Rizza Mendiola-Fillone: All About Environmental Journalism
Spotlight on Rizza Mendiola-Fillone. Since September 2024, Filipino journalist Rizza Mendiola-Fillone from GMA News has been an active participant in the One Health Media project, supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Next week, she will take part in a training session focused on using social media to engage with the wide audiences of her media outlet.
This session is part of a broader journey that has seen Rizza and her team regularly produce fun, accessible content on environmental issues and the “One Health” approach. Through this initiative, they are helping to bridge the gap between science and the public—making complex topics both relatable and impactful.
At 37 years old, Rizza Mendiola-Fillone is driven by a deep passion and talent for exploring nature-related topics. As the executive producer of Born to be Wild, the Philippines' longest-running nature documentary, she has been selected by CFI for training under the One Health Media project.
Initially aiming for a career in news journalism, Rizza found her calling in environmental journalism and remains committed to it. Hailing from Quezon City in Metro Manila, she expresses concern over the scarcity of journalists in this field. "It's a small community that needs a boost to cover more topics", she states.
Currently, as the executive producer of Born to be Wild, which has been airing since 2007 on Global Media Arts (GMA), Rizza highlights and visualizes environmental issues. Every Sunday, viewers embark on a 20-minute journey into the realities of wildlife, guided by veterinarians Ferdinand Recio and Nielson Donato. Rizza feels that the training in the "One Health"* approach from CFI is perfectly suited for her.
"This concept involves connecting all stakeholders so that people understand what we're discussing. We're now applying this in Born to be Wild", she explains after completing two training sessions.
Dedicated to her craft
Rizza honed her skills in photojournalism at the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism, followed by studies in communication at Ateneo de Manila University and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. As an executive producer, she leads her team in creating impactful images and content that resonate deeply. With a remarkable ability to connect with others, she enjoys exploring and showcasing the most remote areas of the Philippines. Rizza also collaborates with organizations and universities to stay updated on research advancements.
"This is one of my strengths as an investigator" the specialized journalist shares.
Even in her downtime, Rizza remains connected to nature and current events. Richelle Joy Figueroa, the former executive producer of Born to be Wild, recalls that "during her wedding speech, Rizza mentioned how she had to convince her husband that a career in media requires a lot of commitment. That's when I realized just how dedicated she is to her profession".
Rizza owns a small farm near the city, where she cultivates fruit trees and raises chickens, turkeys, and pigs. Caring for animals and nature, along with spending time by the sea, helps her recharge and manage the stresses of her job. She is now eager to "mentor the younger generation, giving them hands-on experience in the field and inspiring them to dream of careers in journalism, science, or veterinary medicine". However, she is aware that "the sustainability of such programs relies on audience ratings".
Portrait by Bérengère Merlot (Journalistes Médiateurs)
* The "One Health" approach encourages a new perspective on health by acknowledging the interconnectedness of human well-being with that of animals and ecosystems. It leverages the close and interdependent relationships among these areas to develop innovative disease monitoring and control strategies.
(source : World Health Organization).