Teka Teka
Teka Teka is a news podcast that takes its time to explain the issues you need to know. It is a PumaPodcast production, offering thoughtful analysis rather than breaking news. The podcast aims to help listeners understand complex topics through in-depth discussion.
Episodes
Pride and planet: How queer justice intersects with climate justice
For Filipinos, the month of June offers a dual celebration: Pride Month and the Philippine Environment Month. But how do we live with pride and acceptance in the face of a planetary emergency?In this episode of Teka Teka, climate and environment journalist Jhesset Enano speaks with queer climate activist Jefferson Estela on the intersections of queer justice and climate justice. They unpack the li
The promises and pitfalls of the Anti-False Information bill
The House passed the Anti-False Information Bill by a staggering 286 to 3 vote. On paper, it sounds like exactly what the Philippines needs to combat a massive disinformation crisis. The bill targets deliberate, harmful lies and introduces strict new transparency rules for big tech platforms like Meta, YouTube, and TikTok.In this episode, independent journalist Nica Rhiana Hanopol sits down w
Pauli Basubas: 'Island girl' from Cebu pursues her astronaut dreams
In this inspiring episode, we feature Pauli Basubas, a Filipina Gen Z space biologist chasing her dream of becoming the first Filipino astronaut. From her humble beginnings in Cebu, where nights under the island sky sparked her curiosity, to her groundbreaking research in space biology, Pauli’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and purpose.Recently featured in the documentary To the Mo
The Binaliw landfill ‘trashslide’ and similar tragedies: Why they keep happening
On January 8, the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City collapsed, burying workers alive under mountains of waste. Locals called it a “trashslide.” The tragedy would not be the last of its kind in 2026. Journalist Maverick Avila traces a devastating chain of waste-related disasters across the Philippines: the Binaliw trashslide, the Rizal landfill collapse, the Navotas landfill fire that burned for a
The Marcos-Duterte breakup, the Senate standoff, and we the voters
The Marcos-Duterte alliance delivered a historic landslide victory in 2022, but just a few years later, it has collapsed into one of the biggest political feuds in recent Philippine history. In this episode of Teka Teka, sociologist Athena Charanne Presto unpacks why the Uniteam alliance unraveled, what it reveals about political dynasties, power, and polarization in the Philippines, and how
32,000 people displaced by earthquake that killed at least 37
Search and rescue operations continue in the wake of one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the Philippines. At least 37 people have been killed, and more than 32,000 displaced. About 6,000 public school buildings must be assessed before classes, which have just begun, can resume. To read this story, visit The Associated Press website.We thank the Global News Gaps Project of the Google News
Meet the Filipino who invented toothbrushes that can grow into trees
From humble beginnings in Sultan Kudarat, Mark Gersava has become a global changemaker through his social enterprise Bambuhay. He introduced the reusable bamboo straw, sparking a movement against single‑use plastics. He also pioneered the world’s first plantable toothbrush, turning a daily necessity into a tool for reforestation.Beyond sustainable products, his vision extends to helping communitie
LIVE RECORDING: Cielo Magno on how our taxes were designed, where they go, and what we can do about it
We pay all sorts of taxes, and at the end of the day, we don't even feel them working for us. The data says it's not just our imagination. Our fiscal space is tight, collection is designed to favor a few, and they're allocated in a way that there's barely room to fund development. In the first live Speak Easy event, presented by Philstar Life and PumaPodcast, and hosted by The Opal Bar in Poblacio
Rotational brownouts, bill shock, and communities powered by renewable energy
Electricity fuels everyday life. And with extreme heat, Filipinos are relying on it more than ever.We unpack the twin burdens of rotational brownouts and “bill shock” that had households paying more for their consumption. We also examine the Energy Regulatory Commission’s temporary relief measures, petitions to remove mandatory charges, and the broader debate over renewable energy funding. Be
Filipinos are debating on who should get aid. Experts, government weigh in
In recent weeks, middle class Filipinos have been pitted against the poor. What began as an inquiry into a “lifeline rate” inclusion in electricity bills has evolved into a discussion on who deserves to receive aid, like the 4Ps. Is anyone really more deserving of getting ayuda? And why is the 4Ps much misunderstood? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Online smear campaigns against media aren’t new. Challenging it has never been more urgent
The ‘foreign agent’ label against journalists is an old playbook – especially in Asia. But in 2025, it found new reach, spreading across major social media platforms and going virtually unchallenged. In the final part of our series on media funding, foreign aid, and sustainability, independent journalist Nica Hanopol speaks with fellow reporters Azreen Madzlan from Malaysiakini, John Hurt All
What is community journalism and why should it matter to you?
Not all stories make it to the news. But when it comes to the marginalized, community journalists make it their job to ensure that they are represented by the media. We celebrate World Press Freedom Day this month, and in this episode, highlight the realities faced by community journalists: red-tagging, harassment, imprisonment, and even violence. Avon Ang of Altermidya talks to us about
More than money: What USAID's collapse cost the free press
For decades, the United States was the world’s largest funder of independent media through USAID, supporting investigative journalism, information integrity initiatives, journalist safety programs, and efforts to strengthen the market viability of media operations.Daniel Sabet, a visiting fellow at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, joins independent journalist Nica Hanopol to br
WHO says no sign of larger hantavirus outbreak; French patient critically ill
A French woman infected in the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is critically ill and being treated with an artificial lung. There are now 11 total reported cases, nine of which have been confirmed. The World Health Organization says, however, that confirmed and suspected cases have only been reported among the cruise ship’s passengers or crew.To read this story, visit The Associat
When cuteness is a threat: Squirrels in the city and monkeys in the wild
We sit down with wildlife biologist Jay Fidelino to discuss the surprising rise of squirrel sightings in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. While these animals may look cute and harmless, Fidelino explains that the Finlayson’s squirrel—an introduced species—is actually an invasive alien species with serious consequences for local biodiversity, agriculture, and even infrastructure.Fidelino highligh
Charging on: How independent media survives a funding freeze
When USAID pulled the plug on media funding overnight, independent newsrooms across Asia and the Pacific were left scrambling. In this episode, independent journalist Nica Hanopol speaks with Nini Cabaero, a media business advisor, who shares what the funding freeze actually felt like from the inside—and what independent newsrooms across Asia and the Pacific are doing to survive it.🎧 Listen on Spo
US-Israel war on Iran puts foreign workers in the Gulf at greater risk and raises the cost of going home
Tens of millions of foreign workers have helped build the Gulf Arab states’ modern, oil-fueled economies—with many not fully sharing in their prosperity. Now they face an even sharper dilemma: Keep working in the Middle East, where wages are far higher, hoping that a shaky ceasefire endures; or, return to already poor countries where prices have soared because of the conflict.To read this story, v
After two years of war, Palestinians vote in local elections in West Bank and part of Gaza
Palestinians voted on Saturday in the first elections held in part of Gaza in more than two decades, while tens of thousands of Palestinians cast ballots in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Though turnout was low, voters said they were driven to the polls amid a near-total absence of public services. To read this story, visit The Associated Press website.We thank the Global News Gaps Project o
Young girls keep getting pregnant. A bill, almost a decade stalled, seeks to address it
More girls aged ten to 14 became mothers in 2024, up by eight percent from 2023. 269 more girls were deprived of a childhood, says the Philippine Statistics Authority, raising the alarm once more on the issue of adolescent pregnancy, as well as questions. What is the government doing? And how can we curb the problem? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40 years on, Chernobyl’s radioactive landscape is a testament to nature’s resilience and survival spirit
On April 26, 1986, an explosion at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine sent radiation across Europe. It forced the evacuation of entire towns and displaced tens of thousands. It was the worst nuclear disaster in history.Four decades on, Chernobyl remains too dangerous for humans. But the wildlife has moved back in.To read this story, visit The Associated Press website.We thank the Global News Gaps
Iran built a vast camera network to control dissent. Israel turned it into a targeting tool
The role of Israel’s hijacking of Iran’s street cameras in the killing of the country’s supreme leader underscores how surveillance systems are increasingly being targeted by adversaries in wartime.Hundreds of millions of cameras have been installed above shops, in homes and on street corners across the world, many connected to the internet and poorly secured. Recent advances in AI have enabled mi
‘Ang lupa ay buhay’: What we celebrate when we celebrate People’s Cordillera Day
Now a celebration, People’s Cordillera Day was actually born out of resistance. Marking the 1980 killing of Igorot leader Macliing Dulag during the Marcos dictatorship, the annual commemoration traces its roots to the Cordillera peoples’ fight against the Chico Dam and other large-scale projects imposed on ancestral land. We speak with Joanna Cariño of the Cordillera People’s Alliance about how th
FB ad spends are surging two years before the 2028 elections. Da why? And da who? We discuss
Description:Harvard Nieman Fellow, veteran journalist, and AI expert Jaemark Tordecilla took a snapshot of recent spending on Facebook ads and found national politicians alongside obscure councilors, foreign names, casinos, and pages disguised as news. What does it tell us a year before the campaign period? And what does this investigative experiment teach us about other ways AI can be used to exa
Thought Bubbles : Intimidated by museums? What to know before you go
Let’s talk about spaces many of us find beautiful—and intimidating. What actually happens inside a museum? Who is it for? And how do women shape the way we experience history, art, and culture?We sat down with three women from the Ayala Museum: Monica Fernandez (Digital Experience), Clarissa “Clari” Borja (Tours and Education), and Tenten Miina (Curatorial). Together, they talk about museum anxiet
Basura patrollers unite! Snap a pic, shape Philippine plastics policy
The fight against plastic pollution is not just for scientists. It is a challenge that calls on every Filipino to take part.In this episode, we explore PlastiCount Pilipinas, a groundbreaking initiative by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, led by Dr. Deo Onda. The project aims to count and track plastic waste nationwide, providing the baseline data needed for science-base
Our Christian values and the war on drugs
A decade after the first tokhang-related killing, we examine how we practice the Christian values of justice, redemption, and forgiveness with the help of sociologist Jayeel Cornelio in this episode from 2023. 🎧 Listen on Spotify 🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
500 years of the Alay Lakad
Every Holy Week, Catholic devotees go on a five-hour pilgrimage to Antipolo. How did this tradition even begin? And what's changed since it started 500 years ago? We bring back an episode from 2021 to answer these questions.🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ano nga ba ang Pasyon?
It’s a tradition that’s deeply embedded in how we celebrate Holy Week. But what is the history behind it? Is it sanctioned by the Church? Is there an official melody? Historian Xiao Chua, who has been practicing the Pasyon since he was a young boy in Tarlac, answers these questions in an episode from 2020.🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform
Filipino consumers and the US-Israel war on Iran: ‘Ramdam ng bulsa natin ang giyera’
As the US-Israeli war on Iran escalates, its effects are felt far beyond the battlefield, hitting everyday expenses for Filipinos. Fuel prices are rising, and the cost of basic goods continues to climb in an import-dependent economy.We speak with Amihan Mabalay of SUKI Consumers Network about how ordinary consumers are navigating the crisis, the growing calls for government action, and why the wor
Thought Bubbles : Unspoken, untreated, and overdue: The female sexual health truths hidden for generations
We continue our Women's Month series on Thought Bubbles with a conversation a lot of us were told we shouldn't have. Two doctors sit down with us to discuss sexual and reproductive health, holding our hand in the way we wish our moms, our teachers, and even our OB-GYNs had. With Hara Clinic lead OB-GYN Dr. Elva Sarte-Uygongco and medical director Dr. Deano Reyes, we get into painful sex, peri
Thought Bubbles : She set the table, she wrote the songs: The Filipina turning heritage, food, and music into one unforgettable experience
Pat Villaceran is a macro economist, a CEO, a mentor to founders, a lyricist, and a single mom of three daughters. She is also the woman behind Hinabi Privé, a cultural experience that blends original music, storytelling, food, and cocktails into evenings that people don't stop talking about. In this Women's Month episode, Pat unpacks how a love for Filipino culture and a refusal to be boxed in be
‘Pinagdudugtong tayo ng dagat’: A scientist rallies Filipinos in defense of the West Philippine Sea
“West Philippine Sea, atin ’to!” But what exactly are we fighting for?Ten years after the Philippines’ landmark victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration over disputes in the South China Sea, tensions remain high. Yet the fight for the West Philippine Sea is not only about territory. It’s about food security, livelihoods, biodiversity, and the future of millions of Filipinos.We sit down with m
Nag-init at isinambit: Why the guys we cancel behave badly
Quezon City lawmaker Bong Suntay faces an ethics complaint for his remarks about his desire for a celebrity and his subsequent imaginings during the House Justice Committee’s hearings into the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte last week. Cancelled on social media and scolded by peers, he is not the first to be called out for his words and actions. We talk to an expert and
Quiccs Maiquez brings Pinoy identity to art toys collectors covet beyond Manila
Juanito “Quiccs” Maiquez is an internationally acclaimed toy designer, illustrator, and graffiti artist whose bold vision fuses street culture with the premium collector market.He made history at the Designer Toy Awards in New York with a rare three-peat win as Artist of the Year (2018–2020). Quiccs also became the first Filipino artist to sign a creator deal with Adidas, designing official produc
Thought Bubbles : ‘Heated Rivalry,’ BL, and the women and gay men who can't stop watching
Boys' Love—once a niche genre quietly circulating among manga fans—has exploded into a global phenomenon and “Heated Rivalry” sits at the epicenter. With its searing rivals-to-lovers arc, elite sports backdrop, and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes viewers lose sleep, it has pulled in two unlikely but passionate audiences: cisgender women and gay men.In this episode of Thought Bubbles, two
RECAST: Six years since we asked, 'Tao po! Kumusta ang tokhang?'
As the International Criminal Court determines whether it should put former President Rodrigo Duterte on trial for crimes against humanity, we look back on his war on drugs and how it drastically changed the lives of millions of Filipinos. Listen to this recast episode from 2020, part one of an audio documentary where we inquire into his bloody campaign to rid the streets of narcotics and criminal
Burnout and the Hero’s Journey: Rethinking success for overachievers
Burnout doesn’t always look like failure. Sometimes, it looks like doing everything “right” — and still feeling exhausted, lost, or behind.In this episode, former PumaPodcast producer Jyn Garcia revisits her own experience with early-career burnout through the lens of the Hero’s Journey, a storytelling framework popularized by Joseph Campbell. Drawing from her background in screenwriting and film
RECAST: On EDSA's 40th anniversary, listen to the sounds of revolution
What does toppling a dictatorship sound like? In this special episode from 2022, we bring you the first three parts of Radyo Malaya, a radio drama we produced for the Cultural Center of the Philippines using archival sound recordings from Radyo Veritas and the Philippine Information Agency. Listen to all ten parts on Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fact-checking won’t die: How Filipino fact-checkers are keeping the truth alive
After years of partnership with Meta, fact-checkers worldwide are facing an existential threat. Journalist Nica Hanopol speaks to Celine Samson from VERA Files, who takes us inside the day-to-day reality of fighting misinformation while platforms shift their priorities and funding disappears. Samson unpacks why this moment is a turning point for Philippine audiences and how fact-checkers are remai
Thought Bubbles : Chinese New Year 2026: Why some Feng Shui advice doesn’t work
Every Chinese New Year, feng shui advice floods our feeds—lucky colors, money corners, quick rearrangements meant to “reset” the year ahead. But what happens when those changes don’t seem to do anything?In this episode of Thought Bubbles on Teka Teka, we sit down with Pauline Rana to unpack the gap between mainstream feng shui tips and the more personalized framework behind classical feng shui.Ins
Bakit hindi ka crush ng crush mo? Economists weigh in
Malamig ba ang Valentine's Day mo? Seen-zoned lang ni crush? Baka naman ipinagkatiwala mo na lang ang love life mo sa dating apps? In this 2020 episode from the Usapang Econ Podcast, experts JC Punongbayan and Jeff Arapoc discuss the economics behind love and attraction. Check out the podcast on Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thought Bubbles : ‘Not in this economy’: How Gen Z is navigating work and stability in the Philippines
“Not in this economy” has become shorthand for how many young Filipinos are navigating adulthood today.In 2026, the Philippine economy continues to grow — but not evenly, and not in ways that always translate into financial security for those just starting out. While official indicators point to stability, Gen Z faces persistent challenges around underemployment, wage stagnation, and delayed miles
Xiao Chua at Maki+Fiesta: History, disinformation, and public memory
How do we defend history in an age of speed, noise, and disinformation?In this live conversation from Maki+Fiesta 2.0, historian, educator and author Professor Xiao Chua joins Lyn Olavario and Hannah Tasarra for a candid conversation on public history, technology, and why truth matters—especially for younger audiences.Recorded in the middle of the festival, the discussion touches on creative platf
Thought Bubbles : In the stands for Alex Eala: Filipino fans and tennis culture up close
What does it really feel like to watch Alex Eala play live — not on a screen, but from the stands?In this episode, we are joined by journalist and writer Carla Lim Teng-Westergaard to talk about the experience of attending professional tennis matches as a Filipino fan: navigating silence and applause, reading the crowd, and learning how tennis culture works in real time.Drawing from firsthand expe
Thought Bubbles : Alex Eala, tennis etiquette, and the learning curve for new Filipino fans
Alex Eala has put Philippine tennis in the spotlight — and with it comes excitement, new fans, and a learning curve.Tennis in the Philippines is having a moment, and as new audiences fill the stands and global attention turns toward the country, this episode unpacks the growing pains of a sport entering the mainstream.What does it mean to support an athlete well? How do we balance passion with spo
Maki+Fiesta 2.0: Arthur Tselishchev on Ukraine and the power of art
At Maki+Fiesta 2.0, artist Arthur Tselishchev sits down with Hannah Tasarra for a live conversation on art, memory, and responsibility in times of war. A Ukrainian artist who has made the Philippines his home, Arthur reflects on creating work amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now more than three years since the full‑scale invasion began in February 2022—using painting not as spectacle, but as
What it takes to bring justice for animals: Why convictions are rare
Trigger warning: This episode discusses animal cruelty, including instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Some content may be distressing for listeners.Following the recent conviction of a mall security guard for killing a puppy, conversations around animal cruelty and accountability have resurfaced. While public outrage is often swift, justice is not.In this rerun of Teka Teka, PAWS chief
Philippine coffee explained: Farmers, flavors, and the future of every cup
Coffee is part of everyday life in the Philippines—but behind every cup is a long history shaped by trade, agriculture, labor, and culture. In this episode, we revisit a conversation from WhatsAP? Araling Panlipunan Rebooted, exploring how coffee arrived in the Philippines, why the country sits in the global coffee “bean belt,” and what makes Philippine coffee unique.From Batangas’ rise as a coffe
Who pays, who benefits? How Filipinos should think about the national budget
As Filipinos grow more vigilant about how government money is spent, questions around the national budget go beyond big numbers and official promises. More people are asking harder, more personal questions: sino ang magbabayad, sino ang makikinabang, at para kanino ba talaga ang mga programang ito?In this episode rerun, Roby Alampay talks with economist Cielo Magno about how ordinary citizens can
UP Tugma at Maki+Fiesta 2.0 : Carrying Tradition Through Sound
UP Tugma brings Philippine music to life. In this live episode from Maki+Fiesta 2.0, the student musicians from the UP College of Music take us behind the rhythms, stories, and traditions they perform—showing how music can carry culture, connect communities, and spark collaboration.Join us for a lively, short conversation recorded in the heart of the festival, and discover how tradition meets crea
Skincare routine myths and facts: What dermatologists want you to know
The start of a new year often comes with plans to improve daily habits, including skincare. But with countless products, routines, and online advice competing for attention, building a skincare routine can quickly become confusing and expensive.In this rerun of a Project Vanity episode, we revisit a timely conversation on skincare habits, evidence-based advice, and the importance of professional g
Japan’s Immigration Paradox: Needing Foreign Workers Amid Rising Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
Japan is facing a growing contradiction. As the country grapples with an aging population and severe labor shortages, it is planning to admit up to 820,000 foreign workers under its Specified Skilled Worker program by the end of the decade. Yet at the same time, anti-immigrant sentiment has been gaining ground in Japanese politics. In this episode of Teka Teka, Prof. Gracia Liu-Farrer,
Eating healthier in 2026: Understanding food labels and nutrition claims
As we enter 2026, many Filipinos are setting resolutions to eat healthier and become more mindful of nutrition. But how easy is it really to make informed food choices, especially when grocery shelves are filled with products claiming to be “healthy”?In this rerun episode of Teka Teka, we revisit a conversation on food labels, nutrition claims, and why what we eat matters for public health. Health
New Year reflections: What Sisyphus and Miyazaki teach us about everyday life
The New Year often promises fresh starts, but real life rarely resets overnight. In this episode, we revisit a meditation on finding meaning in repetition, quiet progress, and the everyday effort we carry into each year.Drawing from the story of Sisyphus and the gentle wisdom found in Hayao Miyazaki’s films, Jyn Garcia explores how hope, clarity, and purpose can emerge even when life feels non-lin
Rediscovering Rizal’s Manila: Inside the Panciteria from El Filibusterismo
On Rizal Day, we revisit one of Manila’s most overlooked heritage sites: the Pansiteria Macanista de Buen Gusto, a real Binondo restaurant that José Rizal named in El Filibusterismo.The structure—one of the last surviving 19th-century buildings of its kind—offers a rare glimpse into the Manila Rizal once walked. Though time has nearly claimed it, the pansiteria remains a powerful reminder of the e
Thought Bubbles: DJ Cupcakes, Mathilda Airlines, and Lolit Lachica on influence, creative content, and truth-telling
Recorded live at MAKI+Fiesta 2.0, this episode of Thought Bubbles brings together content creators DJ Cupcakes and Mathilda Airlines, alongside journalist and producer Lolit Lachica, for a grounded conversation on influence, creative content, and truth-telling in today’s media landscape.From remixing viral rants into music, to using movement and humor as entry points for political and social issue
From Villancicos to Jose Mari Chan: How Filipino Christmas music evolved
Every year, the Filipino Christmas season unofficially begins the moment Jose Mari Chan’s voice returns to malls, radios, and memes. But the history of our holiday soundtrack goes much deeper than Christmas in Our Hearts.In this episode rerun, we trace the evolution of Filipino Christmas music—from the Spanish-era villancicos, to classic OPM hits like Ang Pasko ay Sumapit and Himig ng Pasko, all t
Papemelroti: How a family store became a Filipino Christmas gift staple
Every Christmas, Filipinos turn to Papemelroti for simple, meaningful, and affordable gifts—from wooden signs and journals to handcrafted décor and inspirational keepsakes. But before it became a go-to shop for holiday gift-giving, it began as a small family-run store under an apartment in Quezon City—built by Benny and Socorro Alejandro, and later powered by their creatively raised children.In th
Why losing fact-checkers online puts Filipinos at risk
Meta's decision to end its third-party fact-checking program threatens to reshape the Philippine information landscape—and not for the better. In this episode, journalist Nica Hanopol sits down with disinformation researcher and political communications professor JM Lanuza to unpack what this means for Filipino audiences who already navigate a sea of misinformation online.With 34% of Filipinos con
Christmas 2025: Making the most of Your 13th month pay and bonus
It’s Christmas 2025, and the season of shopping, gift-giving, and holiday travel is in full swing. But with high prices and rising expenses, many Filipinos are asking the same question: How do I make the most of my 13th month pay and Christmas bonus this year?In this special holiday rerun, we revisit a listener favorite on smart spending and financial planning. Learn practical tips on budgeting, p
Vasectomy in PH: From Drew Arellano to Brix Tino, more Filipino men are taking part in family planning
Vasectomy is still uncommon in the Philippines, but that may be starting to change.Recently, writer Brix Tino won First Prize for Sanaysay at the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for his essay “Ari,” where he shares why he chose to get a vasectomy at just 22 years old. And earlier this year, TV host Drew Arellano was praised by the Commission on Population and Development for undergoing a vasectomy,
Learning Tagalog in New York: Fil-Ams reconnect with their roots in Little Manila
What does learning Tagalog mean to second- and third-generation Filipino Americans? PumaPodcast reporter Maria Reyes joins New York University students on an immersion trip to Little Manila, Queens, where they practice the language with shop owners and reconnect with their heritage. Their stories reveal how language loss, shame, and identity shape the Fil-Am experience and why learning Tagalog can
Three years later, the DTI still says ₱500 is enough for Noche Buena
It’s 2025, and the DTI is once again insisting that a ₱500 Noche Buena is possible—sparking déjà vu from the same debate three years ago. So we’re bringing back that earlier episode to revisit the original uproar and explore what the ₱500 Noche Buena tells us about affordability, holiday spending, and the cost of living in the Philippines.This episode rerun was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engin
National Book Week: Why the Philippines has a reading crisis
Why do so many Filipino children struggle to read and what does that say about the state of education and literacy in the Philippines today?In this National Book Week episode, we revisit our conversation with Gillian Reyes of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to unpack the country’s growing reading crisis. From lack of access and rising book costs to home environments and reading culture,
How the US–China rivalry is playing out in Philippine social media
The Philippines has become one of the most active frontlines in the growing US–China information war, where digital influence operations, propaganda campaigns, and soft power tactics are shaping public opinion, politics, and national security.In this episode, we speak with Reuters correspondents Poppy McPherson and Karen Lema about their investigation into a Chinese-backed disinformation network o
Maguindanao Massacre: How one woman’s courage helped convict the Ampatuans
Sixteen years after the Maguindanao Massacre, one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in history, Teka Teka revisits one of the most haunting stories from Super Evil: A Beautiful Place to Die Season 2.This special feature brings back “The Cellphone,” the powerful minisode about Atty. Cynthia Oquendo-Ayon, one of the 58 victims murdered on November 23, 2009. Amid the terror on a remote hill in
Military historian Jose Custodio on pro-China propaganda, pro-Duterte influence networks, and the 2028 elections
Regine Cabato sits down with military historian Jose Custodio to unpack the rise of pro-China propaganda on Filipino social media and how these narratives intersect with the politics of the Marcos administration and the Duterte camp.Custodio explains where fearmongering about military coups comes from, why influencers echo Beijing’s lines on the West Philippine Sea, and how disinformation networks
Remembering Juan Ponce Enrile (1924–2025) | 100 Years of JPE and the Philippines (Part 1)
Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the most powerful, influential, and controversial figures in modern Philippine history, has died at 101.In this rerun of our special series on JPE, we look back on the extraordinary life of a man whose story spanned dictatorship, revolution, and democracy — and who served across administrations from Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to Benigno Aquino III.This first episode traces Enri
Remembering Juan Ponce Enrile (1924–2025) | 100 Years of JPE and the Philippines (Part 2)
With the passing of Juan Ponce Enrile at 101, we revisit the story of a man whose influence shaped—and survived—every major turn in modern Philippine politics.In this rerun of the second and final part of our special series on JPE, we trace how he moved from the center of power under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to the front lines of the 1986 People Power Revolution, and how he remained a force in governm
From stigma to hope: The role of media in mental health conversations
How does the media shape the way we think and talk about mental health? Hannah Tasarra sits down with Roy Dahildahil and Richardson Mojica of MentalHealthPH to talk about how news outlets, social media, and content creators can help change the narrative around mental health and suicide in the Philippines.They discuss what responsible reporting looks like, why certain words matter, and how empathy
Thought Bubbles : Roll the dice - Why Filipino adults are falling in love again with tabletop games
In an age of screens and solitude, Filipino adults are rediscovering the joy of gathering around a table: to play, tell stories, and roll some dice. In this episode of Thought Bubbles, we talk to gamer and storyteller Lanz Frago about the growing tabletop games community in the Philippines, why it’s not just for kids (or nerds), and how these games are building friendships, creativity, and even co
The hidden curriculum: Why students with ADHD struggle in traditional classrooms
Teacher Grace Osio, Board Member of World Vision Philippines and a longtime advocate for inclusive education, joins host Hannah Tasarra to unpack what ADHD really is — a condition of regulation, attention, and processing, not misbehavior. Together, they discuss how hyperactivity and inattention can be misunderstood, how classroom structures can unintentionally exclude, and why changing mindsets am
Cristina Chi on fake news, foreign influence, and the Mindanao secession narrative
PhilStar.com reporter Cristina Chi joins Regine Cabato to unpack how foreign disinformation networks are exploiting real frustrations in the Philippines—turning them into viral calls for Mindanao secession and anti-Marcos narratives.Cristina reveals how Chinese-aligned social media accounts and bot networks helped spread false claims about Mindanao independence, and even tried to redirect blame to
What happens when fact-checkers disappear from the internet?
Meta scrapped its third-party fact-checking program. Google quietly removed its fact-checking features. What does this mean for misinformation, disinformation, and online safety?In this episode, journalist Nica Rhiana Hanopol speaks with Clara Jiménez Cruz, chair of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network and co-founder of Spain's Maldita.es, about the seismic changes happening in the fact-ch
Why we treasure art: Filipino artists, AI, and the future of collecting
The jewelry heist at the Louvre shows that some people will risk everything for things that sparkle and inspire awe with their beauty. In this re-run of a Thought Bubbles episode from March 2025, Bubbles Magpayo sits down with art collector and gallery owner Atty. Joseph “JT” Gonzales to explore where Filipino art is headed. They talk about Gen Z collectors, affordable art, AI vs traditional art,
Visible on the streets, invisible in the system: Bahay Tuluyan on the Philippines’ street children
TThousands of children in the Philippines live where everyone can see them — on sidewalks, under bridges, in jeepney terminals — yet the system barely knows they exist.In this episode, Bahay Tuluyan, a child-rights organization that has worked with street-involved children for nearly four decades, talks about what it really means to be visible but invisible: documented nowhere, excluded from schoo
The human cost of disinformation: How fake news turns victims into peddlers
When fact-checkers dug into fake news flooding YouTube and TikTok, they found something deeper — ordinary Filipinos caught in a web of lies. In this episode, Regine Cabato speaks with Nikko Balbedina of PressONE.ph about the rise of “news cycle disinformation”—and how it turns victims into unwitting spreaders of falsehoods.Listen as they unpack how profit, algorithms, and emotion shape the informa
Apolinario Mabini’s La Revolucion Filipina: Lessons from the Brains of the Revolution
Who was Apolinario Mabini, really? Known as “The Sublime Paralytic” and “Brains of the Philippine Revolution” (Utak ng Himagsikan), Mabini shaped the course of the revolution through his sharp intellect, even as he lost the use of his legs to polio.In this episode, we revisit Mabini’s legacy through his posthumous work, La Revolucion Filipina. What did Mabini really think of the revolution, Emilio
Global game, Pinoy heart: Rafe Bartholomew on Philippine basketball culture
Nearly twenty years after he first got acquainted with Philippine basketball, American writer and Pacific Rims author Rafe Bartholomew returns to reflect on how the game—and the culture around it—has evolved. In this episode of Teka Teka hosted by Jaemark Tordecilla, Rafe talks about the Ateneo–La Salle rivalry that first drew him into the country’s hoops scene, the debate over foreign student-ath
Mental health care in the Philippines: Stigma, language barriers, and telepsychiatry
Why do Filipinos still hesitate to seek help for mental health?Psychiatrist Dr. Nueva Joy Perucho talks to Hannah Grace about the realities of mental health care in the Philippines — the stigma, the silence, and the hope. From the rise of telepsychiatry to the importance of speaking in your mother tongue, this episode explores how compassion, culture, and connection can make healing possible.If yo
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