SunStar Davao editor Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan has been selected for the prestigious Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) 2026 cohort, standing out as the only representative from the Philippines among 20 fellows from 16 Asian countries.
Fellowship Details
The AJF is hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in partnership with the Temasek Foundation. The eight-week program runs from July 6 to August 28, 2026, with four weeks of online sessions followed by four weeks in-person in Singapore.
Abalayan expressed gratitude for the opportunity, calling it "another prayer answered." She noted that she had applied unsuccessfully the previous year. "This opportunity means even more because I didn’t make it on my first try last year. I applied again this year, not expecting much, knowing that talented journalists from across Asia were also vying for a spot," she said.
Perseverance and Mentorship
Abalayan credited her colleague Ralph Llemit, SunStar Davao Digital Service Head and an AJF 2025 fellow, for guidance. "Special thanks to my SunStar Davao colleague Ralph Llemit, an AJF 2025 fellow, whose advice helped strengthen my application," she added. She emphasized the lesson in perseverance: "To anyone pursuing a dream: don’t let one setback define your story. Sometimes the answer is, 'Not yet.'"
SunStar Davao's Tradition of Excellence
Abalayan’s selection marks a consecutive milestone for SunStar Davao. Last year, Ralph Lawrence Llemit was one of two mid-career journalists from the Philippines in the AJF 2025 cohort, which ran from September 8 to October 31, 2025. Llemit covers local politics, national affairs, and environmental journalism, using the fellowship to enhance newsroom capabilities and cross-border communication trends.
About the Asia Journalism Fellowship
Launched in 2009, the AJF is now in its 17th year, providing Asian media practitioners opportunities to sharpen skills, reflect on their craft, and analyze regional media landscapes. Originally managed by Nanyang Technological University’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, it moved to IPS at NUS in 2017. To date, over 250 journalists from more than 20 Asian countries have participated, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
During the 2026 program, fellows will engage in intensive media training, expert-led seminars, and thematic discussions on regional issues. They will also network with Singapore-based policymakers, academics, and international media peers.
