LOS ANGELES—I first met news reporter Yong Chavez in action. She was in the middle of coverage and was clearly a master at what she does. She was quick to think of an angle, smart in asking questions and decisive when to wrap up the interview. But most of all, what was palpable from this bundle of energy is her passion—a vital factor to succeed in one’s vocation but one that cannot be learned.
To be honest, I found Yong intimidating at the start. She was after all the first Filipino journalist to cover the Oscars in Hollywood, since I started following her career. When we began this interview, however, gone was the serious news reporter persona from the field to reveal a warm and open personality.