2024 is a milestones year for the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) - yes, milestones - as it marks 55-15-5: the 55th, 15th, and 5th anniversaries of landmark laws that have shaped its history - and unlocks the keys to its future. In this first of a series of episodes marking these milestones, find out about these three landmark laws; plus listen in on…

Is the Philippines on its way to finally producing vaccines locally? This episode, Regional Roundup talks with Glovax Biotech Founder and CEO Giovanni Alingog about vaccine security and self-reliance, for both the Philippines and the ASEAN region - and about their plan to build a fully-integrated vaccine plant in the country.…

Regional Roundup heads to Davao City, and discovers Cacao Liqueur at boutique heritage hotel The Big House. This episode, we're in a conversation with Lizabeth Robillo-Lu, the House-owner and chef behind this concoction that just could be the new drink to associate Davao with.

Have you heard of the Birhen Sang Barangay, a nearly 75-year old homegrown devotion to the Blessed Mother? This episode, Undercovered speaks with one of their spiritual directors, to find out more about their origin, their devotion, and their work to promote the praying of the Holy Rosary among groups.…

One of the Pillars on which the Brunei Darussalam - Indonesia - Malaysia - Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) stands is Transport Connectivity. In order for trade, tourism, and other exchanges within this ASEAN sub-region to flourish, air and sea linkages must be present. This episode, Regional Roundup is in a conversation with Felicism…

A number of Filipinos across our archipelago remain unserved; if not, underserved by the banking industry. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, 181 of our cities and municipalities do not have banks; instead, they have microfinance NGOs, pawnshops, e-money agents, and cash agents offering financial services. In other places, people rely on…

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is open for investment. Find out what early investors to the Philippines’ newest region have been keen on, what the opportunities there are, and what makes BARMM a unique option to consider, in this Regional Roundup conversation with former Bangsamoro Board of Investments chair - and now M…

The Philippine Space Agency recently tested using satellite-based connectivity for rural banks in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). Find out more about that pilot deployment, in this episode of Regional Roundup.

This is the second episode of our mini-series on what Jagna, Bohol has to offer its tourists. Last episode we focused on its plans for Faith Tourism; in this continuation of the Regional Roundup conversation with Jagna Mayor Joseph Rañola, we talk about adventure tourism - and more.

Regional Roundup heads to Bohol, for a conversation with Jagna Mayor Joseph Rañola. In this first of a two-episode mini-series, we discuss their plans to establish the municipality as a center for Faith Tourism in the province.

In this episode of Regional Roundup, our focus is on BARMM, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Following the recent oath-taking of their interim governing body, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), we spoke about the road ahead for the region, with their Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. On the agenda: the BTA’s priorities until …

In Episode 1, we began with an overview of the Philippine Textile Research Institute - and got introduced to some Philippine Tropical Fibers. In Episode 2, we found out which regions produce these fibers, what they are used for - and what we are doing, to take advantage of their availability. In Episode 3, we looked into the demand for Philippine T…

In Episode 1, we began with an overview of the Philippine Textile Research Institute - and got introduced to some Philippine Tropical Fibers. In Episode 2, we found out which of our regions produce these fibers, what these fibers are used for - and what we are doing, to take advantage of their availability here in our country. In this Episode, we’l…

In this second of 4 episodes on Philippine Fibers, Regional Roundup continues its conversation with Celia Elumba, Director of the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Textile Research Institute: where in the country are these fibers abundant, and what can we make from and with them?

After an extended break, Regional Roundup is back - reconfigured, and ready to continue bringing stories of the developments and opportunities from across the archipelago.Our first feature on our return, is on Philippine Tropical Fibers. Here’s a Regional Roundup conversation with Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director Celia Elumba.…

Just in time for Holy Week, this episode of Undercovered talks about some of the Pontifically-crowned Marian images in the Philippines, with Michael Delos Reyes, author of the book Coronadas. Watch or listen in, and you just might want to add to your Visita Iglesia list! Have a prayer-filled Holy Week ahead everyone.…

#Pilgrimages. #FaithTourism.As we continue to celebrate Five Hundred Years of Christianity #500YOC in the Philippines, perhaps we should consider exploring our archipelago and visiting the churches and shrines that dot our islands - and maybe invite even those from other countries - on pilgrimages, and as faith tourists.Don't know where to start? A…

Last month, the Catholic Church launched a two-year listening process, leading up to the Synod of Bishops on 2023. According to the Vatican, "Pope Francis wants it to be a truly bottom-up process starting from the local up to the national, regional and finally the universal level. It starts with, and involves, all the faithful at the diocesan level…

Earlier this month, a survey was released, revealing that many Filipino Catholics were calling for better sound systems in their churches. This episode tries to look into that - to offer a better understanding of sound, how it travels, and how it is experienced by people.

Comments and reflections following the National Consecration of the Philipppines to the Patronage of Saint Joseph.

Last week, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines released a Pastoral Letter for 2021, Year of Missio Ad Gentes. In this edition of Undercovered, Davao Archbishop and CBCP President Romulo Valles talks about the Pastoral Letter - and the perspective it offers - as the country counts down to our coming commemoration of 500 Years of Chri…

The first Mass and the first Baptism in our islands may have taken place in 1521, but it wasn’t until the arrival of the religious orders beginning in 1565 that evangelization began in earnest. Undercovered talks about Spreading the Faith in the early years of Christianity in the archipelago, in a series of conversations with the present-day brothe…

What process must be undertaken, before someone is named a saint? As the Philippines counts down to 500 Years of Christianity, Undercovered speaks with Fr. Samson Silloriquez, OAR - who’s been involved in a number of these processes - to find out about the Steps to Sainthood, the Causes that are already underway, and the other saints (apart from Sa…

Must-not-miss outtakes from my radio interview with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD. Parts of the conversation that I sadly had to edit out, for lack of airtime.

An overview of the coming Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

A conversation on 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

Southeast Asia-oriented highlights of the @MAGNAGLOBAL and @RapportWW, @rapport_US State of Out-Of-Home Report 2019, plus an interview with Rapport Global CEO Mike Cooper. Listen as we talk #OOH in SEA on Undercovered.

Because some stories need to be told. A few, told more fully; or, perhaps, in a different way; if not, in another light. Welcome to conversation about some of the stuff that's just... Undercovered.