Usapang Usbong: Recent Episodes
Usapang Usbong
Introducing: Usapang Usbong! Our official podcast series that allows us to provide a deeper understanding, increase awareness and impart knowledge to our audience about important topics đ We have an exciting line up of esteemed speakers for this monthâs project! Stay tuned đ§
This episode explores the various issues that the youth need to be aware of in order to be more active and contribute to the development of the nation. Few days left until voter registration closes! May the current events in our country act as a hint for us to stand up not just for ourselves, but also for our fellow citizens. Let us not waste this chance to  elect the proper people to lead our country and its people to a brighter future.Â
âCasting a ballot isnât just something you do for yourself- it is for our collective futureâ.
Letâs talk COVID-19 in the Philippines, the bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people, and information overload during the pandemic!
Join our amazing host Kara, along with Usbong members Gab, Ken, and Andre, as they share their sentiments in this insightful round table conversation on some of the events that have transpired across the country as well as the COVID-19 response of the Philippines thus far!
(0:50) How have they coped with the pandemic so far?Â
(2:26) What do you think about the way the Philippine government has handled the pandemic? Is it getting better or is it getting worse?Â
(5:16) What are your insights on the bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos as seen through the responses of the community to help out one another? Do you agree or disagree with the initiatives spearheaded by different communities?Â
(10:31) Insights about the different variants around the world? Is the information about these variants or COVID-19, in general, being disseminated well, or is there an information overload?Â
(16:57) Final thoughtsÂ
Still waiting to get your first vaccine shot while wondering what actually goes on in the entire process?Â
Join fellow Usbong members Gab, Ken, and Rianna, and our host, Drea, in an insightful conversation about the vaccines they received and the entire experience from before their first dose all the way to after their second doses!
(2:50) When did the guests receive their vaccines and what particular brands?
(3:29) Were you the only ones to receive a vaccine in your family? And if not, who else received one and what brand did they avail of?
(4:25) Vaccine registration process; how long did it take to secure a slot?
(5:48) Vaccine protocols or guidelines (pre-vaccination)Â
(7:09) Vaccine administration process; how long did the entire process take and what actually happens?
(9:57) Vaccine protocols or guidelines (post-vaccination)
(11:52) Symptoms felt between Sinovac and Sputnik V
(15:55) Additional thoughts on the importance of getting vaccinated
(20:11) Vaccinations are not excuses for social irresponsibility
Siblings Gio & Nicey talk to Andre about their experiences being part of the community of those with special needs! Gio shared his experience being an older sibling and his close and loving relationship with Nicey!
(1:25) About Gio & Nicey
(2:09) Can you tell us about your dynamics as a family?
(2:35) What kind of challenges does your family experience?
(4:15) Did most of your learnings come from experience or did you have to educate yourself on it?
(6:14) What do you think about the general stigma surrounding those with special needs?
(8:11) Can you tell us about your dynamic as siblings?
(10:10) What do you wish people could know or understand about the reality of your situation?
(12:35) If you could give a message to other families, what would be your advice or message to them?
(14:13) How much growth have you seen in Nicey over the years?Â
Episode Recorded on November 21, 2020.
Two aspiring teachers Mandy and Kara sit down with Ms. Tricia Lee, a special education teacher for over 30 years! Listen in to their engaging discussion about inclusion in education and in the classroom and what it is like to be a teacher who cares for her students with exceptionalities.
(2:36) What is Special Education?
(3:46) What is it that made you decide to be an educator especially as a special education teacher?
(10:31) How is it different from general education?
(12:56) What are some of the notable experiences youâve had?
(23:00) Do you think inclusion is something that needs to be taught to those in other fields or to society in general?
(40:17)What advice/message would you give to your listeners?
Episode recorded on November 6, 2020
Have you ever wanted to know how to actively help create a more inclusive environment for everyone? In todayâs episode of Usapang Usbong, Ericson and Andre talk about how to set the path towards inclusion starting with ourselves!
Episode 5: Setting a path towards inclusion
(6:13) Difference between visible and invisible disabilities
(9:48) Engaging with the community
(13:38) What is lacking from everyone when it comes to interacting with the community?
(16:54) How do you think media portrays the community?Â
(18:30) What are the things we need to unlearn as a society?Â
(24:05) How could we educate ourselves better?
(32:38) People First LanguageÂ
(39:00) Message to the people
Episode recorded on October 25, 2020
Tune in as Kimy and Jessica as they share their stories as Buddies! Their matched friendship has brought them so many new opportunities and experiences and they continue to learn from one another everyday. In this episode of Usapang Usbong, weâll be able to hear what itâs like to be matched with a true friend through Best Buddies Philippines!
Join Mara and Miss Michelle as they talk about the efforts of Best Buddies, an international organization that promotes inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities! In this episode of Usapang Usbong we'll dive into their goals and mission as well as some of their projects ongoing amidst this pandemic. Hopefully after this episode you'll be interested in getting involved with organizations like Best Buddy to help with furthering inclusion through friendship!
(1:26) About Best Buddies
(2:29) Best Buddies Projects
(4:18) Best Buddies during COVID-19
(4:42) Statistics of those with disabilities in the Philippines
(11:38) How to get involved
(17:15) How to be more inclusiveÂ
Episode Recorded on October 8, 2020
Episode Description:
In this episode about Mental Health, Andre Santos is joined by his mom, Agnes. She shares her insights as a Psychology major; discusses everything she's learned about the topic as a school owner, teacher, and mother; and the two break down their own dynamic and emphasize the importance of good communication between a parent and child.
Episode recorded on October 1, 2020
Andre, Pao, Sam & Celine share their experiences and insights on the challenges of mental
health, the effects of social media, the mental health stigma in our society, the importance of good communication and relationships with family & friends and more!
Episode 1: Not Experts, Just Humans: A discussion about mental health
(2:35) - Getting to know usÂ
(5:20) - The Challenges of High School and the connection of Religion and Mental HealthÂ
(10:40) - Mentally ill, mentally Healthy, and the in-betweenÂ
(17:00) - Effects of social media on our mental healthÂ
(27:33) - The Mental Health Stigma in our societyÂ
(38:58) - Improving Communication about this within the familyÂ
(41:14) - Importance of Friendship Â
(49:15) - Keys to addressing our own issues
Episode recorded on September 27, 2020.
Get to know more about Amarela Philippines! Leonna, Aly & Arya talk more about Womenâs Healthcare and the situation of it in the Philippines.
Episode 3: Womenâs Healthcare in the Philippines with Amarela Philippines
(4:00) - What is Amarela Philippines about?
(6:45) - How did your organization react to negative feedback about your advocacies?
(9:20) - What have you learned so far about Womenâs Healthcare and the current situation of it in the Philippines?
(12:30) - What do you think our country needs to do to progress this further?
(15:36) - What is Amarelief?
(22:20) - Advice from Aly & Arya!
(25:18) - More from Amarela Philippines
Amarela Socials:
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Instagram: @amarela.ph
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Facebook: Amarela Philippines
Episode recorded on August 29, 2020.
Episode Description:
In partnership with the Filipino Students Association of Toronto (FSAT), Joaqs, Monina, Marie & Ian discuss what exactly is Menstrual Health Education. They focused on why it is important to understand what is going on, to avoid the stigmatisation and misinformation surrounding menstrual health. Taking the time to educate yourself about certain topics especially about menstrual health, allows an environment capable of helping others instead of humiliating them. Educating yourself a little bit everyday can still go a long way!
Special thanks to Dr. Grover Salamanca and Dr. Anna Liza Isip as well for their time and effort to share with us their insights for this topic.
Episode 2: What is Menstrual Health Education? with FSAT
(6:04) - Is the topic of menstruation taboo?
(8:40) - What is menstruation? Why is this important?
(13:23) - Why is there a negative environment surrounding the topic of menstruation?
(25:20) - What do you think can be done to eliminate the social norm surrounding the topic of menstruation? What is Menstrual Health Education and why is this important?
(35:06) - UNICEF #MeronAko
(45:30) - Advice from Marie & Ian!
FSAT Socials:
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Instagram: @fsa.utoronto
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Facebook: Filipino Students' Association of Toronto
Episode recorded on August 28, 2020.
For the second season of Usapang Usbong we focus on Menstrual Health. With the help of Dr. Grover Salamanca and Dr Anna Liza Isip, Rai, Andre, Drea and Nina discuss and clarify some common misconceptions about menstruation. Special mention to these two doctors for their time and effort to share with us their insights for this topic.
Episode 1: Common Misconceptions about PeriodsÂ
(7:52) - Misconception #1
(10:30) - Misconception #2Â
(14:21) - Misconception #3
(18:52) - Misconception #4
(23:38) - Misconception #5
(26:24) - Misconception #6
(31:08) - Misconception #7
(34:05) - Misconception #8
(40:38) - Misconception #9
(47:00) - Misconception #10
Episode recorded on August 27, 2020.
This podcast episode discusses the Lumad community from a volunteerâs perspective. Sir Chad tells us his experiences of serving the community, his transition from a capitalist to a free and tasking life and his organization to help the Lumad community.
Episode 2: A Volunteers Persepctive
(2:32) - How did you first get involved with the Lumad community?
(4:46) - Was it a hard decision for you to make at first? Or was it something that you were set on after graduating?
(6:00) - What were your first impressions on who they were and how they were different from the other people that you met?
(7:43) - What was a typical day like for you when youâre serving in ALCADEV?
14:04 - How was the transition from a very capitalist life to a very free and âtaskingâ life? How has that transition for you?
(17:40) - Why are these schools being targeted?
(21:04) - What can you say about how Filipinos are the ones that are oppressing our fellow Filipinos?
(23:24) - As an active representative of ALCADEV, what other oppressions have you experienced?
(28:45) - Have you heard from anyone in the community, and how theyâre doing right now?
(30:19) - Have there been cases of COVID19 in the communities?
(32:26) - Do you think there are any positives that have been arising through your advocacies or is there any reason to still be hopeful for our brothers and sister?
(34:03) - What are your organizations plans to help alleviate the struggles of the Lumads?
(36:18) - Do you believe that the Lumad people need to be given a voice especially since not a lot of people know and understand what it is they are going through?
ALCADEV Socials:
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @alcadevinc
S.O.S Network:
Instagram: @saveourschoolsnetwork
Facebook: Save Our Schools Network
Episode recorded on July 21, 2020.
This podcast episode talks about the Lumad communities and their unique culture. This touches up a little bit about their background and the history that molded them into the people they are today. In addition to these, Teacher Rose talks about their educational curriculum and the challenges that they face.
Episode 1: Who are the Lumads?
(2:45) - Who are the Lumads and what groups comprise this community
(4:00) - What is the source of livelihood of these communities?
(5:12) - Are there multiple languages among these groups?
(6:13) - Because of the different dialects, are there any conflicts between these groups?
(7:14) - What is the history of the Lumad community?
(8:21) - What is it about the Lumad community that makes them very resistant to invaders or what is their mindset towards invaders?
(9:15) - Is there anything unique about the culture, beliefs, traditions etc. of the Lumads?
(13:12) - What is the educational curriculum like in Lumad schools? What is the history of Lumad schools?
(20:57) - What is the reason behind the sudden rise in closing of these schools?
(27:58) - Why is the governmentâs perception of the Lumad community like that?
(32:03) - Where do you see this issue going the last 2-3 years of the current presidentâs administration?
(33:02)- How do you think us students or anyone here in Manila, can do our part to help in this situation?
Episode recorded on July 16, 2020.