“Baptism of fire right after college"

At just 28, Regine Cabato is one of the most influential, if relatively unknown, journalists in the Philippines. Covering both the Duterte and Marcos governments for the Washington Post, Cabato is read by political leaders around the world, not to mention embassies and key institutions that affect the Philippines.

Cabato talks to Howie Severino about her recent blockbuster reports, on the so-called “digital sweatshops” in the Philippines that service the booming Artificial Intelligence industry and the century-old remains of a Filipina teen-ager secretly used for controversial research in Washington DC. 

She recalls the harassment she endured during her coverage of the drug war, and explains what it will take for journalists to push back the tsunami of falsehoods reaching ordinary people. 

Cabato is also a Palanca awardee for her poetry, where she expresses emotions triggered by her reporting. 

Even in a hostile environment for journalists, Cabato says, “I'm not sure that I can picture myself doing anything else. I've always wanted to be a journalist.” 

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