Teka Teka
Episodes
The TikTok campaign to rebrand ‘POGO Mayor’ Alice Guo
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A network of TikTok fan accounts worked to recast suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo as an attractive, empathetic, misunderstood, and progressive public...
Why the Philippines has two Independence Days
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Independence Day, we turn to an episode of What’s AP? Araling Panlipunan Rebooted to unpack the complicated, often overlooked history of the ho...
Filipina drag queens: From comedy bars to the mainstream
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Philippines' silent majority: informal workers face the climate crisis
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode rerun, we dive deep into the reality of the Philippines' informal economy. This vast workforce faces significant pre-existing vulnerab...
Lessons from former Health Secretary Flavier's trailblazing campaign against HIV
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wh...
Inside the Duterte TikTok machine: Propaganda, algorithms, and the creative war for democracy
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, journalist Regine Cabato sits down with cultural critic and VERA Files contributor Katrina Stuart Santiago to unpack the Duterte dyna...
The Philippines’ centuries-old claim on Sabah and why it still matters today
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Philippine claim on Sabah isn’t just history. It fuels a dispute that impacts our ties with Malaysia, Filipino migrants, and maritime boundaries...
Election 2025 redefined the Marcos-Duterte feud. Here's what that means for the rest of us.
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 2025 midterm elections redrew political battle lines between the Marcos and Duterte camps. In this episode of Teka Teka, political science profess...
Finding Filipinos in Madrid
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jaemark Tordecilla explores the surprising visibility—and invisibility—of the Filipino community in Spain’s capital. From Jolli...
How Gen Z and Millennials are changing Philippine elections
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mi...
The grassroots campaign that led to the halting of new mining projects in Palawan
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Palawan’s provincial government just passed a landmark 50-year moratorium on endorsing new mining projects. In this episode, environmental lawyer Gr...
Squirrels in Luzon: Solving the problem of invasive species
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: This episode discusses euthanasia that may cause distress to some listeners. Please tune in with caution.Cartoons and films portray s...
Road safety in the Philippines: A survivor's story and the fight for safer streets
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Road Safety Month, Teka Teka highlights the critical issue of road safety. Join Jacque Manabat, a journalist and road crash survivor now advocati...
2025 Elections: Surprising Senate wins, dynasties, and shifting voter demographics
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With most ballots already counted, we break down the surprising projected wins of opposition candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, the continued ...
Why Filipinos think Marcos Sr. and Duterte were “good” for democracy
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey reveals that many Filipinos see authoritarian leaders like Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as beneficial for democracy. Why? In ...
Navigating the future of learning in the age of AI
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Dog breeding, pet overpopulation, and the aspin stigma: A crisis in Philippine animal welfare
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: This episode discusses animal discrimination, euthanasia, abuse, and neglect that may cause distress to some listeners. Please tune i...
Freelance home-based moms: Empowering mothers through work-from-home success
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
AI at work: How Filipino business leaders are reimagining the workplace
03 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is AI changing the way Filipinos work? In this episode of Teka Teka, we dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, productivity,...
Political dynasties in the Philippines grow ‘obese’ ahead of 2025 elections
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 loo...
SB19 and the rise of P-pop music
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Pope Francis and the 'Smugglers of Faith': A Filipino tribute from Rome
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Not just for techies: How we’re all using AI now
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Philippine...
Remembering Pope Francis: A Jesuit’s reflection on justice, hope, and the Church's future
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Teka Teka, guest host Regine Cabato speaks with Jesuit priest, poet, and anthropologist Fr. Albert “Paring Bert” Alejo ...
Inside the literacy gap: Why fewer Filipinos are reading for fun
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This World Book Day, we dive into the Philippines’ growing literacy crisis. According to recent studies, over 90% of Filipino children struggle with...
Election 2025: Why candidates get away with spending billions in premature campaigning
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Despite campaign spending limits, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism found that candidates aired over P10 billion worth of TV an...
Prayers Across Borders: A Story from Rome
19 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When COVID-19 hit Italy in early 2020, many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) found themselves locked down, isolated, and afraid. With limited movement...
Could House drug war testimony strengthen the ICC’s case against Duterte?
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With former President Duterte’s trial at the International Criminal Court looming, a lawyer assisting the court explains how explosive testimony fro...
Holy Week in Leyte: Inside the Tacloban church-turned-Marcos shrine
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
"Unpopular corruption, but popular corrupt politicians": Inside Filipino views on political dynasties
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Recent surveys reveal the complex and seemingly paradoxical views of Filipinos on political dynasties and their dominance. Ahead of the 2025 midterm e...
South Korea's martial law saga: How they thwarted Yoon Suk Yeol's power grab
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A South Korean political reporter, Jikyung Kim, takes us inside the dramatic events of President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in Decembe...
The Philippine academic calendar, internationalization, and climate change
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 cal...
Women in literature: Clarissa Militante on writing, the Filipino experience, and telling stories
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Filipina author Clarissa Militante shares how her experiences and political beliefs shape her fiction. Best known for her novel ‘Different Countries...
The plight of Filipino-Palestinians begs the question: Should we be doing more to end the conflict?
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Animal cruelty in the Philippines: Why justice is rarely served
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: This episode discusses animal cruelty, including instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Some content may be distressing for l...
Women in Indie music: Fighting for a stage
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Budget Bot: Unlocking the Philippine national budget with AI
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is the Philippine national budget being spent? Veteran journalist and technologist Jaemark Tordecilla talks to Roby Alampay to introduce Budget Bo...
Can AI replace voice actors? The VoiceMaster of the Philippines weighs in
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the voice-acting industry, from automated narration to synthetic voices in ads, films, and apps. While ma...
Duterte’s ICC arrest explained: What happens next?
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity over his deadly dr...
Is the Philippines an aging population?
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 dem...
The sound of elections: Philippine campaign jingles
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the catchy, powerful, and sometimes controversial world of election campaign jingles. In this episode, we speak to music arranger and produce...
Fake IDs, real burdens: Exploring the PWD discount system
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Jellie Aw, violence against women and legal protections for victims of abuse
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you need support, resources and helplines a...
The making of Edgar Matobato, Ex-Davao Death Squad member & star witness in Duterte’s ICC Case
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence, extrajudicial killings, and detailed accounts of brutality that may be distressing to ...
The Making of Edgar Matobato
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence, extrajudicial killings, and detailed accounts of brutality that may be distressing to ...
Why is China so upset about the Typhon missile system in the Philippines?
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly nine years after the Philippines' legal victory over China in the West Philippine Sea, tensions remain high. Chinese ships are shadowing our co...
Feeling the Heat and Understanding the Heat Index
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
Wer ART daw?
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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" G...
Hello, Love, Not Again: Can Filipino migrants still find joy in Canada in 2025?
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Can Filipino cuisine reach global heights?
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pinoy food is rich, soulful, and packed with history—but why isn’t it as globally recognized as Thai, Japanese, or Korean cuisine? In this episode...
As Marcos Jr. undermines EDSA Day, monuments to his dictator father emerge
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For three years now, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has undermined the yearly commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution that to...
The World of Sign Language and its Unique Grammar
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some Deaf individuals write in English differently, which may appear as “wrong” grammar to the hearing community. In this episode, we explore the ...
The rise of DeepSeek, the Chinese AI chatbot making waves in tech
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
DeepSeek shows an obvious bias when it comes to issues related to China. In this episode, Roby Alampay and Jaemark Tordecilla talk about its implicati...
Remembering Barbie Hsu, the legacy of Shan Cai, and Meteor Garden fever
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fans all over the world are still mourning the death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who starred along with F4 in the popular 2003 series Meteo...
What Andi Eigenmann can teach us about using ChatGPT
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andi Eigenmann used ChatGPT for relationship advice and showed us a smart way to use AI. In this episode, journalist and technologist Jaemark Tordecil...
Why impeach Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of elections and a congressional break?
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lawyer and political analyst Michael Yusingco weighs in on the curious timing of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment, what it suggests about the...
Inside the political turmoil in South Korea
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol is facing impeachment after declaring martial law in December 2024. In this episode, political reporter Kim Jikyu...
Trump 2.0 is in full swing – What does that mean for the Philippines?
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trump's first two weeks in office have seen a return to the chaos and uproar that marked his first term. In this episode, political scientist Aries Ar...
Why do many Filipinos believe in astrology?
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of the year when horoscope predictions are at their peak. Astrology is hardly scientific, so why do many people continue to engage wi...
An anti-teen pregnancy measure is imperiled by religious groups and conservatives
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Religious groups and conservatives are spreading false and misleading claims about a bill seeking to lower the alarming number of adolescent pregnanci...
Can a Filipino film win an Oscar?
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Philippines has been regularly submitting entries for Best International Feature Film consideration at the Oscars. However, no Filipino film has s...
The interior secretary suspects a ‘criminal enterprise’ within the national police
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A botched buy-bust operation involving an estimated P10 billion worth of drugs has led top law enforcement officials to repeat earlier whistleblower c...
All the ways you can improve governance without running for office
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've all heard that there's more to democracy than voting every few years or even running for office yourself. But what does active and meaningful pa...
The argument for listening to people who disagree with you
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Oya Arriola of the “Give A Hoot” podcast on effective communication and how it leads to social change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
A hands-on, community-based approach to youth-led change
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of the Project Citizen Model? It's a 12-step method that allows everyday citizens to influence public policy for the better. Here's wha...
Bringing Power to the People: Jesse Robredo’s Legacy
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During his time as Naga City Mayor and Interior Secretary, Jesse Robredo quickly learned that “yielding power to the people” was a key ingredient ...
Gabriel Villaruel uses his love of art to empower his community
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, arts and culture advocate Gabriel Villaruel shares how his passion for art became a powerful tool for youth leadership and community ...
Did reform improve youth participation in Philippine politics?
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, officials from the Sanggunian Kabataan weigh in on whether the law enacted in 2015 to reform the SK lived up to its promise. Hosted o...
How can youth leaders step up in the 2025 midterm polls?
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the 2025 midterm polls coming in May, how can youth leaders deliver a fresh brand of governance to local communities? Hosted on Acast. See acast....
Remembering Santanina Rasul, our first female Muslim senator
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After being asked to run for the Senate by former President Cory Aquino, Santanina Rasul cemented her legacy as the country’s first female Muslim se...
What does it take to usher in reform?
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Youth leaders walk us through the reforms intended to save the Sanggunian Kabataan from dynasties, corruption, and mismanagement. Hosted on Acas...
Ang Papemelroti at ang regalong Pinoy
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the recent passing of Roberto Alejandro, co-founder of the iconic gift shop Papelmeroti, we look back at the story behind the family-owned store....
The impact of climate change on informal sector workers
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Building climate-resilient communities also means protecting Filipinos whose livelihoods are at risk due to extreme weather events. How can the Philip...
How dynasties nearly sunk youth representation in politics
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A decade ago, the Sanggunian Kabataan was almost abolished over allegations of corruption and mismanagement. But things changed for the better in 2015...
Understanding ‘minilaterals’ and their impact on Philippine foreign policy
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Minilaterals are the foreign policy trend sweeping the region, preoccupying analysts and heads of state. Here's what you need to know about them. Hos...
Kailangan bang i-postpone ulit ang BARMM elections?
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are at least three pending bills in Congress proposing yet another postponement of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomou...
Bakit bahagi si Jose Mari Chan ng Christmas playlists natin?
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since its release in the 90’s, Jose Mari Chan’s ‘Christmas in our Hearts’ has been a staple song in every Filipino Christmas playlist. But why...
What AI means for Filipino BPO workers
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Philippines, a leading global destination for business process outsourcing (BPO), generates around $30 billion annually from the industry. Despite...
The Philippines turns to European allies to back its climate transition
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is an expectation that global efforts to address climate change will stall under another Trump administration. At the frontlines of climate disa...
Bakit uso ang love teams sa Pinoy showbiz?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re spilling the tea on one of the Philippines' greatest obsessions—love teams! Why settle for one heartthrob when you can have...
Is there a strategy behind Sara Duterte's threats?
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, law lecturer and political analyst Michael Yusingco helps us make sense of the criminal complaints and investigation underway against...
The first Pinoy paralympic medialist
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to Pinay para-powerlifter Adeline “Adz” Dumapong’s journey of lifting the Philippines to a historic victory during the 2000 Sydney Paraly...
Exploring Jose Rizal’s fascination with nature
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We know Rizal the author, Rizal the linguist, and even Rizal the womanizer. But what about Rizal the naturalist? Join Sab and Ceej as they discuss the...
Filipinos think dynasties are corrupt but vote for them anyway. Here's why.
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pollster and political scientist Cleve Arguelles and reporter Bella Perez-Rubio try to answer an age-old question: If Filipinos know dynasties are cor...
Fifteen years after the Maguindanao massacre, impunity lives on
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fifteen years ago, the Philippines was named the second-deadliest place in the world for journalists. That's because we did the unthinkable.For more f...
How can I make a budget that works for 2025?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As 2024 begins to come to close, how can we create a feasible budget?For more from the PumaPodcast team, find us on these platforms:FacebookInstagramT...
When apps are gamified, workers rarely win (Part 2)
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Got a food craving? Need groceries? Or maybe a ride? There's an app for that. In this special series for Teka Teka, we delve into the lives of food-de...
Sigurado ka ba na ‘healthier option’ ang kinakain mo?
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As more young Filipinos are diagnosed with non-communicable diseases, public health advocates and legal experts are pushing for food warning labels to...
The growth of local beauty brands for Filipinas
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After over a decade in the Philippine beauty industry, Albert Kurniawan throws his hat in the ring of beauty offerings with his beauty brand Teviant.F...
Six narratives China wants us to believe — and how Trump's win gives them leverage
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that Chinese operatives are working overtime to run influence campaigns in the Philippines. But what narratives are they spreading and wha...
The Uniteam's popularity takes a hit as the Marcos-Duterte feud gets dirty
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vice President Sara Duterte seems to be paying the price for her feud with President Bongbong Marcos in the court of public opinion, while the Preside...
When apps are gamified, workers rarely win (Part 1)
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Got a food craving? Need groceries? Or maybe a ride? There's an app for that. In this special series for Teka Teka, we delve into the lives of food-de...
How can we adopt better skincare habits?
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A study by DSG consumer partners found that Filipino Gen-Z’s are investing more on skincare than makeup. How can Filipinos develop the best skincare...
Uncovering the dark secrets behind Intramuros’ walls
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
PumaPodcast’s What AP? Team tours Intramuros after dark to learn the deepest, darkest secrets of the walled city.For more from the PumaPodcast team,...
Staying competitive amid the AI revolution in the workplace
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A BMI study found that the Philippines’ BPO industry could shrink amid the shift to AI. How can Filipino workers retain their competitive edge?For m...
A conservationist on fighting climate anxiety and making a difference
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Conservation biologist Kisha Mwanya on her work centering the Philippine communities on the frontlines of climate disaster and how to push through our...
Most Filipinos want to be 'neutral' on Palestine. Here's why we shouldn't be.
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A shocking number of Filipinos believe that the government should not send direct aid to Palestinians nor outrightly condemn Israel's actions that hav...
Meet Ellie Haenel, the first openly trans woman in Philippine football
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Go Hard Girls host Ceej Tantengco and sports reporter Lui Morales talk to Ellie Haenel, the first openly trans athlete in women’s football in the Ph...
Protecting Verde Island Passage, the ‘Amazon of the oceans’
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Verde Island Passage has been dubbed the Amazon of the Oceans for its rich biodiversity. How can the Philippines protect this unique waterway?For ...
Creating stigma-free healthcare for Filipinas
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet the women's clinic taking on the stigma surrounding reproductive and sexual health in the Philippines. For more from the PumaPodcast team, find u...