My Journalism Journey: How It Started and How It Ended… and Also How I Still Continue | by Diosdado Ompad | Nov, 2025
I never thought I would grow to love writing. No one in my family ever stood out as a writer — we were simply focused on finishing school. Education was the only treasure my parents could afford, and I’m forever grateful they gave us that gift. It’s the kind of treasure whose value you only realize when life starts to test you.
I still remember the first time I ever wrote something meaningful — a Father’s Day letter back in Grade 3. I can vividly recall how I struggled to organize my thoughts and repeat words just to make my short paragraph look “heavy” to the eyes. Looking back, that little letter was my first attempt at expressing emotion through words.
I thought that would be the end of my writing experience — until I entered Grade 4, where I was first introduced to journalism. I had no idea what it was, but I gave my best shot as a contestant in the News Writing (English) category. Despite my effort, I didn’t win a spot on the podium. Still, I didn’t let that discourage me. The following year, I joined again as an Editorial Writer and gained my first real taste of what writing could become for me.
Then came Sixth Grade — the turning point.
That year, a capable coach recognized something in me and helped unlock my potential. With proper guidance, I started winning at the district and even the division levels — something I had never achieved before. That momentum carried on into high school, where I found myself facing tougher competitors from big city schools.
High school was a “reset” of sorts, but I treated it like a trampoline — a chance to bounce back higher. My persistence paid off as I eventually reached regional competitions, traveling to new places through nothing but my pen and paper. That’s when I realized I had fallen in love with journalism, especially sports writing. Having once been a player myself, it felt like the perfect blend of my passions.
The pandemic eventually put a pause on competitions, but not on my love for writing. When I entered college, I immediately set my sights on joining our university publication. I submitted my best works, passed the interview, and earned a spot as a Staff Writer — a role I held until graduation.
Working in the publication was both a pain and a pleasure. It taught me discipline beyond competitions. We covered campus events, wrote breaking news, and reported live during intramurals. I learned how to work the field, interview players, and build rapport with audiences — experiences that shaped me not only as a writer but as a communicator.
I’ve now graduated from college, which means I had to bid farewell to the publication that shaped my journalism journey. Of course, I had my share of “TOTGA” moments — the ones that got away. I never won at the regional level or reached the nationals back in high school, and I wasn’t appointed sports editor during my college years.
Still, what makes my journalism journey worth sharing is that, so far, no one else from my barangay has achieved the same feat — creating a digital footprint through regional competitions and contributing to a university publication. In a community where most people focus solely on finishing school, I chose to pursue both education and passion. That choice allowed me to leave a mark that goes beyond paper — a story preserved online, representing where I came from and what I worked for.
In the end, we all have our own journalism story — and this is how mine goes.
Today, I’m working as a Junior Recruitment Specialist, where I still engage with people daily and help them build their careers. Yet, writing remains close to my heart. I continue to channel my thoughts into personal stories, blogs, and journalistic pieces — anything that feels worth sharing.
Writing has become more than a skill; it’s a lifelong companion. I may no longer compete, but through every story I tell — whether at work or here on Medium — I still honor the craft that shaped me.
