Each year, the Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons, which are growing progressively more destructive. A report released by Fitch Ratings in November 2021 said that this country is one of the most exposed to climate change physical risks, particularly floods and storms. In addition, the Department of Finance reported that climate-related hazards have cost the country $10 billion dollars in losses and damage over the past decade. 

In this B-Side episode, Rick Holland, Grundfos senior regional sales director for the Asia Pacific, talks to BusinessWorld reporter Alyssa Nicole O. Tan about key solutions to mitigate flooding caused by extreme weather events amid worsening climate change. Headquartered in Denmark, Grundfos manufactures pumps for flood control, irrigation, and sewage, among others.

“You cannot just take one approach to everything,” said Mr. Holland, noting that a community’s geography, economic status, and density should be considered when thinking of long-term solutions.  

Recorded remotely in February 2022. Produced by Earl R. Lagundino, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo.

In the spirit of a good meal that lasts several hours because the talking is just as satisfying as the eating, this B-Side episode continues on the social role of food.

“Filipinos won’t be the same without our food ... When we leave the country, we think, oh, when I want to feel more Filipino, I will cook, I will prepare, or I will eat Filipino food. It helps me get in touch with my Filipino identity,” said Maria Angelica B. America, an advocate of sustainable development who also teaches economics to senior high school and university students.

Ms. America tells BusinessWorld reporter Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan how food builds community: “It might be simple food, but if it’s shared with great company, prepared with great company, you will always go back to that memory. That’s beautiful. That’s the power of food.”

Recorded remotely February 2022. Produced by Jino D. Nicolas and Sam L. Marcelo. 

You know that cliche, that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

It’s especially true here, in the Philippines, where food is central to gatherings and “kumain ka na ba” or “have you eaten” is a common greeting.

When the pandemic struck, the simple act of breaking bread in the presence of friends and family was taken away from us.

In this B-Side episode, John Paolo C. Dalupang, a research associate at the Institute of Philippine Culture and lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, tells BusinessWorld reporter Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan about the social role of food. 

Mr. Dalupang, who has done research on feeding programs, public health, and disaster resilience, shares what he’s learned about what we lost when we were deprived of social gatherings and how our relationship to food has changed because of the pandemic.

Recorded remotely on Feb. 16, 2022. Produced by Jino D. Nicolas and Sam L. Marcelo.

Teenage pregnancy, abortion, birth control, and HIV/AIDs testing are topics considered taboo by Filipino society. For the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), providing better access to sexual and reproductive services is an uphill battle because the country is predominantly Catholic.

“Our conservatives, they bend towards pro-life policies, which are, most of the time, at odds with pro-choice advocacies,” said Mona S. Diones, FPOP Iloilo Chapter Manager. “The stigma and discrimination is still there. But advocacies like ours are getting louder.”

In this B-Side episode, Ms. Diones tells BusinessWorld reporter Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson what’s at stake, in terms of reproductive health policies, with the change in administration. “Our government has been so lax with the implementation of the law. Although we have these laws, they are not fully exercised.”

Recorded remotely on Feb. 11, 2022. Produced by Jino D. Nicolas and Sam L. Marcelo.

The local music industry has had to say goodbye to significant gig spots that just couldn’t survive the pandemic, no matter how well-loved they were.

As the country prepares to ease restrictions, B-Side takes stock of what it’s been like for local and independent musicians to collaborate and perform in a socially distanced world. 

“Collaborating online has taught us how to streamline our music creation process which we believe is a lesson we can take with us after the pandemic,” said Renzo R. Lumanog, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the local alternative pop band Any Name’s Okay. The band has performed in famed venues such as Route 196 on Katipunan Avenue, as well as in international music festivals in Taiwan. “A lot of musicians right now have either stopped making music, and there are some who have released more music than they ever have, there is a scale there.” 

In this B-Side episode, Mr. Lumanog talks to BusinessWorld reporter John Victor D. Ordoñez about venues closing down, people losing jobs, and musicians pursuing their passion. 

Recorded remotely on Jan. 28, 2022. Produced by John Victor D. Ordoñez, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo. Music used with permission from John’s Dirty Old Sneakers. 

In this B-Side episode, Froilan C. Calilung, a political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas, talks about the legalities and loopholes that have allowed vote buying to become part of the Philippine political system, with structures built by those with power and money.

“We could simply say that poverty is one of the contentious issues why we have vote buying, and why it is still very much prevalent in our society nowadays,” he tells BusinessWorld reporter Alyssa Nicole O. Tan. “Many Filipinos actually see election time as a frivolous event, more like a carnival of sorts if I may say.”

Recorded remotely in December 2021. Produced by Brontë H. Lacsamana, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo. 

It’s campaign season and election fever is on the rise. Comedian Red Ollero has been interviewing political candidates of all stripes on his show Bago Matulog with Red Ollero, a casual conversation that’s more approachable than the debates aired on television. While platforms are still discussed, Mr. Ollero also grills his guests and gently roasts them.

In this B-Side episode, Mr. Ollero tells BusinessWorld reporter Joseph L. Garcia what he finds funny about politics. They talk about the role of entertainers and influencers in the elections and why it’s good to poke fun at yourself when you are in the serious business of running an entire country. 

Recorded remotely in December 2021. Produced by Paolo L. Lopez, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo. 

While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dominated the headlines, other issues such as mental health concerns, tuberculosis, and cancer still need to be addressed.

“There are a lot of patients who are not able to get treatment because of COVID-19, and access to treatment is an issue,” said Dr. Erwin G. Benedicto, head of medical affairs at Johnson & Johnson Philippines.

In this B-Side episode, the second on strengthening the country’s health system, he tells BusinessWorld reporter Brontë H. Lacsamana how the public and private sector can work together to provide better healthcare and protect the country from multiple health-related threats. 

“Moving forward… we will have to enhance the private and public partnership because I know that the government cannot do it alone, and private cannot do it alone,” Dr. Benedicto said.

Recorded remotely in December 2021. Produced by Brontë H. Lacsamana, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo. 

The days of zero-COVID policies are long past, and learning to live with the coronavirus will require major adjustments to how things were done in the first year of the pandemic. “Coping with it, living with it, adjusting our policies and the way we live with the COVID threat (is) a matter of reducing risk,” said Dr. Regina P. Berba, head of infection control at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

In this B-Side episode — the first of two parts on the future of healthcare — Dr. Berba speaks with BusinessWorld reporter Brontë H. Lacsamana about a wide range of topics, including how to take care of the medical frontliners who are taking care of us, how civic spaces have to transform themselves just as hospitals have, and how the universal healthcare law can expand access to quality and affordable health services if implemented properly.

Recorded remotely in December 2021. Produced by Brontë H. Lacsamana, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo.

Digital infrastructure may not be a campaign talking point but it will be important for the next administration and the Philippines’ post-pandemic future.

“Whether you’re talking about agriculture or housing, all these will ultimately be driven by a broadband connection,” said Mario R. Domingo, founder of deep learning solutions company Neural Mechanics, Inc. and director of the Ateneo Institute for the Digital Enterprise. “In no uncertain terms, I want to make it clear that a national broadband network is the project of the national government because the moment you privatize it, it becomes a profitability play.”  

In this B-Side episode, Mr. Domingo tells BusinessWorld reporter Patricia B. Mirasol about the relationship between the internet and nation-building.

Recorded remotely on Dec. 15, 2021. Produced by Paolo L. Lopez, Jino D. Nicolas, and Sam L. Marcelo.