When Everyone Has a Mic: The Growing Podcast Industry in the Philippines

People are reaching for their phones on a tiring commute on their way home, on a stressful day, or even as a reward for going through another week—not to scroll, but to listen.

In the Philippines, podcasting has evolved from a niche hobby to a mainstream platform for news, storytelling, and even politics. Some podcasts unpack current events and social issues, while others focus on mental health, self-improvement, or similar topics often left out of mainstream media. The podcast industry having its quiet but consistent growth created a safe space for both the creators and audiences.

Same stories, different fonts, told by familiar voices.

For many young listeners, this type of platform is more appealing because of its relatability. Hosts often switch between English, Filipino, and Taglish, creating a comfortable mood for nonstop yaps and unfiltered personalities for an hour or longer. Listeners tune in not just for content, but for the sense of community that emerges when hosts sound less like broadcasters and more like friends. 

Voices on demand

Local podcasts are currently in the spotlight, each with its own style of entertainment, embraced by listeners of different ages. 

Dagok Time features its host, Sophie Prime, who reads the isturii (stories) sent by her fans—igiters—about life struggles (dagok) and chaotic, fun, and wild experiences in life. Sophie’s podcast is also well known for its unique vocabulary and references that are immediately recognizable to chronically online listeners (OVER NAMAN SA EXPLAINNNN).

The DogShow Divas gained popularity in the podcast industry despite having started only in  August 2025. With their unscripted conversations and satirical takes on life, universal experiences, and corporate culture, surely they have drawn public attention. 

Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast is hosted by filmmakers and real-life friends Antoinette Jadaone and JP Habac. They let their listeners, ka-emes, hear their insightful conversations about pop culture, personal and professional experiences, and even social issues alongside their guests. They also have their own “patron saints”, who address different concerns, such as Santa Yani for Gen Z and academic issues.

They are just some of those who became a companion to of college students during commutes, study sessions, or downtime. In a fast-scrolling world, where everything feels fast-paced, this medium allows stories and listeners to breathe.

Meeting audiences where they are

Podcasts offer something traditional media often cannot: time. Recognizing the appeal of long-form discussions, mainstream media has also adapted. But this is not new. In 2005, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism launched a podcast and featured a broadcaster journalist, David Celdran, discussing the “Paradox of Freedom”, marking their first episode. They also released their 2006 series titled “Remembering Edsa,” which featured interviews with 20 people, including key figures, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. Today, PCIJ remains active on this platform—PCIJ Read Aloud allows audiences to listen to their investigative reports via Spotify.

Programs such as Facts First with Christian Esguerra, The Howie Severino Podcast, Newsbreak: Beyond the Stories of Rappler, and 1ON1 with Karen Davila now circulate widely in podcasts and on-demand formats. Media organizations are extending their reach beyond traditional scheduled broadcasts. These programs cover a range of topics, ask tough questions of prominent people, and dive deeper behind the headlines, meeting audiences where they already are: on their phones.

Podcasting’s expanding influence has not gone unnoticed by politicians. Among them is former vice president Leni Robredo; however, her podcast is no longer updated, with its last episode uploaded on February 14, 2025 on Spotify. The recent release of the BBM podcast fits squarely within this trend, illustrating how podcasting is now part of the modern political communication toolkit. 

While podcasts can democratize discourse by lowering barriers, they can also bypass journalistic scrutiny. As political content adopts the style of casual conversation, creating a more relaxed and accessible image while keeping complete control of the message, the listeners bear a growing responsibility of critical listening. 

It is no longer simply an alternative form of entertainment, as the podcast market continues to grow in the Philippines. It has become a new public space—one shaped by creators, media institutions, and public figures alike. For listeners, the challenge lies not only in selecting what to listen to but also in understanding how to listen mindfully. 

Article: Vien Torres

Graphics: Nicole Beverly Maniego