"THE FIRST FILIPINO NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE — AND WHY HER FIGHT STILL MATTERS" by NICOLE A. PONSECA

Maria Ressa: The Filipina Who Dared to Speak Truth to Power By Nicole Ponseca Friends, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to speak up—and what it costs. During the height of canceled culture, I found myself self-censoring. Not because I didn’t have anything to say, but because I was worried. Worried about safety, about being misunderstood, about protecting my business. And that silence? It didn’t feel like growth—it felt like slow erosion. This was out of character for me. I’ve always been outspoken, even as a kid. But I learned that silencing yourself isn’t sustainable. Discernment is one thing; losing your voice is another. Without space for honest dialogue and disagreement, we risk building environments where innovation and evolution can’t thrive. Maria Ressa reminds me of the power—and necessity—of speaking the truth. She doesn’t just speak truth to power. She defends the idea that truth itself is power. She reminds me to keep showing up. To say what I mean. And to listen just as much as I speak. So this week, I want to honor her story.     Who Is Maria Ressa? Maria Ressa is a journalist, author, and the first Filipino Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She's also the co-founder and CEO of Rappler, a fearless digital news platform that has challenged authoritarianism, disinformation, and state violence in the Philippines. Born in Manila, Maria moved to the U.S. at age nine after the death of her father. She grew up in New Jersey and went on to graduate from Princeton University, later returning to the Philippines to take a master’s degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Maria Ressa moved to New Jersey as a child where, she says, “I had to figure out what a short brown kid was going to do in this big white world.” When she returned to the Philippines after her education at Princeton University, journalism became her tool for learning how to become Filipino. She cut her teeth as a CNN bureau chief covering terrorism in Southeast Asia before launching Rappler in 2012—a bold move that would place her at the center of one of the world’s most dangerous battlegrounds for journalism. Under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, Maria reported extensively on the brutal war on drugs, which has led to thousands of extrajudicial killings. She and Rappler also exposed how social media was being weaponized to spread fake news, silence critics, and shape public opinion. Why the Nobel Peace Prize? In 2021, Maria was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov for their work in safeguarding freedom of expression. The committee recognized that freedom of speech and access to truth are essential foundations for peace and democracy. One of My Favorite Quotes from Maria: “You don’t really know who you are until you’re forced to fight to defend it.” And she has fought. Not just for herself—but for all of us who believe in truth, transparency, and the right to speak freely.

Why She Matters Maria’s Nobel Prize wasn’t just a personal victory — it was a wake-up call.  At a time when truth is under attack around the world, she reminds us that journalism is not a crime — it’s a pillar of democracy.  "Without facts, you can't have truth. Without truth, you can't have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality, no democracy." — Maria Ressa On the heels of March’s Women’s History Month (or just being badass Pinays every month), may we channel her bravery, brilliance, and grit. First published in Jeepney, a newsletter by Nicole A. Ponseca, April 11, 2025 ***** Nicole Ponseca, a Filipino culinary trailblazer, catapulted to prominence as the visionary founder of of two groundbreaking restaurants that kicked open the door for Filipino food in America. Her groundbreaking efforts earned her restaurants multiple Michelin Guide recommendations and a coveted 2-star rating from The New York Times. Recognized as "an empire in the making" by The New York Times and for her "immeasurable" influence on Filipino-American restaurants by The Washington Post, Ponseca's impact is undeniable. Leveraging over 20 years of culinary research, her book I Am a Filipino became a James Beard Award Finalist and received critical acclaim from publications like The New York Times, LA Times, and SF Chronicle to name a few and went into a third printing after only 3 months.  As CEO of Jeepney Foods, Nicole aims to change the way we access Filipino Food in America and beyond with next years first ever International Manila Food Festival. She currently splits time between Miami and Manhattan and continues to raise awareness for Filipino culture through her mentorship, volunteer work and leadership. Follow her on instagram @nicoleponseca