Pilipinx in Wellness

For our second episode of Season 4, we talk with Founder & CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc., Brainspotting Therapist and Bay Area Chapter Lead of Therapin*y, Christine R. Melendres, LCSW. Christine R. Melendres is the Founder & CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc., a psychotherapy practice dedicated to serving the Filipina/x/o and AAPI community. Her roots trace back to Iba, Zambal...

For our initial episode of Season 4, we talk with Rawthentic Therapist of Set Free Marriage and Family Therapy, Emerald Rubio. Before watching, a note on our content: This episode is created for mature audiences only. We advise our viewers and listeners to exercise discretion as we discuss trauma, sexual abuse and assault. It might be a lot to take in, so if you need a breather— take a break or pa...

For our final episode of Season 3, we talk with Vice-Chair of the California State Independent Living Council, Peer Specialist & Disability Advocate for Painted Brain, Roque Alas Bucton. Roque Alas Bucton is Indo-Pacific Islander American, emanated on the land of the Tongva. Roque identifies as a person who lives with visual, hearing, and mobility impairment. Currently, Roque is a Peer Specialist...

In our 11th episode of Season 3, we talk with Wellness Consultant, Author, and Professor, Janet Stickmon. Janet Stickmon is a professor, author, educator trainer, and wellness consultant who has been teaching for over 25 years. Stickmon has been a professor of Humanities and Ethnic Studies at Napa Valley College (NVC) since 2006. Throughout her career at NVC, Stickmon was the Program Coordinator o...

In our 10th episode of Season 3, we talk with Astrologer and Self-Care Practitioner, Marsha Pacificar. Meet Marsha Pacificar, a co-visionary behind RESTPLAY.TODAY , where transformative experiences seamlessly blend warmth, refinement, and style. As a devoted Mindful Wellness Practitioner, Marsha collaborates with renowned brands such as Lululemon, Google, and Netflix, leaving her indelible mark on...

In our 9th episode of Season 3, we talk with MS Warrior, Former Dancer, and Hopeful DJ, Diane "DJ Danga Dang" Palaganas. DJ Danga Dang is a DJ from Long Beach, California. Her love for hip hop and dance stem from years as a Dancer/Director on Culture Shock LA and Versa-Style Dance Company. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2016. In 2018, she decided to retire her dancing shoes and ventu...

In our 8th episode of Season 3, we talk with Owner & Co-Founder of Psychiatric Supportive Living & Athena House, Colleen Capistrano, Business Development Liaison for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, Cheryl Cambay and State OA PrEP Navigator for Tarzana Treatment Center's PrEP for the Future, Russell Ramirez. Colleen Capistrano is a Co-founder and Owner for Psychiatric Supportive Living and A...

In our 7th episode of Season 3, a collaboration with the podcast @ThisFilipinoAmericanLife hosts, Elaine Dolalas & Joe Bernardo, we talk with Founder of MMZ Law, Marivel M. Zialcita. MARIVEL M. ZIALCITA, Attorney at Law has been an attorney for over 20 years. Since her appointment, Marivel has demonstrated a devotion to her clients. First, by becoming a Senior Advocacy Specialist while working...

In our 6th episode of Season 3, your very own Pilipinx in Wellness team, Kathleen Torio & Cheryl Samson Ramirez share with you the purpose behind our podcast, our origin story, who we are, our inspirations and highlights. Kathleen Kristine Torio (she/her) is from Temecula, California. She is a grant writer for non-profit organizations, an active volunteer and organizer for Filipino/AAPI commun...

In our 5th episode of Season 3, we talk with House Dance Instructor, Jardy Santiago. Jardy Santiago has been teaching house dance since 2001 and has performed and taught in the U.S., Russia, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Mexico, and Brazil. Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track is the Jojo Flores edit of "The Depth...

In our 4th episode of Season 3, we talk with medical doctor, founder of Family Center for Allergy and Asthma, and runner, Dr. Gina Dapul-Hidalgo & her husband, electrical engineer and triathlete, Raniel Hidalgo. Dr. Gina Dapul-Hidalgo, MD is a board-certified pediatric and adult allergy, asthma, and immunology specialist and founder of Family Center for Allergy and Asthma in the Washington DC...

In our 3rd episode of Season 3, we talk with owner of Bicycle Patrol Outfitters, Nelson Raboy & Service Manager of Cap's Bicycle Shop, Jordan Laxamana (IG: @jordofalltrades). Nelson Raboy is a 2nd generation Fil-Am with parents born/raised in Hawai'i. He took the training wheels off at age 5. He's been in the bike industry since 1998, holding various positions. He now owns Bicycle Patrol Outfi...

In our 2nd episode of Season 3, we talk with licensed psychotherapist and owner of H.O.P.E. Psychotherapy Services, LLC, Pauline Montemayor (IG: @thevoice4change). Pauline Montemayor, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and owner of H.O.P.E Psychotherapy Services, LLC, located in NJ. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults in various therapeutic settings and treat...

In our Season 3 opener, we talk with Dental Hygienist and Capoeira Instrutor, Nes Marco Morales (IG: @dentalcaredalycity, @capoeiradalycity). Nes Marco Morales, a.k.a. "Kuya Galo" was born a first generation Pilipino-American in San Francisco, California. His family has been in a family dental care practice for about 40 years, starting in the Philippines. His parents immigrated to the USA and open...

In our Season 2 finale, we talk with Naturopathic Doctor, Licensed Acupuncturist and Founder of Integrative Natural Health, Dr. David Richard (IG: @integrativenaturalhealth). Dr. David Richard is a California licensed Naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist. He received his doctoral degree in Naturopathic Medicine and Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University in Sea...

In our 11th episode of Season 2, we talk with Energy Healing Practitioner, Anna Salumbides (IG: @annasalumbides). Anna Salumbides is an Energy Coach and Energy Healing Practitioner. She works remotely with clients from all over the globe to help them connect with their own inner wisdom. She believes that a deep connection to this inner guidance helps us to find the path we were meant to travel. Sh...

In our 10th episode of Season 2, first one for 2023, we talk with Clinical Herbalist, Bernadette Aguirre (IG: @bern.aguirre) and Founder of INA Botanicals & Tea (@ina.botanicals.tea). As a lifelong city-dweller, Bernadette grew up eating herbs and vegetables growing in a modest garden that was mainly tended by her mom. Both of her parents were raised on farms in the Philippines, amidst hoverin...

In our 9th episode of Season 2, we talk with children's book author, Paola Deocampo (IG: @paoladeocampo). Paola Deocampo is a Filipino-American writer, crafter, actor, producer, and certified California naturalist. She is the author of BE, a lyrical tale for adolescents, teens, and the adult's inner child. As a multi-passionate creative, Paola has immersed herself in songwriting, memoir, fiber art...

In our 8th episode of Season 2, we talk with Trisha Perez (IG: @paciaanne, @talayaguides). Trisha Perez is a healer, guide, coach, and doula for transitions such as death, loss, money, relationships, and other major life shifts. With sound, energy, and other tools, Trisha co-creates a container of safety, trust, and compassion to help facilitate transitions to peace, power, prosperity, and pleasur...

We did a follow-up question with our previous guest, Dr. Christine Catipon after our Social Media Strategist, Kathleen Torio watched her episode and posed a question we thought you all might have also had: "What does 'spiritual healing' entail and what does that look like within your practice?" We hope this helps to fill our previous episode a bit more. Thank you always for your feedback. We will...

In our 7th episode of Season 2, we talk with Dr. Christine Catipon (IG: @dr.christinecatipon). Dr. Christine Catipon, who goes by she/they/siya, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has worked in university counseling centers in California for the past twelve years. She currently works full-time in Counseling and Psychological Services at Stanford University and has a part-time private telether...

In our 6th episode of Season 2, we talk with Sherry Younge (IG: @sherryyounge, @the_artform_studio). Sherry Younge is currently working as a hairstylist for over 24 years. She owns and oper­ates The Art­form Stu­dio, a hair salon and record store in Highland Park, Los Angeles with her husband Adrian for 16 years. This episode also features our opening/closing track by our team designer, Ritchie. Y...

In our 5th episode of Season 2, we talk with Adrian "Ace" Harburda (IG: @ace1mmc) and Bea Lesaca (IG: @bealesaca). Adrian "Ace" Harburda is a Filipino American who works supporting students and families in the school district with academic, mental health, and housing support. He is a Los Angeles b-boy legend due to his accolades in the b-boy scene as a competitor, in the cyphers, and as a judge si...

In our 4th episode of Season 2, we talk with Dr. Brian Gonzales (IG: @gonzaleschiropractic) Chiropractor, who has been in practice for 16 years in Norco, California, located in Riverside County. His passion is to help people of all ages attain health and wellness through using natural and holistic care through chiropractic. This episode also features our opening/closing track by our team designer,...

In our 3nd episode of Season 2, we talk with Kalaya'an Mendoza (IG: @kalamendoza), Director of US Programs for the Nonviolent Peaceforce about nonviolent strategies to keep our Pilipinx and LGBTQI+ communities safe. This episode is in alignment with Pride Month. Kalaya'an Mendoza [He or They/Them] is a Queer, Filipino and Hard of Hearing human rights defender, street medic and community safety &am...