Teka Teka

A decade after the first tokhang-related killing, we examine how we practice the Christian values of justice, redemption, and forgiveness with the help of sociologist Jayeel Cornelio in this episode from 2023. 🎧 Listen on Spotify 🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Holy Week, Catholic devotees go on a five-hour pilgrimage to Antipolo. How did this tradition even begin? And what's changed since it started 500 years ago? We bring back an episode from 2021 to answer these questions.🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a tradition that’s deeply embedded in how we celebrate Holy Week. But what is the history behind it? Is it sanctioned by the Church? Is there an official melody? Historian Xiao Chua, who has been practicing the Pasyon since he was a young boy in Tarlac, answers these questions in an episode from 2020.🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the US-Israeli war on Iran escalates, its effects are felt far beyond the battlefield, hitting everyday expenses for Filipinos. Fuel prices are rising, and the cost of basic goods continues to climb in an import-dependent economy.We speak with Amihan Mabalay of SUKI Consumers Network about how ordinary consumers are navigating the crisis, the growing calls for government action, and why the worst impacts may still be ahead.🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue our Women's Month series on Thought Bubbles with a conversation a lot of us were told we shouldn't have. Two doctors sit down with us to discuss sexual and reproductive health, holding our hand in the way we wish our moms, our teachers, and even our OB-GYNs had. With Hara Clinic lead OB-GYN Dr. Elva Sarte-Uygongco and medical director Dr. Deano Reyes, we get into painful sex, perimenopause, hormone therapy, and the TikTok rabbit holes that make things worse.Reporter and host: Bubbles MagpayoProducer: Tricia AquinoAudio editor: Anthony Tobias🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Villaceran is a macro economist, a CEO, a mentor to founders, a lyricist, and a single mom of three daughters. She is also the woman behind Hinabi Privé, a cultural experience that blends original music, storytelling, food, and cocktails into evenings that people don't stop talking about. In this Women's Month episode, Pat unpacks how a love for Filipino culture and a refusal to be boxed in became the foundation for this creative movement. She talks about what Jose Rizal taught her about showing up with warmth instead of rage, why she believes Filipinas should double down on their capacity for creativity, and what it felt like to see a stranger moved to tears by a song she wrote for her mom. This is a conversation about building with intention, leading with kindness, and refusing to let anyone define your ceiling.Reporter and host: Bubbles MagpayoProducer: Tricia AquinoAudio editors: Jem Bunao and Anthony Tobias🎧 Listen on Spotify 🎧 Watch on YouTube If you’d like to stay updated on Hinabi Privé’s upcoming events and activities, you can follow them on Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“West Philippine Sea, atin ’to!” But what exactly are we fighting for?Ten years after the Philippines’ landmark victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration over disputes in the South China Sea, tensions remain high. Yet the fight for the West Philippine Sea is not only about territory. It’s about food security, livelihoods, biodiversity, and the future of millions of Filipinos.We sit down with marine scientist Dr. Deo Onda of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to unpack the significance of disputed waters. From coral reef connectivity to the role of offshore ecosystems in feeding coastal communities, Dr. Onda explains how scientific research reveals what is truly at stake.Reporter and host: Lilian TiburcioProducer: Tricia AquinoAudio editor: Anthony Tobias🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Watch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quezon City lawmaker Bong Suntay faces an ethics complaint for his remarks about his desire for a celebrity and his subsequent imaginings during the House Justice Committee’s hearings into the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte last week. Cancelled on social media and scolded by peers, he is not the first to be called out for his words and actions. We talk to an expert and ask, what is at the root of this behavior? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Juanito “Quiccs” Maiquez is an internationally acclaimed toy designer, illustrator, and graffiti artist whose bold vision fuses street culture with the premium collector market.He made history at the Designer Toy Awards in New York with a rare three-peat win as Artist of the Year (2018–2020). Quiccs also became the first Filipino artist to sign a creator deal with Adidas, designing official products like the Manila-exclusive Superstar sneakers and apparel lines—fulfilling a dream he had since his teenage years. His journey has expanded into landmark collaborations with Jollibee, Nissan, and more, each met with record-breaking fan devotion and overnight lines at conventions.In this conversation, Quiccs shares how his passion for toys, rooted in childhood play with Legos and Transformers, evolved into a career that redefined what Filipino creativity could achieve. He reflects on the decade-long journey of his art toy brand, the historic Adidas partnership, and the cultural resonance of collaborations that connect deeply with Pinoy identity.Producer: Lilian Tiburcio Audio editor: Anthony Tobias Listen to our episodes on Spotify or YouTube.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boys' Love—once a niche genre quietly circulating among manga fans—has exploded into a global phenomenon and “Heated Rivalry” sits at the epicenter. With its searing rivals-to-lovers arc, elite sports backdrop, and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes viewers lose sleep, it has pulled in two unlikely but passionate audiences: cisgender women and gay men.In this episode of Thought Bubbles, two guests who represent those worlds—Diana Mendoza, a journalist who covers queer media and entertainment, and Deo Esquillo-Giga, a self-identified super fan who lives inside the Heated Rivalry fandom—sit down together to unpack why this series, and BL as a genre, hits so differently.Producer: Bubbles Magpayo Audio editor: Anthony Tobias Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the International Criminal Court determines whether it should put former President Rodrigo Duterte on trial for crimes against humanity, we look back on his war on drugs and how it drastically changed the lives of millions of Filipinos. Listen to this recast episode from 2020, part one of an audio documentary where we inquire into his bloody campaign to rid the streets of narcotics and criminality. For the full two seasons, go to Tokhang sa Tokhang on Spotify. Follow Teka Teka and PumaPodcast for more stories that go beyond the headlines:🎧 Listen on Spotify🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🔔 Subscribe on YouTube 📱 Instagram📘 Facebook🐦 X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnout doesn’t always look like failure. Sometimes, it looks like doing everything “right” — and still feeling exhausted, lost, or behind.In this episode, former PumaPodcast producer Jyn Garcia revisits her own experience with early-career burnout through the lens of the Hero’s Journey, a storytelling framework popularized by Joseph Campbell. Drawing from her background in screenwriting and film studies, Jyn reflects on what happens when the mindset that once drove success — constant achievement, perfectionism, and measurable milestones — starts to fall apart.By weaving together personal storytelling and narrative theory, this episode explores burnout not as an ending, but as a turning point: the “abyss” that forces a shift in how we define progress, purpose, and self-worth.If you’ve ever felt pressured to keep pushing, worried about being “behind,” or struggled to let go of overachiever habits, this episode offers a different way to understand where you are, and where you might be headed next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does toppling a dictatorship sound like? In this special episode from 2022, we bring you the first three parts of Radyo Malaya, a radio drama we produced for the Cultural Center of the Philippines using archival sound recordings from Radyo Veritas and the Philippine Information Agency. Listen to all ten parts on Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years of partnership with Meta, fact-checkers worldwide are facing an existential threat. Journalist Nica Hanopol speaks to Celine Samson from VERA Files, who takes us inside the day-to-day reality of fighting misinformation while platforms shift their priorities and funding disappears. Samson unpacks why this moment is a turning point for Philippine audiences and how fact-checkers are remaining the work despite dwindling support.This episode is produced by Nica Rhiana Hanopol and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Chinese New Year, feng shui advice floods our feeds—lucky colors, money corners, quick rearrangements meant to “reset” the year ahead. But what happens when those changes don’t seem to do anything?In this episode of Thought Bubbles on Teka Teka, we sit down with Pauline Rana to unpack the gap between mainstream feng shui tips and the more personalized framework behind classical feng shui.Instead of adding another tip to the pile, this conversation looks at why following broad advice can sometimes leave people disappointed — especially when the system behind it isn’t meant to be one-size-fits-all.If you’ve ever tried feng shui and felt unsure whether it worked, this episode explores why that disconnect might happen.If you want to learn more about Pauline Rana’s work, you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and her website fengshuiandfortune.com. We will leave her social media handles in the episode description below.Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/fengshuiandfortune/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/fengshuiandfortune/Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@fengshuiandfortuneThis episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Jem Bunao. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malamig ba ang Valentine's Day mo? Seen-zoned lang ni crush? Baka naman ipinagkatiwala mo na lang ang love life mo sa dating apps? In this 2020 episode from the Usapang Econ Podcast, experts JC Punongbayan and Jeff Arapoc discuss the economics behind love and attraction. Check out the podcast on Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Not in this economy” has become shorthand for how many young Filipinos are navigating adulthood today.In 2026, the Philippine economy continues to grow — but not evenly, and not in ways that always translate into financial security for those just starting out. While official indicators point to stability, Gen Z faces persistent challenges around underemployment, wage stagnation, and delayed milestones.In this episode of Thought Bubbles, we sit down with Christian Jimenez, a CPA-lawyer and economics professor, to unpack what the numbers are actually telling us — and where they fall short of capturing lived experience. We discuss GDP, employment quality, income realities, and why economic progress can feel abstract on the ground.Beyond the data, the conversation looks at how young Filipinos are adjusting: building skills outside traditional career paths, leaning into digital and community-based work, and rethinking success in an economy that no longer follows linear timelines.This episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we defend history in an age of speed, noise, and disinformation?In this live conversation from Maki+Fiesta 2.0, historian, educator and author Professor Xiao Chua joins Lyn Olavario and Hannah Tasarra for a candid conversation on public history, technology, and why truth matters—especially for younger audiences.Recorded in the middle of the festival, the discussion touches on creative platforms, collaboration, and the shared responsibility of keeping history accessible, accurate, and alive. From classrooms to content creation, this episode looks at how the past continues to shape the present, and why we can’t afford to stop telling these stories.This episode was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engineered by Jem Bunao. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really feel like to watch Alex Eala play live — not on a screen, but from the stands?In this episode, we are joined by journalist and writer Carla Lim Teng-Westergaard to talk about the experience of attending professional tennis matches as a Filipino fan: navigating silence and applause, reading the crowd, and learning how tennis culture works in real time.Drawing from firsthand experiences watching Alex compete overseas, this conversation looks at tennis not just as a sport, but as a space shaped by history, class, and unspoken rules — and what happens when new audiences enter that space with curiosity, pride, and enthusiasm.As Filipinos show up in growing numbers to support Alex Eala, this episode asks what it means to belong, to learn on the spot, and to cheer with awareness without losing the joy that brought us there in the first place.Carla also wrote an article covering this topic for Business Mirror. You may read the article here.This episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Eala has put Philippine tennis in the spotlight — and with it comes excitement, new fans, and a learning curve.Tennis in the Philippines is having a moment, and as new audiences fill the stands and global attention turns toward the country, this episode unpacks the growing pains of a sport entering the mainstream.What does it mean to support an athlete well? How do we balance passion with sportsmanship? And how can this moment help build a more informed, welcoming tennis culture?In this episode, we are joined by Iza, a Learning and Development professional based in Australia, whose post on tennis etiquette sparked a much-needed conversation — not from a place of shaming, but from wanting people to enjoy and respect the sport.If you want to read her post, you can find it here.This episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Maki+Fiesta 2.0, artist Arthur Tselishchev sits down with Hannah Tasarra for a live conversation on art, memory, and responsibility in times of war. A Ukrainian artist who has made the Philippines his home, Arthur reflects on creating work amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now more than three years since the full‑scale invasion began in February 2022—using painting not as spectacle, but as a form of healing, witness, and resistance.As attention fades and disinformation grows louder, this conversation explores how art can cut through fatigue, carry truth without argument, and keep human stories visible when headlines move on. Recorded during the festival, the exchange touches on war, diaspora, shared values, and why culture remains a powerful tool for education and civic imagination.We’d like to thank the Embassy of Ukraine for introducing Arthur to Maki+Fiesta and making this conversation possible. You can follow Arthur’s work here:Facebook: www.facebook.com/arthur.tselishchevInstagram: @arthurtsofficialX (formerly Twitter): @ArturTsThis episode was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. 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.Following the recent conviction of a mall security guard for killing a puppy, conversations around animal cruelty and accountability have resurfaced. While public outrage is often swift, justice is not.In this rerun of Teka Teka, PAWS chief attorney Anna Cabrera explains why most animal cruelty cases in the Philippines never reach court, even when incidents are documented or shared online. We break down the country’s animal welfare laws, the importance of eyewitness affidavits, and the limits of relying on social media for justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coffee is part of everyday life in the Philippines—but behind every cup is a long history shaped by trade, agriculture, labor, and culture. In this episode, we revisit a conversation from WhatsAP? Araling Panlipunan Rebooted, exploring how coffee arrived in the Philippines, why the country sits in the global coffee “bean belt,” and what makes Philippine coffee unique.From Batangas’ rise as a coffee powerhouse to the impact of plant disease, climate change, and shifting consumer habits, the episode breaks down the past, present, and possible future of the local coffee industry. You’ll also hear from Filipino coffee professionals—roasters, processors, and educators—who explain specialty coffee, coffee varietals like Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, and why quality and fair pricing matter.This conversation also asks an important question: what role do consumers play in supporting Filipino coffee farmers and small businesses? As specialty coffee grows in the Philippines, understanding where your coffee comes from can make every cup more meaningful.This episode rerun is produced and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Filipinos grow more vigilant about how government money is spent, questions around the national budget go beyond big numbers and official promises. More people are asking harder, more personal questions: sino ang magbabayad, sino ang makikinabang, at para kanino ba talaga ang mga programang ito?In this episode rerun, Roby Alampay talks with economist Cielo Magno about how ordinary citizens can evaluate government spending and policy announcements—without needing an economics background. The discussion avoids technical jargon and instead offers practical ways to assess priorities, feasibility, and fairness, using everyday analogies that make the budget process easier to understand.This rerun is produced and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UP Tugma brings Philippine music to life. In this live episode from Maki+Fiesta 2.0, the student musicians from the UP College of Music take us behind the rhythms, stories, and traditions they perform—showing how music can carry culture, connect communities, and spark collaboration.Join us for a lively, short conversation recorded in the heart of the festival, and discover how tradition meets creativity in the hands of the next generation of Filipino musicians.This episode was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engineered by Jem Bunao. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The start of a new year often comes with plans to improve daily habits, including skincare. But with countless products, routines, and online advice competing for attention, building a skincare routine can quickly become confusing and expensive.In this rerun of a Project Vanity episode, we revisit a timely conversation on skincare habits, evidence-based advice, and the importance of professional guidance. The discussion focuses on understanding your own skin, avoiding misinformation, and knowing when skincare products are not enough without consulting a dermatologist.This conversation offers a practical perspective for anyone starting the year with skincare goals—whether you are simplifying your routine, addressing persistent skin concerns, or looking to make informed decisions rather than follow trends.This episode rerun is produced by Hannah Grace and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan is facing a growing contradiction. As the country grapples with an aging population and severe labor shortages, it is planning to admit up to 820,000 foreign workers under its Specified Skilled Worker program by the end of the decade. Yet at the same time, anti-immigrant sentiment has been gaining ground in Japanese politics.  In this episode of Teka Teka, Prof. Gracia Liu-Farrer, co-author of a recent Foreign Affairs article on Japan’s immigration paradox, joins us to unpack the country’s demographic crisis and what Japan’s labor policies mean for migrant workers on the ground. We also look at what these shifts mean for Filipino migrants, the fourth-largest foreign community in Japan.You can read the Foreign Affairs article here.This episode is produced by Lyn Olavario and engineered by Jem Bunao. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we enter 2026, many Filipinos are setting resolutions to eat healthier and become more mindful of nutrition. But how easy is it really to make informed food choices, especially when grocery shelves are filled with products claiming to be “healthy”?In this rerun episode of Teka Teka, we revisit a conversation on food labels, nutrition claims, and why what we eat matters for public health. Health experts and advocates explain how excessive sugar, salt, and fat intake are linked to non-communicable diseases, which are now among the leading causes of death in the Philippines.The episode also looks at the push for clearer food warning labels, how other countries have implemented them, and why these labels could help Filipino consumers make better, healthier choices without needing to decode complicated nutrition facts.If improving your eating habits is part of your New Year’s resolutions, this episode offers important context on nutrition, food environments, and the policies shaping what ends up on our plates.This episode rerun is produced and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Year often promises fresh starts, but real life rarely resets overnight. In this episode, we revisit a meditation on finding meaning in repetition, quiet progress, and the everyday effort we carry into each year.Drawing from the story of Sisyphus and the gentle wisdom found in Hayao Miyazaki’s films, Jyn Garcia explores how hope, clarity, and purpose can emerge even when life feels non-linear or overwhelming.If you’re easing into 2026, this episode offers a grounded reflection on work, growth, and the small choices that shape our days.This episode rerun is produced and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Rizal Day, we revisit one of Manila’s most overlooked heritage sites: the Pansiteria Macanista de Buen Gusto, a real Binondo restaurant that José Rizal named in El Filibusterismo.The structure—one of the last surviving 19th-century buildings of its kind—offers a rare glimpse into the Manila Rizal once walked. Though time has nearly claimed it, the pansiteria remains a powerful reminder of the everyday spaces that shaped his world and his writing.In this episode rerun, we explore the building’s history, its connection to Rizal’s novel, and why heritage advocates are racing to save it from collapse or demolition. On this day when we honor Rizal’s legacy, we ask what it means to let a piece of his Manila fade away.This episode was produced and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.