Adobo Yarn

What does it look like to follow your passions wherever they take you?  In this episode of Anna and Razel chat with Bryan Adduru, founder and owner of FNST , to unpack the ultimate migrant side quests. Bryan shares his unexpected transition from engineering to nursing and how he fell in love with healthcare along the way. We dive into his basketball coaching side quest aimed at empowering and supp...

If your feed is full of neon-purple lattes, pastries, and viral TikTok treats, you've witnessed the global takeover of ube . But behind that gorgeous, highly Instagrammable hue lies a rich cultural history, serious agricultural challenges, and a complex conversation about what happens when an indigenous heritage crop goes hyper-viral. In this episode, Anna and Razel discuss the beloved Philip...

In this episode, Anna and Razel unpack the infamous "local experience" catch-22. How do you get local experience if no one will hire you without it?! From trying a retail job for the first time, delivering local papers, catalogues and flyers, cooking and fundraising for school community sausage sizzles and bake sales, to helping distribute meals to seniors in the community, we reflect on...

In Episode 37 of Adobo Yarn , hosts Anna and Razel sit down with educator and founder Armak "Mak" Limitares to explore what it really takes to reinvent yourself across borders. Mak spent years teaching English, Science and Math in Japan before relocating to Australia, landing in the midst of the global COVID lockdowns. Facing an unpredictable landscape arriving as an international studen...

We’re back! After a cozy winter hiatus, Anna and Razel return to the mic in time to celebrate Buwan ng Wika, and yes it is officially Spring down under! In this comeback episode, we dive into the results of our Instagram poll to celebrate the Filipino words that are uniquely ours. The untranslatable, emotion-packed phrases that carry the weight of home. As migrants living in Australia, language ta...

While the hosts are away on winter break, take a dive back into the archives for a re-release of one of the show's most requested discussions. In Episode 22, The Price of Nostalgia: Are We Undervaluing Our Cuisine? , Anna and Razel unpack the complex cultural and economic forces shaping how Filipino food is priced, perceived, and appreciated globally.  From the tension between budget comfort...

While the team stays cozy on winter break, we’re raiding the archives to bring back an Adobo Yarn favourite!  In From Ukay Ukay to Op Shops — the Art of the Purge , we look at the art, nostalgia, and emotional chaos of decluttering. From bargain hunting back home to navigating local secondhand spots, how do you clear space without losing your favourite vintage finds?  Grab a warm drink and enjoy t...

While Anna and Razel are tucked away hibernating this winter—warm tea in hand and prepping a refreshing slate of brand-new episodes for Spring—we’re dipping into the Adobo Yarn vault! This week, we’re revisiting Episode 15 , where Anna and Razel have one of their most raw, candid discussions yet. Unpacking perimenopause, menopause, and the liberating "We Do Not Care" movement, they dive...

While Anna and Razel are tucked away hibernating this winter - warm drinks in hand, plotting a refreshing lineup of brand-new episodes for Spring, we are diving into the archives! This week, we’re revisiting a true listener favourite: Episode 10 — Don't sweep at night.. . Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the yarn, it’s the perfect time to look back at the quirky, comforting, and...

We are taking a little winter break to cozy up, stir the pot, and tend to our own hearths. But while we're away from the microphones, we couldn't leave you empty-handed.  This winter, we are revisiting some of our absolute favourite conversations - the threads of story and flavour that define what this community is all about. Whether you're hearing these for the time first time or w...

We are taking a little winter break to cozy up, stir the pot, and tend to our own hearths. But while we're away from the microphones, we couldn't leave you empty-handed.  This winter, we are revisiting some of our absolute favourite conversations - the threads of story and flavour that define what this community is all about. Whether you're hearing these for the time first time or w...

What happens to our deepest cultural habits when we pack up our lives and cross the ocean? In this episode, Anna and Razel hold up a mirror to the Filipino diaspora in Australia to look at the traits we grew up with and the ones we’ve had to intentionally unlearn. From hilarious cultural adjustments to the deeper, more systemic behaviours that just don't fly "down under". It’s time...

Imagine stepping off a plane into a new country right as the world is emerging from global lockdowns. You’re alone, you’re lost, and within your first 48 hours, things go completely off the rails—and you have absolutely no idea who or where to ask for help. In this episode, Anna and Razel sit down with Osep Estrada , who shares his raw, hilarious, and deeply moving experience of migrating to Austr...

The crisp air has officially hit, and you know what that means—it’s time for the "Winter Pivot." In this episode, Anna and Razel settle in with hot mugs to discuss the inevitable shift from summer ease to winter survival. We’re diving deep into the seasonal wardrobe transition: the ritual of bringing out the scarves and beanies, and the perfect pair of boots that can survive a rainy comm...

In continuation of Filipino Food Month , we sit down with the visionary behind Elizabeth Bay’s Greenknowe Cafe to explore a story of reinvention, resilience, and the undeniable pull of home. The journey began in 2015 with a leap of faith and a dependent visa. We trace an incredible professional pivot: from practicing law in the Philippines to navigating Sydney’s corporate landscape as a marketing...

April is Filipino Food Month ( Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino ), and this year, the celebration has reached a fever pitch! 🇵🇭🇦🇺 In this episode, Anna and Razel take a deep dive into the roots of the movement right here in Australia. Anna shares the inspiring story of the Filipino Food Movement Australia (FFMA) —from its humble beginnings as a grassroots non-profit organisation to its current status as...

"Ikaw ang maghanap ng saya..."   (Don't just wait for joy—create it.)   In this special International Women's Day episode, Anna and Razel sit down with a true titan of the Filipino-Australian community: Marivic Ayap-Flores . As the Managing Director of MVA Financial Services and the President of PASC (the powerhouse team behind Fiesta Kultura ), Marivic embodies the 2026 IWD th...

Ever felt like a secret agent trying to prove you actually exist? 🕵️‍♂️ Welcome to the ultimate "ID Culture Shock" guide! In this episode, Anna and Razel reminisce their experience navigating the confusing, sometimes hilarious, and high-stakes world of Australian paperwork. Moving from the Philippines—where your license and PhilHealth card is king to Australia’s "100-point" sca...

"Did I move across the world just to start from zero?" This is most migrants' story! We move across oceans for many different reasons, and starting from scratch is almost always, the default mode. Making the hard choices to step away from fulfilling careers and braving the challenges of change and the so called "second leap"!  In our very first guest episode, hosts Anna an...

"We're talking about Filipino migration to Australia , Gen Z trends on TikTok , and our lives as Filipino Australians in Sydney back in 2016." Is your feed looking a little… 2016 lately? If you’re seeing more Rio de Janeiro filters, matte lips, and sudden cravings for Pokémon Go, you are not alone.  In this episode, Anna and Razel chika about the the massive #2016vs2026 trend taking...

Happy 2026, Adobo Yarn Fam! 🥂 We are kicking off the year with our very first episode of 2026, and we’re diving straight into the New Year headspace. Are you the type to write a list of resolutions on January 1st, or are you playing the long game with strategic goals? In this episode, Razel and Anna break down the nuances between the two. Is there actually a difference, or is it all just semantic...

We’re ending 2025 with a major milestone: pull up a chair and join us at Taguan Cafe in Sydney because Episode 25 is officially our very first video episode! Amidst the buzz of the brunch crowd and the aroma of ube lattes, we’re looking back at the wild, transformative journey this year has been. You'll see the ube latte, the calamantea and the laughs in person as we dive into our own version...

Before the busyness of December take over, get ready for a holiday episode that's as rich and complex as a slice of Queso de Bola paired with sweet and ripe Australian mangoes! Hosts Anna and Razel discuss the the beautiful, messy, and often hilarious (but interesting) reality of celebrating Christmas as Filipino migrants and modern matriarchs in Australia. In the Philippines, Christmas is th...

Welcome back to the Adobo Yarn road trip! After cruising through NSW and ACT in Part 1 (Episode 20), Anna and Razel realised they only covered a fraction of this massive continent. In this episode, your titas are crossing the borders to guide you through the other states and territories from their personal experience. Some hilarious, others spine tingling (ok, we're exaggerating!) but mostly...

The food world is buzzing! Following the historic first Michelin Guide selection for the Philippines complete with two stars, one star, and multiple Bib Gourmand awards, we dive into what this massive international recognition means for Filipino cuisine globally. But first, we tackle a tough chika that hits close to home in Australia: Why do Filipinos, even here in Sydney and Melbourne, often insi...