The Howie Severino Podcast

Epizody

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  The Unscripted Legacy of Kidlat Tahimik 24.07.2026 49min

  “When I make a film, it's like a mosaic glass window. It's not planned, it's not distilled like those Hollywood scripts are.”  In Part 2 of his conversation with Howie Severino, National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik reflects on his extraordinary transformation from Wharton-educated economist to pioneer of independent Philippine cinema.  Following a decision to leave his office life in Paris, Kidlat’s unconventional path led him to work as a jeepney-driving vendor at the 1972 Munich Olympics, live in an artist commune, and get discovered by famed German director Werner Herzog. This chance encounter sparked the creation of his masterpiece, Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmare).  Throughout his iconoclastic career, Kidlat has proudly worn the traditional bahag (loincloth), even at formal ceremonies. In this episode, he shares the philosophy behind this act, presenting an oral retrospective of an artist who continues to rewrite the rules of filmmaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Education of Kidlat Tahimik 18.07.2026 51min

  When acclaimed filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik recently returned his National Artist medallion, it was a rare and striking act of protest. He was lamenting the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) proposed policy to cut college general education requirements from 36 units to 18–21, which critics fear could weaken the humanities, history, ethics, and arts. CHED said the plan aims to streamline these fields rather than remove them and that the proposal remains under review. In a recent conversation, journalist Howie Severino sat down with the artist in his home garden to discuss this unprecedented move. Their discussion turned to Tahimik's own eclectic education.  Long before his pivot to art and his self-described identity as a "culture warrior," his path was remarkably diverse:  The Accidental Leader: How he "accidentally" became the UP Student Council Chairperson while majoring in speech and drama.  The Corporate Ivy: How he went on to earn an MBA from Wharton, one of the world’s leading business schools.  The Global Economist: How he cut his teeth working as an economist in Paris, where he also engaged with its vibrant arts scene.  Looking back, the filmmaker explains how this unconventional journey provided him with both a practical understanding of the globalized world and the critical, creative tools needed to challenge it. --- For more information on CHED’s proposal: CHED delays reduction of college GE units Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Impeachment Trial 101 with UP Law Professor Paolo Tamase 10.07.2026 1h 12min

  "The truth-telling makes the impeachment process worth it.”  UP Law School Associate Dean Paolo Tamase explains to Howie Severino the various ways an impeachment trial is different from a regular courtroom trial.  He warns against "over-judicialization," or getting bogged down in legal procedures, when an impeachment trial is more of a political process meant to ferret out the truth in service of accountability.  Their conversation revisits previous impeachment cases, including the infamous "second envelope" vote that triggered EDSA 2 during the Joseph Estrada trial and the historic conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona.  Now that a Vice President is on trial, Atty. Tamase raises intriguing questions, such as in the event of her resignation in the middle of the proceedings, should the trial continue? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  AI Uncovered — From Newsroom to Classroom and Beyond 12.06.2026 1h 6min

  AI expert Jaemark Tordecilla returns to GMA Network for a wide-ranging conversation with Howie Severino on the technology reshaping journalism, education, and everyday life.They are joined by several dozen high school and college students in the podcast’s first-ever recording with a live audience.Jaemark is the former head of digital operations for GMA News, who led the creation of The Howie Severino Podcast at the start of the pandemic.He later took a year-long study break at Harvard, where he examined AI applications in journalism as well as the technology’s potential risks and unintended consequences.One student in the audience raises the idea of an AI-driven “creative renaissance,” sparking a lively exchange on the enduring value of human intelligence in an increasingly automated world.Tune in for that and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  DUTERTE — ROAD TO THE HAGUE — Rodrigo Duterte’s Early Years 28.04.2026 32min

  With former President Duterte set to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, we look back at his formative years, long before he rose to power. “He wished his father saw him become a lawyer.” Journalist and biographer Earl Parreño tells Howie Severino that Duterte idolized his father, Vicente, a former Cabinet secretary and governor of Davao, and deeply loved his mother. In his self-published biography, “Beyond Will and Power,” Parreño traces Duterte’s early exposure to violence, drawing on accounts from close friends and relatives, as well as the former president’s own statements. He details some pivotal moments, including a shooting incident while he was a law student at San Beda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Stone by stone — Saving the heritage houses of Batanes 15.12.2025 27min

  For this special episode of Howie Severino Presents, the team travels to the northernmost province of the archipelago to look for the last traditional stone houses, a distinctive feature of Batanes that is rapidly disappearing.   Some of these houses have been standing for more than a hundred years, a symbol of Batanes’ rugged ingenuity. But recent restrictions on harvesting local wood and other native materials have hampered their repair. Home owners are shifting to cement and more common shelter designs, erasing a unique cultural treasure.  Racing against time, a collaborative effort by university-based engineers and architects, the DOST, and indigenous builders has created a prototype of a reinforced traditional house.  Is this the solution to a vanishing heritage? Severino and his team journey to a sea-swept corner of Batanes to find out.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ONLINE INVASION: How are foreign powers influencing public opinion in the Philippines? | Part 3 11.11.2025 41min

  Has your feed been invaded — by China, America, or any other foreign power? How can you tell?Open-source intelligence analyst Giano Libot explains how foreigners shape and influence public opinion in the Philippines. He discusses how a recent statement by AFP Chief Romeo Brawner was taken out of context and went viral, showing how narratives can be twisted and amplified online.This is the third and final episode in Howie Severino’s special series on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).Libot and Severino unpack how local influencers and bot networks can spread propaganda that originates from foreign state media. Together, they explore how this kind of online meddling undermines trust, distorts public debate, and threatens our democracy.Don’t miss the full conversation—and stay tuned for a special upcoming episode on heritage conservation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ONLINE INVASION: How China is swaying global public opinion — an analyst explains | Part 2 03.11.2025 36min

  In China's influence operations in the world, the Philippines ranked 7th in 2022, according to the study the China Index. In 2024, the Philippines went down the ranking to number 29.Analyst Janina Santos from Doublethink Lab, a think tank that studies Foreign Information Manipulation Interference or FIMI, unpacks China's online influence in the world and how this has pervaded our everyday lives affecting media, the academe, and domestic politics.  What does China's influence operations threaten? She explains to Howie Severino in this second installment to a special 3-part series on foreign actors and disinformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ONLINE INVASION: How foreign powers shape what we see and believe online | Part 1 27.10.2025 30min

  In today’s information battlefield, outside forces are waging influence campaigns using proxies, propaganda, and falsehoods to sway public opinion.This tactic is known as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).How does FIMI threaten democracies around the world? What’s happening in the Philippines? Prof. Rachel Khan of the University of the Philippines breaks it down.This is Part 1 of a three-part special series uncovering how foreign actors meddle in Philippine politics through disinformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Women’s suffrage — Beauty queen na nangampanya para sa kababaihan 02.05.2025 35min

  Ang kauna-unahang Miss Philippines na si Pura Villanueva Kalaw, kinikilalang isa rin sa mga pinakamatatalinong babae ng kaniyang panahon. Kaya nang ipaglaban niya ang karapatang bumoto ng mga babae, nakinig ang lahat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Women’s suffrage — Nang manalo ang mga babae 24.04.2025 37min

  Sa matagal na panahon, lalaki lang ang nakaboboto sa Pilipinas — hanggang makibaka at mangampanya ang kababaihan. Alamin kung paano unang nakaboto sa halalan ang mga babae. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Tejeros — Unang eleksyon na nauwi sa execution 10.04.2025 31min

  Nagtipon ang Katipunan sa Cavite noong 1897 para magkasundo muli. Ngunit nagkagulo nang maghalalan. Lalong lumalim ang hidwaan. Kumalas si Bonifacio. Pinaaresto ni Aguinaldo. Paano naging personal ang alitan nila? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Unang eleksyon, 1897 — Ugat ng hidwaan nila Aguinaldo at Bonifacio 03.04.2025 34min

  Tejeros Convention, Part 1Para mamagitan sa dalawang paksyon ng Katipunan, dumayo si Andres Bonifacio sa isang pulong sa Cavite na naging snap election. Bakit hindi tanggap ni Bonifacio ang pagkatalo niya? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sino nga ba si Ramon Magsaysay? 27.03.2025 41min

  Dating gerilya at mekaniko ng bus, si Pangulong Ramon Magsaysay ay malapit sa masa at nakamobilisa ng kabataan. Walang bahid ng katiwalian. Ngunit hindi niya natapos ang kanyang unang termino.Who was Ramon Magsaysay?A former guerrilla leader and bus mechanic, President Magsaysay was close to the masses and mobilized the youth. He was untainted by corruption scandals. But tragically, he wasn’t able to finish his first term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Mambo Magsaysay — The first viral campaign jingle 20.03.2025 27min

  The youthful presidential candidate Ramon Magsaysay won by a landslide in 1953, propelled by various campaign gimmicks, including the first viral campaign jingle. That catchy tune was even revived during the 1986 people power revolution.  This is the first episode of the Philippine election history series of the Howie Severino Presents podcast. Mambo Magsaysay: Ang unang viral campaign jingle Nag landslide victory ang kandidatong si Ramon Magsaysay noong 1953, gamit ang maraming gimik sa kampanya, tulad ng isang trendy na jingle. Binuhay muli ito noong 1986 people power revolution.  Ito ang unang episode ng election history podcast ng Howie Severino Presents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The best art comes from nature— Dr. Joven Cuanang 26.12.2024 28min

  The Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum in Antipolo City stands out for bringing art and nature together in one place. Founded by neurologist Dr. Joven Cuanang, he talks to Howie Severino about his love for trees and plants that started when he was a child. He believes that being surrounded by art and nature is good for your health, and Pinto lets you enjoy both at the same time. Recorded on November 23, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  [MINISODE] Who is Mr. Christmas? 24.12.2024 2min

  In this conversation recorded in August 2022, Jose Mari Chan shares his thoughts on being considered a Christmas icon.Date recorded: August 11, 2022 Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zwp2dFiuI4KfSFDxjuPIQ?si=P13hXN_8S9SQQCv_mP_-RQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  [ MINISODE ] Lessons on Loss and Grief with Lissa Romero de Guia 20.12.2024 14min

  “If you love, you will grieve.”In a heartfelt conversation recorded last December 2023, writer Lissa Romero de Guia shares how writing helped her navigate the profound loss of her husband, Kidlat de Guia. As we celebrate the holiday season, Lissa offers insights on how to support and greet those who are grieving, reminding us of the importance of compassion and understanding. Date recorded: December 14, 2023Listen to the full episode here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  [ MINISODE ] Does Metro Manila traffic have a solution? 20.12.2024 5min

  It’s Christmas carmaggedon season. Inclusive mobility advocate Kenneth Abante calls for a shift in thinking to moving people and not cars. Date recorded: June 30, 2023Listen to the full episode here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  [MINISODE] ‘Ang taba mo!’ Dapat ba patulan ang puna sa family reunions? 13.12.2024 9min

  Paano nga ba sasagutin ang mga taklesang tanong sa family reunions ngayong Kapaskuhan?Narito ang ilang tips mula sa dating radio host na ngayon ay trauma therapist na si Gang Badoy Capati.Date recorded: December 4, 2022Puwedeng mapakinggan ang full episode dito: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Acmz5ST3dv2NRFZLgkL7a?si=yVQbF0j_SHeMJL1h90_dMQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.