Mountain Beacon becomes part of Rappler’s Lighthouse Communities of Action

Baguio-based media outlet will be sharing stories from Cordillera and Northern Luzon through Rappler’s Lighthouse

MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, features partners who are part of the Lighthouse platform. As a Lighthouse partner, Mountain Beacon’s content and calls to action may be accessed by a wider audience who benefit from Rappler’s reach.  Check out their Lighthouse page here.

MANILA, Philippines – Baguio-based independent media outlet Mountain Beacon has joined Rappler’s Lighthouse Communities of Action, launching its own page on Rappler’s platform to help amplify grassroots stories from Cordillera and Northern Luzon.

The Baguio-based media outlet was founded by veteran journalist and poet Frank Cimatu, who serves as editor-in-chief, and nurse-turned-writer Mia Magdalena Fokno, who manages its social media and community outreach. It publishes daily news, features, and cultural content catered to audiences from Northern Luzon, particularly Gen X and millennial readers in the region. 

“Our stories are grounded in community experience and advocacy. Many of us are also members of the Indigenous Voice in Asia Network, and are connected with the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), so indigenous rights and regional solidarity are at the heart of our work,” said Fokno.

Mountain Beacon has been a long-time partner of MovePH, helping verify information during elections and disasters alongside information integrity coalition #FactsFirstPH, and joining MovePH-led trainings on fact-checking and journalism. They have also collaborated with Rappler in covering disinformation, governance issues, and indigenous affairs.

“Mountain Beacon shares with MovePH a common ground in civic engagement and inclusive storytelling. Both of us believe that truth-telling should be rooted in the experiences of real people, especially those often left out of mainstream narratives,” said Cimatu.

“It’s a partnership built on mutual trust and the drive to empower communities through credible, creative, and community-based journalism,” added Fokno.

The outlet has also worked with civil society groups and agencies on advocacy campaigns, such as preventing teenage pregnancy, and addressing club foot eradication, among others. It also helps promote indigenous arts and culture, climate justice, and responsible tourism.

Additionally, Mountain Beacon’s members have helped set up the Kordilyera Media Citizens Council. 

Through Lighthouse, Mountain Beacon will be leading efforts like Literary Tuesday, a grassroots storytelling initiative that invites writers to submit original poetry, essays, and creative works that reflect local life and perspectives.

People may also expect local features reflecting issues that matter to communities in Northern Luzon to be published on their page.

“Expect sharp commentary, cultural resistance, and features that matter to real people—not just the powerful. We want our journalism to reflect the lived truths of Northern Luzon—and push for change where it’s needed most.” said Cimatu.

Mountain Beacon plans to strengthen its local fact-checking efforts and pursue more narrative projects tied to education, environmental sustainability, and political transparency.

“This partnership can help us reach more people — especially students, voters, and first-time readers looking for trustworthy content,” added Fokno.

Check out their Lighthouse page by visiting mtbeacon.rappler.com.– Zebedee Custodio Lucas/Rappler.com 

Lighthouse Communities of Action integrates Rappler’s third pillar – the communities we have worked with since Rappler was launched in 2012 – into the platform. It also features collaboration across several efforts through Movements. Know more about this initiative here.

Here are some of our partners’ pages on Lighthouse:

Lighthouse Communities of Action integrates Rappler’s third pillar – the communities we have worked with since Rappler was launched in 2012 – into the platform. It also features collaboration across several efforts through Movements. Know more about this initiative here.