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:Gina’s personal journey of embracing her Filipino identity and leveraging it to create empowering and uniting multicultural event spaces, like the Undiscovered SF Night Market and initiatives supporting Filipino women and entrepreneurs.Gina’s approach to event planning that balances community needs with business viability, promoting a ‘profit first’ model for sustainability.Gina’s philosophy on embracing opportunities, the value of a diverse skill set and her experiences at Google X, stressing authenticity and the importance of bringing one’s whole self to work.Challenges of scaling a business as a person of color and a womanThe strategies for overcoming burnout, nurturing growth and setting realistic goals for success in entrepreneurship.Gina’s commitment to building a multicultural community, her involvement in the POC Food and Wine Festival, strategies for longevity through real estate and empowering Filipino women to pursue their passions authentically.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:How did this start and what are 5 things I learned from thisUpcoming workshops and discussion topicsMembers share knowledge, mentorship, and resources, fostering a supportive network that propels professional and personal development.Healing and cultural reclamation are core themes, with members collectively navigating the complexities of their Filipino identity and narratives.The sisterhood includes regular virtual and in-person events designed to foster meaningful connections, facilitating friendship and collaboration among its members.Notable Quotes:"And a lot of us are uncovering our identities as part of the diaspora and, you know, decolonizing our minds and our narratives.""There's something that is necessary in order for people to… level up is that we're pulling each other up and we're opening doors for each other.""It's so imperative and a core of who we are to navigate our lives with each other and through each other, through talk story, through sitting around the campfire, a virtual campfire, and telling stories."Resources:Hang out with me and other like-minde Filipinas every Thursday at the Filipina Soul Sisterhood! Together we reconnect with our roots and help each other rise.Expand your network at the Filipina Speed Networking Party!

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.KeywordsFilipina, Portugal, Philippine history, Ferdinand Magellan, colonization, representation, networking, speed networking eventTakeawaysTraveling can provide opportunities to share and learn about your culture and history with people from different countries.Knowing your history and sharing it with others can deepen their understanding of your culture and create connections.Networking is essential for career growth and advancement, and it's important to set objectives, have an elevator pitch, be curious, remember details, and have a follow-up strategy.Representation matters, and connecting with people who share your cultural background can be empowering and inspiring.The Filipinas Soul Sisterhood is a community for Filipinas to reconnect with their culture, share their experiences, and support each other.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:Growing up with religious and faith-based influences is a common experience for many Filipino Americans.Questioning one's faith and exploring spirituality outside of traditional religious practices can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of one's beliefs.Church hurt and trauma are real experiences that can impact one's relationship with religion and spirituality.Finding a balance between personal exploration and community connection is important when it comes to faith and spirituality.It is possible to have a personal relationship with God and find healing without being tied to a specific religious institution.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:Filipino on the Rise PodcastKrystl Fabela's InstagramListen 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 HighlightsIntroduction to our guest An empowering Filipino American trailblazer with high aspirations for District 52's State Assembly seat.Representation matters The significance of diverse representation in government and the power of endorsements.Making history with the Filipino Town Gateway The role our guest played in establishing a historic monument and what it signifies for Asian American women in public service.Overcoming obstacles: An insight into the challenges faced by Asian American women in politics and the drive to pave the way for future generations.Addressing pressing issues: Strategies to tackle California's affordability crisis, housing issues, homelessness, and budget shortfalls.Public Service Experience: How experiences at different levels of government can contribute to community development.Election Participation: The importance of active community involvement and having a voice in politics.Honoring Filipino Contributions: Recognizing the sacrifices of Filipino nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for workplace protection.Voter Engagement: The necessity for active Filipino voter participation and innovative campaign strategies to engage them.Community Outreach: The role of personal networks in furthering the campaign and the need for support.Remember to Vote: The importance of voting early and ensuring participation.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:Celebrating a new phase for the Filipina on the Rise community post-crowdfund campaignThe significance of taking a reflective pause at the start of the yearImportance of enjoying the process of creating again and prioritizing the right things this year**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 campaignWe 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:Produce high-quality podcast episodesHost monthly events empowering eventsHave retreats, conferencesJoin us in making history and be part of the change you want to see. Show your support now! 👉 Crowdfund link Together we rise! 🚀💪

How backing our Crowdfund will empower more Pinays  https://www.indiegogo.com/campaigns/filipina-on-the-rise--3/edit#/perks/tableKrystl 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:Filipina women who are able to step into their power and their own purpose are unstoppable. The type of leaders Filipina women are, are unique and are needed in our world. We can do so much healing and uplifting in our world which really needs it right nowWhat does Filipina excellence and representation mean to you? We may have different answers but that’s why this community is so needed. We’re creating space and opportunities for each other to be seen, to be heard, to change the narrative 1. The Vision UnveiledDiscover the overarching goals of our crowdfund campaign.Explore how this campaign will play a pivotal role in our community's growth.2. Krystl's Personal PerspectiveKrystl opens up about her passion and the driving force behind Filipina on the Rise.Learn about her heartfelt mission to provide a platform where Filipina women can truly shine.3. Why Your Support MattersUnderstand the importance of community support and how it fuels our shared mission.Explore the impact your contribution can have on our upcoming events, podcast, and more.4. Exciting RewardsGet a sneak peek into the rewards and perks we have in store for our backers.Find out how you can get involved and join the movement to empower Filipina voices.5. What's Coming UpKrystl shares a glimpse of the exciting events and initiatives in the pipeline.Learn why you should be part of this transformative journey.6. A Call to ActionKrystl urges our incredible listeners to support our crowdfund campaign.Embrace your opportunity to help make history and support Filipina excellence.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 romanticizingthe 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 nota 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 navigatein-between spaces, holding discussions on de/colonization and the increasing tension between diasporic and homeland folks.And honestly, I've seen the issues andthe 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 havepoor 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:Seek help when needed: Amanda's father encouraged her to get therapy for her eating condition. She received treatment at an eating problem center.Journal to process your thoughts: Journaling helped Amanda process and trace her thoughts. This revealed her control and perfectionist issues.Follow your intuition: Amanda followed her gut and became a purpose coach and healer despite uncertainties and pressure. She learned she could heal others without being a doctor.Set boundaries and prioritize your desires: Filipino culture pressured Amanda to study medicine. She learned to set boundaries and prioritize her own needs.Importance of This EpisodeAmanda 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 @amandasevillaAmandaSevilla.comThank 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.What "Living the dream" really means to mePanel takeaways: Imposter Syndrome, Messy BTS of SuccessWhat (almost) 120 Filipinas last night had in commonA Poem on honoring your past ghostswhat attendees told me last night that warmed my heartMy advice to when you lean into something riskyPersonal takeaways: savoring the moment, the journey, and trusting the unpredictable path of wonderthe future of Filipina on the RiseCan'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 @filipinaontheriseFilipina 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:Lahaina's tight-knit community and respecting their time to grieveWater ownership and scarcityEmotional impact of the fireLahaina's closure and community supportRebuilding process and timelineimportance of directing supportWhile participating in drives and donating items is commendable, they caution against overwhelming the community with excessive material possessions.the most significant help lies in funding the rebuilding and healing process for the affected communityimportance of promoting these specific avenues of assistance to ensure support reaches the intended recipientsChoose 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 SolaEver feel like you're "not doing enough" even though you're doing it all?!Krystl walks you through a real-time moment of a “not-doing-enough” and walking herself outBreaking this pattern by catching yourself in the moment: what are your breath, body, thoughts, emotions telling youWhat story and lies are you telling yourself?How this stems from immigrant, survival mentality, the need to “prove we can be here” Stop feeding the machine! Deepening and mastering with my good friend and founder, Sola Tiktok & IG @solelectraInspired action, not obligated actionBeing okay with being irrelevant for a whileBeing in God's templeJoin 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 itSomething 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)How we should be critical of AI potentially reinforcing stereotypes and racial biases, and clearly the need to put out better imagery of filipino women, which is what I do here on the filipina on the rise, all about putting out diverse representation we can be proud about, decolonizing us online/in media, promoting filipina excellencetech 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 spacesAI 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:her 4-week trip to the Philippineswhat she learned and realizedwhat is our relation & role here, from those who grew up abroad?reading your experiences about the PH tripInterested in the 25-day Filipino History & Heroines Learning Journey? Sign up hereBlog post: How a trip to the Philippines can feel beautiful, confronting, complicated, healing, heartbreaking, all at onceHad 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 Home global 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/n5ZzidyQvkIWe coverHow Jen pivoted from working in digital and mobile marketing to going full time with Indulgent Eats as a global food & travel blogger, where she gets to showcase her deep love for filipino culinary traditionsHow Jen embraced change and took chances to pursue new opportunities after moving to Hong KongThe profound influence of Filipino food and culture on Jen’s culinary journey.Launching Barkada, a new modern Restaurant in Hong KongJen’s larger mission of uplifting Filipino food and promoting its visibility not by replacing existing establishments but by adding “Barkada” as a new and exciting option that complements the existing culinary offerings.Her deep love for Filipino culinary traditions, which she has been able to showcase through her blog “Indulgent Eats”Jen’s lifelong connection to her Filipino identity and her unwavering pride in her heritageThe real work behind launching a restaurant and the hustle around the growth journey as a successful content creatorThe varying expectations around filipino cuisine and some critiques filipino chefs & restaurateurs in this spaceBut that you cant always please every body. And we’re celebrating the love that Barkada is gettingAnd the balance of staying true to traditional filipino flavors while letting yourself have fun and put twists on the dishes that invites other people inHonoring our parents sacrifices and journeys as we follow our passionsThe myth around “doing it all” Jen’s larger mission of uplifting Filipino food & culture through “Barkada” the balance of honoring tradition while letting yourself get creative and put fun, inviting twists that bring in more to the partyConnect with Jen on IG: @indulgenteats @barkadahkJoin the Filipina 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 HEREIn this episode:What those in other countries should know about what’s happening on the groundActivism & climate justice in the Philippines, Gabes talks about the the work being done here and community careMe seeing there’s a bigger role for us in other countries, for myself, to start engaging back with the fight for freedom & justice for our people, countryWe talk bout this Romanticization of ResilienceCharacteristics of Filipino people that is admirable, but was taken advantage ofIntergenerational oppresion and how a lot of things is a trauma responseI talk about my humbling experience a week before in Hong Kong seeing Filipino careworkers on the street on a Sunday and starting to see beauty in overlookedGoing a step out of the identity work to contributing to progressOutside of the work, of dismantling oppression, who are we?In the work of always what are we free from, what are we free FORGabes Torres:gabestorres.substack.comIG @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 CreativeWe coverTesz Itinerary and why she chose these remote villagesWhat visiting & getting a tattoo Apo Whang Od, the eldest Filipina Tattoo Artist who made vogues covers, was likeVisiting towns that preserved culture and the present value of heritageSurprising Learnings and differences of culture & perspetives in the Philippines