The Howie Severino Podcast

Political commentator Ronald Llamas traces the split between President Marcos and VP Duterte to the earliest days of the administration.

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes

Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

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

It’s the -ber months again and we know what that means. The Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world. So expect to hear certain songs on repeat. Balladeer Jose Mari Chan talks about how his iconic “Christmas in our Hearts” was originally composed for a school reunion and became an unexpected classic.

Catch the full episode here (date recorded: August 11, 2022):

Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zwp2dFiuI4KfSFDxjuPIQ?si=nFRWFwM9RtyMYKF23_7mrQ

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

“Threatened ang wika natin,” ganito inilarawan ng manunulat, makata at Alagad ng Sining para sa Panitikan, Virgilio Amario, ang kasalukuyang estado ng Wikang Filipino. Ayon sa kanya, mababa pa rin ang pagtingin sa ating wika dahil sa kolonyal na mentalidad.

Noong 1980, nakita niya ang pangangailangan ng pagsulat ng mga librong pambata kaya’t itinatag niya ang Adarna House na naglalayong makahikayat ng bagong henerasyon ng mambabasa. Ikinuwento niya ang mahabang proseso bago siya nakasulat ng kuwentong pambata at aminadong hindi ito madali. Pinaliwanag din ni G. Almario kung bakit ang aklat na isinulat ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte ay ang katibayan na mahirap sumulat ng librong pambata.

Dinetalye rin ni G. Almario ang dahilan kung bakit sa wikang Tagalog hango ang wikang Filipino at nilinaw na hindi ito “niluto ni Quezon.”

Producer: Eumer Yanga

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

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

In case you missed it, 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Pepe Diokno explains the influence of the three martyred priests: Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora on the Philippine Revolution.

Listen to the full episode here (Date recorded: January 9, 2024): 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0bc32tZdSnZLMaQiIsltrI?si=18e913837c2c4319

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

JP Soriano, GMAIN veteran reporter, had a ringside seat while covering the Paris Olympics and witnessed not just Yulo’s golden moments but the heartbreak of the Philippines’ other athletes.

Soriano describes the excitement as Carlos Yulo beat strong rivals, especially the defending champion from Israel who had more fans in the stands.

Our reporter also saw how the Philippines’ first gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz privately offered the gymnast comfort as he tried to block off the distractions during the competition.

JP was also at the exhilarating gold-medal basketball game between Team USA and Team France.

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes

Researcher: MJ Cerillo

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

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

Every August, the Philippines commemorates 'Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.' In a 2021 conversation, fellow veteran documentarist Kara David  shares how she vlogs to teach Filipino language.

Catch the full episode here (Date recorded: July 23, 2021):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6HNbiv1CWBCGgVY2FPYm54?si=d4d377a0579a4880&nd=1

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

Many can relate to the Yulo family drama. Dr. Anna Tuazon explains some of the cultural values at play such as “balato,” “utang na loob,” parental fealty, and the pressures of being the family breadwinner.

She shares what she has advised her own patients — the importance of listening to each other, respecting the choices of your children (“let them dream”), and knowing the boundaries of “utang na loob” (shouldn’t be transactional or demanded).

Doc Anna reminds us that Carlos Yulo reached the pinnacle of his sport despite the distractions and disadvantages. To do that required “mental gymnastics” and an inner strength.

Producer: Ivy Andrada Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

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

A useless new wheelchair ramp along EDSA appeared more like a slide at an amusement park, triggering a wave of online ridicule. But it produced at least one benefit: it started a conversation about making cities more accessible. Ken Abante, a leading advocate of inclusive mobility, tells us how.

Listen to the full episode here (Date recorded: June 30, 2023):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7b68W0vGG1MOquHZahz07l?si=b13df8f909ec48e1

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

Prominent flood control engineer Dr. Guillermo Tabios shares a harsh reality — some densely populated areas of Manila may no longer be livable.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Howie Severino triggered by recent devastating flooding, the UP professor emeritus of civil engineering explains that the low-lying metropolis could be facing unstoppable flooding.

Climate change, clogged waterways, and the lack of major infrastructure spell regular disasters for millions of residents. Unless large floodways are built to carry water to the sea, Tabios says certain residential areas need to be abandoned to avoid the certainty of worsening floods and regular evacuations and fatalities. Current flood control projects are a patchwork that hasn’t solved the problem. He calls for a new cabinet-level Department of Water Resources that will coordinate government efforts and focus on comprehensive solutions.

Tabios cites Iloilo City as an urban center that has built effective flood control systems by diverting water away from the city center.

In Metro Manila, such an approach may require tunneling from Laguna Lake to the Pacific Ocean. According to Tabios, the reclamation projects in Manila Bay only exacerbate the situation by blocking the flow of water to the sea.

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes

Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

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

August 9 is National Book Lovers Day. For acclaimed UK-based Filipina author Candy Gourlay, reading her first book was a magical experience. In a conversation recorded in June 2023, Gourlay says this experience inspired her to write books for children. Her most popular books are about kids who grew up in the Philippines.

Catch the full episode here (Date recorded: June 21, 2023):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7j9RQL42yuuT0oNqvJ0P5j?si=4e7af4eaf80148cf

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