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As an artist, there are moments when creating art feels too self-indulgent and during those times there’s a sudden yearning for a sense of purpose. In my introductory meeting, they told me that one of Rappler’s goals is giving voice to the voiceless, and I’d like to think that our illustrations are a visual guide for those voices.
Hello there, my name is D.R, I am part of Rappler’s creative team as an animator/graphic artist. I’ve been with Rappler for about five years now, but it still feels surreal. Being a part of the news industry was never really my dream.
I like to say that it was fate that brought us together. It just so happened that at the time I was looking for a job, they were looking for an artist. I didn’t have any experience working in the media then, so I felt intimidated and had a major case of impostor syndrome in the first few weeks. Not to mention, I’m also an introvert and this gets even more emphasized in an office filled with extroverts. But through that fear — which I think is essential in art — I embraced my role and looked for inspiration.
As an artist, there are moments when creating art feels too self-indulgent and during those times, there’s a sudden yearning for a sense of purpose. In my introductory meeting, they told me that one of Rappler’s goals is giving voice to the voiceless, and I’d like to think that our illustrations are a visual guide for those voices.
Every illustration and animation I make for Rappler is not for me, but for someone else’s story that needs to be amplified. It can also help keep culture alive. One of the very first Rappler animation projects I helped create — my favorite project — was for the series “Mga Kuwentong Bayan,” where we animated a Filipino folktale from Sulu, titled The 7 Biraddali Sisters.
Every story, report, or video that comes out of Rappler is a product not just of one person. It’s always a collective effort and I’m always grateful to contribute even in the smallest parts.
I’ve gratefully gotten the chance to collaborate and work with some of the most inspiring and talented people here. I’ve been able to work with my fellow animator, Marian Hukom, to help visualize the story of the Tedurays and their fight for their ancestral domain. I’ve gotten to collaborate with Nico Villarete on a report titled, “When activists are abducted and forced to ‘surrender,’“which won an award at the 12th Makatao Awards of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).
Beyond creating illustrations and animations, I’ve also gotten to be part of different aspects of the news and media world that my introverted self wouldn’t even think was ever possible: I’m even writing an article for the very first time in my life right now.
I was able to become part of the production team behind the stage in Rappler’s 2023 Social Good Summit, and there, I was in awe of our amazing production team that moved and worked as one unit.
I also got to join an interview for one of Rappler’s podcasts, the Green Report, where Marian and I talked about the art we made for the investigative series about the people of Kusiong.
Being a part of Rappler has really opened my eyes to the many possibilities of art and what it can do. It can help amplify stories and visualize impactful narratives. Help us continue sharing stories that matter by becoming a Rappler+ member.
Here are some of the my recommended stories and videos:
