From Dial-Up to Digital Activism: Navigating the Digital Age, a Strong Case for Media And Information Literacy

I was born in the late ’70s, a child in the ’80s, and a teenager in the ’90s. My formative years witnessed our household technology change from black-and-white to color TV, broadcast to cable TV, and rotary to push-button phones.

When we took pictures, we had to wait for them to be processed and printed. Photos were placed in albums and put up in frames kept as family heirlooms. We wrote diaries and made sure no one could read them. We listened to the radio, eagerly waiting for our favorite songs to play. Either we wait for our song to be played by chance, or we call the radio station to ask the DJ to play them so we can record them on a cassette tape and add them to our collection. 

Then came the Internet.

My college years coincided with the internet’s transition into mainstream use. What began as a pre-commercial network for local data sharing and communication soon became a household item. 

The internet brought email as an alternative to traditional mail, and soon, services like Yahoo Messenger, mIRC, and ICQ replaced phone conversations. LimeWire, torrents, and digital files became an alternative to traditional media. Along with the internet came digital cameras that allowed us to take photos and view them instantly. Printing photos became optional. 

Life with Social Media

And it didn’t stop there. We started sharing our lives with complete strangers online. We were visible and very accessible. We no longer published diaries in lonely corners of the internet; we started sharing them with friends—even strangers. Our lives became an open book. We started sharing our lives with a network. Like real-life friends, we catch up with every day after school.

We had the option to go public or stay anonymous—or even both. We enjoyed the freedom to be ourselves. We can go feral. We can also go orthodox. 

We joined message boards and participated in discussions. We met others who shared the same interests. Imagine people from all over the world convening and discussing niche topics we once found embarrassing. Without leaving our rooms, we can talk freely for hours about our common interests, go unhinged, share knowledge, and even engage in heated arguments over trivial matters.

We can put our guards up or down. Adding to the birth of memes and online humor, we have created a safe space for all of us. 

The possibilities were endless; boredom felt like a thing of the past. It was like a massive library and museums at our fingertips. Even banking and commerce transitioned to online transactions.

Gadgets have gotten smaller and more portable, allowing us to bring the internet wherever we go. It was absolute freedom. 

The Digital Shift: How the Internet Transformed the Job Market

In the past, having a job meant being physically present in the workplace. The internet revolutionized job applications and transformed the entire work environment.

I began my career in the BPO industry and transitioned to freelancing as online gigs became available, giving me the flexibility to balance work with family life. Wearing many hats as a wife, mother, and freelancer, I still found time to pursue personal interests.

I was born inquisitive, and the Internet helped fuel my passion for learning. It allowed me to explore new topics from home. I learned skills I can use to advance my career and, at the same time, be a child again and go back to the questions I grew up with. Questions that didn’t give me the answers I was looking for.

Using the Internet as a Platform to Advance a Cause

I had never encountered a subject as controversial as cannabis. My curiosity about cannabis and the varying opinions surrounding it—both negative and positive—led me to Google. Cannabis legalization became a topic that piqued my interest, sparking curiosity that led me to online forums and communities. I found myself constantly weighing different perspectives.

After my daughter was born, my second child, the Internet became my source of both entertainment and information. Late nights spent caring for her became opportunities to dive into topics like cannabis, particularly for medical use.

Social networking sites like Friendster, Myspace, and Multiply started popping up, which I didn’t bother signing up for, thinking they were all fleeting fads—until Facebook.

Building Digital Alliances to Empower a Cause

In 2013, I joined forums and discussions on platforms inside and outside Facebook. As a mother, I began searching for anything related to motherhood and cannabis—an unlikely combination. Typically, mothers advise their children to stay away from drugs, yet I discovered a global community of mothers advocating for cannabis legalization. I sent them a letter and told them I wanted to be part of their group. 

All the while, I thought I was progressive with the way I think until I saw fellow Pinoys on Facebook posting about cannabis as if it were legal.

Outside Facebook, I chanced upon a couple seeking cannabis treatment for their sick child. That moment set me on a path toward medical cannabis advocacy in the Philippines. Inspired by CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s groundbreaking series on medical cannabis, I felt compelled to take action.

Initially, I thought managing a pro-cannabis page on Facebook was just like running a blog. But as my involvement grew deeper, I realized that advocating for this cause required more than online participation —it needed real-world action. Soon, I found myself in a community. Next thing, we were in Congress lobbying for a medical cannabis bill. I also found myself giving interviews for media outlets, including radio and print – both local and international.



Although I had no formal experience in lobbying, I took it as a learning experience. I had found my calling in fighting for what I believe is right.

Digital Activism: Bridging Movements and Engaging with Intersectional Alliances

The digitalization of our activities brought activism into new spaces. My involvement in cannabis advocacy opened the door to a broader world of digital activism. As I expanded my network, I moved from advocating for medical cannabis to learning about the drug war and the need for drug policy reform. I began to see that drug-related issues are fundamentally health issues and that criminalizing users only serves as a temporary, band-aid solution. And finally, I learned about the concept of harm reduction, a humane approach to addressing all these problems.

These issues are all connected to respecting human rights, and activists worldwide have taken advantage of the gifts of digital interconnectivity.

In 2019, I was chosen to attend the Digital Rights Workshop by the Foundation for Media Alternatives. It was there that I met human rights advocates from across the country. Despite the diversity of our causes and backgrounds, we shared a common goal: we were representing our respective marginalized communities, and we were fighting for our rights.

Break the Fake Movement and Media Civics Lab

The workshop focused on promoting critical thinking and creating a safe environment beyond the digital space. It was there where I met Gabriel Billones Jr. of the Break the Fake Movement, along with other younger colleagues.

When I was their age, I was focused on my interests. Although I was aware of social issues, I didn’t have the same level of commitment to creating positive change that they had. They were young, had promising futures, and were hands-on in making it happen.

In 2022, I learned about the Media Civics Lab, a media and information literacy program by Break the Fake Movement. Since social media was my primary platform, it was my duty to upskill and strengthen my foundation to maximize my influence. I wanted to make sure and commit to using my platform effectively.

Through the program, I learned valuable skills crucial for safely navigating the vast landscape of the internet. These skills are beneficial for me as an activist as well as as a parent. My children belonged to a generation completely different from mine. And as a proponent of alternative education, particularly unschooling, the internet can be a goldmine of information, disinformation, and misinformation. 

Media Civics Lab Pioneer Alumni

I’ve had the privilege of representing the academy and attending workshops, talks, and other events. I am constantly exposed to a diverse network of passionate human rights defenders committed to combating disinformation, promoting safe spaces, and providing community care.

When I got involved in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, I brought my media and information literacy expertise with me. In today’s world, where our real-life (IRL) experiences are integrated with our digital lives, it’s clear that the younger generations hold an advantage over older ones. Being in the middle, my MIL background has helped me understand the differences among generations and their unique needs and limitations in navigating the World Wide Web.

Our community is our greatest asset; it is where our strength lies. Without strong communities, our causes will lose power. On a grander scale, we understand the complexities of politics and how deeply they impact us. We also know that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. But we can start with our community.

As we continue to fight for what is right, we need constant reminders of our power as digital citizens. If reading and writing prepare us to learn more about the world, media and information literacy will help us to navigate it critically. With it, we can make informed decisions and engage responsibly in an increasingly digital society.

Media and information literacy should be the foundational knowledge, essential for advocates of all causes. This is about maximizing our platforms to uphold and promote social justice, encouraging others to take a stand, and becoming catalysts for change.


As an alumnus, I’m dedicated to applying and sharing my knowledge. I strive for personal growth and aim to inspire my children to do the same. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and ensure that our causes remain dignified.

And so, it rings true: with “great power comes great responsibility.”