Making a mark in Antique: Leah Marie Ysunza Sausa
A passion for community development burns bright in the heart of TNT's Antique Bureau Chief
Enjoys traveling..
Leah Marie Ysunza Sausa has long since known the ins and outs of the media industry, having worked first in radio when she was in high school. Following her passion, she took up BS in Mass Communications at the West Visayas State University. When she was a senior in college, she applied for a job in RMN, as she was very effective in broadcasting.
Then, Leah found herself dabbling in journalism work when she became the Antique Bureau Chief of The News Today (TNT). "I hoped to be trained well in this area. When I entered TNT, I became more exposed to researching and news gathering and writing. This is a challenge for me," she said.
She's happy to be part of TNT and with the newspaper's entrance in Antique, she's sure that Antiquenos will be given more objective news and a quality paper in terms of its printing and varied contents. "TNT's quality reflects the way the company is managed and I'm glad to be a part of it. You'll fall in love with the paper," she assures her 'kasimanwas'.
With husband Edwin and daughter
Francine Viktoria.
Leah is expected to succeed in her present job, as she did in the past. Her work experience in sales (Fitness First Philippines Inc. and Orient Day Spa) as well as reporting (ABS-CBN, RMN and cable TV) has given her the expertise to deal with many people as well as meet the demands of her job.
With her expertise, she has received several invitations for companies to work for them, but Leah is quite happy staying in her birth town.
"After I went back to Antique, I just wanted to stay here and make projects that could help my province," she said.
Apart from her work in TNT, Leah focuses on youth and environment-related activities. She has created a youth-led environment club in St. Anthony's College (where she's taking her masteral studies).
SIPA 2008 Football Tournament in Antique
"Antique is rich in natural resources and we need to protect and care for such. One way to ensure awareness is to tap the students," she said.
Leah also organized a football tournament called "Sipa 2008" last summer where 17 teams participated. "We got private companies to sponsor this. We are going to make this a yearly event after the success of the first one," she said.
Leah's brothers are football players. "I saw kids here play the sport but had no skills. During the regional meet last March, we had no representatives, so we had to get a trainor to hold a seminar for referees, so they can train these kids. This is effort is not for profit. I hope people will realize that sports is important," she said. "When these kids grow up, Antique will benefit a lot," she added.
Eco Club members..
Leah has cable TV business. This focuses on community development, too. "I hired new reporters like those who just graduated from college. I wanted to teach the young so that when they go home, they could influence others," she said.
With community development burning in Leah's heart, one is curious if she would, someday considering going into politics.
"I have no plans of running for public office. Yes, I was approached by some but I turned them down. Anyway, with me being in the media, I could easily influence others. True and dedicated media people have a role in influencing society," she said.
Leah is married to Edwin Mendi Sausa and thay have a three-year-old daughter named Francine Viktoria. Her interests are volleyball, traveling and photography.