TEDxFEUHighSchool turns challenges into opportunities

“Did you always want to become a journalist?”

Jamela Alindogan, an alumna of Far Eastern University (FEU), addressed this frequently asked question once more to the students of FEU High School (FEUHS) during the launch of TEDxFEUHighSchool, an independently organized TED conference.

The theme “Turning Challenges into Opportunities” resonated deeply with Alindogan’s personal and professional experience. She told her story of resilience and determination from her childhood and profession.

Roots of Resilience

“Despite being poor, my grandmother never made me feel that we are inferior to anyone. We were poor, yes, but we were proud,” she said.

Alindogan’s childhood, marked by her grandmother’s market stall and her grandfather’s fishing, instilled in her a sense of pride despite financial challenges. Imagining herself as US gymnast Shannon Miller, she learned early on that “girls can fly,” capturing her early sense of hope and ambition. In high school, she juggled market chores with her grandmother and academics, often arriving at school in the same clothes.

Entering FEU, she worked two jobs to fund her education and experienced a political awakening while covering the EDSA II protests as a student journalist, igniting her passion for storytelling.

Despite having no prior on-camera experience, she auditioned as a courtside reporter, eager not to miss the opportunity. Representing FEU, she reported live during UAAP, learning to navigate the pressures and criticisms of the role.

Post-graduation, she struggled to find employment in local TV networks due to her foreign looks and delivery style. However, Alindogan’s persistence led her to Al Jazeera, a global news and media network based in Qatar. She took an internship for a year without pay. Eventually, her dedication paid off as she became an international correspondent, telling inspirational stories from the Philippines and beyond.

Grit, Integrity, and Empathy

Alindogan has covered significant events like Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), armed conflicts, and political upheavals. Her interviews with diverse individuals, from war widows to presidents, taught her resilience and empathy. She saw the importance of creating a meaningful influence regardless of one’s age or circumstances, urging students to act with conviction, engage with their communities, and challenge established perceptions and biases.

“You do not have to wait to do good, you can create an impact now,” she said.

She established the Sinagtala Center for Children and Women in Conflict, driven by a desire to serve and give dignity to those she meets in her journalistic endeavors. This further reinforced her belief in turning challenges into opportunities for growth and service.

“I have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of people and often meet them under the most difficult of circumstances. As a journalist, I have a responsibility to give those stories dignity,” she said.

“You are the architects of a new global order. Be bold, be brave, and dare to fail. Keep your heart tender and strive to live a meaningful life,” she said.

TEDxFEUHighSchool aims to encourage students to transform their challenges into opportunities and make a positive difference in the world.