Join Rappler Movers Program: Write stories, build communities of action

With the new Movers Program, local storytellers and civic leaders will have more opportunities to hone their leadership skills, amplify local stories, and contribute to meaningful initiatives

MANILA, Philippines Do you want to be a community storyteller or lead advocacies in your locality?

For more than a decade, Rappler Movers have used storytelling and community action to amplify local issues, spark conversations, and help create change. Movers are volunteers of Rappler representing various provinces and regions in the Philippines committed to amplify stories and promote civic action at the local level.

Since 2012, the program has connected community storytellers, advocates, and leaders nationwide through MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm.

Now, MovePH is strengthening this nationwide community to create more opportunities for Movers through its new Movers Program to stay connected, learn from one another, and bring meaningful change wherever they are. 

What’s new for Rappler Movers

The program aims to build a long-term community where Movers can stay connected with Rappler, continue developing their skills, collaborate with fellow Movers nationwide, and find opportunities to contribute to stories and initiatives that matter.

In this community, Movers choose their own path. Whether they’re a natural-born storyteller or a driven community organizer, there’s a place for Movers to lead, create, and make an impact.

As community storytellers, Movers can:

• Write or report stories from their community and surface issues, people, and perspectives that deserve attention
• Build skills in journalism, news writing, digital storytelling, fact-checking, and community reporting
• Pitch stories and get feedback from Rappler editors, journalists, and data experts

As community organizers, Movers can:

• Help bring people together around issues that matter to your community
• Participate in or help organize campaigns, discussions, and community initiatives
• Build skills in community engagement, organizing, and civic action

Movers can also do both — use storytelling to help communities engage with issues and highlight local voices, and community organizing to turn those conversations into action. 

What the new Movers Program offers

Through the program, Movers will have opportunities to:

• Build their skills through training from Rappler’s learning arm, RappLearn
• Get mentorship from Rappler editors, journalists, data experts, and community engagement specialists, among others
• Connect and collaborate with Movers from different communities and regions
• Participate in a Movers’ Leadership Program, an exclusive hybrid training for Movers, as part of MovePH’s roadshows in selected areas as they become available
• Take on leadership roles, including opportunities for committed Movers to lead a local Movers hub and help organize storytelling and community engagement activities locally
• Explore other opportunities within Rappler, including internships, journalism fellowships, special projects, article contributions, and other pathways for growth and continued involvement

What the application process is like

The Movers network continues to grow across the Philippines, with eight hubs currently in Iloilo, Iligan, Batangas, Metro Manila, Zamboanga, Pangasinan, Dumaguete, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). 

The program is open year-round for applications of new and aspiring young Movers.

Specifically, aspiring Movers must be or have: 

• At least 18 years old and based in the Philippines
• Affiliated with a local student or civil society organization
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Proven experience in community leadership/organizing or local storytelling
• Committed to long-term civic engagement volunteering
• Can attend monthly meetings or activities

Interested individuals may apply below:

Submissions will be reviewed at the end of each month, and applicants will receive an update after each review cycle. Shortlisted applicants must complete the onboarding process.

Applications based in Cebu, General Santos City, Basilan, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon will be prioritized.

Over the past few years, Movers contributed to coverage of the national and local elections, anti-corruption marches, Palarong Pambansa, and other significant events across the country. They also tell stories about inspiring people, community efforts, and causes that make a difference.

Read more stories and works from Rappler Movers here:

• Rappler Movers shine light on community issues, local races during 2025 elections
• Rappler movers amplify local voices in the elections
• A viral love story teaches Bicol students how to guard against disinformation
• Through #PisoParaSaLaptop campaign, students raise money to cope with distance learning
• From boats to ballot: Pride, hope energize first-time Badjao voters in Batangas
• Batangas City: Votes sell for P700; political parties hold ‘voter education’ seminars
• Community leaders call for more consultative spaces with Zamboanga City gov’t
• Preserving the dying art of Burdang Taal, one thread at a time
• Meet the doctors behind Western Visayas’ first awake craniotomy
• Do you rely on AI for mental health? Here’s what to do about it.
• BARMM minorities push true representation, oppose ‘crayon politics’

Have questions about the Movers Program or want Rappler to visit your region? Email move.ph@rappler.com  – Rappler.com