Teka Teka

Trigger warning: This episode discusses animal discrimination, euthanasia, abuse, and neglect that may cause distress to some listeners. Please tune in with caution. The Philippines has one of the highest pet ownership rates in Southeast Asia—but it also faces a growing crisis: millions of stray dogs, overcrowded shelters, and weak breeding regulations. In this episode, we explore the urgent need...

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, meet the inspiring Filipino moms who are thriving in the digital workspace. In this episode, Jacque Manabat sits down with Maria Korina “Mommy MK” Bertulfo, founder of the Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms) community. Discover how this support network empowers thousands of women to transition from traditional jobs to successful freelance careers while managing the joys...

How is AI changing the way Filipinos work? In this episode of Teka Teka, we dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, productivity, and careers in the Philippines. Roby Alampay sits down with Peter Maquera, CEO of Microsoft Philippines, and Jojo Gendrano, COO of Kayana Solutions, to talk about what AI means for companies today—from saving hours on tasks to transforming entire wo...

The two highest posts in the Philippine government are held by dynasties. But the Marcoses and Dutertes are only two of the dozens of families who loom so large in Philippine politics that analysts have taken to calling their dynasties not just fat, but obese. We speak to Kevin Pilapil of FYT, a community-oriented media outlet that has been tracking these families ahead of the 2025 elections. This...

SB19 will be the first Filipino group to hold a two-night concert at the Philippine Arena, the largest indoor arena in the world, when they kick off their Simula at Wakas world tour on May 31. The P-pop kings have built a strong fan base called A’TIN, which is composed not just of Filipinos but also of their growing international fans from Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, the United States, and more coun...

In this episode produced by Jacque Manabat, we delve into the impact of Pope Francis's passing on the Filipino migrant community in Rome, a community that felt a particularly deep connection with him. We're joined by Egay Bonzon, a respected leader within that community, to explore this shared grief and the powerful legacy the Pope leaves behind. Egay, along with many other Filipinos, reflects on...

AI isn't just for techies—it’s already part of your day. In this episode of Teka Teka, Roby Alampay chats with Josh Aquino of Microsoft Philippines and content creators Alvin Santos (@pepe_word_smith) and Trixie Esguerra (@thatgirltrixie) about how AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are shaping our everyday routines. From planning presentations and checking grammar to bedtime storytelling...

In this special episode of Teka Teka, guest host Regine Cabato speaks with Jesuit priest, poet, and anthropologist Fr. Albert “Paring Bert” Alejo as he reflects on the passing of Pope Francis. From the Pope’s historic 2015 visit to the Philippines to his quiet yet progressive reforms, Paring Bert shares insights on how Pope Francis shaped global and Filipino conscience through compassion, politica...

This World Book Day, we dive into the Philippines’ growing literacy crisis. According to recent studies, over 90% of Filipino children struggle with basic reading skills. We speak with Gillian Reyes, a registered librarian and project development officer at the National Book Development Board (NBDB), about the state of reading in the country and the efforts to promote a culture of reading at home,...

Despite campaign spending limits, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism found that candidates aired over P10 billion worth of  TV and radio ads before the official campaign period for the 2025 midterms even began. In this episode, we break down who had the most ads—and the loophole shielding them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When COVID-19 hit Italy in early 2020, many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) found themselves locked down, isolated, and afraid. With limited movement, lost jobs, and growing distance from their families back home, a small group decided to gather online for something simple: daily prayer. What began as a morning rosary on Google Meet quietly grew into a full community, one that offered spiritual s...

With former President Duterte’s trial at the International Criminal Court looming, a lawyer assisting the court explains how explosive testimony from House drug war hearings could strengthen the case against him. A veteran journalist also breaks down revelations from a former top drug war enforcer who called the PNP the “biggest crime group in the country.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

This Holy Week, embark on an unconventional pilgrimage to the Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Site in Tacloban City, a former Marcos family rest house that bizarrely doubles as a church. Explore the opulent interiors filled with seized "loot" and propaganda, offering a deeply strange tour of both the property and Philippine history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent surveys reveal the complex and seemingly paradoxical views of Filipinos on political dynasties and their dominance. Ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, we delve into public opinion, exploring why many Filipinos accept dynastic rule despite acknowledging potential corruption, with WR Numero Research President and political analyst Cleve Arguelles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

A South Korean political reporter, Jikyung Kim, takes us inside the dramatic events of President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024 and the swift resistance that led to his impeachment. Learn about the public outcry, political turmoil, and the state of democracy in South Korea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Bongbong Marcos has approved the move to revert the school calendar of high schools and elementary schools back to the old June to March calendar. Colleges and universities, however, still remain in the August to May academic year – which was made to align with international universities and in light of ASEAN Integration in 2015. But with climate change and extreme heat waves during the...

Filipina author Clarissa Militante shares how her experiences and political beliefs shape her fiction. Best known for her novel ‘Different Countries,’ Militante reflects on her journey as a writer, how storytelling captures the Filipino experience, and why writing begins with craft—not just message. She also offers advice for aspiring writers and names the authors who have inspired her. A thoughtf...

A survey released last year found that most Filipinos want their country to stay “neutral” on Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza. But what does neutrality mean – and who does it benefit really? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses animal cruelty, including instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Some content may be distressing for listeners. Why do so few animal cruelty cases in the Philippines make it to court? Out of 673 incidents reported to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society in 2024, only 8 led to legal action. In this episode, PAWS chief attorney Anna Cabrera joins Teka...

Women and LGBT+ artists in the Philippines’ indie music scene are carving out spaces where they can thrive on their own terms. In this episode, we talk to Kim Bernardino, vocalist of Cheekythings and co-manager of Sining Shelter, about her journey in indie music, the challenges of being a woman in the industry, and the safe spaces that uplift marginalized artists.  Hosted on Acast. See acast....

How is the Philippine national budget being spent? Veteran journalist and technologist Jaemark Tordecilla talks to Roby Alampay to introduce Budget Bot, an AI-powered tool that makes budget data accessible to everyone. In this episode, we explore how AI can uncover spending patterns, outliers, and potential red flags—just in time for the elections. Find out how you can use Budget Bot to track publ...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the voice-acting industry, from automated narration to synthetic voices in ads, films, and apps. While many fear AI could replace human voice actors, others see it as an opportunity. In this episode, we speak with Pocholo de Leon Gonzales, the "VoiceMaster of the Philippines," who has embraced AI throughout his three-decade-long career. We talk about th...

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by the International Criminal Court  for crimes against humanity over his deadly drug war. What happens now? In this episode, we break down the ICC case against Duterte, what the charges mean, and what the coming trial could look like — from possible jail time to international legal and political consequences. Hosted on Acast. See...

The once booming Philippine population isn't growing as quickly as it used to . Are we bound to follow countries like Japan and South Korea into a demographic crisis? In this episode, we break down what this means for our economy, workforce, and future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the catchy, powerful, and sometimes controversial world of election campaign jingles. In this episode, we speak to music arranger and producer Nicholas Lazaro, who delves into the creative process behind crafting these tunes, the ethical dilemmas of working with political candidates, and the growing role of AI in music production. He also explores how jingles influence voters—especially t...