Filipina on the Rise

Gina Mariko Rosales is the founder of Make it Mariko and Pinayista, as well as the Co-founder of UNDISCOVERED SF and Balay Kreative. As a Filipino Japanese American entrepreneur, events enthusiast, efficiency nerd, dancer and nonprofit advocate, Gina is looking to create magical, meaningful moments that help remind us of the beauty and interconnectedness of life. In this episode Gina challenges the idea of “doing it all” as a business leader. The episode gives insight into the very real struggles of POC entrepreneurship, burnout, and the obstacles faced when scaling a company. Gina talks about accepting success and the mindset surrounding money. Exploring the thought provoking idea of finances in an echo-chamber of scarcity. Through Make It Mariko, Gina is curating an event that encourages Communities of Color to recognize that a beautifully curated event is inherently deserved. 

Find out what Gina’s plans are for the future! Don’t miss out on the POC Food & Wine Festival presented by Make It Mariko! Use code FOTRFAM for 20% off tickets. The Filipina on the Rise Team looks forward to seeing you there!

In this episode, we cover:

Sponsors: Passion Planner. Passion Planner helps you identify your dreams and build toward them every day. Find Passion Planner on Instagram or the Passion Planner website and discover the right planner for you. 

Elaine Dizon is a mindset and life coach, writer, and recipient of AT&T's highest DEI award at a corporate level -- the Spark Award. She leverages her experience in conscious parenting, performance management coaching, and neuroleadership science to support continuous learning towards outcomes and results.  

It's back and better than ever! Filipino Soul Sisterhood is our community of like-minded Filipino women looking to reconnect with their roots and support one another's growth. I share the origins of this community, born out of a shared desire for meaningful conversations and authentic connections, and what you can expect!

Episode Summary:

Notable Quotes:

Resources:

Krystl is back from a quick trip in Portugal! shares her experiences and learnings from her recent trip to Portugal and how it relates to Philippine history. She discusses the connection between Portugal and the Philippines through Ferdinand Magellan and explores the possibility of the Philippines being a Portuguese colony. Crystal also emphasizes the importance of representation and announces an upcoming professional speed networking event for Filipino women. She shares her best networking tips, including setting objectives, having an elevator pitch, being curious, remembering details, and having a follow-up strategy.

Keywords

Filipina, Portugal, Philippine history, Ferdinand Magellan, colonization, representation, networking, speed networking event

Takeaways

Sign up for our Free Speed Networking Party 4/18!

In this episode of the Filipino on the Rise podcast, host Krystl Fabella dives into a conversation about faith, religion, and spirituality. She shares her own personal journey of questioning her faith and leaving the church multiple times, highlighting the importance of asking questions and having a personal relationship with God. Krystl explores the influence of religion in Filipino culture and the challenges of navigating religious institutions. She also discusses the impact of church hurt and trauma, and the healing process that comes with exploring spirituality outside of traditional religious practices. Through her own experiences, Krystl encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and questions, and to find a path that feels authentic and meaningful to them.

Key Takeaways:

Notable Quotes:

"I always question when I go to church, what am I doing here? Like, I volunteer at my church, but sometimes I don't sit and listen to the sermons because I'm past that point where I'm just sitting and taking in information and just doing the routines." "I think that after seeing the western Christian church and the glamorization of pastors, I felt like I had more questions to ask. So that is when I again distanced myself and started looking for answers elsewhere." "It's not our responsibility to continuously do the work and save ourselves. Give it to God. You're healed. You're whole." "When we share our experiences with each other, that's when the healing begins, and that's when we can live a more abundant life." "It's okay to have questions and to share them with others. Open up about your experiences and see where God meets you." 

Resources:

Listen to the full episode on Filipino on the Rise Podcast for more insights and personal stories about faith, religion, and spirituality. Stay tuned for future episodes that celebrate Filipino excellence and empower the community.

Jessica Caloza, is back on the podcast (my 2nd ever guest!) and ... she's running for office! Jessica is a dedicated public servant and worked for President Obama helping underfunded public schools get more resources. As L.A. Public Works Commissioner, Jessica expanded good-paying union jobs, raised wages for workers and required equal pay for women while increasing transparency and accountability. As California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Jessica has worked to reduce crime and gun violence, take bold action to protect the environment, and helped victims of sexual assault receive justice.

Episode Highlights

Sign up to help her campaign! Let's get Jessica elected.
https://www.jessicacaloza.com/

Happy New Year! Krystl shares updates on the Filipina on the Rise, including the crowdfund success, learnings, and all the exciting things coming up this year. Listeners are encouraged to slow down, enjoy the creative process, and embrace the winter season's wisdom.

Key Points:

**Mentioned Links:**
- Reflection Guidebook
- Become a Guest - Submission Form
- Internship and Job Opportunities
- Attend 2024 Events!

(00:00 - 00:41) Solo Episode in 2024 (42 Seconds)

(03:09 - 04:16) Filipino Crowdfunding Mission and Achievements (67 Seconds)

(07:49 - 11:24) The Impact of a Fundraising Campaign (215 Seconds)

(13:13 - 14:30) Embracing Winter's Rest and Recharge (77 Seconds)

(22:03 - 23:15) Rebalancing Personal Creativity and Community Dedication (71 Seconds)

(30:37 - 32:20) Reorienting Social Media Towards Real-Life Community (103 Seconds)

Krystl shares an honest moment, important & beautiful lessons learned mid crowdfund campaign

We have 2 weeks left, your support to keep Filipina on the Rise podcast going and grow our events next year is VITAL - Let's advance more Filipina voices together!

Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported!
Check out our fun rewards here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/filipina-on-the-rise--3

Women share how this podcast & community encouraged them to make bold moves in their lives. I need your help! Our goal is to have consistent podcast and event programming next year. Help us take Filipina on the Rise to new heights in 2024 by supporting our Crowdfund campaign. We're dedicated to advancing 1 million Filipino women worldwide through our engaging podcast and empowerment events. Your contribution will fuel and sustain our efforts to:

How backing our Crowdfund will empower more Pinays  

https://www.indiegogo.com/campaigns/filipina-on-the-rise--3/edit#/perks/table

Krystl Fabella dives into a critical moment in the community's journey – the launch of our crowdfund campaign. She shares her heartfelt "why" behind this initiative and why your support is essential to taking Filipina excellence to new heights.

Key Highlights:

1. The Vision Unveiled

2. Krystl's Personal Perspective

3. Why Your Support Matters

4. Exciting Rewards

5. What's Coming Up

6. A Call to Action

Join us as we embark on this exciting chapter and rally together to elevate Filipina excellence. Your support makes all the difference. Together, we rise!

Help keep Filipina on the Rise going! Support our Crowdfund coming up on Oct. 11 (get updates here)
YOU'RE INVITED to our Virtual Crowdfund Launch Party on Wednesday Oct. 11, with all day free fun activities on IG live.

We have back on, Gabes Torres, regarding her latest post that has us a bit more awakened

"This Filipino-American History Month,
can we stop romanticizing
the decolonization process?

I've seen ‘decolonization' done in such uncritical ways: idealizing pre-colonial cultures and present governmental structures, to the point of overlooking the issues that existed before colonization (hyper-masculinity, social disunity and hierarchy, etc.) and after (f*scism, class struggle, hyper-militarism, etc.).

Pre-colonial period was not
a utopia, untouched by tyranny.

Another potential issue is found in diasporic Filipinos’ choice to reconnect with their roots by visiting the homeland.
This is not a problem per se, but diasporic folks must know how they implicate themselves in the horrors of the tourism industry and climate catastrophes in the colonized nation state.

Most people would rather focus on the fact that the Philippines is a paradise than assess how an international visit will maintain labor and land exploitation.

After living in the States for 10 years,
I have ideas on what it's like to navigate
in-between spaces, holding discussions on de/colonization and the increasing tension between diasporic and homeland folks.

And honestly, I've seen the issues and
the point from both sides..

I've seen the prideful rigidity, lack of curiosity, and gatekeeping by most homeland folks 
I've also seen most of diasporic folks' sugarcoated and sanitized versions of Philippine colonial history, as well as the IG posts/reels that showcase their Philippine island vacations spots, while the other side of town will likely have
poor neighborhoods, where most hospitality workers (who serve them) live."

Amanda is a Transformation & Purpose coach, Ayurvedic dietitian, and yoga teacher based in Southern California. Amanda always knew she wanted to be involved with the healing process of others starting at a young age. She made potions and healing elixirs for her stuffed animals. She climbed trees and created little coves where she let people came to her for comfort & support.

Through college and high school,  Amanda devoted her focus to the path of Western medicine as it was the only way she knew at the time that she could impart healing on others. However, as new interests and passions emerged in her life, the path to healing started to diverge right before her eyes and Amanda chose not to stay on the conveyor belt of her past conditioning.

Amanda now coaches women to live a life they love through her Flourish with Purpose Coaching program, where they learn what gifts and talents they bring to the world and how everything that makes them absolutely unique plays a role in their purpose.

Topics discussed:

Importance of This Episode

Amanda shares her story of how her path through mindfulness and spirituality helped her overcome an eating condition. It also highlights the value of parents who are encouraging and don't restrict their kids from pursuing their passions. Amanda's own experience with the incorporation of Ayurveda and other holistic approaches into her medical education is instructive. The episode explains how yoga, energy healing, and mindfulness may all work together to enhance a person's physical, mental, and spiritual health. Listeners may be encouraged to put themselves first when it comes to their emotional and physical well-being, to try new approaches, and to follow their passions against the odds. This episode emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, following one's own desires, and not being afraid to make unconventional career choices.

IG @amandasevilla
AmandaSevilla.com

Thank you to our podcast episode sponsor Teofilo Coffee Company! Have you ever tried Filipino coffee? Did you know that the Philippines is one of the few that produce all 4 and Teofilo is all about bringing Philippine coffee back to the forefront. They work straight with the farms/farmers from the Philippines and this coffee is freaking delicious, I can actually drink coffee black! Thank you to our podcast episode sponsor Teofilo Coffee Company.
Use code RISE for 20% off at www.teofilocoffeecompany.com

Last night we had our biggest event yet in SF and this is why it's a SO personal and sentimental to me! Here are my takeaways from last night's event.

Can't wait for our Crowdfund to Keep Filipina on the Rise going on Oct 4!!
Give your Feedback Here (vital for our Crowdfund)https://filipinaontherise.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a327e098be0bba35164cf60c8&id=8a6da7bbc9&e=01edc81e56

I open up on a recent experience that made me reflect on the intricacies of parent-child relationships and how we can heal through forgiveness and love. (recorded September 1st)

The complexities of our relationships with our parents, especially the ones that have left lasting scars from our childhood and continue to affect us in our adult lives. My upbringing was marked by a desire to always impress others, and my relationship with my mother has always been close, yet it's the relationship with my dad that has had the most profound impact on me.

As I've grown older, I've realized that healing from these wounds isn't as simple as I once thought. I yearn for a better connection with my father, and I'm finally admitting to myself that forgiveness is the first step towards that. It's not about excusing past behavior but understanding that our immigrant parents were often doing the best they could with the knowledge they had.

I want to emphasize that our parents, no matter how complicated our relationships with them may be, deserve to hear that we love them too. It might not change everything, but those moments when we choose to express our feelings matter. They signify our growth, maturity, and healing.

I hope my story inspires you to reflect on your own relationships with your parents and consider those moments when you can express your love, even in the midst of complexity.

Let me know how you feel/your experience DM me on IG @filipinaontherise

Filipina on the Rise Crowdfund Interest form (Give us feedback,  join the Dream Team or stay updated!)

Joanna, a Filipina member/leader in the Lahaina community, join us to share an update on Lahaina, how they’ve been affected by the fires and everything we should know about their beloved community & culture . Joanna discusses her experience living in a neighborhood that was severely affected by the fires and extends her condolences to those who suffered losses. The conversation highlights the importance of grieving and mourning during this challenging time, along with taking action and supporting the rebuilding efforts. Listeners are encouraged to stay informed about the situation and find ways to help.

We talk about:

Choose a family to support 

By giving the community a voice and humanizing their experiences, the episode aims to raise awareness and inspire listeners to take actionable steps in aiding the affected community.

A solo episode with Krystl, with a short voice note from her friend, fellow inspiring founder & community leader Sola

Join the October waitlist for the 25-Day Filpina History Learning Journey

Dr. Kristine Gloria is a former academic, social impact entrepreneur, and dedicated steward of technology for good. Kristine’s expertise sits at the intersection of the human condition and technology with specific interest in youth mental health and wellbeing. Currently, she serves as Head of Data at Blue Fever, and most notably leads a team responsible for developing "Blue", an AI-driven big sibling that supports youth on their emotional and mental health journey. Prior to Blue Fever, Kristine co-founded and served as Chief Science Officer for Slow Talk, a public benefit corporation focused on creating an employee engagement platform that emphasizes human connection. 

She also served as the Director of Artificial Intelligence for the Aspen Institute, leading multi-stakeholder initiatives on various issues from Trustworthy AI to Empathic Research and Innovation. She is the key architect for the Institute's portfolio on Wellbeing and Technology and a braintrust member of the Human Experience (HX Project). Kristine holds a doctorate in Cognitive Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and has worked for both private industry and in public service throughout her professional career. She is a 2017 ICAPP Fellow, 2011 Berkeley Tech and Society Fellow, and is a former academic researcher for the Internet Policy Research Institute (IPRI) at MIT. She advises several startups including, agapi.ai and Crunchmoms. Her work has been featured in Wired, Waverly and Working Mom Hour podcasts, as well as several academic journals. 

The reason I’m talking about it

Something that’s important to me is keeping us on the forefront of important conversations in tech and innovation. historically, underrepresented communities, mainly marginalized communities of color, have been left behind in the conversations, where power and resources move, such as finance, investing, and we know that financial illiteracy, keeps people behind. But by staying in the know of technological advancements and how things work is what keeps us upfront, able to raise our hand, to be in emerging spaces. What sparked this convo? A AI-generated "Filipino Barbie" from a Buzzfeed article, along with other problematic presentations of Barbies from "around the world. My approach to this is that, this is less about getting mad about buzzfeed or ai although buzzfeed (critical commentary vs their neutral look at thes e cute barbies)

tech and innovation is something I’m very passionate excited about like dr gloria, I’m really about technology for good, always trying to stay on the forefront of, I used to work in tech. I still want to, not only do I think it’s very important we are staying in the know of emerging spaces

AI is something that whether we like it or not will be in normalized and influencing our lives, so it’s only to our advantage we stay AI-literate, and like we say here, become a steward of AI & technology for good!

JOIN! 25-Day Learn Filipino History Community - Waitlist

Krystl is back from a trip to the Philippines! She goes over:

Interested in the 25-day Filipino History & Heroines Learning Journey? Sign up here

Blog post: How a trip to the Philippines can feel beautiful, confronting, complicated, healing, heartbreaking, all at once
Had a recent Philippines experience and wanna share it? Join our discussion circle happening next week. DM Krystl on IG!

Learn Philippine History in a fun, engaging way that makes you feel proud to be Pinay after! Join our 25-Day Learning Journey, open on July 26, kicking off August 10 (Instagram)

Jen is the creator of the  Indulgent Eats, a food & travel blog & Instagram with over 400,000 followers and dedicated to all things over-the-top indulgent. She is the co-founder of the new Barkada, a modern Filipino restaurant and bar in Hong Kong. Jen is part of the Prestige 40 Under 40 in Hong Kong and her work has been featured by South China Morning Post, TimeOut, BuzzFeed, and Lifestyle Asia, and her photography has also appeared in the New York Times. She’s the author of the Indulgent Eats at Homeglobal cookbook and co-created the viral Ube Cheesecake Doughnut with NYC’s top artisanal doughnut shop Dough. Jen currently lives in Hong Kong with her husband Mike and their golden-doodle Crosby.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/n5ZzidyQvkI

We cover

Connect with Jen on IG: @indulgenteats @barkadahk

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Filipino women every week, as we reconnect with our culture and histories, have healing, decolonizing and soul-filling discussions, get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our Power as Pinays.

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

I’m here in the Philippines! Join this discussion with me and Gabes Torres - after 2 years of being friends connecting purely online, I’ve had her on the podcast, she is a powerful voice for Filipin@s & decolonization work. A few days before coming I spent time in Manila, to visit historical sites like Intramrous, and national museums.

Gabes Torres is a psychotherapist, writer, and organizer with her work focusing on the interplay of mental health, the arts, spirituality, and justice-oriented practice. 

She has an MA in Theology & Culture, and Counseling Psychology; both graduate degrees were accomplished in Seattle, the city where she organized with abolitionist and anti-imperialist groups at a local, grassroots level. She is also a poet and singer-songwriter. 

This will be released on Monday June 12, Independence Day in the Philippines, which is in itself, is mistaken because yes while it was freed from Spain it was handed to United States, officially become a republic on 1946, but nevertheless happy Independence day! Hope this day serves as awareness for people to learn we are not yet free and to honor those still advocating for freedom, you’lll learn here,

VIDEO RECORDING HERE

In this episode:

What those in other countries should know about what’s happening on the ground

Gabes Torres:
gabestorres.substack.com
IG @gabestorres/

I'm leaving to the Philippines soon! We are joined here by our lovely Tesz Millan, previous podcast host and Youtuber from Filipina American Creative

We cover

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a world-renowned emotional health expert & keynote speaker in the areas of grit and resilience, she’s a former cosmetic dentist turned mental health coach, and a founder of the Global GRIT Institute and Co-Founder of Dharma Coaching Institute. She’s been on international stages (including the Women’s Economic Forum in India, Google HQ, & Mindvalley ), is host of The Brave Table Podcast, and best selling author of 2 previous books and now recently released book, “That Sucks, Now What: How to Move Forward When Life Knocks You Down." This book has already been truly transformational. (Join our Book Club for this book)! Neeta’s been featured on Forbes, Entrepreneur, NBC, ABC, CBS, Chicago Today, Verve, Tatler Magazine and more.

In this episode, we discuss:

Connect with Dr. Neeta Bhushan

* Website:  https://neetabhushan.com

* Instagram: @neetabhushan

You're invited!! Come with me to a Philippines Retreat
Where & When: Camiguin, Philippines on October 2023 on a 5-Day transformational experience in our own private resort, to truly disconnect from all the stress and noise and reconnect with your ancestors, strengthen your magick and heal with the feminine power of the land.  As a listener, you get $500 off. Message me at Krystl@FilipinaontheRise.com for more info about this deal.

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Filipino women every week, as we reconnect with our culture and histories, have healing, decolonizing and soul-filling discussions, get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our Power as Pinays.

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Marian Bacol is the founder of Thriver Lifestyle, Coach, and TEDx Speaker. She produces experiential events, workshops and transformational retreats for women in Miami, NYC and internationally.  

Marian has been featured on Vice, Business Insider, New York Post, Daily Mail, CBS, NBC, Thrive Global, over 60 podcasts and publications.

Alexandra Dorda is the founder of Kasama Rum - a small-batch rum inspired by her mother’s native Philippines. Kasama, named after the Filipino term for “together,” pays homage to founder Alexandra Dorda’s Filipino-Polish heritage resulting in a rum that defies the category. Kasama is distilled in the Philippines, bottled at her family's distillery in Poland, and enjoyed internationally. Alexandra’s love of craft spirits comes from her Polish father, who co-founded Belvedere & Chopin Vodkas. Alexandra’s first solo venture not only brings to light her industry knowledge, heritage, and entrepreneurship that runs in her family but also, a sense of optimism that many consumers are craving right now.
Join us as we sip Kasama rum and dive into how her family links to liquor humble and inspire her, the day-to-day realities of running a small business, and why celebrating the Philippines through rum gives her a reason to smile every day. 

In this episode we will cover

Connect with Alexandra: (@kasamarum)

* Website:  https://www.kasamarum.com/

* Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/kasamarum/

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Filipino women every week, as we reconnect with our culture and histories, have healing, decolonizing and soul-filling discussions, get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our Power as Pinays.

Subscribe to the podcast:
* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3MR7Ngc
* Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3MSUBYb 

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

In honor of Black History Month, we are bringing back this discussion with Bianca Mabute-Louie, an educator, activist, organizer, an extremely inspiring and activating person, in June 30, 2020, this was around the time of the anti-asian American hate crimes which had an exponential rise amid the pandemic, around same time of the George Floyd murder protests, a month before, which sparked some racial reckoning and reflection of our two groups.

Bianca Mabute-Louie (she/her/hers) is an educator based in Oakland, CA. She has taught Asian American Studies at Laney College, San Francisco State College, and City College of San Francisco. This fall she will be starting her PhD in Sociology at Rice University, where she will pursue research on religion, race, and racism.  Bianca has also organized with Network on Religion and Justice for queer affirmation in Christian churches, as well as with API Legal Outreach on domestic violence prevention among youth of color.         

In this episode, we talk about

Instagram: @beyonkz

Help the show go on!

Answering your Q&As! I share a little bit of my story, background, beliefs, and answer your Q&As sent in:

Help the show go on!

Someone I've been wanting to have on the podcast for a long time, and finally! Restaurateur, award-winning author & chef, Nicole Ponseca. 

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Importance of This Episode
At one point or another, many of us have experienced a pivot. Some type of significant change, whether in our careers or personal lives, voluntary or not. For Nicole, she went from VP in Advertising to a role in the restaurant industry. She is a great example of listening to that voice in the back of your mind saying, “you’re supposed to be doing something else,” and then stepping out and doing it. Opening yourself up to reinvention and new dreams can be risky and scary, but there are so many lessons that can be learned from Nicole’s own journey of creating a different lens around Filipino food, especially in the mainstream culinary world.

Connect with Nicole:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleponseca/ 

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.

Subscribe to the podcast:
* Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3MR7Ngc
* Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3MSUBYb 

Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Hello! I share 7 Learnings from 2022 + the stories behind them. I also read a very inspiring quote from Joanna Gaines of Magnolia Network from her book, The Stories We Tell.

Help the show go on!

My favorite time of year, when I get to feature YOU! I asked y’all to submit your voice notes and asked: what are you most proud of from 2022 and what is the biggest thing you learned?

I LOVE everything everyone shared and am truly touched by this community. ♥️

Please help the show go on!

My big sister, Kristin or “Ate Shasta”  joins us on this episode as we close out the year, sharing with us lessons learned turning 30 and a message she has to us all. Kristin is an attorney focusing on environmental law & toxic torts. She attended Chapman Law School and attended her undergrad at UCLA. Kristin also served as President of the Public Interest Law Foundation and graduated with the class of 2020 Community Service award. She is an active board member of the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law.

We discuss:

Support our show!

You don't know how you all have meant <3 As we enter the holidays, I just want to say a huge thank you.

Help keep Filipina on the Rise going by:

Salamat! Love, Krystl

I’m back from a 3 month break and in this episode, I reunite with Tesz, and discuss

Support our show!

Mabuhay and Welcome back to the podcast. My name is Tesz Millan, creator of the YouTube series Filipina. America. Creative.This is the last interview I’ll be hosting before Krystl Fabella finally returns to you from her adventures.

In today’s special conversation, you’ll get to meet Mary Jane Butac Livingston. Hailing from Hawaii, Mary Jane is a first generation Filipina-American, a Dental Hygienist to the stars, and a New York City content creator known as Pineapple in the Big Apple. Most importantly, she’s a brand new mom to her cute-as-a-button 9-month-old daughter, Dakota Jane, or DJ for short.

Although she grew up in a traditional Filipino household, she didn’t initially identify herself solely as a Filipina. She is now on a path of self-discovery to what being a Filipina looks like and what that embodies. Her hope? To pass these discoveries and treasures onto her daughter and future children, as well as to the generations to come.

In this episode we’ll cover…

·       Importance of therapy to prevent passing trauma to the next generation
 
 ·       What post partum depression feels and looks like and how to care for yourself while still caring for others
 
 ·       Manifestation requires Action
 
 ·       Supporting her husband through Medical Residency while working 4 jobs and making the most of NYC Life   
 
 ·       Dental Hygiene is about giving someone their smile back

 ·       How beauty standards can cause racism within the Filipino Community
 
Importance of Episode:

Like her parents, Mary Jane craved growth and opportunities in the great beyond. It’s what has driven her to manifest and take action to reach all of her goals before the age of 30. Now, with the birth of daughter DJ, Mary Jane is navigating motherhood as a new mom, including finding her own identity again, reassessing her goals and overcoming the challenges of post partum depression. She shares with us how New York City is a special place for her, because it’s where she learned what it means to be independent and cultivate a strong sense of self. Finally, through her work as a dental hygienist, Mary Jane is able to give her patients confidence, change lives through her mission work in the Bahamas and teach the next generation the importance of giving people their smiles back.

 Watch Exclusive Footage of this interview with Mary Jane:
https://youtu.be/A_i_jFhMETE
 
Connect with Mary Jane Livingston, Pineapple in the Big Apple: 

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineappleinthebigapple/

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.
 
Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

·       Support the show for as little as $1 a month: http://patreon.com/filipinaontherise

·       Follow IG @filipinaontherise

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

To get a deeper understanding of Stockton’s distinct place in Philippine-American history, I reached out to Little Manila Rising, an organization whose mission is to remember and reclaim Stockton’s proud Filipino history. When I arrived, the organization’s Community Development Director Irene Calimlim and Board Member Manang Elena Mangahas welcomed me with a tour and intensive history lesson of Stockton’s Little Manila. After our tour of Little Manila, I sat down with them to talk in-depth about their personal connection with South Stockton and the Little Manila organization.

Little Manila Rising (LMR) serves the South Stockton community, developing equitable solutions to the effects of historical marginalization, institutionalized racism, and harmful public policy. LMR offers a wide spectrum of programs that address education, environment, redevelopment, and public health. LMR values all people’s unique and diverse experiences and wishes to see the residents of South Stockton enjoy healthy, prosperous lives.

In this episode we’ll cover…

·       Stockton's distinct history of Filipino Manong and what's left of Little Manila

·       Little Manila Rising's efforts in historic preservation, cultural revitalization and environmental protection

·       How Stockton's youth, aka "Boomerangs," are returning home to create positive community change

·       The importance of Filipina leaders to decolonize their minds to rise up for their communities

·       Stockton's grassroots efforts to create partnerships on the local and national level
 
 Importance of Episode:
The amount of passion and dedication Irene and Elena exude to preserve Filipino history as well as advance initiatives to protect the community is nothing short of awe-inspiring. When I hear them talk, I can’t help but feel that their determination to uplift and do what is right for both history and for the future comes from the same unending source of strength and integrity that generations of Filipinos have felt who came in search of a better way of life. Because in the end, the Story of Little Manila Stockton is not just their story, it is our story to share, to discover and to create together.

Watch Exclusive Footage of this interview with Little Manila Rising:
https://youtu.be/rsubrQwuE5g

Watch Exclusive Footage from my tour of Little Manila in South Stockton, CA:https://youtu.be/nnhXoDlL-UI

Connect with Little Manila Rising: 

·       Website:  https://littlemanila.org/

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemanilastockton/

If you would like to help support Little Manila Rising in their efforts to preserve Stockton's Filipino History, visithttps://littlemanila.org/future

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.
 
Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

·       Support the show for as little as $1 a month: http://patreon.com/filipinaontherise

·       Follow IG @filipinaontherise

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Mabuhay and Welcome! In today’s episode, host Tesz Millan and special guest Val Roxas are going to take you on a journey to reconnect inward to your soul and outward to the meaning of the Filipino word KAPWA, the inherent sense of knowing someone at their core. 

Essentially, Kapwa means, “I see you because I see myself in you.” 

VAL ROXAS, is a Filipina-American artist, writer, poet and the founder of LUNAS, a healing practice dedicated to helping kids of immigrants achieve their Soul Goals. Through her private mentorship, workshops and 1:1 soul sessions, Val uses meditation, visualization and other healing modalities to help the Soul searchers and truth seekers unmask false identities that have been passed down for generations and reconnect to their deepest knowing. She helps those who work together with her, clarify what it is they really want out of this life by guiding them towards tangible goals, while also walking them through an invisible journey of internal healing. Val is currently in the process of building an online school for those who are seeking a financially accessible platform to undergo intergenerational healing and discover their soul goals in “go at your own pace” environment.

In this episode we’ll cover…

·       Defining the Soul Goal as a Process of Discovery rather than Reaching a Destination

·       Navigating the guilt and confusion of feeling deep Love and deep Hate for our parents

·       How Generational Healing is possible by learning our history and sharing our stories

·       The meaning of Spirituality as it relates to Kapwa

·       “I Am”, a poem celebrating Filipina identity that Val wrote after visiting the Philippines
 
 Importance of Episode:

The feeling of isolation when pursuing your life goals, especially as a Filipina, can feel almost crippling at times. The weight of intergenerational trauma, achievement fatigue and the pressure of “I can and should have it all” can be overwhelming and almost too much to bear. Through her mission to help first generation children of immigrants define and pursue their Soul Goals, Val is showing that life has deeper meaning when you connect to your history, community and stories. From the moment you first meet Val, whether in person or through the digital space, you immediately experience her soulful resonance. You see a sister, a teacher, a friend. Through her inherent wisdom, you begin to realize your own soulful understanding of the meaning of life. You realize the power and everlasting beauty of Kapwa.

Watch Exclusive Footage from the Interview with Val: https://youtu.be/6nSuMpGw3fg 

Connect with Val: 

·       Website: https://linktr.ee/vroxass

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vroxass/

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.
 
Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

·       Support the show for as little as $1 a month: http://patreon.com/filipinaontherise

·       Follow IG @filipinaontherise

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Mabuhay and welcome back to Filipina on the Rise… 

Today, our host Tesz Millan is excited to talk with Kimee Balmilero, a successful Hollywood and Broadway actor and singer, who is breaking through the entertainment industry's glass ceiling while inspiring the world to laugh and feel good with her effervescent energy and her beautiful soul. More recently, Kimee played opposite Fil-Am Comedian Jo Koy as his sister Geraldine on the TV pilot JOSEP. She can also be seen regularly on CBS’ Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I.as Medical Examiner Dr. Noelani Cunha. In addition to playing a wide range of major television roles, Kimee first started her career in musical theater, starring on Broadway in the Original Cast of Mamma Mia! as well as performing in the 2nd National Tour of Miss Saigon, which she joined right out of high school.

In this episode we’ll cover…

·       Working with Fil-Am Comedian Jo Koy and how the movie Easter Sunday is one of many examples of how Filipinos are ready to have their stories featured in Hollywood.

·       Kimee’s Hawaiian upbringing, which led to her auditioning for roles that weren’t typical for Asian actors and how that led to her breaking through Hollywood’s glass ceiling.

·       How Hawaii continues to be a trailblazer in hiring local actors and featuring Asians in major film and TV productions. 

·       The importance of celebrating each success as Hawaii's entertainment community continues to open the door for Asian stories.

·       The joy of acting with her dad on a special episode of Hawaii Five-0.

Importance of Episode:

Kimee has persevered as a Filipina in an industry that is only now just starting to share Filipino stories in a big way. She recalls a time (not so long ago) when she could only audition for the one Asian role in a major production, to now going after and winning lead after lead, regardless of her ethnicity and skin color. What’s remarkable is that a major part of her success can be attributed to her Hawaiian upbringing, where seeing Asian faces on television was normal. It’s why she never thought twice about busting through Hollywood’s seemingly impenetrable glass ceiling and going after roles that would normally have excluded her because she’s Filipina. Most important, despite paving the way for Filipino representation in the entertainment industry, Kimee continues to hold humility and hope for what’s to come. Because she knows, this is just the beginning for all of us.

Watch Exclusive Footage from The Interview with Kimee:https://youtu.be/wBNLMhTv7qw

Connect with Kimee: 

·       Website: https://kimeeb.com/

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimeebalmilero/

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.
 
Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

·       Support the show for as little as $1 a month: http://patreon.com/filipinaontherise

·       Follow IG @filipinaontherise

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Mabuhay and Welcome, dear listeners of Filipina on the Rise…While Krystl takes a much deserved break, you'll hear a new voice on the podcast. Hi! I'm Tesz Millan, Creator of the YouTube series Filipina. American. Creative. For my very first episode hosting this amazing podcast, I brought in the support of someone I’ve looked up to and admired, pretty much my entire life.

Dr. Maria T. Millan, MD is the President and CEO of CIRM, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. As the leader of this groundbreaking organization, she is leading its mission to help direct 8.5 billion dollars toward stem cell research projects and clinical trials that are not only saving lives but changing the way the world heals its sickest patients. Before that, she was the Director of Pediatric Transplantation at Stanford University, and before that, she completed her Surgery Residency at Harvard. Simply put, she is a bad a$$. Most importantly, she’s an amazing Filipina, a mom of two college students, loving wife to her husband David, and yes, she is my cousin!


In this episode we’ll cover…

·       How to shed the armor of over-achieving that prevents us from having real, meaningful connections

·       Maria's journey of becoming a pediatric surgeon of the highest degree, to leading CIRM as CEO and President, to being a mother and the importance of embracing vulnerability and trusting yourself along the way

·       Knowing when enough is enough - that what you do is good enough

·       How Filipino culture upholds positional hierarchy and the affect it can have on our need to constantly overwork 

·       What play looks like and how to learn the art of play from those around you


Importance of Episode:
Culturally, as Filipinas and as immigrants, we feel the pressure of wanting to fit in and have a place. We're brought up and even rewarded to achieve in order to feel like we bring value to this world. Making the mistake of thinking ONLY our achievements make us worthy can be detrimental to our overall mental health and physical well-being. To stay healthy, it's essential to recognize when enough is enough, to not beat yourself up when you take time to play/rest, and to know you have a place even when you're not in service all. the. time. Embrace vulnerability, take care of yourself and learn to forgive yourself for being human. Taking a moment for you to be "selfish" is not going to define you forever. It will actually help make you stronger and more whole, so you can fully give your best self to the world.


Watch Exclusive Footage from My First Interview with Maria:https://youtu.be/gpuTByvPTmc


Connect with Maria:
* LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-t-millan-m-d-4438b06/


Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.


Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

·       Support the show for as little as $1 a month: http://patreon.com/filipinaontherise

·       Follow IG @filipinaontherise

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Today, we have a very special guest, Caila Quinn Burello. When I started this podcast and dreamt big, I told myself one of the Filipinas I’d have on one day was Caila, and here she is! Caila Quinn is a celebrity reality star, content creator, most known for her time on The Bachelor Season 20 in 2016, where she made it to a coveted top 3 spot and is now a beloved icon of Bachelor/reality tv nation. She is a proud Filipina, with her mother Filipino and of Irish German and Swiss descent. She graduated from Boston College, moved to NYC and is now in Austin with her now husband. Caila is extremely active on social media, where you can check her out @cailaquinn and you’ll immediately see her personality that really made her stand out to me and from the rest, as a cheerful, ever optimistic and hopeFUL romantic.

In this episode we’ll cover…

Importance of Episode:
Knowing where you came from is a vital piece to knowing who you are. Learning about your roots and the history of your culture can provide you with a greater understanding of who you are and who you’re meant to be. Caila is an amazing example of that and we can learn so much from her willingness and desire to show Filipino culture in spaces, like The Bachelor, that don’t typically feature the beauty of being Filipina. 

Connect with Caila: (@cailaquinn) 

* Website: https://withlovecaila.com/ 

* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cailaquinn 

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.

Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Today I’m talking to Giovannie Espiritu. Gio is an actor, filmmaker/writer,  cult survivor and mother. She’s had recurring roles on ER, Trauma, Gilmore Girls, and Bones. You can see her as Melody in the Christmas film, Middleton Christmas and the series lead on DykeCentral on Amazon. 

Gio has been nominated alongside Academy Award Nominees for Best Supporting Actress at MethodFest. And as a 3-time Outfest Fusion Filmmaker, her short film, "Ultra-Feminist," was awarded Honorable Mention.

When I mention she was a cult survivor, no joke, the beginning of her life was made into a TV Movie in the Philippines. She was in fundamentalist Christian cult as a teenager, and discovered the TV industry and acting became kinda like her Savior.  We talk about this in this episode. But more importantly Gio’s story is one of true resilience and fighting for representation.

Gio also coaches teens & kids and was named one of the top 40 Audition Coaches in Los Angeles by the Hollywood Winners Circle. 

In this episode, we  talk about Gio’s journey, from immigrating from the Philippines, surviving a cult and domestic violence, to becoming an actor, award-winning filmmaker and top Hollywood Acting Coach.

Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

Krystl is taking a long overdue Career Break, and wants to share with you what led up to this  (burn out, career transition, prioritizing healing and presence) & HOW we need to take back our RIGHT TO REST. She is leaving her full time role in tech to focus on Filipina on the Rise, and wants to create space in her life for recharge, healing, new inspiration, come back to FOTR with a new energy and will be handing the mic to someone special during this time... Tesz! (Who is Tesz? Read at bottom!)

Okay sisters, I love Filipina on the Rise and this community! But there comes a much needed time, to realize when it's time to take a step away, prioritize mental health and healing, create space for newness, model our right to rest, and FILL THY CUP in order to REST. In this episode, I open up about:

In this episode, I'm interviewed and handing off the mic to the AMAZING Tesz Millan. TESZ Millan is a creative force, expressing her gifts as a YouTube creator, digital nomad and singer. At the start of 2022, she premiered her YouTube series, “Filipina. American. Creative.” In each episode, TESZ is rediscovering her lost Philippine heritage from the perspective of a 1st Generation Filipina-American. She has shared her voice performing internationally for Hong Kong Disneyland and starring in musical productions such as “Miss Saigon” and “Mamma Mia!” She released two music albums in 2021 – “Be Here Now”, a yoga album for the heart and soul, and “So Far and So Few”, a dance album for the body and mind. She is grateful for every opportunity she has to connect to life changing adventure, soul-stirring conversation and yummy eats. Share the journey with her at https://youtube.com/c/TESZMillan.

Here's how you can show your support for this movement and keep the show going while I'm gone:
Join the Filipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!
Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here: Patreon

Alyssa Navarro is Manager of Representation and Inclusion Strategies at The Walt Disney Studios also known as the RISE team. This year, she was named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30. She was also the Executive Producer for the Disney Launchpad, Incubator program, which featured diverse directors who produced short films for Disney+. Co-host of the Sweet or Savory Podcast with her fiance, AJ Rafael. Yep you read that right! We get into how they met, it’s an actual disney love story. Outside of her day job, Alyssa is pretty much a real life filipina disney princess! She performed as Mulan for several years at the Disneyland Resort while she was at college in University of La Verne, and sings regularly on her tiktok, which has over 230k followers.

In this episode we’ll cover…

Importance of Episode:

Representation of the Filipino community is on the rise, and while we’re barely just scratching the surface, the importance and need for Filipino talent to be shown on screen remains the same. Filipinas are a force to be reckoned with, our culture and people bring something unique to the spaces we’re in. But oftentimes we as Filipina women are afraid to take up that space because we haven’t seen people before us do it. It takes brave men and women, like Alyssa, to step out and follow their passions and show future generations what’s possible.

Connect with Alyssa: (@alyssugh) 

* Website: https://www.alyssanavarro.com/ 

* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alyssugh/ 

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.

Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Monica Ramilis a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist in San Francisco, and the owner of Monica Ramil Therapy, providing telehealth across California. Her mission is to help Filipina/x, women and couples work through anxiety, communication, family/relationship wounds, self-defeating thoughts & old patterns. Monica is particularly passionate about helping others work through intergenerational trauma and the insidious, ongoing effects of colonization, while also helping them connect to their inner wisdom.

In this episode we’ll cover…

Importance of Episode
The space of mental health, being such a new thing in itself, is not a talked about thing in our culture. It's a taboo topic… which makes it all that more important to talk about. There are so many common themes throughout our families: like silent suffering, previous generations’ unaddressed traumas, spiritual bypassing to name a few. Many of us never think to connect the dots and therapy helps us connect those dots and move forward in a way our parents were never able to.

Connect with Monica:
* Website:https://www.monicaramiltherapy.com/ 

* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/filipina_therapist/ 

Join theFilipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.

Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

 
Thank you to our episode sponsor,Silviyana Boutique, a Filipina-owned fashion brand committed to raising the piña, advocating for sustainability & ethical fashion, and supporting farmers & seamstresses in the Philippines Get my newZendaya Turno Topand rock a modern chic Filipiniana! Use code FILIPINAONTHERISE for 25% off!

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here:Patreon

Hello from NYC! Still feeling all the love and magic from our NYC Filipina Meetup event. I hope to meet you at the next city meetup! In this episode, I'm interviewed by Tesz Millan for her new Youtube Series Filipina. American. Creative. She is a creator, marketing director, fellow journeying Filipina & soul sister who has created this  video interview-centric docuseries of "Rediscovering my Lost Philippine Heritage" and to give voice to the Filipina American experience. You can find the video version on Youtube!

Join the Filipina Soul Sisterhood Circle!
Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here: Patreon