The Howie Severino Podcast

August 9 is National Book Lovers Day. For acclaimed UK-based Filipina author Candy Gourlay, reading her first book was a magical experience. In a conversation recorded in June 2023, Gourlay says this experience inspired her to write books for children. Her most popular books are about kids who grew up in the Philippines. Catch the full episode here ( Date recorded: June 21, 2023): https://open.spo...

As millions of Mega Manila residents recover from the worst flooding in over a decade, we revisit a conversation from 2023 with disaster scientist Mahar Lagmay. He cites the Quezon City drainage master plan as a long-term solution that other urban areas can emulate. Listen to the full episode here (Date recorded: May 31, 2023)  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJmomP7JtP0ZtP8bsZiqo?si=f12976...

Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, explains how her sport is as much mental as it is physical. FULL EPISODE (Published: August 5, 2023) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Axh74ghWvW38Q5DSZO5M6?si=ialfNJFmT9a_jnHVM-FxeQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born and raised in the US, Bryan explains why he became a Filipino citizen. A Philippine resident for 17 years, he has started multiple ventures with bamboo being a main component, including the popular bambike tours of Intramuros. He tells Howie Severino about the impact of restricting car use in Intramuros in favor of pedestrians and bikers, and why bamboo can help save the planet. Speaking from...

The Filipino-American Bryan Benitez McClelland came to the Philippines after college thinking he would stay for six months. 17 years later, he’s settled in the country running bicycle tours, advocating bamboo and trying to protect Batangas’s coastal environment. He’s even become a Filipino citizen who votes in every election. He tells Howie Severino what made him stay and how his bamboo bike compa...

Joanna Sustento Bacsa lost five members of her family due to super typhoon Yolanda. She’s now at the forefront of fighting for climate justice. Catch the full episode here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZnFd0CeBFtPAaodYLSkvw?si=IWZKfJlhTReWPPFbsb2OgQ&nd=1&dlsi=8b750ac33f8e4d43 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surprisingly, the pandemic did not worsen student performance, according to data cited by Dr. Karol Mark Yee, executive director of the Education Commission II, a government body that recommends legislation. “But we’re still at the bottom” among many countries, Yee is quick to add. After years of research on learning poverty, Yee says the government’s priorities should be nutrition and education i...

At the height of typhoon season, we revisit advice from Dr. Mahar Lagmay of the UP Resilience Institute, who explains how ordinary people can help build stronger defenses against disasters. Catch the full episode here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJmomP7JtP0ZtP8bsZiqo?si=GzXO6kUpTQC_WJ3iKkl-6A&nd=1&dlsi=b8b241cc71154e47 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

In the wake of an unruly Wattah-Wattah Festival in San Juan City, its mayor Francis Zamora vows changes for better crowd control, including limiting the annual basaan to an area around City Hall and improved law enforcement.  The 6’5” former La Salle player also talks about the surprising transfer of Ateneo star Mason Amos to his alma mater. Producer: Ivy Andrada-Bautista Researcher: Jenica V...

“Kumain ng kalabasa pampalinaw ng mata.” Squash or kalabasa is a popular vegetable. Chef JR Royol shares the fun and value of eating squash blossoms or bulaklak ng kalabasa. He also talks about the fascinating sex life, or way of reproducing, of this hardy plant. Catch the full episode here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/5i9JGl5yhEZ4KkQpyy9TTV?si=_FLdhLR-Qz-wJowQyFgBKw&nd=1&dlsi=d...

Social entrepreneur Mark Gersava became a TOYM awardee on the strength of his out-of-the-box ideas, including bamboo straws and toothbrushes. A vocal advocate of bamboo, he credits eating bamboo shoots as a child with developing his brain and enabling him to rise from poverty. Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio Editor: Jayr Magtoto Links: https://bambuhay.ph/ https://www.face...

In the boonies of Sultan Kudarat province in Mindanao, where conflict would force his community to evacuate, Mark Gersava found a way to finish college. He eventually ended up in an office in Makati where he is thriving as a “social entrepreneur.” He explains to Howie Severino how an innovative, conscience-driven businessman can compete against hard-core capitalists. His main product? Plantable ba...

It was the rare victory of a small nation over a major power. Using legal and historical arguments, the Philippines convinced an international tribunal that Chinese claims in the West Philippine Sea were unlawful. In time for the 8th anniversary of the historic ruling, we revisit journalist and author Marites Vitug’s take on the epic David-and-Goliath face-off. Catch the full episode here:  https:...

Darrell Blatchley is a Bisaya-speaking American missionary’s son with an unusual passion: he collects the bones of animals that humans have killed through pollution and displays them for education. The founder of the D’Bone Collector’s Museum in Davao, Blatchley talks to Howie about bearing the stench of dead animals, cleaning the bones of whales and crocodiles, and how our plastic waste is causin...

“Objects are beautiful. Objects are worth obsessing about.”It was a shock to the arts community when theater luminary Floy Quintos passed away last April 27, 2024. He was less well known for his expertise on pre-colonial art. He spent part of his conversation with Howie Severino talking about his extensive collection of rice gods called bulol and traditional Philippine fabrics. Catch the full epis...

As we celebrate "Pride Month" this June, the national convenor of Pantay, a youth-led gender equality advocacy group and Pride Ph, Vince Liban, talks to Howie Severino about the state of LGBT rights in the Philippines. He explains why, in a society with wide acceptance of LGBTs, the SOGIE equality bill has languished in Congress for 24 years. The recent pronouncement of Pope Francis that...

The national convenor of Pantay, a youth-led gender equality advocacy group and Pride PH, Vince Liban, talks to Howie Severino about the state of LGBT rights in the Philippines. He explains why, in a society with wide acceptance of LGBTs, the SOGIE equality bill has languished in Congress for 24 years. The recent pronouncement of Pope Francis that priests can now bless same-sex couples was a win,...

Recently discovered Spanish military memoirs reveal that after Filipino revolutionary troops defeated the Spanish colonial army in 1898, the Filipinos treated their prisoners of war with honor. According to the newly translated and published memoirs of Spanish military doctor Dr. Santos Rubiano, they were detained in the homes of wealthy Filipinos in Batangas, fed well and freed a little more than...

Toym Imao shares how his multicultural upbringing influenced his art. Catch the full episode here: Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/03b5s6bZOU9hM0n9PefTS3?si=aNldmKpATxqHPHXQxyd9Qw Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7i4XVaXt8U72jrKkTTIUXv?si=ua7WfqXTRL2Q06Gr7ZQt6Q Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently discovered Spanish military memoirs reveal that after Filipino revolutionary troops defeated the Spanish colonial army in 1898, the Filipinos treated their prisoners of war with honor. According to the newly translated and published memoirs of Spanish military doctor Dr. Santos Rubiano, they were detained in the homes of wealthy Filipinos in Batangas, fed well and freed a little more than...

June 12 marks the anniversary of the nation’s independence. Manolo Quezon, grandson of former president Manuel L. Quezon, breaks down the reasons why this date is contentious. Catch the full episode here: Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5te9kCRiYe0aHpsJJhN1pG?si=FWVBK-oWQJujsIOHUM1hVQ Part 2:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2H0jEZrQB4djgrr4109Rlk?si=SrA3opBSSyKJl6G1pG46Sw Hosted on Acas...

Last May, a flotilla of over 100 Filipino civilian boats traveled to Philippine waters claimed by China. Organized by the Atin Ito collation, it was a dangerous expedition that sailed past China’s military ships. After delivering supplies to fishermen, placing “Atin Ito” markers, and returning to the Luzon mainland unscathed, the coalition declared the mission a victory. Emman Hizon, co-convenor o...

No one sees an end soon to the standoff in the West Philippine Sea. But organizers of the recent civilian missions to Philippine waters claimed by China want to see more of the same by people from various walks of life, helping unite Filipinos around a common assertion of sovereignty. Emman Hizon, co-convenor of the Atin Ito coalition, tells Howie Severino that maybe Filipinos can even finally jet...

Last May, a flotilla of over 100 Filipino civilian boats traveled to Philippine waters claimed by China. Organized by the Atin Ito coalition, it was a dangerous expedition that sailed past China’s military ships. After delivering supplies to fishermen, placing “Atin Ito” markers, and returning to the Luzon mainland unscathed, the coalition declared the mission a victory. Emman Hizon, co-convenor o...

The iconic landmark on the Pasig River famously burned in 2023. Ivan Henares, Secretary General of UNESCO's National Comission of the Philippines, explains its historical and cultural value. Catch the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xeeZfoPWN3kPfOVl2LLc7?si=4ZW-INY8TraMHGmBrMuT5w%0A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.