Wazzup Pilipinas!?
EJN's Earth Shorts program is launching a groundbreaking pilot aimed at elevating the quality of climate and environmental content across social media in the Philippines. With the growing trend of people turning to social media for news—often at the expense of traditional outlets—there's an urgent need to ensure content is accurate and impactful. This shift in how people consume information is especially evident in Asia, home to 60% of the world’s social media users, where misinformation on climate issues is becoming more widespread.
At the heart of the problem lies the declining trust in mainstream media. Many, particularly the younger generation, are turning to social media influencers for what they perceive as more relatable and trustworthy content. However, these content creators often lack formal training in journalism, reporting, and fact-checking. This inexperience, combined with the fast pace of social media, can lead to the spread of misleading information.
Recognizing these challenges, EJN is piloting a program designed to bridge the gap. Focused on the Philippines—known as the “social media capital of the world”—this initiative seeks to arm local content creators with the skills, tools, and knowledge to produce high-quality, fact-based content on climate resilience. As of 2018, approximately 67 million Filipinos have access to the internet, making this region a key player in the global conversation about climate action.
For the pilot, eight content creators were chosen from a competitive pool of over 100 applicants. These individuals, who regularly post videos on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, tackle a range of topics from travel and politics to lifestyle and science. What they share in common is a passion for linking these areas to critical environmental issues.
The selected fellows include:
At the heart of the problem lies the declining trust in mainstream media. Many, particularly the younger generation, are turning to social media influencers for what they perceive as more relatable and trustworthy content. However, these content creators often lack formal training in journalism, reporting, and fact-checking. This inexperience, combined with the fast pace of social media, can lead to the spread of misleading information.
Recognizing these challenges, EJN is piloting a program designed to bridge the gap. Focused on the Philippines—known as the “social media capital of the world”—this initiative seeks to arm local content creators with the skills, tools, and knowledge to produce high-quality, fact-based content on climate resilience. As of 2018, approximately 67 million Filipinos have access to the internet, making this region a key player in the global conversation about climate action.
For the pilot, eight content creators were chosen from a competitive pool of over 100 applicants. These individuals, who regularly post videos on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, tackle a range of topics from travel and politics to lifestyle and science. What they share in common is a passion for linking these areas to critical environmental issues.
The selected fellows include:
Sean Paul Manalo (@Kalikasean) from Bani, Pangasinan, specializing in biodiversity on TikTok.
Elle Hernandez (@ellehernndz) from Quezon City, focusing on ecology and biology on TikTok.
Sandy Jones Pilarca (@LostJuan) from Lopez Quezon, a YouTuber exploring travel, food, and environmental topics.
Robert Dionio, Jr. (@RobertBob) from Iloilo City, who covers politics, travel, and the environment on Facebook.
Jian Arguelles (@fullfillzerowaste) from Sta Maria, Bulacan, a TikToker passionate about zero waste living.
Renzo Maano (@RenzoMaano) from Parañaque City, a YouTuber focused on travel and culture.
Aya Fernandez (@AyaFernandez) from Quezon City, a social entrepreneur and actress using Instagram to raise awareness.
RM Cuevas (@raymorcuevas) from Digos City, Davao del Sur, an educator on TikTok.
These fellows will undergo training from September 2024 to March 2025, including a three-day bootcamp in Manila and virtual mentorship sessions. The program will be led by social media expert Jacque Manabat and environmental advocate Gregg Yan, both renowned for their innovative approaches to digital storytelling and climate communication.
Throughout the program, fellows will gain a deeper understanding of climate issues specific to the Philippines and develop strategies for combating misinformation. They’ll also learn key skills in content production, from fact-checking to navigating copyright laws. By February 2025, these creators will present their climate resilience videos to EJN, with their work set to be shared on various platforms early next year.
As EJN Program Manager Imelda Abaño emphasized, “In today’s digital age, influencers play a huge role in shaping public opinion. By equipping them with the right tools, we can ensure that critical climate information is both accurate and engaging. This initiative is a step toward making social media a space where important environmental issues are addressed with the seriousness they deserve.”
Through Earth Shorts, EJN hopes to not only enhance the quality of environmental content on social media but also scale up this model, creating a ripple effect that leads to more informed, climate-conscious audiences worldwide.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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