Unlock Philippines Podcast

In our season two opener, award winning internationally acclaimed Filipina photojournalist Xyza Cruz Bacani talks to us about photographing a pandemic, the no home birth policy in the Philippines and other stories. She has recently published a spectacular book, 'We Are Like Air' which highlights the story of the migrant domestic worker. She likens migrant workers to air- 'essential but invisible'. N.B. This episode was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020, due to unforseen circumstances we have delayed the publishing of our podcast episodes. We are happy to be back recording and publishing them again, and we hope you and your loved ones are safe and sound during this trying time. We are hopeful for better days ahead.

Berry Stehmeier is one of the top wedding planners in the Philippines, and we chat with her about the trials of being in the events industry during the time of Coronavirus. She shares her insights and thoughts on what weddings in the future may look like, as we march on to a modified reality.

In the last of our three-part series on self care, we sit down with Tricia Centenera (@triciacentenera), who lifts the curtain behind her rose-tinted, bread-scented Instagram life. She shares her quarantine experience including loads of practical tips, straight talk, and even candid reflections on the less rosy times in her life.  Tricia is the founder of @skinbytalulah and co-founder of @talulahs_closet. Her TV show continues in a new incarnation as #TalkWithTricia on her IG live. At this point, we'd like to introduce a trigger warning for mentions of a friend's suicide.  For clarity, this episode was recorded during the ECQ. We love to hear from you!  Give us some love or ask us a question.  We are at unlockPH.podcast@gmail.com.

Chef Budgie takes us on his journey from moving to London, starting from zero to opening his first Filipino restaurant, and how he reconnected with his Filipino roots through food.  He enlightens us on his views on Filipino cuisine, why it has been so silent all these years, and how he plans to educate customers on Filipino culture and history through his menu. We'd love to hear from you! If you would like to reach out to us, we are at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com.

In this episode of the Unlock Podcast, Dr. Anna Palabyab Rufino (@annapear), a board-certified dermatologist with more than 10 years practice, advises us on how we can try to control ONE thing in our lives in this uncertain time - our skin. She also sheds some interesting insight on how a very face-to-face (literally) industry will evolve during GCQ and beyond - including some of what you might expect the next time you seek the services of your dermatologist or aestheticians. You can visit Anna in person at her gorgeous office, the bright and airy Beautique MD (@beautiqueMD) located in BGC. For clarity: this episode was recorded in the early days of the ECQ. We love to hear feedback and comments. If you would like to reach out to us, we are at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com.

With Wildflour's undeniable success, it seems everything that Wildflour CEO and President Ana does, is well done. No pun intended. Ana inspires many of us to keep calm, and Wildflour on. We'd love to hear from you! We hope you enjoy the episode!  As always, our mailbox is open to you at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com

In today's episode, we have Jacques Christophe Branellec (@jacquesjewelmer), deputy CEO of Jewelmer, Captain in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, member of the PNP Highway Patrol Group, pilot, shrimp farmer, and most recently, mysterious seafood delivery driver during the lockdown. We discuss growing up on a pearl farm, the repercussions of covid-19 in areas as far-flung as Palawan, the place of the luxury brands in a post-covid world, buying local, and his predictions for Filipino brands on the global stage. We hope this episode brings much-needed hope to our listeners as we look ahead to a "New Normal".

In this episode, Hindy Weber debunks and demystifies some of the easy-to-assume aspects of her lifestyle. Is she an anti-vaxxer? Is she vegan? Is she pagan? And why these things matter, are just some of points that we cover. At a time of great uncertainty, clarifying what things really mean has never been more important. In this episode, we agree to disagree and talk controversial topics such as vaccines, survival skills, boxes we put ourselves and other people in and why Hindy has been living in 'the new normal' for over 10 years. As we hope to flatten the curve, Hindy shows us how she stays ahead of it. 

In this conversation with Atty. Pia Manguiat, spokesperson for Lawyers for Doctors talks to Jet about the work their organization does. Lawyers for Doctors is a team that helps feed frontliners and facilitate the things they need. They delve into topics such as channelling panic productively, how this entire pandemic situation is akin to a break-up and how now is not the time to judge. Pun intended. Jet and Janthina also squeeze in a little Thirsty Thursday Pandummy segment right before the interview, talking about some of TV's hottest lawyers. While this segment isn't published on a Thursday, it was recorded yesterday, which was. We love to hear your feedback! If you would like to reach out to us, we are at: unlockph.podcast@gmail.com

With a 17-year-long tenure in the publishing industry, Ria Prieto (@riarecommends) speaks to us on moving with the times, acknowledging what you need, and of course, a healthy dose of her ubiquitous recommendations in a time when we all need a little bit of care - for ourselves and others.  Find her platform on www.riarecommends.com. We love to hear your feedback!  If you would like to reach out to us, we are at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com  

In this special episode of Pandummies, as we approach a new normal, we do a deep dive into our favorite diversion of recent lockdown times: "Normal People", a millennial coming-of-age story about two young people set in Ireland. The plot follows Marianne and Connell as they navigate their post-adolescence and pre-adulthood at each other's side in the most heart-breaking, gut-wrenching will they or won't they love story in recent memory. Based on the best-selling book by Sally Rooney, it was recently adapted for TV and is completely breaking the internet like it TOTALLY BROKE US. In this episode, we tackle hugot and nostalgia in the time of covid, unrequited love, power struggles, and of course, our personal stories from the deep and deeply embarrassing traumas of our youths, including all the lessons we learned along the way. No real spoilers ahead because you have to see it to believe it. Join us as we open one more Pandora's box for the pandemic.

Rajo Laurel is one of the Philippines' pre-eminent fashion designers and a judge on the television series Project Runway Philippines. On this episode, we discuss his inimitable perspective and why curating life goes deeper than we might think.  Between paradigm shifts, the power of pause, the place of kindness in this world, and even his “Baby Bear Philosophy”, there are so many ways this episode will touch you and bring you joy.

On this episode, we are joined by Rianna Gatus (@riannayoga), a yoga teacher of 10 years and founder of the Beyond Yoga studios - which have grown over the years to 6 branches sprawled across Metro Manila and Alabang. Grounded in the foundation of her practice, we see basic yoga precepts applied practically and liberally as she takes care to fulfill her obligations to herself and her community. @igoBeyondYoga conducts free online classes on their FB page. For more information on the now-digital 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Rianna (and her work husband Ben!) held from May 18 to June 12, 2020, email info@vinyasawithbenandrianna.com. We love hope you enjoy the episode! As always, our mailbox is open to you at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com.

Audrey Pastelero, serial entrepreneur of @MomzillaPH, @BridesandBeyondPH, @FunNestPH, @TropicalePH, @SomethingPersonalPH, @MilkEasyPH, @SuperSaleBazaar (whew, you get the idea) lifts the veil on what it's like to prepare for birth in the time of Covid-19 with an easy-going outlook on her carousel of businesses. This episode also includes a teaser introduction to “Pandummies”, a segment where co-hosts Jet and Jan catch up on the latest news, gossip, and all things light-hearted in an effort to keep our spirits up in these uncertain times. If you would like to reach us, we love feedback. Write us at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com. And if you would like to hear more of our episodes in the future, click FOLLOW to subscribe. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch!

Jes Tan Gan speaks to us about a less conventional style of parenting young children, the genesis of "The Egg Fairy" business, and how her zero-waste and eco-conscious lifestyle has been vital in getting her family through this pandemic. She demonstrates how having a deep understanding of who you are and what you stand for stands the test of even the strangest times. We are so grateful for her practical tips and tricks so we can all live a little bit better throughout the lockdown and beyond. Tips: Jes' veggie sources include Seven Days of Greens (@SevenDaysofGreens), Mara's Organic Market (@MomEarthMarket), Teraoka Farms (@TeraokaFamilyFarm), Ritual (@RitualPH), and salad greens at Aba Pardes Hydroponics (@AbaPardesHydroponics). For her eggstraordinary eggs, find them on @JesTanGan or @TheEggFairy. If you would like to reach out to us, we are at UnlockPH.podcast@gmail.com.

Carissa shares her unique insights into the inner workings of The Philippine Red Cross at this crucial juncture, its new covid-19 testing capacities and efforts, as well as what is making her laugh in these troubled times. Hint: you probably love these memes too.