Today we’d like to introduce you to Liberty Zabala.
Liberty, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m the daughter of Filipino immigrants. My father grew up in extreme poverty in the provinces of the Philippines. He worked hard to rise above his adversities. Through journalism, my father was able to get himself out of poverty. He became an accomplished journalist in the Philippines and was appointed by the president at the time as a diplomat the U.S. That’s how my family came to America. I was born in Los Angeles on the day before Independence Day. Growing up, I always watched my father reading the newspaper every morning and typing away on his typewriter and later, computer. I never wanted to become a journalist but I shared his love of writing. I wanted to become an archeologist when I was little like Indiana Jones, Rick O’ Connell (The Mummy), and Lara Croft. When I got older and realized that’s not how archeology really is so I decided to try my hand at newspaper writing. I joined my high school campus paper. I cranked out my first article and everything started clicking. I would crank out article after article. At times, half the newspaper was all articles written by me, and within a year, I became Managing Editor. That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue journalism. I went to Cal State University, Northridge and majored in broadcast journalism.
In college, I interned at NBC Nightly News, FOX News Channel, FOX Sports Net, ABC 7 Los Angeles and at a cable access station called “Garden Grove TV3”. I was selected for the Meredith Cronkite Fellowship at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at KPHO CBS 5 Phoenix. I got my first job at KCOY KKFX (CBS 12/FOX11) in Santa Maria, CA. Then I got hired as a Reporter Development Associate in the NBC Reporter Development Program where I worked as a multimedia journalist at NBC 7 San Diego. I worked there for six years working my way up to become a Reporter, Weather Anchor and fill-in News Anchor. I am now a 4x-Emmy winning Reporter & Weather Anchor at FOX 5 San Diego. I also currently serve as Senior Advisor in a non-profit called Asian American Journalists Association San Diego that supports diversity in radio, television, print, and digital news media. During my time in San Diego, I’ve covered everything from mass shootings, terrorist attacks, raging wildfires, immigration crises, to now, a pandemic, and more. I’ve had the chance to interview high profile newsmakers from Kamala Harris to Stan Lee to Manny Pacquiao to Oprah and more. Every day is an adventure in my career field and an amazing opportunity to serve the community when it needs accurate and valuable information most.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A career in journalism is anything but a smooth road. There are many challenges in the industry and in the field. There will be many doors slammed in your face and tons of no’s. There will be a lot of people who underestimate you but I think the greatest form of proof is your work. My father taught me you have to work twice as hard to accomplish what you want. I let my work and achievements speak for themselves. You just have to keep the faith in yourself and for me, keep faith in God. Blessings are always on the way when you work for it. As long as you’re a strong person who puts in the work hard, adapts, and overcomes, you can make it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a reporter and weather anchor for FOX 5 San Diego. We are a local news station that covers breaking news and vital stories about the community throughout San Diego County. I’m most proud of the fact that FOX 5 truly connects with and understands its viewers. I believe we are in living an era where most viewers, and news & social media consumers are drowning in information and starving for wisdom but I am proudest of the fact that FOX 5 really gets to the heart of stories that truly matter to San Diegans. I know every day we strive to make a big impact on our viewers and community by keeping them well-informed and empowered to make better decisions in their daily life.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m currently enrolled at American Military University. I’m pursuing my Master of Arts in Homeland Security with a concentration in Counterterrorism at the moment. I made the Dean’s List for maintaining a 3.8 GPA. My goal for the future is to earn my master’s degree. I’ve already gained so much insight and knowledge from the research and papers I’ve written so far during my studies. I can’t wait to walk across the AMU stage one day with my master’s degree in hand!
Contact Info:
- Address: 7191 Engineer Road
San Diego CA 92111 - Website: www.fox5sandiego.com
- Email: lzabala@fox5sandiego.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/libertyzabala
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/libertyzabala
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/liberty_zabala
Image Credit:
ROESINK PHOTOGRAPHY
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