From Uncertainty to Belonging: My 7-Year Journey with DG

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By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — This Labor Day feels extra meaningful, as it also marks my seventh year with the company, coming just two days after its 25th milestone.

The timing feels meaningful, as if my journey is quietly woven into a much bigger story.

I still vividly remember how anxious I was when I first applied. I had just recovered from surgery and was trying to find my footing again.

I even told myself I would try writing once more because I needed to move forward. Then, an opportunity came. A colleague referred me to DG, and before I knew it, I was being considered.

What I remember most was my interview. It wasn’t formal or intimidating. My editor-in-chief, Sir Francis Allan Angelo, traveled to Bacolod, and instead of a closed-door meeting, we simply talked over breakfast.

It was relaxed, almost effortless — but for me, it was a turning point.

Joining the company meant stepping into a wider field. It was my first time writing for a regional paper, and I worried whether I could keep up.

But my editor reassured me. There was no pressure — just guidance. Slowly, I found my rhythm and learned to adapt.

Before this, I usually stayed in a company for only about three years. I don’t know if it was coincidence or habit.

But now, seven years later, I’ve gone far beyond that “three-year itch.”

Working here opened many doors. I attended conferences, traveled across the country, and explored my craft beyond straightforward news writing.

One unforgettable experience was running for a position in an organization alongside a respected veteran colleague.

Despite being on different sides, the company supported us both equally, without creating division. That kind of support meant everything.

I also remember the difficult days during the COVID-19 pandemic. I got sick, and it was one of the hardest times in my life.

Yet, I was never alone. The company — especially my editor — stood by me throughout. That kind of care is something I will never forget.

Even though I’m not based in Iloilo like many of the team, I have never felt distant or neglected.

From Bacolod, I was always made to feel that I belonged — that I was part of something bigger despite the physical distance.

Representing a regional paper is something I carry with pride. The company has stood the test of time for 25 years, and being trusted to represent it on different occasions is an honor I deeply value.

Looking back, staying this long means something. It means I found a place where I can grow, contribute, and feel supported.

And now, as we celebrate Labor Day, I find myself filled with gratitude — to still be here, to continue telling stories, and to keep writing new chapters in the years ahead.

What once felt uncertain has turned into a blessing. I once doubted if I could make it — but now, I see that I’ve been given the chance to do what I truly love. And that, more than anything, is worth celebrating.

For the first time, I wasn’t just surviving — I was contributing.

What once felt like instability had become training. What once felt like delay had become preparation. What once felt like being lost had become growth.

Chaos wasn’t a flaw — it was part of the process. Deadlines weren’t enemies — they were teachers. And uncertainty? It forced creativity. Bigger responsibilities came with bigger risks.

Overall, 13 years in the media industry is more than just a number. Everything felt urgent and electric in the first year — chasing stories like they were the only things that mattered, because in many ways, they were.

Some years were louder than others. There were moments when the work reached people I would never meet, moments when the voice — through a camera, a microphone, or a screen — became part of someone else’s day.

There were also quieter seasons, the kind that tested my patience and made me question if I was still moving forward. But I kept showing up.

Thirteen years means I’ve seen the industry shift — formats changing, audiences evolving, platforms rising and falling.

There were challenges, of course. Deadlines that felt impossible. Stories that were too heavy to carry home. Times when the work went unnoticed, and times when it was scrutinized more than it deserved.

But through all of that, I built something stronger than recognition — I built resilience.

In this industry, there’s always another story waiting. Another voice that needs to be heard. Another truth that deserves the light.

Thirteen years isn’t an ending. It’s proof that I’ve stayed. And still, I’m not done.

(Glazyl Jopson is now the Negros Bureau chief of Daily Guardian)