Aidan Bernales Portolio

For many of us in Cebu, it was the end of the worldCebu was hit by back-to-back disasters in the span of a month: a magnitude 6.9 earthquake and the deadliest typhoon in the Philippines in 2025. I talk about what it was like being at the scene of the tragedy for both.Rappler

Kampana ng Simbahan: The homily as a political weaponSpeaking to thousands of people every Sunday, two priests reflect on the cross they have to carry by incorporating socio-political realities into their homilies.The Guidon

Through fire and waterIn Cebu City, Philippines, some families face homelessness due to Typhoon Odette (Rai). They seek shelter in temporary locations, highlighting the city's escalating housing and climate crises.Climate Tracker Asia

YapplerYappler, a blend of “yap” (to talk continuously) and Rappler, is a monthly show I am co-hosting. Here we discuss issues captivating the Rappler community, inviting members to share their stories and connect with one another. Since the start of the year, we have tackled issues like the global oil crisis, the job market, and political sexism through the lens of young people.Rappler

FloodControlPH#FloodControlPH is a crowdsourcing initiative through the Rappler app chat room for suspicious flood control projects. I managed incoming reports and tracked entries, coordinated updates for the newsroom to pursue, developed promotional initiatives, and introduced new ways for the public to submit reports. It won gold in Best in Audience Engagement at the 2026 WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards.Rappler

Watch, Read, ReactFor Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, I crafted a a motion-graphics UI walkthrough that demonstrates the full user journey across Rappler’s ecosystem in real time. This video campaign has accumulated nearly half a million views across all platforms so far.Rappler

We Fell In Love In Tumultuous TimesThis collection is as much poetry as it is the story of a young man’s first relationship. Each poem will take you through his journey of love and loss in a time of political and social strife, constantly asking the question: “What are you willing to sacrifice for the one you love?”8Letters

WidowIn this searing and lyrical narrative, a grieving politician navigates the intersecting terrains of power, memory, and private sorrow, as his late wife’s sacrifice reverberates through both his campaign and his conscience—ultimately compelling him to reckon with what hope truly demands.Cha: An Asian Literary Journal

The AppleWinner of the Young Writers Journal Weekly Prize, this flash fiction piece is a reimagination of Kafka's The Metamorphosis but from the eyes of Gregor Samsa's sister Grete.Young Writers Journal