Teka Teka

Episoder

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  The hidden cost of squid and the global industry exploiting Filipino fishers 19.08.2026 20min

  The squid on our plates may have come at a devastating human cost. A new investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation, based on five years of research and more than 430 interviews with Filipino and Indonesian fishers, uncovers widespread forced labour, wage theft, violence, illegal fishing, and even deaths aboard distant-water squid vessels. Many of the workers are Filipinos, recruited with promises of steady jobs only to find themselves trapped at sea for months, or even years, with little chance of escape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The fight for a TB-free Philippines 17.08.2026 18min

  Tuberculosis remains one of the Philippines’ deadliest public health challenges, with the country now ranking third globally in TB burden. Philippine Tuberculosis Society (PTSI), founded in 1910, has been on the frontlines for over a century evolving from isolation care at the historic Quezon Institute to today’s decentralized network of clinics.Former Health secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial, who is now PTSI’s executive director, explains how TB spreads, why stigma and fear remain barriers to treatment, and how their strategy is reshaping the fight against TB. Their goal is clear: to eliminate TB in the Philippines by 2030.For more information from PTSI, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why did the urban poor support tokhang despite its heavy cost? 12.08.2026 13min

  A necessary tool for social order. This was how affected residents viewed tokhang, according to Dr. Marco Garrido, an associate professor of Sociology from the University of Chicago. His ethnographic work reveals that in high-density, impoverished neighborhoods, the disruption caused by drugs was seen as a collective threat, derailing their very survival. More about his study—which argues that the poor’s support for the drug war was not a result of ignorance, but a rational, complex trade-off between human rights and the urgent desire for neighborhood security—in this episode of Teka Teka. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Inside the ethanol spill threatening a marine sanctuary 10.08.2026 21min

  Scientists monitoring Bais Bay in Tañon Strait say the damage caused by a toxic wastewater spill in an ethanol distillery has evolved into something even more dangerous: a slow-moving ecological crisis that threatens corals, fisheries, and livelihoods. This episode examines why the spill continues, the gaps in environmental enforcement, and what must happen now to prevent irreversible damage to the country's largest marine protected area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How will the ‘Super’ El Niño affect the Philippines? 05.08.2026 20min

  We’ve been seeing, reading and hearing it all over the news: a so-called “Super” El Niño is here. How will this climate event affect the Philippines, a country that is highly exposed to weather and climate hazards?In this episode of Teka Teka, climate and environment journalist Jhesset Enano speaks with meteorologist and climate scientist Rafaela Jane Delfino on this global climate pattern, unpacking complex terms and jargon to help Filipinos better prepare for the looming El Niño conditions. Is it accurate to call it ‘super,’ or even ‘Godzilla’ El Niño? Who are the most vulnerable to its impacts and how can the government help them mitigate the worst possible scenarios?Reporter and host: Jhesset EnanoProducer: Tricia AquinoAudio editor: Anthony TobiasVideo editor: Ces Leslie Salada/Ron Lobiano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why are we still not talking about periods? 03.08.2026 24min

  In this episode of Teka Teka, we explore periods: the physical and social costs of having them; what organizations and the government are doing to improve the experience for young Filipinas; and why we as a society, seem to shy away from conversations about this normal, everyday occurrence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pictures that matter: The lives of those left behind remain interrupted 29.07.2026 10min

  In “Pictures that matter,” a special mini-series to commemorate the tenth year of the drug war, we talk to media workers who covered one of the bloodiest terms in modern Philippine history and ask them to tell the stories behind the troubling—and powerful—images splashed on our screens and newspapers. What kind of mark did this period leave on these journalists, and how have they made sense of what happened? This final episode features award-winning photojournalist Eloisa Lopez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How ‘AI swarms’ can target your next vote 27.07.2026 13min

  Democracies are grappling with a new threat supercharged by AI. Reporting from Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany, independent journalist Nica Hanopol unpacks the rise of “malicious AI swarms.”  They are opaque, personalised, and cross-platform, making it harder to detect. In this episode, she explores how these networks could fabricate consensus during elections and undermine people’s right to form their own opinions free from interference. It features insights from UN OHCHR Digital Technologies and Human Rights Chief Wafa Ben-Hassine; SINTEF Digital Researcher Daniel Schroeder; Monash Data and Democracy Research Hub Co-Director Ika Idris; and National Democratic Institute Deputy Director of Elections Julia Brothers.To learn more about this issue, read the research paper here: “How malicious AI swarms can threaten democracy” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pictures that matter: “The screams are really the killer for us” 22.07.2026 11min

  In “Pictures that matter,” a special mini-series to commemorate the tenth year of the drug war, we talk to media workers who covered one of the bloodiest terms in modern Philippine history and ask them to tell the stories behind the troubling—and powerful—images splashed on our screens and newspapers. What kind of mark did this period leave on these journalists, and how have they made sense of what happened? This episode features veteran producer Rica Concepcion.For more of this story, read “They are slaughtering us like animals” by Daniel Berehulak, who won a Pulitzer Prize for this photo essay in The New York Times.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ten years later, does the West Philippine Sea ruling still matter? 20.07.2026 16min

  Ten years after the landmark Hague ruling rejected China's sweeping claims in the West Philippine Sea, what has actually changed for the Filipinos whose livelihoods depend on these waters? While governments cite a historic legal victory, fishermen continue to face harassment, water cannons, and shrinking catches. In this episode, Teka Teka speaks with PAMALAKAYA chairperson Fernando "Andy" Hicap about what the arbitral ruling means beyond diplomacy, and why, for many fishing communities, the battle is far from over. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pictures that matter: Buhusan man ng tubig ang dugo, hindi matatanggal ang mantsa 15.07.2026 6min

  In “Pictures That Matter,” a special mini-series to commemorate the tenth year of the drug war, we talk to media workers who covered one of the bloodiest terms in modern Philippine history and ask them to tell the stories behind the troubling—and powerful—images splashed on our screens and newspapers. What kind of mark did this period leave on these journalists, and how have they made sense of what happened? This episode features Maro B. Enriquez, a freelance journalist whose work in TV during that period frequently brought her to crime scenes around Metro Manila.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  False narratives and real harm: The push to ban vapes in the Philippines 13.07.2026 19min

  The Department of Health has already confirmed one death directly linked to vaping. What begins as a habit particularly among the youth often escalates into addiction and serious health consequences, with doctors uncovering shocking cases of lung damage linked to e‑cigarettes. These experiences highlight the urgent call from health advocates to confront the reality that vaping is not the “safer” alternative it is advertised to be.The DOH and public health think tank HealthJustice Philippines are pushing for a total ban on vapes, saying weak regulations have fueled a growing crisis. They add that with eight ASEAN countries already banning vapes, the Philippines risks becoming a dumping ground for these products if lawmakers fail to act. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pictures that matter: "If people are licensed to do violence, how far can we go?" 08.07.2026 10min

  In “Pictures that matter,” a special mini-series to commemorate the tenth year of the drug war, we talk to media workers who covered one of the bloodiest terms in modern Philippine history and ask them to tell the stories behind the troubling—and powerful—images splashed on our screens and newspapers. What kind of mark did this period leave on these journalists, and how have they made sense of what happened? This episode features photojournalist Alecs Ongcal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  10 years after the drug war: Justice, the ICC, and the families left behind 06.07.2026 19min

  Ten years after the launch of the Philippines' war on drugs, the fight for accountability continues. In this episode, we unpack the ICC's role in investigating alleged crimes against humanity and hear a mother's powerful story of loss, hope, and the long road to justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pictures that matter: ‘A stray bullet and your child is gone’ 01.07.2026 7min

  In “Pictures that matter,” a special mini-series to commemorate the tenth year of the drug war, we talk to media workers who covered one of the bloodiest terms in modern Philippine history and ask them to tell the stories behind the troubling—and powerful—images splashed on our screens and newspapers. What kind of mark did this period leave on these journalists, and how have they made sense of what happened? This episode features Juan Carlo de Vela, a Cebu-based photojournalist who has worked for various publications there and in Manila.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pride and planet: How queer justice intersects with climate justice 29.06.2026 25min

  For Filipinos, the month of June offers a dual celebration: Pride Month and the Philippine Environment Month. But how do we live with pride and acceptance in the face of a planetary emergency?In this episode of Teka Teka, climate and environment journalist Jhesset Enano speaks with queer climate activist Jefferson Estela on the intersections of queer justice and climate justice. They unpack the lived experiences of the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community amid the climate crisis, the wins in queer visibility and recognition in the climate space, and the persisting struggle for pride and the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The promises and pitfalls of the Anti-False Information bill 25.06.2026 23min

  The House passed the Anti-False Information Bill by a staggering 286 to 3 vote. On paper, it sounds like exactly what the Philippines needs to combat a massive disinformation crisis. The bill targets deliberate, harmful lies and introduces strict new transparency rules for big tech platforms like Meta, YouTube, and TikTok.In this episode, independent journalist Nica Rhiana Hanopol sits down with Ross Fallorina, Managing Director of the SIGLA Research Center and a member of the bill’s technical working group. They dive deep into the messy political realities behind its rushed passage, what the bill gets right, and what it dangerously leaves open to interpretation. The conversation also breaks down why countering disinformation goes beyond platform accountability and false claims; it’s also about education and labor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pauli Basubas: 'Island girl' from Cebu pursues her astronaut dreams 23.06.2026 28min

  In this inspiring episode, we feature Pauli Basubas, a Filipina Gen Z space biologist chasing her dream of becoming the first Filipino astronaut. From her humble beginnings in Cebu, where nights under the island sky sparked her curiosity, to her groundbreaking research in space biology, Pauli’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and purpose.Recently featured in the documentary To the Moon and Back at the prestigious Visions du Réel International Film Festival in Switzerland, Pauli shares how she carries her island roots proudly into the global stage of space science. She explains why space exploration matters to our everyday lives, from satellites that help predict typhoons to technologies like water purification and phone cameras that originated from space research.Finally, she reflects on her journey, her mission to inspire Filipino youth, and her vision of creating opportunities so that more island kids can dream beyond survival and reach for the stars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Binaliw landfill ‘trashslide’ and similar tragedies: Why they keep happening 18.06.2026 23min

  On January 8, the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City collapsed, burying workers alive under mountains of waste. Locals called it a “trashslide.” The tragedy would not be the last of its kind in 2026. Journalist Maverick Avila traces a devastating chain of waste-related disasters across the Philippines: the Binaliw trashslide, the Rizal landfill collapse, the Navotas landfill fire that burned for a month, and the Davao landfill collapse that followed. He speaks with Jhaylord Antigua, a safety officer who survived the Binaliw trashslide by what he calls “luck,” and who continues to work at the landfill to this day. He also sits down with Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, an environmental scientist and waste expert, to ask: why does this keep happening? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Marcos-Duterte breakup, the Senate standoff, and we the voters 15.06.2026 22min

  The Marcos-Duterte alliance delivered a historic landslide victory in 2022, but just a few years later, it has collapsed into one of the biggest political feuds in recent Philippine history. In this episode of Teka Teka, sociologist Athena Charanne Presto unpacks why the Uniteam alliance unraveled, what it reveals about political dynasties, power, and polarization in the Philippines, and how the fallout could shape the road to the 2028 presidential election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.