Psychiatrist Joan Mae Perez-Rifareal talks about how to discern and manage stress, anxiety and depression. According to her, burnout is a real condition. What are the signs and when do we need to take action? This is our offering for World Mental Health Day, and was excerpted from a longer conversation. Listen to the full episode here (Date recorde…

Journalist and UP professor Karol Ilagan cites deep fakes as a major concern in the context of elections all over the world. Listen to the full episode here (Date recorded: May 7, 2024): https://open.spotify.com/episode/30z3IZMqZAVgjU6fFrvJex?si=DCfoHLDYSu2Am6KuZC5Y2w Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Erwan Heussaff and Howie talk about Christmas overeating and how to enjoy the season without being too stressed over gaining too much weight. Catch the full episode here (Month recorded: December 2023): Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50s05WnQG3UN8XaxWg5s3V?si=-69CaUKdT2qKCBWJPfj4XA Hosted on Acast.…

In September 1972, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. placed the entire country under Martial Law. Journalist and filmmaker Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala has produced numerous films including two on martial law in the Philippines — “Batas Militar” and the more recent “11,103” about martial law survivors. Catch the full episode here (Date recorded: Augu…

Acclaimed director Ramona Diaz shot hundreds of hours of footage of the 2022 political campaigns, which she entitled, “And so it begins.” She tells Howie Severino that her newest film is about the festive feels of political campaigns in the Philippines, made more intense by the surge of volunteerism in the Robredo camp. She tells Howie Severino abo…

A deepfake of the President and the hacking of government websites have spotlighted the country’s dire need for cybersecurity experts, according to Usec. Jeffrey Dy. Catch the full episode here (date recorded: May 2024): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lG2DcR4CSUNCg7lnR6rfV?si=BlI3JRzoSpm345QpDZsrfg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

According to political commentator Ronald Llamas, Presidents and Vice Presidents coming from opposing political positions is not new. Ronald Llamas shares his hot takes on the ongoing Marcos-Duterte feud and shares his insights on what has become of the Kakampink movement. Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio Editor: Jayr Magtot…

Political commentator Ronald Llamas traces the split between President Marcos and VP Duterte to the earliest days of the administration. Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio Editor: Jayr Magtoto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the -ber months again and we know what that means. The Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world. So expect to hear certain songs on repeat. Balladeer Jose Mari Chan talks about how his iconic “Christmas in our Hearts” was originally composed for a school reunion and became an unexpected classic. Catch the full …

“Threatened ang wika natin,” ganito inilarawan ng manunulat, makata at Alagad ng Sining para sa Panitikan, Virgilio Amario, ang kasalukuyang estado ng Wikang Filipino. Ayon sa kanya, mababa pa rin ang pagtingin sa ating wika dahil sa kolonyal na mentalidad. Noong 1980, nakita niya ang pangangailangan ng pagsulat ng mga librong pambata kaya’t itinat…

In case you missed it, 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Pepe Diokno explains the influence of the three martyred priests: Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora on the Philippine Revolution. Listen to the full episode here (Date recorded: January 9, 2024): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0bc32tZdSnZLMaQiIsltrI?si=18e913837c2c4…

JP Soriano, GMAIN veteran reporter, had a ringside seat while covering the Paris Olympics and witnessed not just Yulo’s golden moments but the heartbreak of the Philippines’ other athletes. Soriano describes the excitement as Carlos Yulo beat strong rivals, especially the defending champion from Israel who had more fans in the stands. Our reporter …

Every August, the Philippines commemorates 'Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.' In a 2021 conversation, fellow veteran documentarist Kara David shares how she vlogs to teach Filipino language. Catch the full episode here (Date recorded: July 23, 2021): https://open.spotify.com/episode/6HNbiv1CWBCGgVY2FPYm54?si=d4d377a0579a4880&nd=1 Hosted on Acast. See acas…

Many can relate to the Yulo family drama. Dr. Anna Tuazon explains some of the cultural values at play such as “balato,” “utang na loob,” parental fealty, and the pressures of being the family breadwinner. She shares what she has advised her own patients — the importance of listening to each other, respecting the choices of your children (“let them…

A useless new wheelchair ramp along EDSA appeared more like a slide at an amusement park, triggering a wave of online ridicule. But it produced at least one benefit: it started a conversation about making cities more accessible. Ken Abante, a leading advocate of inclusive mobility, tells us how. Listen to the full episode here (Date recorded: June …

Prominent flood control engineer Dr. Guillermo Tabios shares a harsh reality — some densely populated areas of Manila may no longer be livable. In a wide-ranging conversation with Howie Severino triggered by recent devastating flooding, the UP professor emeritus of civil engineering explains that the low-lying metropolis could be facing unstoppable…

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…

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.…

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 …

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 Severin…

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 governmen…

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 a…

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. Produce…

“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?s…

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 Ma…

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 har…

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-Goli…

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 a…

“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 t…

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 r…

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 …

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 …

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 …

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/2H0jEZrQB4djgr…

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…

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 …

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 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 mor…

27-year-old artist Renren Galeno’s parents used to ask her that question. Not anymore, not after her illustrations were part of “Searching for Maura,” a ground-breaking investigative report in the Washington Post that was a finalist for the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes. Discovered because of her comics on climate anxiety, the Davao native gave a uni…

27-year-old artist Renren Galeno’s parents used to ask her that question. Not anymore, not after her illustrations were part of “Searching for Maura,” a ground-breaking investigative report in the Washington Post that was a finalist for the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes. Discovered because of her comics on climate anxiety, the Davao native gave a uni…

When the war in Israel and Gaza broke out, Palestinian-Filipino beauty queen Zahra Saldua set aside her commercial gigs to speak out about what’s at stake. Catch the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/58PLwAfc00f9NPGkL6hkEG?si=a37b23f6fb514ffc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Howie Severino talks to Ceej Tantengco-Malolos, a leading advocate for female athletes and host of the ground-breaking podcast, “Go Hard Girls.” Ceej describes the impact of Olympic gold medalist Hidlyn Diaz and US basketball star Caitlin Clark, while bemoaning the lack of professional opportunities for women to play in the Philippines. Braving the…

Howie Severino talks to Ceej Tantengco-Malolos, a leading advocate for female athletes and host of the ground-breaking podcast, “Go Hard Girls.” Ceej describes the impact of Olympic gold medalist Hidlyn Diaz and US basketball star Caitlin Clark, while bemoaning the lack of professional opportunities for women to play in the Philippines. Braving the…

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is still making history, but Philippine historian Vicente Rafael at the University of Washington already weighs in, and explains why he titled his book on Duterte “The Sovereign Trickster.” Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SPJGEXOPsqK9ePlmRT8ZW?si=d9a2d80ec1984ab5 Hosted on Acast. S…

It’s still the early days of AI in the Philippines, but journalist and UP professor Karol Ilagan describes how AI tools can already impact journalism, from the basic task of transcribing interviews to combing dense COA reports in search of patterns and red flags. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

[AI Series Part 2] It’s still the early days of AI in the Philippines, but journalist and UP professor Karol Ilagan describes how AI tools can already impact journalism, from the basic task of transcribing interviews to combing dense COA reports in search of patterns and red flags. Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: MJ Cerillo Editor: Jayr Ma…

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. In case you missed it, director Ivan Payawal talks about combining BL tropes and the lived experiences of LGBT members in making the hit YouTube boys’ love series “Gameboys.” Catch the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72iwF4W3f6cVJE9zDHpg70?si=4WdV8cI6QOi6O…