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Think about the histories of your family or memories from your past. What if you recounted them with a dash of magic? What happens when we infuse our stories on film with some magical realism? Tonight's edition of APEX Express features three filmmakers who created magical realism short films centering AAPI women. Listen to directors Cami Kwan, Dorothy Xiao, and Rachel Leyco discuss their films and experiences behind the scenes with host Isabel Li. Cami Kwan: Website | Instagram | Seed & Spark Dorothy Xiao: Website | Instagram  Rachel Leyco: Website | Instagram   Transcript 00:01 [INTRO] Isabel: You're tuned into Apex Express on KPFA. Tonight's edition is all about stories. Think about the histories of your family or memories from your past. Now, what if you recounted them with a dash of magic? What happens when we infuse our stories on film with some magical realism? I'm your host, Isabel Li, and today we have three very special guests, Cami Kwan, Dorothy Chow, and Rachel Leyco. All of them are AAPI filmmakers who received the Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge grant from the Coalition of Asian Pacifics and Entertainment and have created short films featuring AAPI stories with magical realism. My first guest of the night is Cami Kwan, a Chinese-American director specializing in stop-motion animation who directed the short film Paper Daughter.  Hi Cami, welcome to APEX Express!  Cami: Hello, thank you so much for having me. Isabel: How do you identify and what communities do you consider yourself a part of?  Cami: So I identify as a queer Asian American woman um and I am a descendant of immigrants, of Chinese immigrants. um Then the communities that I am part of, part of the queer community, part of the Los Angeles community, part of the Chinese American and Asian American community, part of the mixed race community and part of the stop-motion animation and independent artist community.  Isabel: I'm so excited to talk to you about your upcoming short film, Paper Daughter, a gothic stop-motion animated Chinese-American fairy tale about a young woman grappling with the guilt of using the identity of a deceased girl to immigrate to the US via Angel Island in 1926, which is such a fascinating concept. Can you tell our listeners a little bit about how you came up with this story and the historical specificity behind it?  Cami: Absolutely, yeah. So like I mentioned, I'm the child of immigrants, descendants of immigrants rather. So my great grandparents immigrated to the US from China. My great grandfather came over in 1916 and my great grandma came over in 1926. And so I've always grown up knowing the story of Angel Island and knowing the story about the paper sons and paper daughters who had to find any way into the United States that they could. And so they were forced to, you know, take on the identities of other people. And those stories have always stuck with me, you know, like it's very personal. Angel Island means a lot to me and my family. And just the extreme measures that people have always had to take just for the chance at a better life have always been really meaningful to learn about. just the like, I'll use romances in like the art movement, like romantic. It's very romantic and kind of fairy tale-ish, the idea of having to take on a new identity and pretend to be somebody that you're not. And often those identities would be people who had passed away, and then those families had then sold those identities or given those identities to new people. And so it's so interesting the idea of being like the last person to know somebody so deeply, but you'll never get to meet them and you'll never be able to thank them or repay what they sacrificed for your future. And that's kind of how I feel as a descendant of immigrants. The sacrifice that my family made for me was made so long ago that there's no way for me to ever pay it back. And I didn't really get a say in whether I received that sacrifice or not. And I think a lot of descendants of immigrants kind of have to struggle with this. What does it mean for us to be given this new chance at the cost of somebody who came before us? And so that's all of that kind of rolled up into this 14-minute film. Isabel: You describe your film as being in a gothic style? Can you describe what this looks like and why gothic?  Cami: The subject matter is just so naturally gothic. It's dealing a lot with death and a lot with guilt and those big capital R romantic subjects and stuff. My day job, my day-to-day job is working in stop-motion animation directing mostly like children's series and mostly toy related stuff. And so I spent so much of my time in the happy brighter like birthday party storyline kind of like space. But what really made me want to be a filmmaker in the first place were all these like heavier themes, these bigger themes, films by Guillermo del Toro and like Tim Burton and Henry Selig and Hayao Miyazaki and all of those kind of have this like gothic edge to them. And so that's like a story that I've been a type of story I've been wanting to tell for about a decade now.  Isabel: Stylistically, how does this show up in your film? So I imagine darker colors or do you have a visual like preview for us?  Cami: it is a little bit in the darker color space, but it's still very colorful despite all that. It's moody more so than dark, I would say. um We have a lot of like light and dark themes, a lot of like shadow. stuff and um a lot of magical realism, which is where that fairy tale aspect kind of comes in, because you're dealing with things that are so abstract, like guilt and sacrifice and wearing the identity of somebody else, that there's no literal way to convey that. Well, there are literal ways to convey that, but none of those literal ways I feel fully convey the emotional weight of everything. And so we've gone in this very magical realism space where people are tearing information out of these booklets that contain information about the person they're supposed to be and creating these paper masks out of them. And so yeah, there's this whole like magical aspect that tends to be kind of darker. There's imagery of just like being consumed by the identity that you're just supposed to temporarily wear. And there's a lot of like, yeah, there's a lot of darkness in those themes, I think.  Isabel: Wow, that's so interesting. I'd love to learn more about stop motion. What does stop motion make possible that isn't as easily accomplished through other forms of filmmaking? Cami: Yeah, I think the reason why I'm drawn to stop motion, what I stop motion makes possible is like a universality of just like a human experience because with other kinds of animation and other kinds of filmmaking, like there is kind of like an opacity to like how it's made. There's this this veneer, this magic to it, and there's that magic to stop motion too. But the difference between all of those and stop motion is made out of like everyday materials. It's made out of fabric. using paper. We're using clay. We're using materials that people have encountered in their day-to-day lives. And like, that's the one thing that we are all guaranteed to have in common is that we live in a material world and we encounter these textures and materials around us. so by like taking such a specific story and trying to convey such universal themes, it really like behooves us to be using like um a medium that is as universal as stop motion is. So I think that's like the big thing that stop motion unlocks for us. Plus also story-wise, like it's very paper centered, paper daughter, they're tearing paper strips, they're making paper masks. So like physically using these paper textures adds a lot to our world. um And I think working in stop motion gives you a degree of control that live action doesn't give you because we're creating. all of our characters, all of our sets by hand, which gives us so much of a say over what they look like and what they convey based on how they're constructed and stuff. And that's just a degree of communication that nothing else brings.  Isabel: I love that this is a magical realism film and you mentioned Guillermo del Toro. I know that in your campaign trailer, you featured Pan's Labyrinth, which is my all-time favorite movie.  Cami: Me too! Isabel: Yeah! How exactly did you come up with this specific blend of history and fantasy for your film?  Cami: I think that it's almost a natural human instinct to kind of have history and fantasy. Like, that's all that histories are, just stories told to us. And it's just being less literal about it and really leaning into the metaphors that we might use to convey the emotional realities of those histories, right? And so I feel like Del Toro does that a lot with his work. And Miyazaki as well does a lot of that with his work. So much of it deals with unpacking like World War II and things like that. And that's something that I've always just personally been drawn to. Even as a kid, my dream jobs were archaeologist or animator. And so here I kind of get to like do a little bit of both of those, know, like using the magic of animation to make history feel a lot more present and tangible and like emotionally relevant, which is It's really quite poetic to be able to be telling this story right now because it's going to mark the 100 year anniversary of my great grandmother's immigration to the US. I think we are due for an examination of immigration in our country. And I'm very interested to see how people respond to the questions that this raises of how different is the immigrant experience 100 years later. Have we gotten better? Have we gotten worse? Like I would posit it's perhaps worse now than it was then, but I'm really hoping to like, yeah, bring that reality into a more approachable space. And I feel like having that blend of magic and history just makes it a little bit more approachable than telling it in a literal way, you know? Isabel: Those are some great questions to ask. And on that same note, I'm interested in the specificity of Angel Island as well. What types of research did you do to produce your film?  Cami: Oh, gosh, I read every book I could find about it. have… How many books were those? Oh, my gosh, I want to say, like, not as many as I want there to be, you know? Like, Angel Island is not as well covered in history as places like Ellis Island, and there's a lot. to unpack as to why that may be, especially like the racial aspect of it. But I probably read about a dozen different books to prepare for this film. One of the most concrete and useful books that I read is a book called Island, and it's a collection of the poems that are carved into the walls of the men's barracks that remain on Angel Island. And those poems are a huge part, perhaps, the reason why Angel Island has even been preserved as a historical landmark. And so um the three authors went to great pains to replicate these poems, translate them into English, and provide a lot of historical context for the different topics of the poems. And there's a lot of like first-hand testimony from people who immigrated through Angel Island that they interviewed and included in this book. And so I do think that that book, Island, is like the primary source of most of my research for it. Everything else is more like quantitative history and quantitative data. Oh, also The Chinese in America by, I believe it's Iris Chang, that it's not just about Angel Island, but I read that and that gave me a much better understanding about like the place that Chinese immigrants have in American history. Because when I was a kid, like I really only ever learned about great grandma came over through Angel Island and now we're American and we live in America. But our history, as far as I was ever taught, begins and ends with us entering the United States. And so reading um the Chinese in America gave me a much broader understanding about, like, why did we leave China in the first place? And like, what has it meant for us to be in America as Chinese people since then? Yeah, all that came out of like in 2020 and 2021 when the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes were kind of coming about. I personally had to have a huge reckoning with like my racial identity and like how that has impacted like my experience growing up as a mixed-race person who's pretty perceivably Asian and all that stuff. So it was a really whole circle broad situation. Oh, I want to do a quick shout out to the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. They were very generous with their time and they answered a lot of my questions and sent me a lot of archival images from Angel Island. So I want to thank them so much for their help in the research process of this.  Isabel: Oh, wow. How fascinating. Did you have any expectations on how the production process was going to go? And now that you're on the other side of it, what are your reflections?  Cami: I had no expectations as to whether we were going to get outside funding or not. Like I, I'm not an experienced or adept grant applicant. Like, it was really just because this was the right kind of project to fit with those kinds of grants. So I had no expectations there. So I am beyond thrilled to have received the support from Cape and Janet Yang and Julia S. Gouw and Shorescripts that we've received, like beyond thrilled for that. So that exceeded all of my expectations. um But as far as how the actual production has gone, the fabrication and the animation and the post-production, that's all stuff that I'm extremely familiar with. Again, that is my day-to-day life, that is my job, that is like what I have done for the last eight years at my studio, Apartment D.  So that all went pretty much as I hoped and expected that it would, but here on the other side, the one thing that has surprised me about it was how much love all of the artists put in this project because like we've said so much in this conversation, there's so much specificity to this. This is about my great grandma. This is about my family and my feelings about being a descendant of immigrants. It's so specific that I wasn't sure how emotionally it would resonate with anybody else that wasn't me or wasn't part of the AAPI community, you know?  But every single person — doesn't really even matter if they were Asian, doesn't really even matter if they have a specific connection to immigration — every artist that I asked to join me on this project, I immediately understood what it meant and understood what we were trying to say. And they put so much love into it. And like, we all put a lot of love into everything we do. It's stop motion. It's like, you don't do this unless you love it, you know, because you certainly are not doing it for the money or anything. um everyone was just so…I'm gonna say careful, but I don't mean careful like cautious. I mean careful like full of care. And I did not expect that and I am so grateful for it. Yeah, looking back, it's just so precious and so tender and like I'm so fortunate to have had the crew with me that I had to make this film.  Isabel: That's so lovely. What are you most excited about upon completing your film?  Cami: I'm just excited to share it with the world. I'm so proud of it. It is truly, and I'm not just saying this because it's my baby, but it is very beautiful and it is very special. For a lot of us, one of the first times that we've been able to be in charge of our own departments or to make the decisions that we wanna make and tell things, do things, show things the way that we think they should be done. And so it's kind of significant for many of us to have this film come out and to be received. What I want people to take away from it is an appreciation and a gratitude for everything that has had to happen for us to be where we are now. And I also really want people to take away the unconditional love that has occurred for us to be in the country that we have and to be the people that we are. Every single person is where they are. doesn't matter if you're in America or anywhere else, like we are all here because of the sacrifices that were made by the people who came before us. And those were all made out of unconditional love. And that's like, I want people to come away from this film remembering that our country is built on the unconditional love and sacrifice from people who came before us. And then wanting to give that unconditional love and sacrifice to everybody who's gonna come after us. Isabel: Such an amazing message. And I know that there's still lots to do and you still have a lot to celebrate with your upcoming film and with the festival circuit with Paper Daughter. But looking ahead, do you have any plans of what you want to do after the short film?  Cami: Yeah, I would love to bring it into a feature. There was so much that we had to cut out to make this film. On one hand, I'm glad that we cut out what we did because I think the film as it is, is like so tight and so like airtight and good and perfect and sparse in a really nice way, but we don't even get to delve into life before Angel Island. It begins and ends on the island, and I would love to explore the stories that brought this all about and the stories that come after. So bringing this up into a feature version and getting that in front of people would be amazing. And I have a couple other short film and feature film and script ideas that I would like to start working on as well. I've kind of really, I'm really grooving on the like Asian early Chinese American history. um So most of them are going to be set in California and focus on like Chinese immigrants and their role in the founding of America. um I'm really excited for the like, after all the film festivals, I really want this film to end up in classrooms. And I even just the other day like I have a friend who's a third and fourth grade teacher and she showed it to her class and then the students asked me questions about Angel Island and about animation. if this can play any part in helping to spread the story of Angel Island and the people that immigrated through there, like that's all that I could ever want from this. So I'm really excited for that.  Isabel: That's wonderful. I'll put your website, social media and seed and spark page for Paper Daughter up on kpfa.org so our listeners can learn more about this stop motion film and get updates for how they can watch it. I can't wait to see it when it comes out. And Cami, thank you so much for joining me on Apex Express today.  Cami: Of course, thank you so much for having me. It was a great, great time talking with you.  Isabel: You just heard Cami Kwan talk about her film Paper Daughter. On Apex Express tonight, we have two more special guests who made magical realism short films. Next up is Dorothy Xiao, who made the film Only in This World. She's a Los Angeles-based award-winning filmmaker who likes to create grounded family dramas with a hint of fantasy.  Hi, Dorothy. Welcome to APEX Express.  Dorothy: Hi. Thanks for having me!  Isabel: Of course! Thank you for coming here. My first question for you is actually quite broad. How do you identify and what communities are you a part of?  Dorothy: Oh, that is a good question. I think in a broader sense. I would say, obviously, I identify as an Asian American. um But I think, like, for me, because I grew up in the 626 or the San Gabriel Valley, I grew up with a lot of people who looked like me. So I think I didn't truly identify as being Asian or had awareness of my identity until later on when I went to college. And then I took Asian American Studies classes and I was like, oh, wow, I'm Asian. Or like, what does it mean to be Asian? You know, like, I think I, at that time, prior to recognizing and understanding what it meant, and also even to be a minority, because at that, like I said, growing up in 626, even going to UCLA, where I'm surrounded by a lot of Asians, I never really felt like a minority. But I think it was really after graduating where I, depending on the spaces that I would enter into, especially in the film industry, I was learning like, oh, yeah, I am a minority and this is what it feels like. And prior to that, I think I just identified as being a daughter of immigrants. And that still is very strongly the case just because I grew up listening to so many stories that my parents would tell me, like coming from China, growing up like they grew up in China during a completely different time. I can't even imagine what it would be like living in the way that they did, you know, during the Cultural Revolution, under communism, in an intense way where they were starving, all this political stuff. But yeah, a second gen or for a lot of people, first generation, daughter of immigrants, of parents who decided that they wanted to make a better life for their kids out here in the States. I think that I want to stand by me saying that I don't feel like I am, I don't really want to identify as only just single categories all the time, just because within each community, could be, you could have nuances, right? Because I am a woman, but I'm also like a woman who doesn't want children, you know, and there was just so many different things of how I identify. So hard for me to categorize myself like that. But they are, there are tidbits of different communities. Like I still identify, identify as Asian American. I identify as a daughter of immigrants. I identify as a female filmmaker and yeah. And a business owner, I guess. Yeah.  Isabel: Right. Yes. Thank you for that nuanced answer. You know, it's so fascinating because I was reading about your work and you have worked in animal research administration and an afterschool program and even web development for nonprofits. How did you get into writing and directing?  Dorothy: Yeah. So after graduating college, I was definitely in a place where many, I'm sure, fresh grads understand what we call the quarter life crisis, where we don't know what we wanna do with our lives. And I was working at UCLA because that was the only job that I could get out of college for an animal research administration office. And really, I worked for them as a student. So I was like, well, it makes sense to have that be my full-time job, because you're in a place where you don't have skills. So how do you get a job if you don't have skills? That weird silly catch-22 situation. So I studied psychology in undergrad because my goal was to become a therapist. I wanted to work with Asian and Asian immigrant communities to help them with mental health because there's such a stigma attached to it. And being somebody who found mental health really important and also found that it was a really great way to understand myself. I wanted to work with, I guess, the people of my community. But at that time, I realized that there's still a stigma attached to mental health and it's really hard to get people to even go to therapy. Like living with my parents, it's really difficult. I cannot ever convince them to go. um And so I had pivoted into, or at least I discovered this filmmaking competition and ended up just like making a film for fun with a couple of friends, random people that um were not in film at all. And I had a lot of fun and I realized that we could actually create stories talking about things that are very similar to mental health or could provide that catharsis and validation that you could probably get in a session, in a therapy session. And it's not clinical at all. It's not as clinical. So, you know, on all those different jobs that you mentioned, they're all day jobs, know, animal research administration and then working for an after school program. That was me still trying to figure out how to be a filmmaker on my weekends. I still needed a day job. I didn't have the luxury of going to film school. So I would work at different places that gave me the flexibility of having a day job. But then also I had free time during the weekend to just make films with my friends, make friends films with people like my mom, who was one of my first actors earlier on. Love my mom. She did not do the greatest in my film, but I love her for being there for me. But yeah, like the different organizations or just jobs that I worked for were all really good in terms of providing me management skills and also communication skills because I worked in different industries, you know, and so at the end of the day, it all culminated in me at my current place. Like I am a freelance filmmaker and I also run my own video production company. So um becoming a writer, I mean, being a writer director is my main identity as a filmmaker. However, I don't think you could be a good writer-director if you don't have life experience. And having all those different jobs that I've had provided me with a lot of varied life experience and I interacted with a lot of different people, many different personalities.  Isabel: Yeah, no, I love that. So you grew up in Alhambra, which I'm familiar with because I too grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. How would you say that growing up in Alhambra has shaped you as an artist?  Dorothy: Alhambra is really special, I feel like, because in the San Gabriel Valley, there are many cities like this. You have Chinese people who can actually get by without ever having to learn English. And the same goes for Latin communities as well. And, you know, I have aunts and uncles who lived in Alhambra for years and never learned how to speak English. So I think it's like, what's so special about it, it feels like a safe space for a lot of immigrant communities. And then my parents being immigrants from China. living in Alhambra was a place where they could feel safe and feel connected to the people that they left behind in another country. And so being a child of immigrants, a daughter of like an Asian American, like a Chinese American growing up in Alhambra, I definitely felt like I grew up with a lot of people who were similar to me. know, we were like a lot of times the first American born children of our families even, and it was, we had to essentially understand what it meant to be Asian versus American and all of that.  But I think like being in Alhambra, I never felt like I wasn't seen, or at least I never felt like I was a minority. I think I mentioned this earlier, in that growing up in Alhambra, you do see a lot of people who look like you. And I have a lot of friends in the film industry who have moved out to California because they grew up in towns where they were like one, the only person, the only Asian person in their school or whatever. And I didn't have that experience. So for me, it was really special just being able to have a whole group of friends where there's a bunch of Asians. And we all spoke different languages. Like I had a lot of friends who were Cantonese speakers, but I'm a Mandarin speaker, but it was just really cool. It was like going to your friends' places and then you have aunties. So it's almost like having more family. You could feel like you have more aunts and uncles that will feed you all the time because that is the way they show love, right?  Isabel: Oh, certainly. I think there's so many stories in multicultural places like Alhambra. And speaking of which, you did in your film Only in This World. It's about an empty nester who has to face her ex-husband's mistress in order to summon her daughter back from the afterlife, which is featured in the 2025 Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival in Sunnyvale. Congratulations on such a beautiful film. I will say that I am a huge fan of magical realism, and Only in This World has some magical elements to it. So I'd love to get to know, how did you come up with this specific plot and characters that make up this film? Dorothy: Yeah, and thank you for wanting to talk about this one. It's a special story to me just because it is, I think it's the first film that I've made where I just decided to incorporate elements of where I grew up. And so Only in This World is inspired by my mom and her Tai Chi group at our local park, so Alhambra Park. My mom would go to do Tai Chi every morning for years. And in Alhambra, actually, as I mentioned, because there are so many immigrant communities, many of the immigrant communities tend to stay together with the people who speak their language. So Chinese people usually stick together with the Chinese speakers, Spanish speakers stick together with the Spanish speakers. You don't see a lot of mingling or intersectionality. But one of the special things that I saw with my mom's Tai Chi group was that they were not just Chinese people or Asian people, but there were Latino people in their group as well. And so even though they couldn't speak the same language, they would show up and still do Tai Chi every morning because it was a matter of doing something together. And so I love that a lot. And I wanted to tell a story about just older women who are finding friendship because I think that's really important in older age and in these groups because you see that a lot of the people in these Tai Chi groups are even the ones, not just Tai Chi groups, but there are dancers in the park, you know, like you'll see them in the mornings, not just in Alhambra, but in Monterey Park, all the different parks, open spaces, they'll have little dance groups.  A lot of the people who are part of those groups happen to be seniors, and I think it's just because they don't have work, they don't have children, they're lonely. And so…I think it's really important to be aware that where friendship or loneliness is actually an epidemic in the senior community. And it's really important to providing good quality of life is to just have them have that connection with other people. And seeing that in my mom, because my mom is getting older, having her be part of that community was what kept her happier. And so, yeah, and also my mother-in-law is Colombian. And she's done Tai Chi before as well with her group in Rosemead. And so I just was like, well, I'm part of a multicultural family. I want to tell a multicultural family story. Yeah, in terms of the magical realism element, I thought a lot about just how my family, if our house has ever burned down, the things that they would take out are our photos, the print four by six, like, you know, just the print photos because they're just so precious to them. There's something about hard copy pictures that is so special that digital photos just can't take over. Like there is an actual energy to how a photo is made or even like back then when we used to use film, there's energy that's required to actually create photos. And so, you know, I wanted that to be the power that powers this magical scanner where energy is taken from the picture and then you have the ability to bring someone you love back from the afterlife. And I really love grounded magical realism because I think it just makes difficult things a lot easier to understand when you add a little bit of magic to it, a little bit of fantasy.  Isabel: Yeah, magical realism is such a special genre. What part of the production process that you find the most profound?  Dorothy: I think it was just really my gratitude in how much my family came together for me and also just like the people of this team, know, like there were, I think one major situation that I can think of that I always think is really funny was, um so we filmed at my mother-in-law's house and my husband, Diego, was also working on set with me. He is not in the film industry. He's a software engineer manager. He's like in tech, but he is one of my biggest supporters. And so…when we were like, yeah, can we film at your mom's house? He was like, okay. But he had to end up being the, quote unquote, location manager, right? Because the house was his responsibility. And then, and he was also my PA and he was also DIT. Like he would be the one dumping footage. He did everything. He was amazing. And then ah one day we found out that his neighbor was actually doing construction and they were hammering. It was like drilling stuff and making new windows. They were doing new windows. And we were just like, oh, like, how do we get them to, like, not make noise? And so, and they don't speak English. And so we were like, oh crap, you know. So like, unfortunately, my producers and I don't speak Spanish, like we're all just English speaking. And then I did have Latinos working on my set, but they, you know, they had other jobs. I wasn't going to make them translate and do all that other stuff. So then Diego so kindly went over and talked to them and was like, essentially we set up. They were totally cool about it. They were like, yeah, okay, you're making a film. then whenever you're rolling sound, we'll just like prevent, like not hammer. And then so Diego is sitting outside with a walkie and talking to the first AD and other people inside the house, because we're all filming inside. don't know what's going outside. And then so like, we would be rolling, rolling. And then um the workers, I think his name was Armando, are like…whenever we cut, Diego would hear it through the walkie and he'd be like, Armando, okay, you're good to go. You can drill. Armando would drill. And then when we're going, and we'd be like, I'm going for another take. And then Diego would be like, Armando, please stop. So it was so nice of them to be willing to accommodate to us. Because you hear a lot of horror stories of LA productions where neighbors see you're filming something and they'll purposely turn on the radio to make it really loud and you have to pay them off and whatever. And in this case, it wasn't it was more like, hey, like, you know, we're making a movie and they were so supportive and they're like, yeah, totally. This is so cool. We will definitely pause our work, our actual work and let you roll down during the brief period. So we're really grateful. We definitely brought them donuts the next day to thank them. But that was just something that I was like, oh yeah, like I don't think I could have pulled that off if I didn't have Diego or if the fact, if it wasn't for the fact that these were the neighbors, know, that we were filming at someone's house and the neighbors already had a relationship with the people who lived here.  Isabel: Wow, that's really adaptable. And I'm so glad that went well for you. Dorothy, you've directed 13 films by now. Have you ever seen one of your films resonate with an audience member that you've interacted with in the past?  Dorothy: So there was this one short I had done a couple years ago called Tarot and it came at a time when I was struggling with the idea of whether or not I wanted to have kids and many of my friends are off having their first or second kids, you know, and so I never really wanted to be a mom, but then I have a partner who I can see being a great father, so I'm more open to the idea of being a mother, but it was still something I was conflicted about. And so I put this all into a short film, just my feelings of how my identity would change if I were to become a mom, because I've read so much about that. I found a Reddit thread one day where people were just talking about how being a mother is hard. And they openly stated how much they hated it. And it's okay to feel that way. And I wanted to put those feelings into this film to just put it out there like, hey, like if you don't like being a mom, even though you love your kid, you could still hate having that identity and be lost about, and it's okay to be lost or not sure about who you are. And so it was a really short film and it ended kind of open ended. It was like five minute film, so it didn't have like a full ending, but it was an open ended ending. And then afterwards I had a bunch of people come up. I had people who were parents, not just mothers, like even, or like fathers who had just had their first kid who were coming up and telling me like, oh, I totally identify. I understand that struggle of learning about who your new identity is after you've had a kid. And then I had people who were child free who were coming to me and saying like, yeah, this is a similar feeling that I've had about whether or not I should have any kids. Because, you know, as women, we have a biological clock that ticks. And that's something I feel frustrated about sometimes where it's really because of my body that I feel pressured to have a kid versus wanting to have one because I want one. And so that was a story I wanted to, or just something I wanted to put into a film. Yeah, and I also had another person come up and tell me that they were like, this was something I felt, but I never really openly talked about. And so I resonated a lot with this and it just helped basically articulate or helped me identify like, oh, I totally feel this way. And so that was really validating to me as a filmmaker because my goal is to reach others who don't feel comfortable talking about certain things that they tend to hide because I have a lot of those types of thoughts that I might feel ashamed or embarrassed to share. But then I put it into a story and then it makes it more digestible and it's like, or it's more, it's entertaining. But then like the core message is still there. And so people watch it and if they feel that they can connect to it, then I've done my job because I have resonated with somebody and I've made them feel seen. And that's ultimately what I wanted to do when I wanted to be a therapist was I just wanted to make people feel seen. I wanted to make them feel connected to other people and less lonely because that's something that I also have struggled with. Yeah, so filmmaking is my way of putting something small out there that I feel and then finding other people who feel the same way as me. And then we can feel validated together. Isabel: Ah yes, that is the power of film, and Dorothy's work can be viewed on her website, which I'll be linking on kpfa.org, as well as her social media, so you can get new updates on what she is working on. Dorothy, thank you so much for joining me on APEX Express today!  Dorothy: Thank you! Thank you for having me, it was so great to meet you!  Isabel: That was Dorothy Xiao, our second guest for tonight's edition of Apex Express, featuring magical realism AAPI filmmakers. Now time for our final guest of the night, Rachel Leyco, who is a queer, award-winning Filipina-American filmmaker, writer, actress, and activist. We'll be talking about her upcoming short film, Milk & Honey.  Hi Rachel, it's such an honor to have you here on APEX Express. Rachel: Hi, thank you so much for having me.  Isabel: How do you identify and what communities do you consider yourself a part of?  Rachel: Yeah, I identify as a queer Filipina-American. Isabel: So we're here to talk about your short film, Milk & Honey, which is about an ambitious Filipina nurse who leaves her family behind in the Philippines to chase the American dream in the 1990s and facing conflicts and hardships along the way. How did you come up with this specific 90s immigration story?  Rachel: Yeah. So Milk and Honey is inspired by my mom's immigrant story. you know, that's really her true story of coming to America in the early 1990s as a very young Filipina nurse while, and also a young mother and leaving behind her daughter, which was me at the time. um you know, following her journey in the film though fictionalized, a lot of the moments are true and there's a lot of exploration of assimilation, cultural barriers, loneliness and the emotional cost of pursuing the American dream.  Isabel: Yeah, when I read that synopsis, I immediately thought of this short film could totally be something that's feature length. How did you sort of this story to something that is like under 15 minutes long?  Rachel: Yeah, so I wrote the short film script first. And actually, you know, this is a proof of concept short film for the feature film. I actually wrote the feature film script after I wrote the short because there was just so much more I wanted to explore with the characters and the story. It definitely couldn't fit into a short film, though I have that short film version. But there was just so much richness to my mom's story that I wanted to explore, so I expanded into a feature. So I do have that feature film version, which I hope to make one day. Isabel: And you mentioned that this film is inspired by your mom's story. Is there any other sort of research that you did into this story that really helped you write? Rachel: Yeah, one of the main reasons I wanted to write the story, I mean, there's many reasons, but one is because there, if you ask the average American or the general public, they won't really know why there are so many Filipino nurses in the healthcare system. Because if you walk into any hospital, you'll see a Filipino nurse, more than one for sure. ah so I was really curious about the history. ah Having my mom as a nurse, my sister's also a nurse, I have a lot of healthcare workers around me. I grew up with that. I, you know, growing up, I also didn't really know or learn Filipino American history because it's not taught in schools. And I, you know, I took AP US history and didn't learn anything about, you know, my culture and our history. It's, not in the books at all. And it wasn't until like my early twenties that I was really curious about my roots and my upbringing and what it means to be Filipino-American specifically. And so um I really went into like a deep dive of just researching Filipino-American history. And specifically last year, I had been wanting to tell a story about a Filipino nurse because of my proximity to it with my mother. And you know, myself being an artist, being a filmmaker in the industry, there's so many medical shows out there, like, know, Grey's Anatomy, that's been long running, but very, very few, and rarely do we see Filipino nurses at the forefront and at the center of those stories. um You know, rarely are they series regulars. You know, sometimes they'll feature a Filipino nurse for like one episode or two and, you know, a recurring or a side character, but Filipino nurses are never the main character, never the series regular. And so that was another big driving force for why I wanted to make this story. And, you know, really making my mom's character the center of it. And so as far as like research, too, I definitely interviewed my mom and I asked her to just tell me her her entire story and specifically why she even wanted to move to the United States because she could have stayed in the Philippines or she could have moved somewhere else. um she saw a newspaper or her friend actually at the time when she was in a nursing school, a friend of hers saw an ad in the newspaper that America was sponsoring nurses. And so she had it in her mind already like, oh, yeah, I've heard of America. I've heard of the United States that it's, you know, there's better opportunities for me there. And at the time she had just had me. And so she had, you she's a young mother. She's trying to take care of her baby, her newborn. And so, you know, she had her eyes set on moving to the United States and that's kind of how her journey happened. And on top of that, I also did my own research on you know, our history, I watched this really amazing documentary um by Vox. It's on YouTube. It's all about why there are so many Filipino nurses in America. And it really just ties back to U.S. colonization. And after World War II, was so many, there was big nursing shortage in the United States. you know, white Americans did not want to, you know, fill that role. So they turn to Filipino women to fill the gap.  Isabel: Yeah, was there something special about the production process that looking back, you would want to replicate in the future or that really speaks to you?  Rachel: Absolutely. um Yeah, mean, definitely this experience and a lot of the people that I brought on to this project, I want to continue to make films with them and continue to make art with them because um I'm just so proud of the team that we put together. Everyone was so passionate and they knew how important the story was. They also had their own special connection to the material that they brought so much heart and passion into the film. that really comes through in the project. so like a lot of the people I brought onto this film, I want to continue to make art with them forever. That's one thing that I'm really, really grateful for, because I got to work with some really awesome people that I had never worked before or I had been wanting to work with. And so it was such a great opportunity that was given to me to be able to connect with such amazing and talented AAPI creatives in my circle.  Isabel: Yeah, I saw on your Instagram page for the film that you shot this film in both Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. Have you ever done a production where you had to sort juggle two different sets in two very different locations? And how was that entire process?  Rachel: Yeah, that was really, it was really fun. It was my first time being able to film in two different cities, let alone like two different states, really. A lot of my past projects have just been, you know, shooting it with the resources that I had that were available to me. You know, usually like my past short film, Thank You for Breaking My Heart, that I did last year, we shot all of it in one location, which was of course like, know, that is something that's really impressive in and of itself, of course. But, you know, because of the bigger budget that we had for Milk and Honey, I really wanted to challenge myself with this. And I really advocated for filming a part of the film in Texas because it is set in Texas. I was raised there. That's where my mom was placed when she, because how the process goes is, you know, she applied for the nursing sponsorship and then they placed them in certain areas. And so she was placed in El Paso, Texas at the time. And so that's where I also grew up. So I set the film there and I really advocated for filming in Texas because I wanted the film to have that feeling of the environment and atmosphere of Texas. um And so we shot some exteriors there for like this really fun Texas montage where you can really like feel that the character is there in, you know, in that heat, the Texas heat. So that was really, that was really fun. And I, you know, we shot, we shot two days in LA and we shot half a day in Austin, Texas. And we hired a second unit in Texas, because, you know, again, like, even though we had a really good budget, was still, you know, it was still pretty small. So I wasn't able to, you know, fly my LA crew over there. um So what we did was we just hired a second unit crew in Austin, Texas, and they were amazing. And most of them were queer, non-binary filmmakers. And it was just such a fun, intimate crew that you know, we just breezed by and had such a great time shooting that.  Isabel: That's wonderful. As a director, what inspires you and what are some of your filmmaking influences?  Rachel: Yeah, I mean, I'm constantly inspired by, you know, new films, filmmakers that I've seen, em particularly for Milk and Honey. I um so the film is, you know, this grounded drama, but there are a lot of moments of magical realism that I mix into it. love magical realism. love one of my favorite movies is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It's such a beautiful film, also very grounded, but it's filled with all of this, you know, magical realism, surrealism. And so I infused that into, you know, Milk and Honey, which was really fun and a challenge to execute. But yeah, and some other filmmakers and creatives that I'm inspired by are Ava Duvernay. think her work is just incredible and also just an incredible artist overall. I love the kind of work that she does because it comes from such a deep place. And I love that she can combine art with politics and social justice as well. Isabel: I also love that you said in your one of your project funding descriptions that you use your art as your act of revolution, which is so relevant given that, you know, in our current state of, you know, our administration is silencing and suppressing voices of our immigrant communities. And how do we as filmmakers, as artists, what does that revolution and representation mean to you as a filmmaker and artist?  Rachel: I truly believe that that art is our act of revolution and just merely creating the art is that act in and of itself. We don't have to do more than that as from, in my opinion, as an artist, because the mere fact of us existing as artists, existing, myself existing and creating the work and having the work exists out there and putting it out. The most powerful thing that an artist can do is to make their art and share it with the world. And after that, just let it go, you know, forget about how it's going to be received. Forget about like, you know, the critics and, and, and the, you know, self doubt you may have and all of those things, because yeah, it's going to come. I think especially in the landscape of, like you said, of where we're at right now with our current administration and you know, just who knows what's going to happen in the next few years, but also in the face of like AI and technology and all of that, I think all we can really do as artists is to, in order for us to change the system is we have to be the change, right? And in order for us to be that change is just to continue to tell our stories and stay authentic to ourselves. Because I think that's also what a lot of people out there are really craving right now. People are craving authentic, real stories by people that we really don't get to see or hear their stories very often. And so um that for me is something that fuels me and my artistry every day.  Isabel: Very well said and a great reminder to all of us artists out there to keep making our art. What do you hope for audiences to take away when they watch your film?  Rachel: What I hope for audiences to get out of watching the film, well, one, at the core of it is a mother-daughter story. And I also did it to honor my mother and her sacrifices and her story. So I hope that, one, audiences will, you know, maybe reflect on their relationship with their mother and… um think of ways to honor their mother and their family and their ancestry as well. And another thing is to really think about what the American dream means to you, because that was another driving force for me with the film is it's called Milk & Honey because a lot of immigrants coined Milk & Honey as America's milk and honey as this like land of abundance, land of opportunity and you know, this is a, this is a place for creating a better life for ourselves. But I, for me, as I've grown up and as an adult now, really looking at like, well, what does the American dream mean to me? Is that still true to me? Do I still think the U S is a place where I can, where I can build a better life? Is it a place of abundance and something in the film, a big theme in the film is where Cherry's character scrutinizes that dream and thinks for herself, like, is the American dream worth it? And what does the American dream actually mean to me? What is the definition of that? So I think that's a big thing I would love audiences to also take away from it, you know, asking themselves that question. Isabel: That's a great thought to end on. I'll be including Rachel's social media and website on kpfa.org as usual so you can see if Milk and Honey will be screening in a film festival near your city during its festival run. Well, Rachel, thank you so much for joining me on APEX Express today. Thanks so much for having me. I really enjoyed it. Please check our website kpfa.org to find out more about magical realism in AAPI stories and the guests we spoke to. We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting. Keep organizing. Keep creating and sharing your visions with the world. Your voices are important. APEX Express is produced by Miko Lee, Jalena Keane-Lee, Preeti Mangala Shekar, Anuj Vaidya, Swati Rayasam, Cheryl Truong, and Isabel Li. Tonight's show was produced by me, Isabel Li. Thanks to the team at KPFA for their support. Have a great night. The post APEX Express – 1.08.26 – Magical Realism and AAPI Short Films appeared first on KPFA.

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:How do you process loss and grief?This letter is for anyone who's lost their greatest ally and has been grieving ever since.The writer speaks to Monica Macansantos, author of Returning to My Father's Kitchen: Essays. She expresses how her former teacher's book gave her permission to feel what her family wouldn't talk about: the pain of losing a loved one who was more than a parent. Her father was her greatest ally, her champion, and the inspiration behind her curiosity and creativity. The writer paints a portrait of healing that doesn't erase the pain but, instead, carries it with her.If you've ever felt pressure to suppress your grief, yet longed to honor a loved one in a way that feels true to you, then this one's for you.This concludes TFAW Project's Letters — Holiday Edition!

Some people help newly arrived international students in Australia. One of them is Kate Mausisa, a Filipina and co-founder of the "Welcome Po Kayo Foundation" in South Australia, who supports new students. - May mga taong handang tumulong sa mga bagong dating na international student sa Australia. Isa na rito si Kate Mausisa, isang Filipina at co-founder ng "Welcome Po Kayo Foundation" sa South Australia, na nagbibigay ng suporta sa mga bagong estudyante.

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:Which memories define you, or don't define you anymore?This letter is for anyone who simply wants to feel safe, secure, and stable in her friendships.Through a flashback sparked by a new friend around a bonfire, the writer recalls a time when she was bullied, labeled “lesser than,” and ambushed by a group of girls who she thought were her people.If you ever struggled to defend yourself for something you didn't do, this one's for you.Join us for our FINAL Family Potluck: Vision Board Workshop this Monday, December 22nd! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:How do you communicate with your family versus in the workplace?This letter is for anyone who grew up in a home where tsismis (a.k.a. gossip) was connection, love, and entertainment, only to discover how it lands differently in the workplace.The writer examines the differences between indirect communication at home and direct communication at work, and how a well-meaning effort to bond with colleagues nearly cost her her job.If you ever felt torn between how you communicate at home versus at work, this one's for you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe

It finally happened! We finally get to talk about everyone's favorite party/potluck food: lumpia!! This episode we're joined by Eleanor Mooney, co-founder of New York-based Verdant Lingerie and hapa Filipina. We talk to Eleanor about growing up watching the titas roll lumpia at parties, each one having a slightly different recipe, and how growing up around this community of women shaped her career in service and lingerie. Plus we talk about when it's okay to be slightly illegal in job interviews, looking exactly like a parent but still somehow not enough, and her sister's long con that somehow worked on us and will have her ruling us all.

In this episode, we traveled north to Remagination Farm on Eastern Pomo and Lake Miwok land—also known as Kelseyville, CA—ancestral homelands of the Pomo people. There, we had the profound honor of sitting with Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, whose life and work reflect a deeply powerful and life-altering return to the land.For so many of us rooted in homeland struggles, this return is a dream—an act of reclaiming, remembering, and embodying freedom. Dr. Rodriguez has done exactly that. After more than two decades as a professor of Asian American Studies at UC Davis, and following the devastating loss of her son, Amado Khaya, she made the courageous decision to transform her life's path. Her journey led her to establish Remagination Farm, where she is building a living practice of regenerative agriculture, ritual, spirituality, and ethical relationships to land and community.Drawing from her extensive background as a researcher, educator, and long-time community organizer, Dr. Rodriguez shares how she listens to ancestral callings, how she understands land stewardship as a liberatory practice, and how returning to the earth can be a site of both grief and rebirth. She also discusses her founding of Remagination Lab, home of the School for Liberating Education (SLE), and the Amado Khaya Initiative (AKI)—projects devoted to radical learning, community nourishment, and honoring her son's legacy.In this conversation, Robyn offers a model of what it means to truly realign one's life with purpose, lineage, and liberation. She is actively manifesting the world we are fighting for.This episode features music from Amado Khaya's memorial – listen here at Amado Khaya Memorial Tribute Soundtrack – and some of the following music: A Day Will Come by Desirée Dawson, Dal3ona el zaytoun دلعونا الزيتون - دلال أبو آمنة Dalal Abu Amneh, our kasama Sam singing The Eyes the Flight The Slow Gestures - performed live at We Rise's Crosspollination: Roots Of Justice (We Rise podcast episode 54), and ends with a reading of A Comrade is as Precious as a Rice Seedling – a poem by Filipina revolutionary Mila D. Aguilar.Learn more: ReimaginationFarm.org

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:Are you going home for the holidays—or are you already home?This letter is for anyone tired of being asked if they're going home to their blood family and relatives for the holidays.Through faith, conviction, and clarity, the writer shares why she's choosing not to return to her family this year. She reflects on how familial and cultural expectations justified years of abuse, how she made an idol out of family, and what ‘going home' means to her today.If you've ever said, “But they're family…” just to survive the holidays—this letter is for you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe

What does it mean to play the game to change the game?   In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Erica Mosca—Nevada State Assemblymember and Founder/Executive Director of Leaders in Training. Her nonprofit now empowers over 200 students annually with a 100% college acceptance rate and 81% postsecondary persistence. Erica is also the first Filipina elected to the Nevada State Legislature and is running for her third term.   Growing up, Erica didn't see herself represented in classrooms, on television, or in politics. When she learned that only 1% of elected officials were APIA, she realized she needed to "play the game to change the game." For her, that meant running for office. She shares powerful lessons for anyone looking to lead and serve:   Lead with values. It's not about you—it's about advocating for your community. Seek support. Programs like APAICS, New American Leaders, Emerge America, and Leadership for Educational Equity offer training even if you're not ready to run yet. Reframe fundraising. Fundraising isn't asking for money—it's giving people a chance to have their voice at the table. Navigate politics with humility. Listen, meet people where they are, and show up consistently—even outside election season. Know you are enough. Your lived experiences matter more than degrees or titles.   Through her leadership, Erica has helped create meaningful change across Nevada. She truly embodies what it means to play the game to change the game.   Donate to Erica's campaign at ericamosca.com. Even $14 is meaningful!   Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-115-play-the-game-to-change-the-game-with-erica-mosca

Sydney Max Lee, known worldwide as Astrodomina, is a Filipina dominatrix, fetish creator, and digital powerhouse with a fanbase of over 200,000 followers and millions of views across platforms. Based in Washington, she's known for her bold, funny, and fearless approach to BDSM culture. Sydney mixes latex fashion, cosplay, psychology, and comedy to create a style that's completely her own. She's a ball-busting specialist, an educator in the kink community, and a performer who has turned fetish artistry into a full multimedia brand — from viral skits to livestreams, interviews, conventions, custom content, and merch. What makes her stand out is her energy: approachable, playful, charismatic, and still entirely in control. She represents a new wave of dommes who use creativity and humor to break down the stigma around kink while celebrating identity, power, and self-expression. She's sharp, she's stylish, and she's redefining what domination can look like in the digital age.Sydney Max Lee, known worldwide as Astrodomina, is a Filipina dominatrix, fetish creator, and digital powerhouse with a fanbase of over 200,000 followers and millions of views across platforms. Based in Washington, she's known for her bold, funny, and fearless approach to BDSM culture. Sydney mixes latex fashion, cosplay, psychology, and comedy to create a style that's completely her own. She's a ball-busting specialist, an educator in the kink community, and a performer who has turned fetish artistry into a full multimedia brand — from viral skits to livestreams, interviews, conventions, custom content, and merch. What makes her stand out is her energy: approachable, playful, charismatic, and still entirely in control. She represents a new wave of dommes who use creativity and humor to break down the stigma around kink while celebrating identity, power, and self-expression. She's sharp, she's stylish, and she's redefining what domination can look like in the digital age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you sitting on a mountain of credit card points but not sure how to turn them into luxury travel? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Julia Menez, founder of Geobreeze Travel, who helps people unlock the full potential of their credit card points and turn them into amazing travel experiences. In this episode, Julia reveals the common mistakes people make with their points, how to maximize their value, and the secret to securing luxury vacations. Whether you're a business owner or frequent traveler, Julia offers practical strategies to help you travel smarter and stretch your points further. Key Takeaways: → Many people waste their credit card points without understanding their true value. → Credit card companies and airlines often make it easy to spend points in ways that don't maximize their potential. → Transferring points between credit card partners and airline partners can unlock much better value. → Understanding the difference between points from different cards is key to maximizing rewards. → Learning how to pair the right credit cards with business and personal expenses increases your points earning potential. Julia Menez is the founder of Geobreeze Travel, a business born out of her passion for points and miles. A first-generation Filipina, ENTJ, and Las Vegas resident, Julia spent nine years as a pricing actuary, where she used mathematical modeling to assess the financial risks and uncertainties in the insurance sector. What started as a passion project to access business credit cards and bring fellow points and miles enthusiasts together during the isolation of the pandemic has since blossomed into a growing platform. Through Geobreeze Travel, Julia offers expert strategies on Instagram and YouTube, and helps clients maximize their travel rewards. Her interactive community continues to expand, reflecting her dedication to teaching others how to make the most of their travel opportunities using points and miles. Connect With Julia Menez: Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geobreezetravel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you sitting on a mountain of credit card points but not sure how to turn them into luxury travel? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Julia Menez, founder of Geobreeze Travel, who helps people unlock the full potential of their credit card points and turn them into amazing travel experiences. In this episode, Julia reveals the common mistakes people make with their points, how to maximize their value, and the secret to securing luxury vacations. Whether you're a business owner or frequent traveler, Julia offers practical strategies to help you travel smarter and stretch your points further. Key Takeaways: → Many people waste their credit card points without understanding their true value. → Credit card companies and airlines often make it easy to spend points in ways that don't maximize their potential. → Transferring points between credit card partners and airline partners can unlock much better value. → Understanding the difference between points from different cards is key to maximizing rewards. → Learning how to pair the right credit cards with business and personal expenses increases your points earning potential. Julia Menez is the founder of Geobreeze Travel, a business born out of her passion for points and miles. A first-generation Filipina, ENTJ, and Las Vegas resident, Julia spent nine years as a pricing actuary, where she used mathematical modeling to assess the financial risks and uncertainties in the insurance sector. What started as a passion project to access business credit cards and bring fellow points and miles enthusiasts together during the isolation of the pandemic has since blossomed into a growing platform. Through Geobreeze Travel, Julia offers expert strategies on Instagram and YouTube, and helps clients maximize their travel rewards. Her interactive community continues to expand, reflecting her dedication to teaching others how to make the most of their travel opportunities using points and miles. Connect With Julia Menez: Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geobreezetravel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a week after Typhoon Tino, Typhoon Uwan hit the Philippines, reigniting fear among Filipinos in Australia for their families back home. - Isang linggo lamang matapos ang Bagyong Tino, tumama ang Bagyong Uwan sa Pilipinas, muling nagdudulot ng takot sa mga Pilipino sa Australia para sa kanilang mga pamilya sa bayan.

A month after fearing for her family's safety during a powerful earthquake in Cebu, Sydney resident Mariza Sollano faces 'new anxiety' as Typhoon Tino devastates the province, leaving at least 46 dead across the Philippines. - Isang buwan matapos ang kanyang pangamba sa kaligtasan ng pamilya sa Cebu dahil sa 6.9 magnitude na lindol, muling nabalot ng takot si Mariza Sollano, isang Pilipina sa Sydney, matapos manalasa ang Bagyong Tino na kumitil ng hindi bababa sa 46 na buhay sa bansa.

Fresh off her stunning appearance on America's Got Talent, 9-year-old Izabela De Vera Giron joins us on this week's episode of the #UnidentifiedPodcast. Diagnosed with alopecia at a young age, Izabela has turned what many see as a challenge into a symbol of strength.Alopecia may take the hair, but it can never touch the courage, confidence, or voice within. With every performance, she shows the world that beauty, bravery, and talent come in many forms—and that confidence shines brightest when it comes from within.Her voice—powerful, pure, and full of heart—has moved audiences across the nation and inspired countless others to embrace their uniqueness. In this episode, we explore Izabela's journey: from her early love of music to the AGT spotlight, and now to the podcast with us. Hear how this young Filipina powerhouse is rising above expectations and using her gift to uplift the community.

"I can only describe the Process in poetry, because it's that spiritual for me." Jessica Harjo In July 2022, Jessica Harjo came to the Hoffman Process to learn how to parent after realizing the coping mechanisms she'd developed to help her manage the weight of motherhood and career no longer worked for her. And of course, she came for so much more than she could imagine. As a Native woman with a complex multicultural ancestry - Indigenous, San Carlos Apache, Indigenous, Chicana, Mexican, Filipina, Japanese, and European - Jessica found the Process to be deeply spiritual. She shares that she likens her Process experience to a sweat lodge. "Finding that moment where you're in it and you're closing your eyes, and you hear the songs, you can hear the prayers, and then you start to connect. You start to remember; you start to heal. And then when the flaps of that sweat lodge open, you crawl out on your knees, and when you come out into the life, you feel like you're born again into the world. That was the experience of my Process. It reconnected me to my spirit in that way. It lit my inner fire." Before the Process, Jessica realized that stress had caused her to forget her past and past self. Coming out of the Process, feeling born again, she realized she now had "new eyes." Going home, Jessica saw each member of her family as a spiritual being.  She saw the light in nature. She'd found herself. A little over two years later, Jessica attended the inaugural BIPOC Q2, a weekend retreat. She worked to heal ancestral wounds. Over this powerful Q2 weekend, Jessica says she came home. We hope you enjoy this powerful conversation with Jessica and Sadie. More about Jessica Harjo: Jessica, daughter Rulan, and husband Tim. Jessica Harjo is a soul embodied human being and lifelong learner. She's a proud homemaker and mother of three daughters, three stepchildren, and four grandchildren. For the past eighteen years, Jessica has worked in the nonprofit sector as the Director of Operations for the Tribal Law and Policy Institute. Her multicultural ancestry (Indigenous/San Carlos Apache, Indigenous/Chicana/Mexican, Filipina, Japanese, and European) has been a source of strength in her life and is reflected in her work to recognize and uplift multicultural and Indigenous knowledge. As a nonprofit leader, Jessica specializes in policy development, administrative infrastructure and team development, project management, HR implementation, business, and financial operations management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Film, Media, and Social Justice and a minor in Business Administration. Jessica also holds an MBA from Mount Saint Mary's University. Mount Saint Mary's is the only women's university in Los Angeles, and is known for their annual report on the Status of Women and Girls in California. Jessica has volunteered on numerous nonprofit boards that serve Indigenous communities. She's an active volunteer for the Hoffman Inner Work for Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle and the Indigenous outreach team. She provides support for other Indigenous Process fellows and graduates. A student of Yoga philosophy, Nichiren Buddhism, and Indigenous Mindfulness, Jessica is currently working on her RYT500 Yoga Teacher Training. She regularly uses her Hoffman tools to continue healing, visualizing, and growing. This has been the journey of her lifetime. The Process brought her to herself, and the BIPOC Q2 brought her home. Jessica and her husband, Tim Harjo, live in Oklahoma, where they balance their careers, family life, and running Sovereign Ranch, a first-generation, Native owned bison ranch. Follow Jessica on Instagram. Listen on Apple Podcasts As mentioned in this episode: Tim Harjo, Jessica's husband. Listen to Tim on the Hoffman Podcast: Amplifying Native Voices Asanas and The Eight Limbs of Yoga The Conscious Parent, by Dr. Shefali Tsabary Be-Do-Have vs. Do-Have-Be:

Ep 149 Description: "Women have the power to transform this world. If we really want to save our world and bring peace and prosperity, and harmony, we need to go the mother's way away from this male-dominated mode, which is not working. Let's save the world one orgasm at a time." —Ibu Robin Lim Have you ever wondered about the untold stories hidden within the most intimate part of a woman's body? What secrets lie beneath the surface of our most misunderstood and often silenced anatomical landscape? The Yoni is more than just a physical space—it's a powerful narrative of strength, pleasure, and ancestral wisdom. Ibu Robin Lim is a CNN Hero and internationally renowned midwife who has delivered over 16,000 babies across disaster zones in Indonesia and The Philippines. With decades of experience and a passion for women's reproductive health, she brings revolutionary insights into female sexuality, childbirth, and holistic wellness. Tune in as Debra and Ibu Robin shatter taboos, celebrate female anatomy, and explore how understanding our Yonis can unlock personal healing, challenge societal norms, and ultimately reshape our collective approach to women's health, pleasure, and potential. Connect with Debra! Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 Episode Highlights: 02:26 A Unique Model of Care 07:05 Challenges and Successes at Maternal Health Care 13:55 The Yoni Owner's Manual 20:51 The Yoni's Historical and Cultural Significance 27:33 The Role of the Clitoris in Childbirth 33:25 Advice for Pregnant Women 34:48 Connect with Ibu 39:06 Women Supporting Women Resources:

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:What is one small, beautiful thing you can notice and be grateful for in this very moment?In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this message is for anyone facing loss, uncertainty, or chronic illness—and for those who have supported a loved one through it.Through tender recognition and reflective gratitude, the writer explores what it means to redefine joy, choose life, and live one day at a time.Whether confronting the limitations of the body, the dissatisfaction of fame, or the weight of living in the diaspora and homesickness, this letter honors the quiet resilience it takes to keep going.If you've ever delayed a goodbye, wished you had more time, or found strength in small moments, this one's for you.This concludes Filipino American History Month

On SBS Filipino's Trending Ngayon podcast this week, Australia, in particularly the Filipino-Australian community, shows full support for Alexa Roder, who is aiming to bring home a back-to-back Miss Earth crown for Australia. - Sa Trending Ngayon podcast ng SBS Filipino ngayong linggo, todo ang suporta ng Australia lalo na ng mga Filipino Australian para sa pambato na si Alexa Roder na hangad na maipanalo ang korona ng Miss Earth sa ikalawang sunod na taon.

Former Filipino scholar Rachelle Tulloch first came to Australia on a scholarship in 1995, never imagining that her studies would lead her to meet the man she would marry and build a life with. - Nagsimula ang kwento sa Australia ng dating Filipino scholar na si Rachelle Tulloch sa Australia sa pamamagitan ng isang scholarship, at hindi niya inakala na sa kanyang pag-aaral ay makikilala niya ang lalaking kanyang pakakasalan at makakasama sa pagbuo ng kanilang buhay.

Join us on October 26th at 7pm for a panel on resisting state repression. The panel will feature journalist and author Will Potter, Meg Calaw with Gabriela Berkeley, civil rights and criminal defense attorney John Viola, Sara Kershnar from the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network . RSVP for the Panel (in person and watch on our YouTube channel): https://bit.ly/ResistStateRepression WHERE: First Unitarian Church of Oakland; 685 14th St, Oakland, CA WHEN: Sunday, October 26th at 7pm; Doors open at 6:30pm DONATE: $5-$20 at the door, sliding scale, no one refused for lack of funds President Trump has designated the anti-fascist movement as a terrorist organization. While, in fact, it's an opportunity for his administration to target and destroy a broader network of left and progressive groups. We're living in challenging times with crises around war in the Middle East, renewed McCarthyist attacks on free speech, corporate domination of everyday life, escalating climate disasters and, now, a fascist takeover of our government. As Will Potter has said, “The intention is to capitalize on this to crack down on their opponents and to consolidate authoritarian power.” We're also living in a time where large numbers of people have taken to the streets to confront those responsible for these crises. Today's state repression is aimed to eliminate that opposition. This panel will explore the ongoing conflict between democratic resistance movements and state repression and lessons that we can use to push back against this authoritarian takeover. Panelist Bios// **Will Potter is an award-winning investigative journalist and TED Senior Fellow who exposes political repression and the erosion of civil liberties. His reporting and commentary have appeared in The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and Rolling Stone. He is the author of “Green is the New Red” and his new book is “Little Red Barns: Hiding The Truth, From Farm To Fable.” **Meg Kalaw is an organizer with Gabriela Berkeley, a local organization of Filipina women that fights for genuine liberation and national democracy in the Philippines. Currently, Gab Berkeley is waging the Chevron Out of the Philippines campaign, to expose the corporate plunder that multinational corporations like Chevron enact in the Philippines and the particular impacts on peasant and indigenous women and children. Meg is also the regional coordinator of the International League of People's Struggles NorCal, a regional alliance of anti-imperialist organizations in the Bay Area who are united under fighting state repression and promoting international solidarity. **John Viola is a Bay Area civil rights and criminal defense attorney. ** Sara Kershnar is the co-founder and international coordinator of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network established in 2007. Sara began her Palestinian solidarity work during the second intifada. Sara is also a co-founder of Generation FIVE, an organization working on transformative justice approaches to addressing child sexual abuse and works towards prison abolition in solidarity with currently and formerly-incarcerated people. **Donations on a $5-20 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. Co-sponsored by Green and Red Podcast, Diablo Rising Tide, XR SF Bay, Oil and Gas Action Network and Bay Resistance. ------------------- Intro/Outro- "Green and Red Blues" by Moody

Ever felt like you didn't quite fit in — like you were too different to belong anywhere? Maybe it's in your family, at school, at work, or even in your own circle of friends. That feeling of being different can be lonely, but it can also be a strength—or even a superpower. This episode's guest has become an expert at that and has great advice.Known on YouTube TikTok, Instagram and as “Leah with an ‘H'” and HeyoLeah, “your French Filipino bestie,” this creator grew up in Paris, France with a Filipina mom and a French-Algerian dad. She built a following by turning her in-betweenness into content that is entertaining, funny, but thought-provoking and powerful.Her videos about culture, identity, and humor are personal yet universal—and they have built a global community that resonates with her story of “living between worlds,” as she calls it. She sees her channel as a bridge between her cultures. Through her lighthearted yet meaningful storytelling, she shows that you can find connection, joy, and belonging—even if you don't fully fit in.For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.

Emmy-nominated costume designer Virginia B. Johnson grew up with a “dragon mother,” which shaped her structured habits and her ability to work smoothly amid chaos. Her childhood was filled with intergenerational connection and crafting - learning sewing, embroidery, knitting and crocheting from a “flock of Filipina aunties,” which fostered not only a sense of community, but a foundational skill for her eventual career. Although she was a pre-med major in college, a serendipitous side gig in a college theater costume shop sparked a passionate pivot to a career that now includes critically-acclaimed and award-winning projects like Hillbilly Elegy and American Primeval, and the opportunity to lead teams in the art of deploying deep craft and rigorous, reverent cultural authenticity to drive powerful storytelling. Images and more from Virginia B. Johnson on our website!Special thanks to our sponsor: Wix Studio is a platform built for all web creators to design, develop, and manage exceptional web projects at scale.Clever is hosted & produced by Amy Devers, with editing by Mark Zurawinski, production assistance from Ilana Nevins and Anouchka Stephan, and music by El Ten Eleven.SUBSCRIBE - listen to Clever on any podcast app!SIGN UP - for our Substack for news, bonus content, new episode alertsVISIT - cleverpodcast.com for transcripts, images, and 200+ more episodesSAY HI! - on Instagram & LinkedIn @cleverpodcast @amydeversSpecial thanks to our sponsors!Wix Studio is a platform built for all web creators to design, develop, and manage exceptional web projects at scale.Cozy Earth: head to cozyearth.com/pages/clever to get 40% off! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Niña Terol and Candice Quimpo are Co-Founders at FoundHer. FoundHer is a community platform that champions and spotlights Filipina founders. The FoundHer Summit, happening this October 14, 2025, will bring together hundreds of delegates — including female founders, investors, startup ecosystem leaders, advocates, and allies. Secure your slot now! Get 15% on all regular tickets and bundles* for the upcoming FoundHer Summit using our code: FOUNDHER-SUP15! (*except for Student/PWD passes, which are already discounted).In this episode:01:14 Ano ang FoundHer?02:19 What problem is being solved? 15:41 What solution is being provided? 48:13 What are stories behind the startup? 59:38 What is the vision? 1:10:47 How can listeners find more information?FOUNDHERWebsite: https://foundher.phFacebook: https://facebook.com/foundherphTHIS EPISODE IS CO-PRODUCED BY:Yspaces: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://knowyourspaceph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apeiron: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apeirongrp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twala: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twala.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Symph: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://symph.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secuna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secuna.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Circle Global: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://redcircleglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MaroonStudios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maroonstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AIMHI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aimhi.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHECK OUT OUR PARTNERS:Ask Lex PH Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asklexph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (5% discount on e-learning courses! Code: ALPHAXSUP)Argum AI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://argum.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PIXEL by Eplayment: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixel.eplayment.co/auth/sign-up?r=PIXELXSUP1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Sign up using Code: PIXELXSUP1)School of Profits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://schoolofprofits.academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founders Launchpad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://founderslaunchpad.vc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hier Business Solutions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hierpayroll.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Agile Data Solutions (Hustle PH): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://agiledatasolutions.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smile Checks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://getsmilechecks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CloudCFO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cloudcfo.ph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Free financial assessment, process onboarding, and 6-month QuickBooks subscription! Mention: Start Up Podcast PH)Cloverly: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cloverly.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BuddyBetes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buddybetes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HKB Digital Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://contakt-ph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (10% discount on RFID Business Cards! Code: CONTAKTXSUP)Hyperstacks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyperstacksinc.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OneCFO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://onecfoph.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (10% discount on CFO services! Code: ONECFOXSUP)UNAWA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unawa.asia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SkoolTek: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skooltek.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Better Support: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bettersupport.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Referral fee for anyone who can bring in new BPO clients!)Britana: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://britanaerp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wunderbrand: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wunderbrand.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EastPoint Business Outsourcing Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/eastpointoutsourcing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DVCode Technologies Inc: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dvcode.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NutriCoach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nutricoach.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uplift Code Camp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upliftcodecamp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (5% discount on bootcamps and courses! Code: UPLIFTSTARTUPPH)START UP PODCAST PHYouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6BObuPvMfoZzdlJeb1XXVa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-up-podcast/id1576462394⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/StartUpPodcastPH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PIXEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixel.eplayment.co/dl/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phstartup.online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode is edited by the team at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tasharivera.com⁠

On SBS Filipino's Trending Ngayon podcast this week, the Paris Fashion Week showcased greater diversity as it featured stars from across the globe including more Filipino stars and Australian footballer Mary Fowler. - Sa Trending Ngayon podcast ng SBS Filipino ngayong linggo, higit na diversity sa Paris Fashion Week nasaksihan dahil sa mga tampok na bituin mula sa iba't ibang panig ng mundo kabilang ang ilang Pilipinong aktres at Australian footballer na si Mary Fowler.

A 26-year-old Filipino national is facing court today for allegedly creating and using fake identification documents while working at Melbourne Airport. - Isang 26-anyos na Pilipina ang haharap sa korte ngayong araw matapos umanong gumawa at gumamit ng pekeng dokumento ng pagkakakilanlan habang nagtatrabaho sa Melbourne Airport.

The venerable historical preservation organization celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month with an LA County-wide programming series where the past and the future intermingle. One Institute Executive Director Tony Valenzuela talks about the trailblazing histories and vibrant cultural contributions around the festival theme “Reclaiming Freedom” (interviewed by Jason Jenn). And in NewsWrap: a report from the international track and field governing body World Athletics finds that up to 60 event finalists would not have passed its newly instituted genetic sex test, the U.S. government straddles a line between erasing its transgender citizens and labeling them dangerous terrorists, U.S. President Donald Trump puts the blame on trans rights in his diatribe over the current federal budget standoff, reparations for gay men in Tasmania who were victims of the Australian state's laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing are approved by the Lower House, Filipina designer Veejay Floresca is Project Runway's first trans winner and Vietnam's entrant in the Miss Universe pageant will be transgender star and singer Nguyen Huong Giang, the Australian horror movie "Together" has been pulled from Chinese cinemas after censors used AI to replace one of the male grooms in a gay wedding with a woman, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg consider whether to discuss his gay sex life with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Ava Davis (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the September 29, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:What do the clothes you wear and conversations you have today say about the community you've built — or hope to build?This letter is for anyone who's ever tried to blend in—only to realize how it only makes you feel lonelier.To wrap up the Summer Series, Jen reflects on her evolving identity as a Filipino American woman—tracing her journey from childhood birthdays filled with vibrant love, to the muted grief of losing a built-in community, to rediscovering color, voice, and belonging on her own terms.If you've ever wondered what you had to change to be accepted, tried on different versions of yourself to fit in, or walked away from a place where you felt “othered”… This one's for you.This concludes our Summer Series. ☀️Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for Filipino American History Month!

Cherry Fisher migrated to Australia in 2016, but it was only recently, on 17 September 2025, that she took the oath for her Australian Citizenship. - Taong 2016 noong nanirahan si Cherry Fisher sa Australia, ngunit nitong ika-17 Setyembre 2025 lamang siya nanumpa bilang Australian citizen.

In this podcast special, we share some epic West Coast spots that are perfect for a vacation or a romantic getaway with your Filipina lover.

[BONUS] Feed Drop: Hi Nay Podcast  Content Warnings: Injury and brusing, Blood, Vomit, Animal remains, Human remains, Use of firearms Episode 1 title: Bulok (Rot)  Filipino Immigrant Mari Datuin has been working in Toronto for about a year now. Things have been quiet, until her neighbor runs screaming to her apartment.  Hi Nay, translated to “Hi Mom”, is a Filipino led, analog-style, supernatural folklore horror anthology podcast with an overarching plot, where the protagonist treats  The Horrors™ with the casual lived experience of someone who was raised around them.  Filipina immigrant Mari Datuin, raised by a babaylan (shaman) mother, accidentally saves her neighbour from a rotting monster, and is now on a mission to stop dangerous supernatural events in Toronto — alongside two supernatural detectives Donner and Murphy, her 6'2 strong-armed lesbian neighbor Laura, and Ashvin, a celebrity conman guru with real magic powers. The series is framed through Mari's phone calls to her Nanay (mother) in the Philippines, as well as the Detectives' tape recordings. Season 1 follows their mission to stop the Elders, a group of rich immortal occultists from the 1900s, from terrorizing innocent people with cursed objects called Foci — especially their mysterious leader, The Benefactor, who is so powerful that nobody is able to remember his face or name. Please Follow Hi Nay at:  Website: https://hinaypod.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hinaypod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/HiNayPod Rusty Quill Site: https://rustyquill.com/show/hi-nay/ Socials @hinaypod on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, Bsky 

TT's: We talk about Filipina in the UK being harassed at a Dog Park (02:40), and the internet turning on Nepo Babies (26:05)Where you bean?!: Rica talks about heading to the Philippines (54:23), and her mental state making more content (59:55). JC talks about hosting a Meat Cutting competition for Texas Road House (01:02:56) and eating at a great Vietnamese resto (01:07:38)Follow Rica & JC on IG:@ricaggg@itsmejayseeLeche-Fan Mail:thehalohaloshow@gmail.comRecorded using the ELGATO WAVE 1 Microphones, go get one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeanny Burce and Jason Bitantes are Co-Founders at Katharē. Katharē is a Filipino self-care brand that empowers women with effortless, sustainable solutions made from the potent botanicals of our islands. Katharē's products include shampoo bars, hair cream, and more, which can truly invigorate and give confidence to the modern Filipina, especially those with curly hair! This episode is recorded live at Yspaces Co-Working and Event Space in BGC, Taguig. Yspaces is the official co-working and event space partner of Start Up Podcast PH.In this episode | 01:30 Ano ang Katharē? | 04:14 What problem is being solved? | 11:36 What solution is being provided? | 35:43 What are stories behind the startup? | 58:56 What is the vision? | 01:02:16 How can listeners find more information?KATHARE | Website: https://kathare.store | Facebook: https://facebook.com/kathare.haircareYSPACES | Website: https://knowyourspaceph.com | Facebook: https://facebook.com/yspacesphTHIS EPISODE IS CO-PRODUCED BY:SPROUT SOLUTIONS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sprout.ph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/SproutPayrollStarter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APEIRON: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apeirongrp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TWALA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twala.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SYMPH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://symph.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SECUNA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secuna.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RED CIRCLE GLOBAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://redcircleglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MAROON STUDIOS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maroonstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AIMHI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aimhi.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHECK OUT OUR PARTNERS:Ask Lex PH Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asklexph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (5% discount on e-learning courses! Code: ALPHAXSUP)PIXEL by Eplayment: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixel.eplayment.co/auth/sign-up?r=PIXELXSUP1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Sign up using Code: PIXELXSUP1)School of Profits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://schoolofprofits.academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founders Launchpad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://founderslaunchpad.vc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hier Business Solutions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hierpayroll.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Agile Data Solutions (Hustle PH): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://agiledatasolutions.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smile Checks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://getsmilechecks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CloudCFO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cloudcfo.ph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Free financial assessment, process onboarding, and 6-month QuickBooks subscription! Mention: Start Up Podcast PH)Cloverly: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cloverly.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BuddyBetes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buddybetes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HKB Digital Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://contakt-ph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (10% discount on RFID Business Cards! Code: CONTAKTXSUP)Hyperstacks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyperstacksinc.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OneCFO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://onecfoph.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (10% discount on CFO services! Code: ONECFOXSUP)UNAWA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unawa.asia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SkoolTek: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skooltek.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Better Support: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bettersupport.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Referral fee for anyone who can bring in new BPO clients!)Britana: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://britanaerp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wunderbrand: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wunderbrand.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EastPoint Business Outsourcing Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/eastpointoutsourcing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Doon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://doon.ph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DVCode Technologies Inc: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dvcode.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LookingFour Buy & Sell Online: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lookingfour.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NutriCoach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nutricoach.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uplift Code Camp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upliftcodecamp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (5% discount on bootcamps & courses! Code: UPLIFTSTARTUPPH)START UP PODCAST PH⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | FacebookPatreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/StartUpPodcastPH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PIXEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixel.eplayment.co/dl/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phstartup.online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edited by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tasharivera.com

Mari Datuin has been working in Toronto for about a year now. Things have been quiet - until her neighbour runs screaming to her apartment...Hi Nay, literally translated to “Hi Mom”, is a supernatural horror fictional podcast about Filipina immigrant Mari, whose babaylan (shaman) family background accidentally gets her involved in stopping dangerous supernatural events in Toronto. Written, directed, produced, and created by Motzie Dapul and co-created by Reg Geli. This episode is Episode 01 - Bulok, introduced by H.R. OwenContent Warnings: Injury and brusing; Blood; Vomit; Animal remains; Human remainsTranscript available at www.monstrousproductions.org/travelling-light/feed-drop-hi-nayFor more information, please visit hinaypod.com.You can also find Hi Nay on Tumblr @hinaypod, on Instagram @hinaypod, and on Bluesky @hinaypod.bsky.socialThe official Hi Nay comic is one of the stories featured in The Pinoy Monster Horror Anthology, an upcoming horror comic by Hi Nay creator, Motzie Dapul, featuring gruesome creatures from Filipino folklore. These terrifying tales will have elements of queer horror, love, and dark romance, as well as visceral body horror, supernatural terror, and unsettling, creeping dread from the darkest (and most creative) Filipino minds. Follow the project on Kickstarter to learn more and be notified when the campaign goes live in October. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sophie Vo sits down with indie game developer and studio Filipina co-founder Danni Ann Taylor to explore the realities of starting and running a game studio—while raising a family—without outside funding.Dani shares her journey from early gaming passion to launching Yang Yang Mobile with her husband in the Philippines, building a reputation for high-quality visual novels like The Letter, and developing their latest title, High Time.From risky leaps of faith to strategic pivots, Danni discusses the balance between creative vision and business realities, the challenges of working with your life partner, and how to grow a team without losing the joy of making games.She also opens up about her unconventional daily schedule , the role of her support system, and how she handles founder guilt while raising three children.Key LearningsStarting Before 30 & Bootstrapping* Danni and her husband started their studio shortly after she gave birth, believing it was better to “fail early” than wait until later in life.* Bootstrapped the business using life savings, layoff packages, and small family loans—no investors, to keep creative freedom.Finding Success By Pivoting To What You Love* Initially aimed for hyper-casual mobile games but shifted to visual novels after realizing mobile required heavy UA spending.* Created The Letter and used Kickstarter to secure funding, leveraging her own passion and understanding of the VN audience.Indie Studios Success: Standing Out in a Niche* Elevated the standard for indie visual novels: full English voice acting, animated backgrounds, branching storylines that impact the journey—not just the ending.* Added minigames and interactivity to make titles more engaging for streamers and viewers.Sustainable Growth vs Scale* Grew from a 7-person team to around 20—deliberately staying small to balance creative work and manageable leadership.* Avoided scaling too fast after seeing the strain of expansion.Balancing Family & Business* Relies on family and trusted help for childcare and household management.* Embraces a night-owl schedule with split work blocks to balance deep focus time, family moments, and personal space.Top Quality Is The Best Marketing* Focus on making a “really darn good game” so fans and streamers want to share it.* Built a small but loyal fanbase who amplify launches and sustain visibility.Links & Resources* Yang Yang Mobile Website* Wishlist High Time on Steam: Steam Page Link* Rise and Play Leadership coachingThanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

On SBS Filipino's Trending Ngayon segment, after her historic match in the US Open main draw, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala remains in the spotlight despite failing to advance to the third round of the competition. - Sa Trending Ngayon sa SBS Filipino, matapos ng kanyang makasaysayang laban sa US Open main draw, pinag-uusapan pa rin ang Filipina tennis star na si Alex Eala sa kabila na bigo itong makausad sa ikatlong round ng kompetisyon.

On SBS Filipino's Trending Ngayon segment, the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters continues to go viral nearly three months after its Netflix release. Filipino netizens are also praising the brief but memorable role of Filipina star Lea Salonga. - Sa Trending Ngayon sa SBS Filipino, viral pa rin ang animated film na K-Pop Demon Hunters halos tatlong buwan matapos unang ilabas sa Netflix. Pinuri ng mga netizen ang maikling pagganap ng Filipina star na si Lea Salonga.

What does it feel like to witness one's mother tongue in the throes of extinction? As Carmina and Patch discover, there are many of the almost 200 Filipino languages that are endangered. Yet, there is hope. There are revival efforts afoot in the form of community-based projects, cinema, and artificial intelligence, thanks to those who believe these languages are worth saving. Lastly, learn entertaining facts and trivia they've collected along the way!Learn more: Buwan ng Wika: Celebrating Filipino Language Month, The Buwan ng Wika debate, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Ethnologue, Historical Context of Education and Language Policies in the Philippines, OPINION: Revaluating Regionalism, Revaluing Our Languages-Or Why We Need to Advance Linguistic Democracy, UNESCO Levels of Language Vitality, A documentation and description of the Arta language, Opinion: AI will revive endangered languages, Filipina creates AI platform that preserves nearly extinct Filipino languages, Longest Filipino Word, Tagalog Language Origin, Endangered Languages In The Philippines, Deped Use Both English and Filipino, and Film Depicting Panay Epic.Visit https://filtrip.buzzsprout.com. Drop a note at thefiltrip@gmail.com. Thanks to FilTrip's sponsor SOLEPACK. Visit thesolepack.com for more details.See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for Privacy Policy.

Josefina “Joey” Veluya Guerrero—later Joey Guerrero Leaumax—was one of the most daring and effective spies in the Pacific War. Armed not with weapons, but with a disease long treated as a curse, this Filipina turned stigma into strategy, saving hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives.Thank you to Feedspot for naming HERstory Southeast Asia among the Top 4 Asian History Podcasts, alongside History of Southeast Asia, Echoes of War, and Brown History Podcast.If you're joining the Akdang Pinoy Readathon, check out At Last She Stood by Erin Entrada Kelly—a nonfiction read for ages 8–12 about Joey Guerrero's extraordinary story.Special thanks to our patrons: Nur'ain, Shereen, Geraineon, Xiaomei by Milish, Jennifer, Christina, Raymond, Matt, Ashley, Chanda, Yati, and Christopher.

The BSE girls are here!  Sam and Mara join Mo for anotherback to back set of the Best Show Ever!  It's GTWM Year 14, Episodes 65 and 66 coming your way.  It's nice to see Mara back from Saudi Arabia for her very successful eSports gig for Honor of Kings!  We have an all-female caller lineup, let'sgo!Caller #1 is Luna who is 34yrs old from Berlin, Germany. Luna has a friend in her circle who cannot stop competing with the other moms.  From how many teeth their kidshave to who walked first, it's non-stop and the other Filipina moms have started to not invite this girl to events.  Luna still wants to save the relationship but is it possible?Caller #2 is Kara who is 28yrs old from Manila.  Kara wantsto resigning from her job due to burnout but she doesn't have another one in place yet.  Her manager has been supportive but how does she stay in this job with giving the least amount of effort.  Is possibly also a case of Gen Z careerfrustration?Send more to the Philippines without overpaying. NALA gives you fast, secure transfers with some of the best exchange rates out there.Use promo code MoTwister when you download NALA!Send $50 → Get $20 bonusSend any amount → Enter to win $100 in NALA credit10 winners across 10 episodes (starting August 1)Winners announced every episode starting August 1$100 credited straight to your NALA walletGiveaway runs from Episode 3 to Episode 12Must use the promo link and code to qualify.$20 promo credit is unlocked after your first $50+ transfer.$100 giveaway: Send any amount as a first-time NALA user to enter.Winners must provide the email and phone number used for registration.Available for users in the U.S., UK, and EU, 18+ only.One prize per person during the promo.NALA reserves the right to verify eligibility.also GTWM is brought to you by GameZone!FUNbelivable sa GameZone dahil you play a REAL GAME of Tong-its with REAL PLAYERS, FOR FREE! You have a chance to split over thirty-four million pesos, at may chance ka pa to claim up to fourteen-thousand, six-hundred-forty pesos daily! The cash credits you get can be used to play kahit anong game.  You can even cashout! May dalawang event every single day!  G ka na ba?  Visit GZone.ph and social media account on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @taragamezone. G na sa Tong-its? Tara Gamezone!Remember, ang gaming dapat fun-fun lang!

Hello and welcome to our SDCC 2025 panel, Building Authenticity and Changing Culture with Comics. Today's panel brings together creators who are using comics to challenge stereotypes, center marginalized voices, and inspire cultural change. Through personal storytelling, historical narratives, and bold new characters, these panelists show how authenticity on the page can lead to real impact off the page. Join us for a conversation about identity, representation, and the power of comics to transform culture. With us today are: Henry Barajas is an acclaimed writer and storyteller whose work has centered on cultural and political histories. His graphic memoir La Voz de M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo honors his grandfather's pivotal role in Indigenous activism and community empowerment in Tucson, Arizona. He is also the author of the graphic biography Historias de Resistencia: Dolores Huerta, which brings the legacy of the legendary labor leader to life through a vivid, accessible medium.Henry's other notable work includes Death to Pachuco, a bold exploration of Chicano identity and culture. In 2022, he made history as the first Latino writer of the long-running daily comic strip Gil Thorp, where he brings contemporary social issues and diverse representation to a new generation of readers. Through all his projects, Henry remains committed to telling stories that empower communities and reshape the cultural narrative. @henryjbarajasCecilia Lim is a co-founder of Kwento Comics, the first all-women, all-Filipina comic book company in the United States. Through projects like The Mask of Haliya and other Filipina superhero stories, Cecilia works to center Filipino mythology and cultural heritage within the comic book landscape. Her mission is to amplify Filipina voices and redefine the superhero genre by showcasing powerful, complex Filipina characters that break away from Western norms. Cecilia's work is a celebration of cultural identity and empowerment, expanding representation for Filipino communities both in the U.S. and globally. @kwentocomicsOmar Morales is the creator of Major Thomás, a science fiction comic that blends Latino culture with thrilling genre storytelling. Omar's work uniquely fuses cultural authenticity with expansive worldbuilding, transporting Latino narratives beyond traditional settings and into the realms of space and fantasy. His stories challenge stereotypes by placing Latino identities at the center of high-concept sci-fi adventures. With dynamic art and layered storytelling, Omar invites readers to envision futures where Latino culture thrives and evolves in new, imaginative ways. @omorales81Sonya Saturday is a cartoonist and satirist known for her candid, humorous, and often poignant comics, including The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life. She tackles themes of identity, queerness, subculture, and personal vulnerability with unflinching honesty and sharp wit. Sonya's storytelling blends raw emotional truths with biting humor, creating work that breaks down cultural taboos and reclaims space for messy, imperfect human experiences. Her comics invite readers to embrace complexity and find humor in life's awkward moments. @sonyasaturdayartAsia Simone is an artist who brings vibrant energy and thoughtful representation to beloved franchises like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll! and Adventure Time. With a background in both indie and mainstream comics, Asia expertly infuses her own cultural perspective and authentic voice into worlds that fans already love. Her work pushes the boundaries of traditional narratives by creating space for diverse characters and stories, helping to reshape the culture of comics toward greater inclusivity and creative freedom. @asia_simone405

Thank you to my sponsors: Lucy & Cornbread Hemp Lucy - Go to http://lucy.co/fishing and use promo code FISHING to get 20% off your first order Cornbread Hemp - Right now, Fishing with David Lucas listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to https://cornbreadhemp.com/fdl and use code FDL at checkout David Lucas Tour Dates: https://www.davidlucascomedy.com/tour Appleton, WI: July 31 - August 2 Dallas, TX: August 9 Fort Worth, TX: August 10 Miami, FL: August 22-23 Louisville, KY: August 28-30 Albuquerque, NM: September 5-6 0:00 Kazumi's fishing competition, Adult star skills 4:03 Filipina women, Dating 10:39 Kazumi's IG, Crazy parties, Tied up 20:57 Bricked up Romans, Big girls, Using your head 26:10 Aesthetics vs Connection, Girl Friends, Famous Filipinos 34:43 Prison, Fighting, The South 42:25 Romantic preferences, Kazumi's career, Jason Luv 53:35 BBLs, Baby mamas, Favorite foods 1:02:18 Dark humor, Dave Chapelle, Crazy corn NEW MERCH AVAILABLE https://shopdavidlucas.com/ Connect with David Lucas Website: https://www.davidlucascomedy.com Merch: https://shopdavidlucas.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidlucasfunny Twitter: https://twitter.com/funnydavidlucas Youtube: ​⁠@DavidLucasComedian David Lucas was born in Macon, GA. He started acting an early age, performing in numerous stage plays at the Macon Little Theatre. He relocated to Hollywood where he was a contestant on, “MTV Yo Momma”. He has since written for several television shows and continues to perform stand up all over the country (for such comedians as Louis CK, Erik Griffin, Joe Rogan, Brendan Schaub, Tony Hinchcliffe, Bert Kreisher, DL Hughley and many more). David is a Kill Tony Hall of Famer and currently headlining his own tour! Filmed By Daniel Casas https://www.instagram.com/presentedbydaniel A 7EQUIS Network Show https://www.instagram.com/7equis https://www.7equis.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2, we pick up where we left off in Part 1. Carolyn and I talk about making decisions and intentionality vs. circumstance, need, and necessity. We then go on to talk more about Carolyn's lifelong love of sports. She shares the story of her maternal grandmother coming from The Philippines to live with them and how they'd watch games together. It was the days when, in much of the country, if you wanted to watch Major League Baseball, it was all Atlanta Braves, all the time (thanks to TBS, of course). Carolyn became a Braves fan, especially a fan of Dale Murphy. She watched football, too. She didn't watch the Giants on TV much, because every game wasn't televised in those days. But she could easily hop on Muni to see a game at Candlestick Park. Her dad often picked them up, showing up at the ballpark around the seventh inning, getting in free, and watching the end of the game with Carolyn and her friends and/or sisters. We go on a short sidebar about bundling up in San Francisco—at Candlestick and if you just wanted to go to the beach. In addition to Candlestick, she went to Warriors games a bit and also various sporting events at Cow Palace. Her dad learned how to bowl and would take his kids with him. We fast-forward a bit to hear about Carolyn's years in high school, when she went to the all-girl school Mercy High (which is now closed). Later, she took the same bus, the 29, to SF State that she had taken to Mercy. State was the only college she applied to. We talk a little about her decision not to leave San Francisco for school. In high school, she had decided that she wanted to be a sports writer. In fact, she aimed to become the first woman anchor at ESPN. We rewind a bit to talk about some of the journalism Carolyn did in high school. She had her own column in the school paper called “Off the Bench.” She shares a fun story of calling the Braves' front office to arrange for an interview with her favorite player—Murphy—the next time Atlanta rolled into town. In her third semester at SF State, Carolyn got pregnant. Around this time, she also took her first Asian-American Studies class, something that kicked in for her and stays with her to this day. She dove in head-first. I ask Carolyn whether and how much of that history her parents were aware of. She says that, for them, much of it was just things going on in their lives in the city they came to—things like the strike at SF State or the demonstrations at the I-Hotel in Manilatown. Learning more and more about the history of her people in the US lead Carolyn to confront her dad. “Why did you bring us here?” she'd ask. She ended up raising her first child, a mixed-race kid, as a single parent around this time in her life. She had figured that her son's dad would bring the kid the Blackness in his life, and she'd bring the Filipino-ness. Her own ideas of how best to raise the kid had to evolve, and they did, she says. She eventually returned to State and graduated. She lived in South City for a hot minute, held three jobs, and raised her son. She never felt that she couldn't leave The Bay. It was more, “Why would I?” Then, because if you know Carolyn Sideco, well, you know … then we talk about New Orleans. New Orleans is why and how Carolyn came into my life. My wife is borderline obsessed with The Crescent City. I'd been there some earlier in my life, growing up not too far away and having some Louisiana relatives. Erin and I spent three weeks in fall 2022 in a sublet in Bywater, Ninth Ward. That NOLA fever caught on for me then, and I'm hooked. Back home sometime after that, Carolyn came across Erin's radar. “There's a woman in San Francisco who seems to love New Orleans as much as I do and she has a house there!” Erin would tell me. In 2024, at a vegan Filipina pop-up at Victory Hall, we finally met this enigmatic woman. We ended up spending Mardi Gras this year at Carolyn's house in New Orleans—Kapwa Blue. “New Orleans has been calling me for about 20 years,” Carolyn says. One of her younger sisters lived there awhile. Her oldest son served in AmeriCorps there for three years and kept living in New Orleans four more. Carolyn and other members of her family visited often. This was around the time that Hurricane Katrina hit and devastated Southern Louisiana. A little more than a decade ago, Carolyn learned of the historical markers in the area that told the stories of Filipinos being the first Asians to settle in that part of the world. (Longtime listeners of Storied: SF might recall that Brenda Buenviaje hails from just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.) As Carolyn learned more and more of the Filipino history in the region, that calling started to make more and more sense. Three years ago or so, her oldest son got married in New Orleans. That visit told Carolyn that she, too, could live there. Her husband devised a plan, and with some of Carolyn's cousins, they bought a house in the Musician's Village part of town, near the Ninth Ward—the aforementioned Kapwa Blue. They intended to bring that same sense of community her parents found and participated in back in San Francisco all those decades ago to their new neighborhood New Orleans. In addition to the house, Carolyn helped found tours of Filipino history in New Orleans and the surrounding area. Find them Bayou Barkada Instagram at @bayoubarkada Back in The City these days, Carolyn has her own sports consultancy called Coaching Kapwa (IG). “I call myself ‘Your sports relationship coach,'” she says. This means that she provides comfort and advice to anyone interacting with any of the various sports ecosystems. She aims to apply the idea of kapwa to an otherwise competition-driven sports landscape. We end the podcast (and the season) with Carolyn's interpretation of the theme of Storied: San Francisco, Season 7: Keep it local. She shares what that idea means for her here as well as how it pertains to her time in New Orleans. We'll be taking August off as far as new episodes go. I'll be busy putting together the first episodes of Season 8 and getting ready for the season launch party/art opening. “Every Kinda People” kicks off at Mini Bar on Sept. 4. That's also the theme of the next 20 or so episodes of this show. As always, thank you deeply and sincerely for listening/reading/sharing/liking/commenting/DMing/emailing/subscribing/rating/showing up and really any type of interaction you do with this passion project of mine. If you're not already, please sign up for our monthly newsletter over on the About page. See you in September!

In 2018, Paul Le Roux, a white Zimbabwean who held South African and Australian passports, was a notorious crime lord who illegally trafficked drugs, gold, and guns. He testified in a U.S. court about having murdered numerous people by professional assassins, including a Filipina real estate agent killed in 2012. Six years earlier from his testimony, Le Roux was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Liberia. He began to cooperate with the U.S. government as they rounded up and prosecuted his criminal organization members for reducing a possible life sentence.For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.CONNECT WITH US▸ https://linktr.ee/phmurderstoriesHere are links to our social media accounts, case photos, episode notes, and sources!YOUTUBE▸ www.youtube.com/phmurderstories DISCORD SERVER▸ https://bit.ly/3n38Tuh IG CHANNEL▸ https://ig.me/j/AbaOmN2HytgKay0F/ SUPPORT OUR SHOW ON PATREON▸ www.patreon.com/phmurderstories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Unson Rotor took leave from her job as a math teacher in the Philippines to study physics at Johns Hopkins University in 1941. Her plans were disrupted when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded and occupied the Philippines. Unable to access her Philippine government scholarship to attend Johns Hopkins, she joined the Ordnance Development Division at the National Bureau of Standards. It was here that she did groundbreaking research on the proximity fuze, the “world's first ‘smart' weapon,” in the words of physicist Frank Belknap Baldwin, who also helped develop the technology. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Emma Unson Rotor se tomó un permiso de su trabajo como profesora de matemáticas en Filipinas para estudiar física en la Universidad Johns Hopkins en 1941. Sus planes se vieron interrumpidos cuando el Ejército Imperial Japonés invadió y ocupó Filipinas. Incapaz de acceder a la beca que le había brindado el gobierno filipino para asistir a Johns Hopkins, se unió a la División de Desarrollo de Artillería del Buró Nacional de Estándares. Fue allí donde realizó investigaciones pioneras sobre la espoleta de proximidad, considerada “la primera arma ‘inteligente' del mundo”, en palabras del físico Frank Belknap Baldwin, quien también colaboró en el desarrollo de dicha tecnología. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On this season of Other People's Pockets, we're experimenting with a new angle for some of the episodes: How is the Trump administration affecting people's personal finances?Today I'm featuring Daishi Miguel-Tanaka, an immigrants' rights advocate based in Washington, D.C. Daishi was born in Japan to a Japanese father and a Filipina mother. When he was 6, he and his family moved to the U.S. with a plan to obtain U.S. citizenship through Daishi's grandfather, a U.S. citizen. But when his grandfather died, that path to citizenship vanished, and Daishi and his family remained in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants.Since he was a teenager, Daishi has been protected from deportation because he is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). He spoke about how DACA has afforded him a financial life in the U.S., and what the Trump administration means for how he's thinking about his future and his money.Follow Maya Lau:Instagram: @itsmayamoneyTikTok: @itsmayamoneyEmail: otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to go from near-constant rejection to becoming the lead actress in rom-coms — in an industry where Filipina faces are still rare?In this inspiring and deeply real episode, Filipina-American actress and comedian Nikki McKenzie joins Filipina on the Rise to share her story of perseverance, identity, and choosing joy in the face of “almosts.” Nikki opens up about the emotional toll of rejection in the acting world, how she found confidence in her voice and culture, and what it meant to finally land a role that was literally rewritten for her as a Filipina lead.This conversation is a masterclass in trusting divine timing, letting go of outcomes, and staying true to who you are — even in industries that try to shape you otherwise.Whether you're chasing a dream, reinventing yourself, or simply want to feel seen — this one is for you.

Long-time friend and Christian colleague Diane Ujiiye, the co-director of nonprofit www.api-rise.org, introduced me to her Program Director Kanaka Mālia Luna Jennings, a proud Native Hawaiian and Filipina who, while a juvenile, had been incarcerated for 23 years. Her father died while she was inside, which served as a desperately needed wake up call to grow up, turn to God, and begin turning her life around. After she was released from prison, however, ICE swooped her up, and those seven months of detention were more dehumanizing and difficult than anything she'd experienced in prison. Hers is a remarkable and inspiring story of how true change that begins within can ripple outward to heal communities and generations.

Hear stories of underwater mailboxes, treehouse hotels, volcano boarding & meeting a 98-year-old Filipina tattoo artist. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show's Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ In Part 2 of this interview Jimena Serfaty talks about her experience exploring the Gobi desert in Mongolia, taking a hot air balloon in Laos, and embarking on a quest to find a legendary 98-year old tattoo artist in the Philippines.  She then talks about living in Australia and visiting Tuvalu where she ended up at a nigh club with the former Prime Minister.  Jime then describes her trip to Vanutu where she mailed a water-proof postcard from an under-water mailbox, stayed in a treehouse, and went volcano boarding.  She also describes visiting the island of Kiribati. Jime then talks us on her journey becoming a fully-remote entrepreneur, describes how she structures her travel lifestyle, and explains why she wants to travel to every country in the world. Finally she shares some of her best travel hacks and reflects on how all this travel has impacted her as a person.  FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that's not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn  See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See HowI Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally.  You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)