“Not in this economy” has become shorthand for how many young Filipinos are navigating adulthood today.

In 2026, the Philippine economy continues to grow — but not evenly, and not in ways that always translate into financial security for those just starting out. While official indicators point to stability, Gen Z faces persistent challenges around underemployment, wage stagnation, and delayed milestones.

In this episode of Thought Bubbles, we sit down with Christian Jimenez, a CPA-lawyer and economics professor, to unpack what the numbers are actually telling us — and where they fall short of capturing lived experience. We discuss GDP, employment quality, income realities, and why economic progress can feel abstract on the ground.

Beyond the data, the conversation looks at how young Filipinos are adjusting: building skills outside traditional career paths, leaning into digital and community-based work, and rethinking success in an economy that no longer follows linear timelines.

This episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

How do we defend history in an age of speed, noise, and disinformation?

In this live conversation from Maki+Fiesta 2.0, historian, educator and author Professor Xiao Chua joins Lyn Olavario and Hannah Tasarra for a candid conversation on public history, technology, and why truth matters—especially for younger audiences.

Recorded in the middle of the festival, the discussion touches on creative platforms, collaboration, and the shared responsibility of keeping history accessible, accurate, and alive. From classrooms to content creation, this episode looks at how the past continues to shape the present, and why we can’t afford to stop telling these stories.

This episode was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engineered by Jem Bunao. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

What does it really feel like to watch Alex Eala play live — not on a screen, but from the stands?

In this episode, we are joined by journalist and writer Carla Lim Teng-Westergaard to talk about the experience of attending professional tennis matches as a Filipino fan: navigating silence and applause, reading the crowd, and learning how tennis culture works in real time.

Drawing from firsthand experiences watching Alex compete overseas, this conversation looks at tennis not just as a sport, but as a space shaped by history, class, and unspoken rules — and what happens when new audiences enter that space with curiosity, pride, and enthusiasm.

As Filipinos show up in growing numbers to support Alex Eala, this episode asks what it means to belong, to learn on the spot, and to cheer with awareness without losing the joy that brought us there in the first place.

Carla also wrote an article covering this topic for Business Mirror. You may read the article here.

This episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

Alex Eala has put Philippine tennis in the spotlight — and with it comes excitement, new fans, and a learning curve.

Tennis in the Philippines is having a moment, and as new audiences fill the stands and global attention turns toward the country, this episode unpacks the growing pains of a sport entering the mainstream.

What does it mean to support an athlete well? How do we balance passion with sportsmanship? And how can this moment help build a more informed, welcoming tennis culture?

In this episode, we are joined by Iza, a Learning and Development professional based in Australia, whose post on tennis etiquette sparked a much-needed conversation — not from a place of shaming, but from wanting people to enjoy and respect the sport.

If you want to read her post, you can find it here.

This episode is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

At Maki+Fiesta 2.0, artist Arthur Tselishchev sits down with Hannah Tasarra for a live conversation on art, memory, and responsibility in times of war. A Ukrainian artist who has made the Philippines his home, Arthur reflects on creating work amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now more than three years since the full‑scale invasion began in February 2022—using painting not as spectacle, but as a form of healing, witness, and resistance.

As attention fades and disinformation grows louder, this conversation explores how art can cut through fatigue, carry truth without argument, and keep human stories visible when headlines move on. Recorded during the festival, the exchange touches on war, diaspora, shared values, and why culture remains a powerful tool for education and civic imagination.

We’d like to thank the Embassy of Ukraine for introducing Arthur to Maki+Fiesta and making this conversation possible. You can follow Arthur’s work here:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/arthur.tselishchev
• Instagram: @arthurtsofficial
• X (formerly Twitter): @ArturTs

This episode was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

Trigger warning: This episode discusses animal cruelty, including instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Some content may be distressing for listeners.

Following the recent conviction of a mall security guard for killing a puppy, conversations around animal cruelty and accountability have resurfaced. While public outrage is often swift, justice is not.

In this rerun of Teka Teka, PAWS chief attorney Anna Cabrera explains why most animal cruelty cases in the Philippines never reach court, even when incidents are documented or shared online. We break down the country’s animal welfare laws, the importance of eyewitness affidavits, and the limits of relying on social media for justice.

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

Coffee is part of everyday life in the Philippines—but behind every cup is a long history shaped by trade, agriculture, labor, and culture. In this episode, we revisit a conversation from WhatsAP? Araling Panlipunan Rebooted, exploring how coffee arrived in the Philippines, why the country sits in the global coffee “bean belt,” and what makes Philippine coffee unique.

From Batangas’ rise as a coffee powerhouse to the impact of plant disease, climate change, and shifting consumer habits, the episode breaks down the past, present, and possible future of the local coffee industry. You’ll also hear from Filipino coffee professionals—roasters, processors, and educators—who explain specialty coffee, coffee varietals like Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, and why quality and fair pricing matter.

This conversation also asks an important question: what role do consumers play in supporting Filipino coffee farmers and small businesses? As specialty coffee grows in the Philippines, understanding where your coffee comes from can make every cup more meaningful.

This episode rerun is produced and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

As Filipinos grow more vigilant about how government money is spent, questions around the national budget go beyond big numbers and official promises. More people are asking harder, more personal questions: sino ang magbabayad, sino ang makikinabang, at para kanino ba talaga ang mga programang ito?

In this episode rerun, Roby Alampay talks with economist Cielo Magno about how ordinary citizens can evaluate government spending and policy announcements—without needing an economics background. The discussion avoids technical jargon and instead offers practical ways to assess priorities, feasibility, and fairness, using everyday analogies that make the budget process easier to understand.

This rerun is produced and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

UP Tugma brings Philippine music to life. In this live episode from Maki+Fiesta 2.0, the student musicians from the UP College of Music take us behind the rhythms, stories, and traditions they perform—showing how music can carry culture, connect communities, and spark collaboration.

Join us for a lively, short conversation recorded in the heart of the festival, and discover how tradition meets creativity in the hands of the next generation of Filipino musicians.

This episode was produced by Hannah Tasarra and engineered by Jem Bunao. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow us on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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

The start of a new year often comes with plans to improve daily habits, including skincare. But with countless products, routines, and online advice competing for attention, building a skincare routine can quickly become confusing and expensive.

In this rerun of a Project Vanity episode, we revisit a timely conversation on skincare habits, evidence-based advice, and the importance of professional guidance. The discussion focuses on understanding your own skin, avoiding misinformation, and knowing when skincare products are not enough without consulting a dermatologist.

This conversation offers a practical perspective for anyone starting the year with skincare goals—whether you are simplifying your routine, addressing persistent skin concerns, or looking to make informed decisions rather than follow trends.

This episode rerun is produced by Hannah Grace and edited by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

Listen to our episodes on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For more updates, follow Teka Teka on these platforms: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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