Biena Magbitang, director of Climate Tracker Asia, believes deeply in the power of stories, seeing them as a force that connects people across the world. “Great journalism,” she explains, “is not just about reporting the truth. It’s about making people care.” For her, stories aren’t just narratives—they shape our identity, impact our survival, and ignite hope for the future. As a climate journalist, Biena is committed to personally connecting people to issues that matter most by starting a dialogue with their hearts.
Magbitang’s belief in the strength of her heritage is equally powerful. She tells Allure Philippines, “I believe morenas can achieve what they want to achieve.” For her, being a morena isn’t just about appearance—it’s a superpower. “It means you have been through a lot of things, but you were able to stand above them all.”
This deep connection to her roots is something she feels strongly about, and even more so when she travels abroad. “Whenever I go abroad for conferences, you can actually single out people through their colors,” she shares, noting how her heritage is unmistakable, and it’s something she takes great pride in. “It’s my source of strength and power because I know I’m representing my country as a whole when I go outside. I don’t have to explain who I am anymore, because if they see my color, they would basically think that I’m from this part of the world.”
Artu Nepomuceno
“Great journalism is not just about reporting the truth. It’s about making people care.”
Over the course of more than a decade at ABS-CBN, she produced and managed The World Tonight, ANC’s award-winning flagship newscast. Throughout the years, Magbitang also reported on and mentored journalists on writing energy transition stories, expanding coverage on COP26, COP27, and the 2022 G20 Summits. In 2017, she won a bronze medal at the New York Festivals Awards under Climate Change and Sustainability.
When Climate Tracker Asia first launched, its mission was clear—to bridge the gap between the masses and advancements in climate and environmental policy through impactful media coverage. Over the years, the platform has grown, playing a significant role in high-level climate negotiations, including the annual UN Climate Change Conferences.
Magbitang’s ultimate dream, however, goes beyond merely participating. She envisions a future where climate negotiations are so effective that the world won’t need to hold policymakers and leaders accountable for their inaction—the progress will simply be too tangible. It’s a bold, ambitious vision, but one that speaks to her commitment to not just report on the climate crisis, but actively shape its resolution.
Photographer: Artu Nepomuceno. Makeup: Eddie Mar Cabiltes. Hair: George Aliben. Stylist: Steven Coralde of Qurator, assisted by Jia Torrato, Charlotte Sombillo, Niña Cuyana, and Jermainne Lagura.
Frequently Asked Questions
Biena Magbitang is a veteran Filipino journalist and former ABS-CBN news producer who serves as the Asia regional director for Climate Tracker Asia. She leads initiatives to train journalists, expand climate policy coverage, and bridge environmental reporting with public awareness across Asia.
Magbitang focuses on human-centered journalism that connects global environmental policies with personal, emotional realities. By reframing complex climate negotiations into relatable narratives, her work aims to inspire empathy, hold policymakers accountable, and motivate public action on sustainability and energy transition.
Throughout her career, Magbitang has reported on major international summits, including the UN Climate Change Conferences (COP26 and COP27) and the 2022 G20 Summit. Her journalism focuses heavily on clean energy transition, sustainable policy development, and climate justice for vulnerable nations.
In 2017, Biena Magbitang earned a Bronze Medal at the prestigious New York Festivals TV & Film Awards under the Climate Change and Sustainability category, recognizing her exceptional television news production and investigative environmental journalism in the Philippines.
Magbitang views her morena identity as a source of strength, resilience, and pride during international summits. For her, representing the Philippines visually and culturally reinforces the vital perspective of Southeast Asian nations hit hardest by global climate change.
