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Joanna Sustento

@joannasustento

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📍tacloban, philippines
💪 mum | storyteller | climate activist
✉ [email protected]
✊ @roots.people

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Throwback to a year ago, when I stood in front of the Shell headquarters in BGC to call for #ClimateJustice on behalf of communities severely impacted by the climate crisis. @shell is one of the major fossil fuel corporations along with @exxonmobil who knew about the consequences of their business practices but chose greed, apathy, and deceit over people and the planet. In a few weeks, 5 years after the groundbreaking climate change and human rights petition was filed, we’ll be hearing the decision of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines. Stay tuned. #ShellKnew #ExxonKnew #ClimateEmergency @chrgovph by @joannasustento

My face when big oil is about to go down.
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(c) Greenpeace by @joannasustento

Before joining the pilgrimage, I knew it wouldn't be easy but I also knew it was one of the things I will regret not doing.
Although the past 4 weeks have been physically painful and emotionally draining, this entire journey filled my cup to the brim and I'm still having trouble emptying it. Forgive me, I cannot quite capture the whole experience eloquently but one thing's for sure, this trip has been the most beautiful- "a constant pendulum of hope and despair"- as one of my fellow pilgrims put it.
Trust me, behind all the laughter, the fun, and the hopeful speeches are self-doubts, hopelessness, and frustrations that come in buckets of tears. Every day, we wake up asking ourselves is this even worth it? But I count myself lucky to have met people from all over the world who have so much fight in them, who make me believe that a better world is possible, who, at the end of the day make me realize that yes, it will always be worth it. The whole experience has brought me so much wisdom and patience, and has taught me to speak with truth, courage and compassion.
My God, 104 million people of Pilipinas, if only I can take you all with me so you'll know how truly important our collective voice is. <3

To my Pilgrim fambam, for leaving bits and pieces of yourselves, for making room for my community in your lives, thank you.
To Daddy God, thank you for the constant opportunities to brave the wilderness, and most of all for braving it with me. <3

#theclimatepilgrimage
#climatewalk2018
#rometopoland by @joannasustento

The opening speeches at the Climate Justice Camp Asia well and truly set the tone of the week to come.

Here are some of the words that stayed with us from the incredible @yeb_sano and @joannasustento 💚 by @joannasustento

Tree 🌳 Hugging 🫂

Exactly what this moment feels like. The T.R.E.E.

Taking root - deep, grounded, the oftentimes invisible yet important pieces of work.

Harbouring - she hosts a plethora of other life within, just as we can coexist and hold others

Towering - takes time, but when it towers, it really towers. Shades and cool breezes.

We honor the land, the air, the waters, the fire, our stillness in the moment, and all creation therein. Past, present, and the yet to be.

Glad to do this with the amazing and inspiring @joannasustento @roots.people

#rootscamp #climatejusticecamp #climatejusticecamp2026 by @joannasustento

"Hanapin si Uwak sa mga mata ng kung sino...
Kapag may inaabusong nilalang man o tao.
Naroon si Uwak at nagpapaalala...
Hindi lahat ay gabi; sikaping mag-umaga."

On July 20th, we launched Ang Batang Walang Ngalan (A Child Once Nameless) through a play in collaboration with the talented artists of Sirang Theatre Ensemble. ☀️

This book holds a very special place in our hearts because it is the first book @tanbacsa and I created together. It is a collaboration born from countless late-night conversations, shared hopes, and a deep belief in the power of stories. 📖❤️

This story is inspired by the lives of climate-impacted communities, the courage of environmental and human rights defenders, and, above all, children everywhere whose dreams and futures are worth fighting for. They remind us that hope is not something we simply wait for—it is something we choose and pass on to one another.

Our hope is that this book becomes an invitation for children and adults alike to dream not only for ourselves, but for our communities and for one another. To discover our own ngalan—our own purpose—and to recognize that our dreams become more meaningful when they are rooted in community and shared with others. 🫶🏽

To @haryelmao thank you for the beautiful illustrations that gave this story another way to be seen and felt. To Sir Voltaire Oyzon, thank you for the thoughtful Waray translations that brought this story even closer to home. 🙏🏽

To the @thebritishacademy and the people behind Ahon through @gelaminas damo nga salamat for helping fulfill a childhood dream. We are deeply grateful for your trust. ♥️🌱

P.S. who would have thought we can pull this off on top of planning the climate justice camp?! 🫠😂 by @joannasustento

happy birthday, warrior pintado. 🤍 by @joannasustento

“We all have stories of pain, or we wouldn’t think the world needs changing. We all have stories of hope, or we wouldn’t think we could change it.”

Last work trip of 2025 took me to Bangkok for the Asia Regional Youth Climate Convening. 🔥 Grateful to share space with youth leaders from all across Asia—and even more excited about the collaborations we’re building for the year ahead 💛

This convening honestly felt like a retreat. After years of organizing spaces like this, it was refreshing to experience one as a participant for once. To slow down. To listen. To just be. But if I’m being real… I missed the chaos 😂 The coordinating, the moving parts, the fast decisions. Turns out I really do thrive in high-stress, fast-paced environments (hello CJC!) 😂💪

Still, deeply thankful for the pause. 🧘‍♀️😌 by @joannasustento

Daluyon, which means storm surge, was born from the same waters that took my family. Now, it carries what I found after loss — a reminder that even after the fiercest surge, love returns. 💛

P.S. kunohay diri kami mag-away 😂

#Yolanda12 by @joannasustento

The LIVErary began as a platform for typhoon survivors in the Philippines. Now, it carries stories from Global South communities on the frontlines — against displacement, state violence, and erasure. Stories from people whose very existence is resistance.

From the Philippines to Climate Justice Camps in Tunisia, Lebanon, Tanzania, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Colombia — and to Kenya, through the solidarity of friends on the ground — the LIVErary continues to move, grow, and amplify frontline voices.

In this space, feeling is part of the work and listening is part of the resistance. Let stories move you even when they’re messy, heavy, unfamiliar.
 That’s how we keep each other alive. That’s how we begin to imagine a world where justice isn’t a distant idea, but something we carry and practice in the way we show up for one another, and for the people we love. 💜📖 by @joannasustento

Camp breather 🍃 by @joannasustento

CJC LATAM 2025 photo dump 🇲🇽✨

1. A glimpse of our green venue 🍃
2. Caribbean friends 🇦🇼🇹🇹
3. Filipinas reprezzzzzent 🇵🇭
4. Such an honor to witness this indigenous practice 🙏
5. Partied with Brazilian friends as Bolsonaro face 27 years of imprisonment 🥳🇧🇷
6. Work, work, work, and 🧉
7. Our girl @ranaa.kam0l drawing the map while graduating! 👩‍🎓
8. Dance breaks 💃🕺
9. Baby husky just roaming the streets 🥹❤️
10. This tita has a new-found love for Pink Pony Club 💕🦄
11. Tita as a stage mom 😂
12. We are gonna miss this guy 🥹
13-14. Dancing the night away 🎉
15-17. My loves 💖
18-19. Departure day!!! 🥳
20. Group photo! 🥳🇲🇽 by @joannasustento