In the digital age, where voices echo across timelines and feeds, authenticity can be rare; yet Mona Magno-Veluz, better known online as Mighty Magulang, has carved out a space that is both thoughtful and transformative. A digital creator, civic educator, and longtime advocate for neurodiversity through her work with the Autism Society Philippines, Mona uses her platform not just to inform, but to empower.
Her dual roles—as mother to a child on the autism spectrum and as a public voice on civic and historical issues—intersect in a powerful way. “My advocacy and my content both begin with one thing: respect for lived experience,” she explains. Parenting taught her to listen deeply and lead with compassion, and these lessons now shape her approach to digital work. For Mona, inclusivity is not an abstract principle; it is a daily practice. From captions to tone, accuracy to accessibility, every post is crafted with the belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
When tackling civic and historical topics, Mona prioritizes depth over virality. “I value doing dutiful research, honoring the complexity of our past, and presenting it in a way that invites reflection,” she says. Her commitment to clarity and accuracy makes her content stand out in an era of clickbait and half-truths. By avoiding shame and sarcasm, she invites curiosity rather than defensiveness, creating a digital space where learning feels safe and possible.
But in a climate where misinformation spreads rapidly, Mona also understands the importance of boundaries. She meets criticisms with “deep breaths and a lot of receipts,” distinguishing between respectful disagreement and bad faith attacks. Her strategy is not to win arguments but to protect the space where learning and dialogue can happen. “I choose to respond with clarity, not cruelty,” she says, a principle that underscores both her empathy and her integrity.
Even as she discusses difficult subjects like nationalism, colonialism, or citizenship, Mona balances intellectual rigor with compassion. She is candid about not being a historian by training, but her dedication to research and her willingness to cite experts reflect her accountability. More importantly, she grounds abstract concepts in lived experiences—stories from families, communities, and her own life—reminding her audience that history is not just about facts, but about people.
For Mona, love of country is not blind patriotism but a commitment to truth. “I believe love of country means loving it enough to ask hard questions and tell the whole story,” she shares. It is this combination of accountability and tenderness that makes her voice resonate: a blend of courage and care, intellect and empathy.
In her view, digital creators carry a responsibility that goes beyond entertainment. “In 60 seconds, we can plant a seed that grows into pride, purpose, or action,” she reflects. While she does not claim perfection, she emphasizes thoughtfulness, recognizing that what creators put into the digital world has the power to shape identity, citizenship, and the future itself.
As the nation celebrates Buwan ng Wika, Mona Magno-Veluz’s voice is a reminder that language is not just about words: it is about connection, representation, and responsibility. Whether she is advocating for disability inclusion or unpacking the complexities of history, Mona proves that digital spaces can be more than noise; they can be platforms for empathy, accountability, and nation-building.
