TO LIVE EVERYTHING WITH NO FEAR

MARIA RESSA continues her fight for the truth amidst ongoing legal battles and the devastating effects of a global pandemic

- PIPO GONZALES

The mere thought of the two-hour time frame was enough to send jitters down my spine, but I accepted the challenge regardless and rounded a trusted team to share in the struggle. The task of securing a few moments with Maria Ressa was, in itself, gargantuan already. Rappler’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer has quite the hectic schedule. Having made headlines here and abroad, talks and interviews, on top of work, had been keeping her busy—not to mention the grueling legal battles she is currently facing. And with the constant flux of changes in her demanding itinerary, we were lucky enough to have been squeezed in to have her photos taken and for me to conduct the interview.

The idea of conversing with one of the country’s foremost stalwarts in the fight for truth and defending the free press was a week’s worth of anxiety. And I took it upon myself to write lengthy, seemingly profound questions—with a fraction of the effort devoted to impressing a person I admire superlatively. I found the one-hour conversation unexpectedly carefree and free-flowing, even if grappling with my intense nerves. Maria could talk for hours—just as impassioned by purpose and driven by mission as many perceive her to be. It was infectious. I threw my notes after the first question for the flow of my inquisition. Amidst caffeinated laughter and the struggle to hold back tears, plunging into her verbal rhythm and stream of thought, was incredibly enlightening and immensely uplifting.

THE SCHOOL OF TRUE GRIT