I'm Tatiana, and I want to humanize the headlines.

Reading stories from a paper or your phone can make it easy to forget the human experiences behind every headline. Using my experience in print, online, and multimedia journalism, I aim to bridge Filipino communities and put a face to the headlines and data we encounter in our day-to-day lives.

I've told stories of...

the 2017 Marawi Siege.

I've covered the Marawi Siege since the extremist group Maute besieged the Islamic city in 2017. Since then, I told the narratives of the affected residents—from two Maranao students facing Islamophobia in their newfound homes, to the locals who continue to call for a localized approach to the city's rehabilitation. I debunk preconceived notions of Mindanao and Filipino Muslims through ethnographic journalism.

Kawaraw: Faces of Hope in Marawi City

The GUIDON (Documentary)

Named after the word for bravery in Maranao, Kawaraw tells the stories of Marawi's residents as they face a new battle of rebuilding their beloved city two years after it was sieged by the Maute group.

The Glimpses: Marawi Special Report 2019

The GUIDON (Voice-over report)

As Marawi City commemorates the second year since President Rodrigo Duterte declared its liberation from the extremist group Maute, #TheGlimpses on The GUIDON looks into the residents' various efforts to rebuild their beloved city.

press freedom and disinformation.

Through my experience working in two of the country's IFCN signatories, I explored stories on the state of the country's free press. I debunked and contextualized claims made by Philippine public officials, as well as election- and health-related disinformation on Facebook and YouTube.

TV regains news audience worldwide during COVID-19 lockdown, but not in PH, online poll shows

VERA Files, ABS-CBN News Filipinos were deprived of the ability to consume TV news after ABS-CBN was forced to go off the air following the expiration of its legislative franchise.

Is having 110 million Filipinos good or bad?

VERA Files

If the State can hasten its demographic transition, it can place itself in a position to reap the benefits of a growing working population.

Marcos Jr.’s post showing large audience while he speaks at UNGA needs context

VERA Files

A closer look at the RTVM video shows President Marcos Jr. with his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The Maharlika Investment Fund explained

VERA Files

Aside from financial derivatives, HB 6398 allows the MIF to invest in alternative investments such as unlisted equities, shares from a company that are not registered in the stock market. 

communities and sectors.

Being born and raised in Mindanao has bled into my storytelling. The narratives of communities beyond the Metro and the people in it inspire me to continue what I do. Through human-centric storytelling, I hope to show a different perspective of what it means to be Filipino—that our national identity is a mosaic of various cultures, languages, and experiences.

Foreign policeman with a heart of gold

Sunstar CDO

Kellenberger left his job in Bern to establish the Philippine Island Kids International Foundation, a Cagayan de Oro-based non-government organization dedicated to providing children with equal opportunities for education.

The GUIDON 180°: Martial Law in Mindanao

The GUIDON (Explainer video)

Despite Marawi City's liberation in October 2017, Congress granted three extensions to Martial Law in Mindanao over looming threat of communist rebel groups. This calls us to ask: Is Martial Law what Mindanao really needs?

State’s helping hand needed to break teenage pregnancy crisis

VERA Files

At 15, Claire*, a rice farmer’s daughter, had set her sights on starting a business in the big city. A year later, she became a mother and had to set aside that dream.

PH urges ICC to dismiss request of drug war families to air side on probe appeal

VERA Files

The Philippines requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to deny the request by the families of alleged drug war victims to respond to the state’s appeal to stop the court’s investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody campaign.

ICC prosecutor says Duterte and top officials “encouraged” drug war killings, urges dismissal of PH appeal to block probe

VERA Files

Based on available information, the prosecutor noted that as many as 30,000 civilians — including children – were killed by the police or unidentified individuals “apparently acting in coordination with police.”

Those aren't the only stories I've told.

I've also written articles or produced videos on the following topics:

Storytelling beyond journalism.

Outside of journalism, I also enjoy conceptualizing and producing communication materials for social media. If you're interested in seeing what I've done so far, check out my portfolio:

About me

I graduated in 2022 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Development Management Management at Ateneo de Manila University. Prior to becoming a reporter/researcher at VERA Files, I was previously the Editor-in-Chief of The GUIDON, Ateneo's official student publication.

You may find me on Twitter or LinkedIn. You can also email me at tatiana.maligro@gmail.com.

Made in Typedream