Teka Teka

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...

What if the system designed to support our most vulnerable is being exploited? Who truly pays the price? In this episode, we explore the complexities of Republic Act No. 10754, which mandates a 20% discount and VAT exemption for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Journalist Justine Dizon shares his firsthand experience of defending his right to these benefits, while tax expert Mon Abrea unpacks the...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you need support, resources and helplines are listed below. For years, violence against women has persisted in various forms: physical, sexual, psychological, and economic. Despite existing laws, many survivors struggle to seek justice. Recent high-profile cases, such as those of socialite Te...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence, extrajudicial killings, and detailed accounts of brutality that may be distressing to some listeners. Acting on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, Philippine authorities swiftly arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte on the morning of March 11, 2025. It was a long-awaited answer to calls for drug war accountabili...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence, extrajudicial killings, and detailed accounts of brutality that may be distressing to some listeners. The Making of Edgar Matobato is an investigative piece by award-winning journalist Sheila Coronel, published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on January 17, 2025. This gripping article uncovers the story of...

Nearly nine years after the Philippines' legal victory over China in the West Philippine Sea, tensions remain high. Chinese ships are shadowing our coast guard, lasers are targeting our aircraft, and Filipino fishermen face constant harassment. But this time, the Philippines isn't just protesting—it's bringing in reinforcements. Enter the Typhon missile system, a powerful U.S. weapon that has Chin...

Summer is around the corner and class cancellations due to the extreme heat have begun. In this episode, we run back Bella Perez-Rubio's report from last year's heat wave to refresh our minds on the rising concern of dangerously high heat index levels in the Philippines, a pressing issue due to the increasing intensity of climate change. We discuss the differences between heat index and temperatur...

From Juan Luna to AI-generated masterpieces—where is Filipino art headed in 2025? In this episode of Thought Bubbles, we sit down with Joseph "JT" Gonzales, owner of gallery.sort, to talk about the shifting trends in Philippine art, how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are engaging with the scene, and whether AI art is a threat or an opportunity for artists today. Are young Filipinos investing in art? How are...

Canada is cutting back on its immigration quotas. What does this mean for Filipinos who hope to move to the country, just like Kathryn Bernado’s Joy and Alden Richards’  Ethan in Hello, Love, Again? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.