Karen Davila

"The television industry used to be the gatekeepers of information. Not anymore."

"As journalists, we are called to be truthful, balanced, and fair, not oblivious or heartless. In the heart of every journalist lies an advocate within. One cannot be a journalist without advocating for something – we advocate for human rights, the right to free speech, the right for freedom and our civil liberties. It is no different than advocating for gender equality or let’s say, narrowing the pay gap between men and women."

"For this birthday, I didn’t want it to be about me and Lyca. But we wanted it to be about other people."

"I always say the best investment one can make to lift a family out of poverty is educating a girl and empowering a mother"

"Exposure and experience are great teachers."

"Let us be slow in casting judgment over a person’s decision to leave."

"Once integrity is surrendered, trust in journalism collapses."

"The debate now in my industry has transcended beyond gender. Women before us have paved the way, especially for evening newscasts. We are paid equally, and we are seen as [equally] valuable as male anchors."

"Get the facts right."

"The first step in crisis reporting is to report on what is happening on-ground. You need to give context to what is happening without any analysis or judgment because the analysis comes in later. When you already have enough evidence, that’s when you can report with a particular point of view."

"With Covid as a health emergency, the same thing applies. There's a lot of information coming out. The reporting must be scientific, clinical, and factual. After that, you move on to possible causes and how you can prevent its spread or infection. During this pandemic, I feel that this has been widely practiced in global reportage."

"It's about the way we actually look at women. We don't look at women in admiration first. We always look at women to blame. It goes with everything."

"What I feel though, is that some people come into the industry bearing just beauty, and I resent that. News anchors must have major news track records."

"Women always wear different hats."

"As a journalist in Headstart, I follow essentially the elements of news and interviews. I get the information, challenge the interviewee, call power into account, call policymakers into account, ask them to explain. You make sure that they’re answerable for what they’ve done. You ask them what they’re about to do because they are answerable to a bigger constituency."

"I refuse to be typecasted into just one kind of woman."

"I think it’s universal that women leaders have handled Covid better because women are more organized, more decisive. Women don’t just talk. Women have clearer plans."

"I want to see women in power because they can contribute so much that men cannot. [I want] progressive women who are open, don't just relish the fact that they are women but already have progressive points of view."

"Progressive, out-of-the-box, revolutionary thinkers. Women who are bold and courageous. Those are the kind of women we would want."

"No shortcuts. Do the hard and dirty work. Learn the ropes and be 200 per cent in because that’s when it makes a difference."

"I don’t want to taint my profession."

"No to SEXUAL HARASSMENT. NO to any form of VICTIM SHAMING. Without prejudice to any of my colleagues, these values are eternal to my person."

"First, you should do your homework in all honesty. You have to prepare well before the show. It’s important that you know the issues for the day; a news person should be ready to adlib whenever hassles occur during the live telecast. The glamour part is the fact that you come out on TV and people recognize you"

"I think the best example when you’re a Christian is the way you behave. It’s not what you say…"

"I think the best example when you’re a Christian is the way you behave. It’s not what you say… This is the Philippines… People tend to mention ‘God,’ ‘Jesus’ every other sentence; they’re preachy. But then, do you really live the examples and the teachings in the bible?"

"I will be working with many UN Women champions and advocates back home to help bring about change in mindsets, behaviour and hopefully, in the everyday lives of women & girls thru projects we will be involved in."

"This is the first step of the journey. The final meet is this October at the UN HQ in New York. And siyempre, PROUDLY FILIPINA po tayo. (And of course, I am PROUDLY FILIPINA.)"

"Yes. So in my case at work, it would be not compromising my integrity, it’s being professional, it’s being fair, it’s being compassionate, understanding, hardworking."

"I’m now 54 years old and I’ve realized that while real friends must be there for you when you are down, there’s another part of friendship where someone is genuinely happy for your success. Like, purely, authentically."

"If there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s that as a friend, I don’t mind being the first one to say sorry. Some friends have a lot of pride, right? That’s not me!"

"I live my own empowered woman story and I know every Filipina has hers."

"Be ready to work hard. If you invest in hard work, people will respect you."

"The real point in life is to truly find who you are in God’s eyes, everything else is secondary."

"You are enough. Have faith."

"Always remember to sow kindness, even in a competitive work environment. Never lose your core values and character."

"The moments of victory are sweet, but the moments of failure are character-forming."

"I never took a single centavo."

"The road won’t always be smooth, and there will be times you’ll stumble, but each challenge is an opportunity for you to grow, learn and become stronger."

"Don’t be afraid. Don’t rush. Take time to learn, listen, and soak in every experience."

"Nothing lasts forever—not your pain, not your loss. Trust in your ability to bounce back because you have the strength. You’ve got the grit for it."

"You’ll face setbacks, rejections and big NOs, Don’t let them stop you. Take a deep breath, dust yourself off and keep moving forward."

"Your genuine curiosity and empathy will be your most significant assets, so never lose sight of them."

"You can do it. You will get there. It’s not going to be easy, but life never is. Nothing will be served to you on a silver platter. You’re tougher than you think and have something truly special."

"I’m not motherly per se but I’m a mother. I want to be the best mother I can be. But, as a mother, I feel I’m more of a builder and a nurturer."

"My training has taught me to be there in the moment but not to get carried away"

"Imagine, for the price of a pre-paid cellular phone card, you can send a child to school? I found that very powerful."

"I woke up today more grateful than ever for my life. The very air I breathe. My family. My children. The purpose & opportunities God has opened before me. Over & over again I live in God’s graciousness & endless mercies."

"I am blessed. I am immensely grateful for everything. The good with the bad, the hard with the easy. All for God’s good purpose."

"To God be the glory. Hug your kids today! Tell your family & friends how special they are! Appreciate LIFE."