Ang Ating Kwentong Klima

Living in an archipelagic country with over 7,000 islands, one of the longest coastlines in the world, and historically vulnerable to extreme weather disturbances, Filipinos are very familiar with the impacts of climate change, but not too many fully appreciate what climate change could mean for them.

Ang Ating Kwentong Klima (Our Climate Story) is a four-part series initiated by the Oscar M. Lopez Center and the Asia Society Philippines in 2022 to showcase how climate change impacts Filipinos and to create more tangible discussions on climate risks and impacts.

The series focuses on four climate change impacts: on food security (Kwentong Pagkain), on coastal and island communities (Kwentong Isla), on Indigenous Peoples and culture (Kwentong Kultura), and the Philippines’ potential climate future(Kwentong Kinabukasan).

Each episode is anchored on climate stories submitted by the Center’s Umalohokan Fellows and further explores the whys of the story theme through a conversation with invited experts and advocates.

Watch the episodes of Ang Ating Kwentong Klima below:

Kwentong Pagkain

In Kwentong Pagkain (Food Stories), guests discuss how climate change affects Philippine agriculture, and what it will take to ensure food security for all Filipinos.

This episode features:

• Ayn Gerona Torres, Knowledge Production Manager at the OML Center, whose research work experience covers climate change adaptation and resilience, agriculture and natural resources, and policy and economic development;
• Team Bicol Umalohokan, represented by Mavic Conde, a group of communicators highlighting the practice of seed saving as an example of people-led sustainable production and consumption;
• Team Philstar G-Unit, represented by EC Toledo, a group that highlighted how Nueva Ecija farmers are adapting to and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events; and

• Christine Jodloman of AGREA, an innovative, inclusive, for purpose, agri-business based in Marinduque founded on sustainable agriculture, fair trade, and a replicable model of an agri-based economy.

Kwentong Isla

In Kwentong Isla (Island Stories), guests discuss how climate change affects coastal and island communities, as well as communities beyond the shores.

This episode features:

• Dr. Laurice Jamero, head of the Resilience Collaboratory of the Manila Observatory;
• Salikhain Kolektib, represented by Juan Miguel Torres, a group of communicators that produced ten animated episodes, co-created with community partners, to include awareness of small island communities in climate change conversations; and

• Candeze Mongaya, policy and government engagement manager of Rare Philippines.

Kwentong Kultura

In Kwentong Kultura (Culture Stories), guests discuss how climate change shapes and threatens Filipino culture, and how the climate crisis imperils Filipino traditions and identity, including those of indigenous groups.

This episode features:

• Dr. Noralene Uy, member of the Experts Pool of the National Resilience Council, and Senior Researcher at the International Recovery Platform Secretariat, who has done extensive research on, among others, indigenous knowledge and community resilience;
• Team Bintuwak, represented by Ronald Maliao, Richard Cahilig, and Ritchel Casidsid-Cahilig, a group of communicators that has sought to enhance the understanding and appreciation for indigenous knowledge systems and practices in riverine conservation of the Nabaoynons in Malay, Aklan; and
• Robert Mansalo-on Cahapon, co-founder of Salumayag Youth Collective for Forests and member of the Manobo-Kulamanun indigenous community in Southern Bukidnon

Kwentong Kinabukasan

In Kwentong Kinabukasan (Future Stories), guests help explore the Philippines’ climate future and what it will take for Filipino communities to be truly climate-resilient. 

This episode features:

• Dr. Faye Cruz, head of the Regional Climate Systems Laboratory at the Manila Observatory;
• Team DanTAOn, represented by Arch. Arlene Lusterio, a group of communicators and development workers that intend to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable sectors in the country and place them at the forefront of climate dialogues; and
• Atty. Lesley Cordero, Asia 21 Fellow and Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at The World Bank.

Ang Ating Kwentong Klima now available on Asia Society’s Global Channel

All four episodes can also be streamed through Asia Society Global’s YouTube channel:

Kwentong Pagkain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMqKQuD9YJA

Kwentong Isla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zFe4elKPVw

Kwentong Kultura: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtfTIoLOfpc

Kwentong Kinabukasan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOY5uCpioWg

Ang Ating Kwentong Klima on ‘A Better Normal’ Podcast

In partnership with PumaPodcast, Ang Ating Kwentong Klima can now be streamed under its ‘A Better Normal’ series on Spotify or any preferred podcast app.

A Better Normal is a series where experts and thought leaders share their vision and new ideas to make the world better.

Ang Ating Kwentong Klima (AAKK) is born from the Center’s Balangay Media Project and Umalohokan Fellowship. To know more about these, visit this link.

For more information about AAKK, visit the Asia Society Philippines website.