The Howie Severino Podcast

Howie Severino talks to Ceej Tantengco-Malolos, a leading advocate for female athletes and host of the ground-breaking podcast, “Go Hard Girls.”

Ceej describes the impact of Olympic gold medalist Hidlyn Diaz and US basketball star Caitlin Clark, while bemoaning the lack of professional opportunities for women to play in the Philippines.

Braving the online backlash, she has famously called out the objectification of women athletes, misogyny in sports, and violence against women.

She also talks about working in the lion’s den of the PBA, a league she is influencing in her job as a social media producer.

Producer: Ivy Andrada Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jay-r Magtoto

It’s still the early days of AI in the Philippines, but journalist and UP professor Karol Ilagan describes how AI tools can already impact journalism, from the basic task of transcribing interviews to combing dense COA reports in search of patterns and red flags. 

[AI Series Part 1] We first saw deepfakes as humorous memes, then as celebrity likenesses selling tacky products. But the deepfake of the president last month calling on the armed forces to take action against a foreign country demonstrated AI-driven deepfakes’ potential for real danger.

Deepfakes have been defined as video or audio manipulated with the help of AI to create hoaxes. But they’re now also considered an advanced form of disinformation with often malicious intent.

Our podcast guest Jeffrey Dy is the government’s undersecretary for Information and Communications Technology. He describes the rapid response of the government to the deepfake president’s order to the military. He also talks about hacking attacks on government that were traced to China, although not necessarily its government.

He says that the country will need 300,000 cybersecurity professionals to handle the wave of deepfakes and other cyber threats on the horizon.

[AI Series Part 1] We first saw deepfakes as humorous memes, then as celebrity likenesses selling tacky products. But the deepfake of the president last month calling on the armed forces to take action against a foreign country demonstrated AI-driven deepfakes’ potential for real danger. Deepfakes have been defined as video or audio manipulated with the help of AI to create hoaxes. But they’re now also considered an advanced form of disinformation with often malicious intent. Our podcast guest Jeffrey Dy is the government’s undersecretary for Information and Communications Technology. He describes the response of the government to the deepfake president’s order to the military (the deepfake was taken down by YouTube after a few hours and monitored automatically for any reappearance). He says that the country will need 300,000 cybersecurity professionals to handle the wave of deepfakes and other cyber threats on the horizon. Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Who says podcasts have to be only audio?

Introducing part 2 of this landmark “audiozine” episode on Sherwin Felix, the millennial food content creator behind the digital archive Lokalpedia, which has a unique heritage take on Philippine cuisine.

This podcast has always had a video counterpart posted on certain platforms, but video only of the online interviews. One of Howie’s I-Witness documentaries was repurposed for a podcast episode.

To produce this audiozine our podcast team actually had to leave our homes.

Shooting on location for the first time, we went to the Taal lakeshore in Batangas to produce video of Sherwin in a natural setting with a table of little known Philippine heirloom food ingredients. It was a refreshing respite from our usual zoom encounters with thought leaders.

Don’t get used to it. This format is a special occasion to mark this podcast’s third anniversary. We will continue to innovate and occasionally produce audiozines.

Our team enjoyed producing this one as it was a chance to see each other face to face as well as hold, smell and taste the delectable objects our guest was talking about with so much passion.

Producer: Eumer Yanga Researcher: Jenica Villanueva Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Naga-based poet and filmmaker Kristian Sendon Cordero talks about his quirky “Savage Mind” bookshop and why he has no plans of living anywhere else but Bicol.

Catch the full episode here: 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZRHnzHhjsf5kcwMQiQ4gz?si=RM5fNURwT7Ob-grtpOnndg

Ever tasted “aruyuy” aka siling duwag? How about bangkiling, tabungaw, and pahutan? You may not know what you’re missing.

In a leveled-up version of this podcast, Howie Severino invites foodie influencer Sherwin Felix to his home in Batangas to talk about delicious Philippine fruits and vegetables hidden in plain sight.

The millennial behind Lokalpedia, the popular food heritage digital archive, Sherwin assembled for our cameras a wide variety of heirloom foods foraged from nature that have long been part of Filipino cuisine. But these have been neglected or forgotten because of the advent of fast food and foreign flavors.

Lokalpedia has a growing audience that’s interested in rediscovering Philippine food biodiversity.

It's our 3rd anniversary, podmates!

In line with our celebration, we have something in store for you!

Introducing the audiozine – a first in Philippine podcasts wherein magazine meets audio! Here, we will talk about a variety of topics ranging from rare native berries to the common items in the Bahay Kubo song.

Catch this episode on April 26, 2024, Friday on all streaming and social media platforms of GMA Integrated News.

"Baybayin, calligraphy for the world"

The millennial artist Taipan Lucero calls his art CalligraFilipino, applying an Asian art form to the Filipino pre-colonial script Baybayin. 

He has taken his art overseas where he’s demonstrated it at US universities, Google headquarters, and even at a Golden State Warriors basketball game. 

It’s his way of honoring Filipino heritage while calling for more teaching of Filipino scripts. #TheHowieSeverinoPodcast

April rings in Filipino food month. Kapampangan Chef Claude Tayag describes Filipino Cuisine” as a symphony of sweet, sour, and salty in a single bite.

Catch the full episode here: 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/40jHRX3Ln6adjNU58z2Kdb?si=3tagRka0SOuijFgGnL

Dr. Eric Tayag speaks with Howie Severino on the eve of his retirement after 35 years of government service. 

He talks about how he started using his zumba moves in health campaigns and the challenge of preventing children’s deaths amid a global vaccine shortage. 

Is the pandemic over? When should we still wear masks? Why is there a pertussis outbreak? Why did many believe the anti-vaxxers? Dr. Tayag provides clear answers without having to dance.

Dr. Eric Tayag speaks with Howie Severino on the eve of his retirement after 35 years of government service.

He talks about how he started using his zumba moves in health campaigns and the challenge of preventing children’s deaths amid a global vaccine shortage.

Is the pandemic over? When should we still wear masks? Why is there a pertussis outbreak? Why did many believe the anti-vaxxers? Dr. Tayag provides clear answers without having to dance.

CREDITS Producer: Ivy Andrada-Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

The end of the pandemic unleashed a flood of tourists around the Philippines that is wreaking havoc on fragile ecosystems. Environmental planner Chen Mencias has been advising local governments to aim for "high value, low volume," and involve local communities in tourism enterprises. She gives hot takes on the Chocolate Hills controversy and the Boracay model of development. And she lists the ways that Filipinos can be responsible tourists, and mentions two localities where local governments are managing their tourism sustainably.

The end of the pandemic unleashed a flood of tourists around the Philippines that is wreaking havoc on fragile ecosystems. Environmental planner Chen Mencias has been advising local governments to aim for "high value, low volume," and involve local communities in tourism enterprises. She gives hot takes on the Chocolate Hills controversy and the Boracay model of development. And she lists the ways that Filipinos can be responsible tourists, and mentions two localities where local governments are managing their tourism sustainably.

Links:

https://youtu.be/k5h6DmJUy-I?si=Ju0thUPfD_Db-K4n

https://youtu.be/Y2Xt6snaUk4?si=zL1W3zzk2P85b1lJ

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/85JY3SGrnW6rPZxc/?mibextid=TRmnTU&startTimeMs=3000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqRJV3pJniU

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes

Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

The British royal family has been the talk of the town. On March 22, 2024, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer following her abdominal surgery in January. In case you missed it, BBC Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond shares his thoughts on covering the British Royal Family.

Listen to the full episode here:
Upload: March 7, 2024

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4J8IFbRKTNWAN7DlSCgHzT?si=i0FBg4GDSMidHDAC_xl_Jw

The pandemic locked down many and made them homebodies. But in 2022, married couple Celine and Dennis Murillo left home and spent more than a year on the road, traveling around the Philippines in a camper van they called Eli. They shared their awe at the wonders of the country on YouTube before Celine began a Tiktok series on the native trees and plants they saw on their journeys.

In this first part of her conversation with Howie Severino, Celine talks about the practicalities of life on the road – where did they shower and go to the toilet, did they ever feel unsafe, how did they earn a living?

Solving those issues enabled her to produce unique educational content about Philippine biodiversity, including showing live specimens of colorful species depicted in monochrome on the country’s money (“Saribuhay sa Salapi”).

Celine explains that focusing on the nation’s native species is part of her mission to “decolonize” the public’s view of nature.

On her popular nature vlog, Celine Murillo constantly identifies plants and animals by their scientific names aside from their common or local names. She stresses that having this knowledge is part of knowing your environment and can even save your life. Part of that essential awareness is why native tree species should be planted and not foreign species, such as the mahogany trees that are seen growing in many places, part of an ill-advised government reforestation program. Does she ever get tempted to call out those who do wrong to the environment? Celine shares her take on that and on her growing influence on TikTok and elsewhere. Producer: Eumer Yanga

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

The pandemic locked down many and made them homebodies. But in 2022, married couple Celine and Dennis Murillo left home and spent more than a year on the road, traveling around the Philippines in a camper van they called Eli. They shared their awe at the wonders of the country on YouTube before Celine began a Tiktok series on the native trees and plants they saw on their journeys.

In this first part of her conversation with Howie Severino, Celine talks about the practicalities of life on the road – where did they shower and go to the toilet, did they ever feel unsafe, how did they earn a living?

Solving those issues enabled her to produce unique educational content about Philippine biodiversity, including showing live specimens of colorful species depicted in monochrome on the country’s money (“Saribuhay sa Salapi”).

Celine explains that focusing on the nation’s native species is part of her mission to “decolonize” the public’s view of nature.

Producer: Eumer Yanga

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

This March, The Howie Severino Podcast celebrates National Women’s Month with extraordinary Filipinas like Hillary Dianne Andales.  In case you missed it, Hillary tells us how her love for science began at a young age.

Catch the full episode here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0yOw8793TDdgQpATtD6Nl4?si=38QNbX5HTFWk3zOZ_oPT

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Retired UP professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for shepherding a peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, recognizing her as “the first female Chief Negotiator in the world to sign a final peace accord with a rebel group.”

Ferrer explains how she remained focused despite the Mamasapano massacre in 2015 which nearly derailed the peace process. She shares insights on how to get opposing forces to talk seriously about peace, referring also to ongoing conflicts in the Philippines and the Middle East.

She recalls the lessons of growing up with a famous lawyer-father, Antonio Coronel, who had clients and friends on the opposite side of the political fence as his activist-children.

Then-President Noynoy Aquino took a risk when appointing a woman as peace negotiator with the male-dominated MILF.  But the decision bore fruit with the historic “comprehensive agreement” with the MILF in 2014.  

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer talks about the cultural biases women face around the world, including the Philippines despite its high global rankings in gender equality indexes.  She explains how many Filipino women in Muslim Mindanao and elsewhere ended up in public office.  

“The more women are able to show the world that women can do it, (biases) become less and less of a problem,” she asserts. But she adds that their struggle needs the voices of feminist men. “Men need to hear from other men.”

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: MJ Cerillo Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Retired UP professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for shepherding a peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, recognizing her as “the first female Chief Negotiator in the world to sign a final peace accord with a rebel group.”  

Ferrer explains how she remained focused despite the Mamasapano massacre in 2015 which nearly derailed the peace process. She shares insights on how to get opposing forces to talk seriously about peace, referring also to ongoing conflicts in the Philippines and the Middle East.  

She recalls the lessons of growing up with a famous lawyer-father, Antonio Coronel, who had clients and friends on the opposite side of the political fence as his activist-children.

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: MJ Cerillo Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has been the strongest and most consistent voice against China’s incursions into Philippine territory. He explains to Howie Severino the Chinese strategy of using intimidation to win control of the sea and what’s holding China back from even more aggressive behavior. 

But Carpio believes the Philippines still has space to maneuver in the maritime powder keg and proposes an approach to gain the upper hand, including building a lighthouse and other civilian facilities in disputed territory. 

The former Supreme Court justice is calling for building up the nation’s self-defense force and forging closer military ties with regional neighbors.

Carpio warns that another Trump presidency in the US could introduce changes in global alliances unfavorable to the Philippines.

“If you don’t fortify your defenses, you will be erased from the map. That has happened to many countries. And it could happen to us.”

With sea level rise, Carpio argues, the Philippines’ “exclusive economic zone” will only get larger. “So all we have to do is hang on to our claim. Never, never give up our claim because everything will be underwater in that area by the end of the century.”

CREDITS:

Producer: Ivy Andrada-Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has been the strongest and most consistent voice against China’s incursions into Philippine territory. He explains to Howie Severino the Chinese strategy of using intimidation to win control of the sea and what’s holding China back from even more aggressive behavior.

But Carpio believes the Philippines still has space to maneuver in the maritime powder keg and proposes an approach to gain the upper hand, including building a lighthouse and other civilian facilities in disputed territory.

CREDITS:

Producer: Ivy Andrada-Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Among the BBC’s leading journalists, Jonny Dymond recently came to the Philippines for one of the British broadcaster’s flagship programs, World Questions, and spoke to Howie Severino about what makes the Philippines interesting to outsiders. He also talks about his coverage of the British royal family (“a surprisingly hard job”) and Russian President Putin (“His mission is about Russia, not communism”).

Dymond explains how the BBC has been able to stand up to the British government despite being funded by taxpayers.

In the face of various threats to journalists around the world, he urges media colleagues to keep believing in their mission. “If you don’t have people who are prepared to call out the government, who are prepared to report on the government’s successes and failures, then it’s impossible to say that you really have a functioning democracy,” Dymond asserts.

“It’s easy to be cynical, but coming to the Philippines where I know journalists have been under so much pressure, it kind of straightens my back. It makes me believe again in what we do.”

BBC’s World Questions in Manila moderated by Jonny Dymond airs in the Philippines on BBC Radio on March 9 at 8 P.M.

The panelists on the show:

Atty. Antonio Carpio – Former associate justice of the Supreme Court Dr. Roberto Galang, Dean of the Ateneo de Manila University Gokongwei School of Management Ms. Rafaela David – President of the Akbayan Citizens' Action Party Professor Richard Heydarian – Columnist and senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines

LINK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0380g6d

BBC WORLD QUESTIONS episode link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct59td

CREDITS: Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: Lilian Tiburcio Editor: Jayr Magtoto

The eminent writer is also an avid antique typewriter collector. Butch Dalisay talks to Howie Severino about a bygone pre-internet era when these analog machines were the tools of trade of writers and journalists. Despite the advantages of his laptop, Dr. Dalisay says there’s still a romance and even practicality about typewriters. “Wala kang distraction, you can’t surf,” he says. “It’s much more intimate... You’re disconnected from the world.” 

After collecting for years, he’s still searching for one antique model typewriter that was developed specifically for Tagalog writers. He knows it exists because of a trove of 1950s love letters from prison by a Tagalog poet. That typewriter has become, in Butch’s words, his “holy grail.” 

The eminent writer is also an avid antique typewriter collector. Butch Dalisay talks to Howie Severino about a bygone pre-internet era when these analog machines were the tools of trade of writers and journalists. Despite the advantages of his laptop, Dr. Dalisay says there’s still a romance and even practicality about typewriters. “Wala kang distraction, you can’t surf,” he says. “It’s much more intimate... You’re disconnected from the world.”

After collecting for years, he’s still searching for one antique model typewriter that was developed specifically for Tagalog writers. He knows it exists because of a trove of 1950s love letters from prison by a Tagalog poet. That typewriter has become, in Butch’s words, his “holy grail.”

Links: https://cms.philstarlife.com/geeky/313514-rizal-s-typewriter#google_vignette https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/opinion/content/177163/tribute-to-a-typewriter/story/ Producer: John Eumer Yanga Researcher: Jenica Villanueva Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Three months after being released on bail, former senator and prisoner of conscience Leila de Lima describes in graphic and terrifying detail the day in prison when she was held captive by an Abu Sayyaf inmate known for beheading hostages. 

She reveals that after the hostage taker was shot dead and she was rescued, she received a concerned call from President Marcos, an early sign that his alliance with the Dutertes could be cracking. 

That was her scariest moment, she says, but not among her darkest, which were the times she wasn't allowed a furlough from jail to attend the wakes of close friends, including PNoy. 

Not originally a cat lover, she adopted stray cats in prison to keep her company. She took several home after her release and one of them insisted on joining her for this interview. 

Otherwise, she was in solitude for nearly seven years while imprisoned in Camp Crame and one of the rare VIP inmates without a mobile phone. "I wanted to follow the rules," she tells Howie Severino. She also was not allowed access to the Internet, so she kept up with the outside world through print newspapers and printouts of online articles delivered by her senate staff. 

She says she never lost faith in the judicial system, which she's confident will vindicate her and declare her innocent of all charges. 

Yet for the alleged crimes of former President Rodrigo Duterte, she says the only recourse is the International Criminal Court because there is a "clear demonstration of the unwillingness and inability" of the Philippine justice system to investigate. 

"That's one of the reasons why nagwawala na si Duterte. Out na ang antagonism niya kay President Marcos because I think he suspects the BBM administration is really cooperating with the ICC."

Meanwhile, as she vows to assist the ICC gather evidence, de Lima is back to teaching law and spending time with her aged mother, who was never told by her protective family what her famous daughter went through. 

Three months after being released on bail, former senator and prisoner of conscience Leila de Lima describes in graphic and terrifying detail the day in prison when she was held captive by an Abu Sayyaf inmate known for beheading hostages.

She reveals that after the hostage taker was shot dead and she was rescued, she received a concerned call from President Marcos, an early sign that his alliance with the Dutertes could be cracking.

That was her scariest moment, she says, but not among her darkest, which were the times she wasn't allowed a furlough from jail to attend the wakes of close friends, including PNoy.

For the alleged crimes of former President Rodrigo Duterte, she says the only recourse is the International Criminal Court because there is a "clear demonstration of the unwillingness and inability" of the Philippine justice system to investigate.

"That's one of the reasons why nagwawala na si Duterte. Out na ang antagonism niya kay President Marcos because I think he suspects the BBM administration is really cooperating with the ICC."

Meanwhile, as she vows to assist the ICC gather evidence, de Lima is back to teaching law and spending time with her aged mother, who was never told by her protective family what her famous daughter went through.

The Howie Severino Podcast reached out to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s camp. As of posting, there is no comment yet from his office.

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: MJ Cerillo Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Not originally a cat lover, Leila de Lima adopted stray cats in prison to keep her company. She took several home after her release and one of them insisted on joining her for this interview.

Otherwise, she was in solitude for nearly seven years while imprisoned in Camp Crame and one of the rare VIP inmates without a mobile phone. "I wanted to follow the rules," she tells Howie Severino. She also was not allowed access to the Internet, so she kept up with the outside world through print newspapers and printouts of online articles delivered by her senate staff.

She says she never lost faith in the judicial system, which she's confident will vindicate her and declare her innocent of all charges.

Producer: Aubrey Delos Reyes Researcher: MJ Cerillo Editor: Jayr Magtoto

The military has banned TikTok among its personnel, according to the new AFP spokesperson, Col. Francel Padilla, an expert on cybersecurity. While being vague about how the AFP intends to enforce its directive, Col. Padilla explains how Filipinos' immersion in social media has made the country vulnerable to "social engineering" tactics by adversaries. She cautions her audiences to be wary of platforms that request access to their cameras, microphones, and contacts, especially Tiktok which is allegedly owned by China.

She explains what it means to be a "certified ethical hacker," one of her credentials as the nation's first woman spokesperson of the armed forces.

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Producer: Ivy Andrada Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto

Col. Francel Padilla is accustomed to being a pioneer. She was among the first women to graduate from the Philippine Military Academy. Now as the armed forces' first woman spokesperson, she has seen many barriers fall as women soldiers are now serving even in combat roles.

Col. Padilla has become the most visible face of the Philippine military at a crucial time, when the country is pivoting from the insurgency to the external threat of China. As an expert on cybersecurity, she brings an uncommon skill set to her new role.

She talks to Howie Severino about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated institution. She opens up about having to start a sensitive mission guarding a visiting head of state just after losing her husband, a fellow PMA graduate, in a helicopter crash. "Grieving is a lifelong journey," she says in a candid moment, sharing how she raised two young sons in the wake of their loss.

Soon after assuming her position as spokesperson, Col. Padilla had to field questions about former President Duterte's effort to rile up the military against the current administration. "We are professional, united, and non-partisan," she assures. "We do not want to break the trust of the people."

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Producer: Ivy Andrada Bautista

Researcher: Jenica Villanueva

Editor: Jayr Magtoto