Teka Teka

What do we know about the food we consume, and the people who produce them? A social enterprise called Sierreza is helping spotlight the struggle of farmers and the difficult process of getting vegetables, fruits, and grains to our plates. Founder Cherrys Abrigo shares her experience in helping the farmers stand on their own two feet and passing on what she learned to young entrepreneurs. This epi...

A network of TikTok fan accounts worked to recast suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo as an attractive, empathetic, misunderstood, and progressive public servant, just as she was being investigated for serious crimes. Journalist Nica Hanopol of VERA Files explains how this subtle influence operation unfolded and why it may be a sign of things to come. This episode was produced by Bella Perez-Rubio an...

This Independence Day, we turn to an episode of What’s AP? Araling Panlipunan Rebooted to unpack the complicated, often overlooked history of the holiday—from Aguinaldo’s 1898 declaration to July 4, 1946, and finally, to why we now celebrate June 12. Hosts Ceej Tantengco-Malolos and Sab Schnabel dive into the myths, milestones, and mixed messages behind our national holiday. Was Philippine indepen...

In this episode of Thought Bubbles, we dive deep into the vibrant and evolving world of drag culture in the Philippines. With special guest Jon Galvez—a drag enthusiast, filmmaker, and director of ‘Lip Sync Assassin’—we explore how drag has grown from comedy bars and barangay pageants into a powerful platform for Filipino queer storytelling, political expression, and mainstream entertainment. From...

In this episode rerun, we dive deep into the reality of the Philippines' informal economy. This vast workforce faces significant pre-existing vulnerabilities, including long hours, physical strain, and even abuse. For a country as disaster-prone as the Philippines, climate change layers on more existential threats, exposing informal workers to heightened risks from floods, heatwaves, disease outbr...

As HIV cases rise sharply in the Philippines, we revisit how former Health Secretary Juan Flavier fought stigma and pushed for prevention at a time when few dared.  This episode originally ran in June 2024 and was written by Tatiana Maligro, produced by Jil Caro, engineered by Pidoy Blanco, and edited by Carl Javier.  This version was put together by Bella Perez-Rubio, Jyn Garcia, and An...

In this episode, journalist Regine Cabato sits down with cultural critic and VERA Files contributor Katrina Stuart Santiago to unpack the Duterte dynasty's growing influence on TikTok. They dive deep into how disinformation, political propaganda, and entertainment tactics are shaping public perception ahead of the 2028 Philippine elections. Tune in as we explore: ·         The...

The Philippine claim on Sabah isn’t just history. It fuels a dispute that impacts our ties with Malaysia, Filipino migrants, and maritime boundaries. This episode was written and produced by Bella Perez-Rubio and engineered by Anthony Tobias/Jyn Garcia. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large. Listen to our episodes on: Spotify , Apple Podcasts , YouTube , or wherever you get your podcasts. For...

The 2025 midterm elections redrew political battle lines between the Marcos and Duterte camps. In this episode of Teka Teka, political science professors Dr. Julio Teehankee and Dr. Jean Encinas-Franco, political strategist Alan German, and PumaPodcast CEO Roby Alampay unpack how the results will determine Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming impeachment trial, the presidential race in 2028, and...

In this episode, Jaemark Tordecilla explores the surprising visibility—and invisibility—of the Filipino community in Spain’s capital. From Jollibee near Puerta del Sol to José Rizal’s old haunts, discover how Filipino culture, history, and even controversy live on in modern-day Madrid. Plus, hear about the curious case of a popular Spanish biscuit named "Filipinos," and what it reveals about colon...

In this episode of Teka Teka, we explore the real impact of Millennials and Gen Z—who now make up over 60% of the voting population—on the 2025 midterm elections. Political experts, campaign strategists, and youth organizers unpack the growing political power of young voters, their grassroots involvement, and why the so-called "youth vote" remains complex and misunderstood. Featuring insights from...

Palawan’s provincial government just passed a landmark 50-year moratorium on endorsing new mining projects. In this episode, environmental lawyer Grizelda Mayo Anda shares how decades of activism, legal advocacy, and grassroots organizing led to this rare environmental win. She also explains what the ordinance covers and what’s still at stake. This episode was produced by Bella Perez-Rubio and eng...

Trigger warning: This episode discusses euthanasia that may cause distress to some listeners. Please tune in with caution. Cartoons and films portray squirrels as cute, furry, and playful creatures. In real life, certain species of squirrels are serious threats to the country’s biodiversity.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been trying to fight the unregulated p...

This Road Safety Month, Teka Teka highlights the critical issue of road safety. Join Jacque Manabat, a journalist and road crash survivor now advocating for safer roads, as she shares her personal experience. Recent data from the 2025 Philippine Road Safety Summit reveals a concerning 25.6% annual increase in road crashes. 72% of those affected are males, with a significant number of injuries invo...

With most ballots already counted, we break down the surprising projected wins of opposition candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, the continued dominance but perhaps worsening reputation of political dynasties, the rejection of celebrity candidates, and more in this conversation about the 2025 elections with Michael Yusingco, a Senior Research Fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center.  ...

A new survey reveals that many Filipinos see authoritarian leaders like Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as beneficial for democracy. Why? In this episode of Teka Teka, we dive into surprising public opinion data ahead of the 2025 midterms, with insights from Ateneo School of Government Dean Randy Tuaño and De La Salle University Professor Julio Teehankee. This episode was produced by Bell...

In this episode, Roby Alampay talks to Beth Pangan of Microsoft Philippines and Emmy Bailon of De La Salle Zobel’s Spark Ed Center about the rapidly evolving role of AI in education. They discuss how AI is being used by teachers and students, the initial anxieties and excitement surrounding its adoption, the crucial need for guardrails and ethical guidelines, and the challenges of implementing AI...

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...