SUNSTAR Davao has produced competent journalists and professionals who now excel in their own fields today.
But one thing that makes the company a real partner of change and development is it serves as a training ground not just for professionals, but also for students through the internship program.
Here are testimonies from former SunStar Davao interns:
My SunStar Davao experience made me love the media industry. Interaction with people in various walks of life, spreading truth not lies, and being direct to the point were just some of the beauty I witnessed in the course of my journey. Being in the front row of events and happenings and connecting it to the public gave me a sense of fulfillment and responsibility.
The power of writing doesn't wither, but it always blooms.
-Berchan Louie Angchay, TV reporter, SunStar Davao Intern 2016
My goal during my internship was to finish 240 hours only. However, being with SunStar Davao is all about learning, time, hard work, adjustment, understanding, and most importantly embracing the workplace. My internship here made me dream again, a dream that was once lost.
-Cristita Lagura Canoy, SunStar Davao Intern 2019 from Mindanao State University-Marawi
As I looked back to my Internship program with SunStar Davao four years ago, I feel very grateful because it did not only hone my skills in writing, but it shaped me to be the person I am today.
All the things I learned from my internship experience are cascaded to all of the classes that I am currently teaching. Being a journalist is challenging. You have to master time management, be flexible, and above all, you need to find meaning with what you are doing. I learned the importance of stories. It is essential to tell stories that inform and inspire, and this is what makes this profession really meaningful as it goes back to its core—to serve the people. After all, to appreciate life, we all need to pause, listen, and share stories worth telling.
-Aivy Rose Villarba, Teacher, SunStar Davao Intern 2015
I started as an intern for SunStar Davao (SSD) during my 3rd year in college together. During that summer internship, I truly fell in love with print media. I then became a full time reporter for SSD after graduating college and was eventually promoted to editor. SSD did not only honed my writing and communication skills but also taught me life lessons that I take to heart ‘til this day.
-Kriztja Marae Labrador, Department of Labor and Employment official, SunStar Davao Intern 2013
Working as an intern at SunStar Davao helped me understand and appreciate more the nature of their work.
From knowing the right angles to write up to formulating the right questions to ask, SunStar helped me become a better writer in a professional level.
Their office has a friendly atmosphere that welcomed us every time we edit and submit our outputs to them.
SunStar Davao provided me insights on not only how they do the work, but also how important writing skills are as a professional.
Before I got to SunStar, other people kept telling me that the company would only give me headache due to the tasks and deadlines. However, with the help of Sir RJ, Sir Ralph, Ms. Juliet, and other writers, I was able to treat my internship as a writing workshop, not as a requirement.
As a result, all of my outputs got published both online and print, which I will treasure in a lifetime. Thank you, SunStar Davao!
-Kurt Ivan Bue, SunStar Davao Intern 2019 from Ateneo de Davao University
Working in the field of media is not easy, but it is fun and fulfilling at the same time. - I have learnt this during my internship at SunStar Davao.
Not easy in the sense that I need to travel different places in Davao City considering that I from Surigao del Norte. I need to struggle with an unfamiliar place while also somewhat struggling with the language barrier. Not easy also in the sense that we need to give our best during leg works - lakas ng loob at kapal ng mukha lang talaga ang puhunan, not to mention that we need to pass our article/s before deadline.
Fun in the sense that I got to enjoy every saag moments - I had to chance to enhance my communication and remembering skills. I also had the chance to enhance my communication skills especially during leg works. I have met different prominent people including Mayor Inday, which was a dream come true for me.
Fulfilling in a sense that after every sweat, we got to see our article/s published the other day. In that moment we knew that our hard works were paid off. Fulfilling in a sense that while you write an article touching the lives of other people, unknowingly yours were also touched. The editorial team were also so hands-on in putting effort that we can utilize every inch *of our skills. We've experienced a different type of internship - the internship that molded us to who we are now.
We've learned a lot of things that cannot be found on the four corners of the classroom, and with that I am forever thankful for SunStar Davao.
-Brisbane Titular, Communication Instructor, SunStar Davao Intern 2018