Every Christmas, Filipinos turn to Papemelroti for simple, meaningful, and affordable gifts—from wooden signs and journals to handcrafted décor and inspirational keepsakes. But before it became a go-to shop for holiday gift-giving, it began as a small family-run store under an apartment in Quezon City—built by Benny and Socorro Alejandro, and later powered by their creatively raised children.

In this episode rerun, we revisit the story of how Papemelroti grew into one of the most beloved Filipino craft brands, how it survived shifting times, and why it continues to inspire generations of makers and gift-givers.

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

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Meta's decision to end its third-party fact-checking program threatens to reshape the Philippine information landscape—and not for the better. In this episode, journalist Nica Hanopol sits down with disinformation researcher and political communications professor JM Lanuza to unpack what this means for Filipino audiences who already navigate a sea of misinformation online.

With 34% of Filipinos consulting fact-checking sites—higher than the global average—the stakes couldn't be clearer. But as funding cuts sweep through counter-disinformation efforts and platforms shift toward opaque "community notes" systems, who stands to benefit? And more importantly, who loses?

This episode is produced by Nica Rhiana Hanopol and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

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It’s Christmas 2025, and the season of shopping, gift-giving, and holiday travel is in full swing. But with high prices and rising expenses, many Filipinos are asking the same question: How do I make the most of my 13th month pay and Christmas bonus this year?

In this special holiday rerun, we revisit a listener favorite on smart spending and financial planning. Learn practical tips on budgeting, paying off debt, setting financial goals, and making intentional choices with your money—so you can enjoy the holidays without the January regrets.

If you're looking for guidance on how to use your bonus wisely, avoid impulsive holiday spending, or start investing for the future, this episode is for you.

This episode was produced 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.

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Vasectomy is still uncommon in the Philippines, but that may be starting to change.

Recently, writer Brix Tino won First Prize for Sanaysay at the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for his essay “Ari,” where he shares why he chose to get a vasectomy at just 22 years old. And earlier this year, TV host Drew Arellano was praised by the Commission on Population and Development for undergoing a vasectomy, showing that men can take an active role in family planning.

In this rerun of our original episode, we go inside a no-scalpel vasectomy with someone who documented his experience in real time — from pre-procedure counseling to recovery — and we hear from advocates about how male involvement can save lives by protecting women’s health.

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

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What does learning Tagalog mean to second- and third-generation Filipino Americans? PumaPodcast reporter Maria Reyes joins New York University students on an immersion trip to Little Manila, Queens, where they practice the language with shop owners and reconnect with their heritage. Their stories reveal how language loss, shame, and identity shape the Fil-Am experience and why learning Tagalog can be an act of healing and pride.

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

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It’s 2025, and the DTI is once again insisting that a ₱500 Noche Buena is possible—sparking déjà vu from the same debate three years ago. So we’re bringing back that earlier episode to revisit the original uproar and explore what the ₱500 Noche Buena tells us about affordability, holiday spending, and the cost of living in the Philippines.

This episode rerun 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.

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Why do so many Filipino children struggle to read and what does that say about the state of education and literacy in the Philippines today?

In this National Book Week episode, we revisit our conversation with Gillian Reyes of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to unpack the country’s growing reading crisis. From lack of access and rising book costs to home environments and reading culture, this episode explores the real reasons why fewer Filipinos are reading for pleasure — and how this impacts literacy, learning, and national development.

We also dive into how initiatives like Book Nooks, the Philippine Book Festival, and local language translations are working to rebuild a culture of reading in communities across the country.

This episode rerun was produced by Anthony Tobias 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.

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The Philippines has become one of the most active frontlines in the growing US–China information war, where digital influence operations, propaganda campaigns, and soft power tactics are shaping public opinion, politics, and national security.

In this episode, we speak with Reuters correspondents Poppy McPherson and Karen Lema about their investigation into a Chinese-backed disinformation network operating in the Philippines — and how it mirrors similar tactics used by the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From troll accounts and fake engagement to “soft diplomacy” influencers and controversial awards for public officials, this conversation unpacks how global powers compete for narrative control in the country. It also explores why the Philippines has become such a strategic target in both information warfare and the broader US–China geopolitical rivalry, especially in the context of the South China Sea, Taiwan tensions, and regional security.

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

You may read the Reuters articles here and here.

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

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