Women and queer artists in the Philippines’ indie music scene are carving out spaces where they can thrive on their own terms. In this episode, we talk to Kim Bernardino, vocalist of Cheekythings and co-manager of Sining Shelter, about her journey in indie music, the challenges of being a woman in the industry, and the safe spaces that uplift marginalized artists.&nbsp;

Women in Indie music: Fighting for a stage

How is the Philippine national budget being spent? Veteran journalist and technologist Jaemark Tordecilla talks to Roby Alampay to introduce Budget Bot, an AI-powered tool that makes budget data accessible to everyone. In this episode, we explore how AI can uncover spending patterns, outliers, and potential red flags—just in time for the elections. Find out how you can use Budget Bot to track public funds and make informed decisions. 🔗 Try Budget Bot: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-JbtdqTBNp-budget-bot📖 User Guide: https://github.com/tordecilla/budget-bot📖 Article: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/i-created-ai-chatbot-speak-my-countrys-budget-heres-how-i-did-it

Budget Bot: Unlocking the Philippine national budget with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the voice-acting industry, from automated narration to synthetic voices in ads, films, and apps. While many fear AI could replace human voice actors, others see it as an opportunity. In this episode, we speak with Pocholo de Leon Gonzales, the "VoiceMaster of the Philippines," who has embraced AI throughout his three-decade-long career. We talk about the evolution of voice tech, the ethics of voice cloning, and how voice actors can adapt, upskill, and thrive alongside AI.

Can AI replace voice actors? The VoiceMaster of the Philippines weighs in

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by the International Criminal Court&nbsp; for crimes against humanity over his deadly drug war. What happens now? In this episode, we break down the ICC case against Duterte, what the charges mean, and what the coming trial could look like — from possible jail time to international legal and political consequences.

Duterte’s ICC arrest explained: What happens next?

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 demographic crisis? In this episode, we break down what this means for our economy, workforce, and future.

Is the Philippines an aging population?

Discover the catchy, powerful, and sometimes controversial world of election campaign jingles. In this episode, we speak to music arranger and producer Nicholas Lazaro, who delves into the creative process behind crafting these tunes, the ethical dilemmas of working with political candidates, and the growing role of AI in music production. He also explores how jingles influence voters—especially those less politically informed. Tune in to uncover how music shapes the way Filipinos experience elections.

The sound of elections: Philippine campaign jingles

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 of Republic Act No. 10754, which mandates a 20% discount and VAT exemption for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Journalist Justine Dizon shares his firsthand experience of defending his right to these benefits, while tax expert Mon Abrea unpacks the challenges businesses face in verifying PWD IDs. We also discuss the broader implications for both PWDs and establishments, shedding light on the urgent need for a clearer, more reliable system.

Fake IDs, real burdens: Exploring the PWD discount system

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you need support, resources and helplines are listed below.For years, violence against women has persisted in various forms: physical, sexual, psychological, and economic. Despite existing laws, many survivors struggle to seek justice. Recent high-profile cases, such as those of socialite Tessa Prieto and vlogger and DJ Jellie Aw, have reignited public discussions on the barriers victims face, the gaps in legal protections, and what must change to ensure their safety and empowerment.In this episode, Atty. Alex Castro, a lawyer, women’s rights advocate, and founder of Youth Against Sexual Harassment (YASH), explains how the law addresses violence against women and where it still falls short. Where to Seek Help:Barangay VAW Desk (Barangay Hall)Social Welfare &amp; Development Office (LGUs)DSWD CBSS – Tel. 733-0014 to 18 local 116 / 488-2861PNP Women and Children Protection Center (Camp Crame) – Tel. 410-3213 / 532-6690Aleng Pulis Hotline – Tel. 0919-777-7377 | Emergency: 911Women &amp; Children Protection Desk (Nearest Police Precinct)NBI Anti-VAWCD – Tel. (02) 8523-8231 to 38 / (02) 8525-6028PNP WCPC – Tel. (02) 8532-6690 / 7410-3213 / 7723-0401 local 5260, 5360, 5361Visayas: 0917-708-5157 / (032) 410-8483Mindanao: 0917-180-6037DOJ-PAO Legal Aid – Tel. (02) 8929-9436 local 106, 107, 159UP-PGH Women’s Desk – Tel. (02) 8353-0667 / 8542-1512 / 8554-8400 local 2536DOH Hospitals, Women and Children Protection UnitWomen’s Crisis Center (WCC) – Tel. (02) 8514-4104 | Mobile: 0920-967-7852 / 0917-825-0320For more information, visit pcw.gov.ph.

Jellie Aw, violence against women and  legal protections for victims of abuse

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence, extrajudicial killings, and detailed accounts of brutality that may be distressing to some listeners. Acting on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, Philippine authorities swiftly arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte on the morning of March 11, 2025. It was a long-awaited answer to calls for drug war accountability.&nbsp; Duterte denies committing any crime. But before these dizzying developments, one man had already stepped forward with a chilling confession. In this episode, we dive into the testimony of Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed member of the Davao Death Squad. Matobato's revelations provide a firsthand account of the extrajudicial killings that defined Duterte's anti-drug campaign.&nbsp;Investigative journalist Sheila Coronel and an advocate for whistleblowers, Father Alabert Alejo, join us to discuss the challenges of verifying Matobato's account, the clandestine networks that offered him protection, and the broader implications for justice and accountability in the Philippines.

The making of Edgar Matobato, Ex-Davao Death Squad member & star witness in Duterte’s ICC Case

Balitang thinking, hindi breaking. Teka Teka is the news podcast that takes its time to explain the issues you need to know. A PumaPodcast production. Join our community!Get podcast updates and exclusive event invites when you sign up for the <a href="http://eepurl.com/hGLcYn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PumaPodcast newsletter</a>!<a href="http://eepurl.com/hGLcYn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/hGLcYn</a>

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