Zahra Bianca "Z" Saldua was second runner-up in the Miss World Philippines pageant in 2013 and living a beauty queen's life with hosting gigs and product sponsorships.

But after the war in Israel erupted on October 7, she stopped posting about products and devoted herself to the Palestinian cause. The child of an OFW and a Palestinian woman who met in Kuwait, Z is the product of two diasporas who said she joined beauty pageants to have a larger platform for what she cared about. 

She's endured online hate for her views and suffers from what she says is "survivor's guilt" by living a safe, comfortable life in the Philippines, while the people she identifies with are being bombed. She explains to Howie Severino that her mission is to provide a human face to a misunderstood cause and explain the roots of a conflict that go back to 1948.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it, lawyer and educator Tony La Viña explains the effects of disinformation during elections.

Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KaNhB7ty5Ocn3ndEK0Q43?si=d9dcb087ed4c49f4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zahra Bianca "Z" Saldua was second runner-up in the Miss World Philippines pageant in 2013 and living a beauty queen's life with hosting gigs and product sponsorships.

But after the war in Israel erupted on October 7, she stopped posting about products and devoted herself to the Palestinian cause. The child of an OFW and a Palestinian woman who met in Kuwait, Z is the product of two diasporas who said she joined beauty pageants to have a larger platform for what she cared about. 

She's endured online hate for her views and suffers from what she says is "survivor's guilt" by living a safe, comfortable life in the Philippines, while the people she identifies with are being bombed. She explains to Howie Severino that her mission is to provide a human face to a misunderstood cause and explain the roots of a conflict that go back to 1948.

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Producer: Eumer Yanga

Researcher: MJ Cerillo

Editor: Jayr Magtoto 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YouTube comedy sensation Mikey Bustos grew up in Canada wanting to be a veterinarian. Then after success on Canadian Idol, he decided to become a singer. But he soon discovered what entertained his audiences the most were his funny videos about the Filipino culture of his immigrant parents, such as his viral musical parody about the common, indispensable tabo. 

Howie Severino talks to Mikey about his childhood in Canada as often the only Filipino kid in class, resettling in the Philippines, and coming out with his partner RJ, with whom he shares a new, art-filled home. 

Mikey never forgot his childhood love for animals and retained his obsession with ants. He even recently made news as the discoverer of an ant species in his yard that was not known to exist in the Philippines. He tells Howie how his passion for ants became a business with international operations. 

With millions of followers on multiple platforms, Mikey shares tips on how to earn from creating online content. But it all starts with developing your talent and being ready for that “curveball from the universe.” 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it, Raffy Tima explains how covering wars affected his personal life and shaped his faith in humanity.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dPKy7GYSrtOBHgN1iGQjf?si=6b3d979eee9c41a5 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YouTube comedy sensation Mikey Bustos grew up in Canada wanting to be a veterinarian. Then after success on Canadian Idol, he decided to become a singer. But he soon discovered what entertained his audiences the most were his funny videos about the Filipino culture of his immigrant parents, such as his viral musical parody about the common, indispensable tabo. 

Howie Severino talks to Mikey about his childhood in Canada as often the only Filipino kid in class, resettling in the Philippines, and coming out with his partner RJ, with whom he shares a new, art-filled home. 

Mikey never forgot his childhood love for animals and retained his obsession with ants. He even recently made news as the discoverer of an ant species in his yard that was not known to exist in the Philippines. He tells Howie how his passion for ants became a business with international operations. 

With millions of followers on multiple platforms, Mikey shares tips on how to earn from creating online content. But it all starts with developing your talent and being ready for that “curveball from the universe.” 

Links:

https://youtu.be/MFHISwnlzG8?si=o0YEQQbaGQqKb6Wy

https://youtu.be/Vzb98tQp53I?si=CQVHAffz3PnVBlbZ

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Producer: Arla FabellaResearcher: MJ CerilloEditor: Jayr Magtoto

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it, former CCP vice president Chris Millado talks about a controversy faced by the cultural center and how it upheld the freedom of expression.

Catch the full episode here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ANhtTRoCNSVYNoYfFdeCF?si=f8bdded4a4e0478c

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hamas attack on Israel was the latest and one of the bloodiest episodes in a long history of war between Arabs and the Jewish state. 

UP political scientist Herman Kraft tells Howie Severino that the tensions began in 1948 when, backed by the United Nations but opposed by Arab states, Israel established itself as a state in what was then the territory of Palestine. As Israel, mostly a nation of European immigrants, won wars and became a military and economic power, Arab states sought peace, sidelining the nationalist interests of their Palestinian allies. 

As Israel prepares for a bloody occupation of Gaza, Kraft advises Filipinos to postpone any travels to Israel, even pilgrimages to Jerusalem, as the war could widen and drag on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s a reason why there’s not much buzz about the barangay and SK elections this month — candidates are generally avoiding premature campaigning. Our podcast guest Atty. Ona Caritos of LENTE, a prominent election watchdog, says the Comelec has shortened the campaign period and warned against campaigning before or after it.

Make no mistake, says Atty. Caritos, the barangay elections are important because the barangay is where most citizens experience government and public service. In many places, it’s also where bases of power are formed for higher office.

The Sangguniang Kabataan elections on the same day are unique in at least one major way — it’s the only elections where members of political dynasties are disqualified from running. The application of a ban on dynasties in the SK elections may provide a template for other elections.

The October 30 elections will be manual. Could its successful conduct return us to the pre-automated system for the next elections? Atty Caritos weighs in.

Vote buying has become easier with mobile and online payment systems. That hasn’t deterred watchdog groups like LENTE from trying to stop it, now with the help of the PNP.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hamas attack on Israel was the latest and one of the bloodiest episodes in a long history of war between Arabs and the Jewish state.

UP political scientist Herman Kraft tells Howie Severino that the tensions began in 1948 when, backed by the United Nations but opposed by Arab states, Israel established itself as a state in what was then the territory of Palestine. As Israel, mostly a nation of European immigrants, won wars and became a military and economic power, Arab states sought peace, sidelining the nationalist interests of their Palestinian allies.

As Israel prepares for a bloody occupation of Gaza, Kraft advises Filipinos to postpone any travels to Israel, even pilgrimages to Jerusalem, as the war could widen and drag on.

Links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8DwCl5uEL8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRYZjOuUnlU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0uLbeQlwjw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGVgjS98OsU

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/11/israel-hamas-war-live-gaza-faces-growing-humanitarian-catastrophe

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/10/11/hamas-israel-conflict-war-explained/71133876007/

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/09/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-war-explained-mime-intl/index.html

https://www.britannica.com/event/Arab-Israeli-wars

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Producer: Aubrey Delos ReyesResearcher: MJ CerilloEditor: Jayr Magtoto

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.