive. Support Rappler by making a one-time contribution. It’s time for you to #BeTheGood this world needs.

– Rappler.com