Tuko Chronicles

In this first-anniversary episode, award-winning sound designer/engineer and Tuko's very own audio consultant, Mikko Quizon, takes us through his journey in creating a career in sound production and tells us how sound engineering is not only technical but also very cultural—providing a backdrop to movie scenes and settings particularly in the context of the Philippines. Listen to Mikko as he narrates how sound is key to creating stories that are familiar and relatable.

In this episode, Profs. Popo Amascual and Malou Morales of the Division of Humanities, University of the Philippines in the Visayas—Tacloban College, comb through and tease out hair in Eastern Visayas and its significance in the community. The discussion focuses on the performers of the hair dance, a contemporary cultural performance in Tacloban City, and the transformation of everyday, intimate practices relating to hair into a spectacle—a performance showcasing their community's identity and collective memory.

Listen to Dr. Sir Anril P. Tiatco and Prof. John Carlo V. Pagunaling of the UP Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts as they talk about their memories, experiences, and observations of Sagala, Santacruzan, and Flores de Mayo in different parts of the Philippines. Join them in taking a closer look at the performances, traditions, and customs surrounding the activities through the costumes of the queens, consorts, and key religious characters who join in what Dr. Tiatco considers as cultural performances. Finally, we look back at the concept behind the national costume worn by Celeste Cortesi, Ms. Universe Philippines 2022 designed by Prof. Pagunaling.

The Kuwaresma or Lenten season is a highly important religious celebration of the Catholic faith. Meditate and reflect this holy season through this special episode of Tuko Chronicles—where we invited several elders to perform the final section of Pabasa, the traditional singing of the Pasiong Mahal. The Pabasa was recorded in April 2022 in San Nicolas, one of the Batangas towns surrounding Taal lake.

Singers of the Pasion: Mely Balba, Mary Balba, Mar Balba, Ligaya Bereña, Semie Comia, Cora Casalme, Floring Landicho

Sumama sa huntahan nina Prop. Aries Arugay at Prop. Jean Encinas-Franco ng UP Political Science tungkol sa pinakamainit na isyung pulitikal sa bansa sa kasalukuyan: ang Halalan 2022. Pakinggan ang kanilang mga obserbasyon sa kung ano ang dahilan at gawi ng pagboto ng mga Pinoy, mga taktika at litanya ng mga kandidato sa pangangampanya, mga posibleng resulta ng Halalan 2022, at ilang gabay sa wais na pagboto.

Tune in to UP Political Science Profs. Aries Arugay and Jean Encinas-Franco as they talk about the hottest political topic in the country at present: the Philippine Elections 2022. Listen to them talking about their observations regarding Filipino voting motivations and behavior, campaign strategies and rhetoric of the candidates, possible post-elections scenarios, and tips on voting wisely.

Get to know Uleb Nieto, your looove guru, and listen to her stories about loving someone blindly only to get heartbroken big time, discovering the self and giving self-love a chance, and tips on how NOT to fall desperately in love (again!), illustrating how each of us becomes part of stories that we tell.

"3 Fez op Luv" is a monovlog written by Layeta P. Bucoy and performed by Olive Nieto (www.olivenieto.com).

In this episode, The Lannang Archives' Wilkinson Gonzales, Darwyn Albert Tanya Mendoza, and Joshe Tiu discuss the various practices during the celebration of Chinese New Year in the Philippines from a Lannang perspective. Listen to their in-depth conversation about their individual Chinese New Year experiences and how they perceive this important celebration alongside their sociocultural identity and heritage.

Hosted by: Wilkinson Gonzales | Resource Speakers: Darwyn Albert Tanya Mendoza and Joshe Tiu

UP College of Music's Eman Jamisolamin will serenade us with songs of celebration in different ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines. Part 1 features selected tunes heard during the Christmas season, such as "Galiken" (Pangasinan), "O, Senior Tagbalay" (Cuyo), "Maupay nga Pasko" (Samar-Leyte), and "Kasadya ning Taknaa / Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" (Bisaya/Tagalog). Part 2 is a repertoire of songs during occasions of celebration, feasts, and offering, such as "Ragragsakan" (Kalinga), "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" (Mindoro), "Lapay Bantigue" (Masbate), "Señor San Jose" (Capiz), "Immaculate Mother" (Cebuano, Ilokano, and Tagalog), and "Binalig" (Maguindanao).

Assistant Researcher, Arranger, and Singer: Cheenie Amoin | Singer: Malvin Beethoven Macasaet | Kulintang Player: Harold Andre Cruz Santos

Let's explore the veins of UP Diliman campus by riding its blood, the Ikot jeepney. Be prepared for eerie encounters in each stop. Sit back and pay up, as we start our spine-chilling trip with the Ikot ng Takot.  Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive topics such as death, suicide, and rape. Audience discretion is advised. 

Head Writer: Kirk Justin Ramos | Writers: Winona Eunice Alindogan and Cristen Dominique Tantoco | Directors: Allen Marquez and Aimee Ramos | Stage Managers: Justin Rodriguez Alcantara, Therese Laput, and LJ Rebadolla | Editors: Marc Valmoria, Aimee Ramos, and Kirk Justin Ramos | Narrator: Carol Sadorra

Voice Actors: Kirk Justin Ramos, Justin Rodriguez Alcantara, Cristen Tantoco, Alta Cervo, Alexa Biacan, Therese Laput, Vinzar John Rubi, Phel Cesara, Allen Marquez, Jeanie Lynn Daelo, Regine Alingal, Daphene Giga, Samuel "Red" Rodriguez, Winona Eunice Alindogan

Get to know more about interesting creatures of Philippine mythology: kumao, thalon, pating na pakpakan, daligmata, kimat, idaemonon, dapu, balbalan, kagkag, and taawi, with the author of phspirits.com, Mr. Jean Karl Gaverza. #TukoChroniclesxKarlGaverza  Episode art: "Daligmata" by Leandro Geniston (@thatguywithapen). 

In this episode, listen to a conversation between a mother—a Philippine culture historian, and her son—a pop culture creator, and how their domestic life has influenced their respective professions and works.

This is Tuko Chronicles, a podcast showcasing various forms of folklore in the Philippines.

Tune in to narratives, conversations, songs, musical performances, and discussions. Each episode features indigenous music performances, epic chanting, pabasa, fans club mini-reunions, radio drama, or discussions on politics & society, that reflect the knowledge & experiences inherited from the past or collectively cultivated in the present.