VINTAlakayan Episode 1 will feature Asst. Prof. LJ Saludadez and Dr. Max Maquito.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), through the UP VINTA (Ventures for International and Transformative Academia) program, will officially launch VINTAlakayan Episode 1 on 7 March 2026, 10:00 AM PHT via the UPOU Facebook Page.
The inaugural episode centers on migration, integration, and the everyday experiences of Filipinos in Japan. Titled “The Wabi-sabi of the Less Trodden Path,” the episode will feature Dr. Ferdinand “Max” C. Maquito with Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean D. Saludadez, UPOU Assistant to the Chancellor for VINTA as the program host. Their conversation will explore cultural adaptation, identity, and life on the ground in Japan.
Following the pilot episode, VINTAlakayan will air eight episodes for its first season. Upcoming episodes will feature conversations with Filipinos based in Japan, Taiwan, and Cambodia, highlighting their journeys, challenges, and insights from living and working overseas.
VINTAlakayan is a podcast that creates meaningful spaces for dialogue and storytelling grounded in the lived experiences of our kababayans abroad. It engages overseas Filipinos through relatable social and cultural conversations grounded in their lived experiences. This way, the podcast aims to make our modern heroes feel connected, seen, and reassured that their stories are understood and shared.
Moreover, VINTAlakayan, as a podcast, fills the gap between practical OFW advice media and formal policy discussions by offering a reflective and meaning-making space. By blending community engagement with heartfelt narratives, the program strengthens ties between overseas Filipinos and the University of the Philippines Open University in advancing inclusive and transformative public service.
Anchored on the tagline “Makukulay na kuwentuhang OFW!” the program celebrates the richness and diversity of overseas Filipino stories—affirming that every journey carries meaning, every experience holds insight, and that through vibrant dialogue, stronger communities are built.
Join the conversation and tune in to the VINTAlakayan, kung saan ang kwentuhang OFW at paglalakbay ay walang kasing-kulay!
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by LJ Saludadez and Maryrose Alingasa
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