27/03/2025
𝙁𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀 | Passion to Podium
The applause was deafening — thunderous, even — as her team's name echoed across the venue during the awarding ceremony. But she paid it no mind. For what truly mattered were the children. Her children. The children she had guided continuously over the past few months, she now watched through eyes overflowing with pride as they, standing tall and radiant, received their hard earned awards. Every practice, every doubt, every parched, hoarse throat and headache, they all led to this wondrous moment.
Before she became one of the guiding lights of her team, Aileen S. Saranillo—Ma'am Ai as she is fondly called—was once a young
journalist herself. With stories of history and passion going as far back as her elementary years, showing that she has truly come a long way before she became the proud coach of Davao City’s TV Broadcasting team, the very team that will represent Region XI for the 2025 National Schools Press Conference.
Inspired by a cousin, who was a Radio DJ way, way back. A woman whose effortless ability to captivate an audience left a lasting impression on the young Aileen, even after all these years. That gave her the motivation that kick started her career, though she notes that she saw it as more of a hobby, an interest, rather than a career.
“It started out when I was in elementary, when I was doing these little contributions to our school
paper. In college, I pursued a degree in Communication and I became a part of the student paper of Ateneo de Davao University in College —the Atenews." she shared.
However, she says it surprised her when she was given the great honor and task of becoming one of the coaches of Davao City High's TV Broadcasting team. “It was a bit of an 'I had no choice' moment,” she admits. “Why? Well, given the fact that I was the one to teach TV Broadcasting for the Grade 10 of SPJ, I just accepted it as a task. It's like, ‘since you're the one who's teaching TV (broadcasting), might as well coach for TV’.”
Eventually though, the task assigned to her went from something she deemed tedious to something she saw as a riveting learning opportunity. Ma'am Ai’s experiences with her team taught her invaluable lessons — not just about teaching, but about truly leading and growing alongside her students towards the road of improvement. Her task became something deeper: nurturing the small family they had created, fostering trust, teamwork, confidence and discipline. “I’m still learning a lot, with the experiences, but let's just say I'm still riding the tide.”
But the road towards the nationals still wasn't easy despite their ability to move like clockwork.
Their training involved various deep considerations, a great game of mix and match to figure out who will hold which position, and months upon months of perfecting every aspect in their broadcast.
“You need to consider the type of people who will be doing the anchorship, who will be doing the news presenting. There must be chemistry. The type of chemistry that you don't force, it's the chemistry that comes out. That's one of the struggles because it's not easy to find,” she further explains. This proved to be a vital part that led to their victory. After those seemingly endless practices, one after another, the team received their due rewards that commended them for their splendid performances.
Watching her team reap one reward after another was more than just a moment of pride—it was a deeply emotional experience, especially for her who coached them and helped polish their talents into something awe-inspiring. “As their coach, I was genuinely happy and satisfied.,” she shared, her voice full of warmth. “Not just because they did well, but because of the effort they put out there. They deserve it.”
Despite being their mentor, she never saw herself as the sole reason for their success. “I cannot take full credit for it. I was just there, guiding them, accompanying them, trying to provide whatever it is that they need. In a team, the coach is the main support giver. So I have to be there for them.”
There were moments when she had to be firm. One of her news presenters even joked that her scolding was a form of care. And perhaps it was, as it pushed them to be more disciplined and focused. What made it all the more incredible was that this was her very first time coaching a TV Broadcasting team. “It feels surreal,” she admitted. “It’s my first time — and we went straight to nationals. I never expected that. But deep down, I always knew they could do it.”
“I always consider them my blessings,” Ma'am Ai concludes. “And because they are my blessings, I will always be really proud of them,”
By Psyche Rodulfa, SPJ 10-Ponce
