BOSFilipinos Podcast

Show Description (also the podcast Intro): Hello and welcome to the BOSFilipinos podcast. I'm your host, Trish Fontanilla.  Each episode, we celebrate Filipino and Filipino American culture, identity, and community in greater Boston.  Today's guest is Jen Palacio, owner of Tiny Turns Paperie! She also has an art practice called Just Enough Nonsense, and teaches at some of our local colleges around...

Today's guest is Maria Dolorico. Maria is the daughter of Filipino immigrants - as she said to me in her pre-interview, she can't tell you who she is without telling you where she's from. She's a mental health clinician and a PhD student. In this episode, we talk about the cultural nuances of growing up in New Jersey. Maria also shares her journey from teaching to becoming a mental health professi...

Today's guest is Michelle Aguillon. Michelle is a theater artist, producer, director, actor, writer, and sometimes scenic designer. In this episode, we talk about Michelle's career path in theater, the challenges of representation in theater, particularly for Asian Americans, and her efforts to diversify casting and provide opportunities for people color. We also chat about her upcoming projects i...

This episode's guest is Virginia B. Johnson. Virginia is a costume designer and the owner of gather here in Inman Square, which is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the interview, we dive into her journey from a naval base in the Philippines to Greater Boston, her career in costume design, and the origins of her shop,  gather here . We also talk about the importance of community to Virginia and her...

Trish Fontanilla, BOSfilipinos co-founder and host of the podcast, welcomes cultural practitioner Ellie Tiglao and artist Lani Asunciòn to discuss their new project. Their upcoming event, "Transmuting Imperialism: A Visual and Culinary Exchange," features Filipino communal dining, projection mapping, and multi-disciplinary performance exploring cultural identity and resistance.  Stay in touch:  BO...

Kaitlin Milliken hosts her final episode of the show. In it, she shares a personal essay on her Boston experience.

BOSFilipinos is turning 5 this year! In this episode, we'll look ahead and share what you can expect from our group in 2022.  Trish Fontanilla, who runs BOSFilipinos, joins us for this episode.

For many Catholic Filipinos, religious life means celebrating the ways that their heritage and religion intersect. Father Alex Castro discusses Filipino religious traditions and the  Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Boston. 

Aldrin Agas, chef and owner of Kuya's Cooking, joins us to talk about his own culinary journey and tips for improving your kitchen chops. That includes how he launched his catering and popup business, where to get ingredients for your Filipino pantry, and how to get your hands on recipes. 

In this episode, we discuss when Filipinos first came to Massachusetts, as well as the organizations that create communities to bind them together. Guests include Richard Chu of University of Massachusetts Amherst and Mary Talusan of California State University Dominguez Hills.

IP is the longest continuously running Filipino cultural school in the US. Today, the completely volunteer run program serves students between pre-K all the way through high school with a variety of cultural programming. That includes language, cooking, dance, and a rondalla music program.  We are joined by three of IP's volunteers to discuss the program's history and how to get involved.

September 1st is when most of the leases in Boston begin. People across town are making their apartments and brownstones feel like home — including many who are moving here for the first time. In this episode, Michele Garlit shares tips for moving, apartment hunting, getting settled and making friends. Michele is a law student at Suffolk University. Listen for more. 

Paulina Mangubat moved to Boston in February of 2021. She's spent her career working in the political sector and relocated to the city to work on a high profile race: Boston's upcoming mayoral election. Paulina is the Digital Director on the Michelle Wu campaign. During our conversation, Paulina shared why she was drawn to the Wu campaign and what got her started in politics.

Lilia Mundelius, chapter coordinator for Malaya Movement Massachusetts, has been involved with fundraising since they were young. After moving to Boston post-grad, Lilia combined their experience raising money for important causes with their love of cooking to support Filipino human rights campaigns through baking. During our conversation, Lilia shared how they decided to start hosing bake sales t...

Hortense Gerardo describes herself primarily as a writer. With a background as an anthropologist, she writes plays about modern relationships, culture, and what the world may look like post-pandemic. In this episode, she shares what inspired her to start writing plays and where she finds inspiration. 

The past year has been called a national reckoning for race. This panel explores why it is important for Black and Asian people to be in solidarity with each other, and historical examples of support between these communities. This conversation took place on April 20, the day that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges in the death of George Floyd. The conversation includes representatives...

In his debut graphic memoir, Bren Bataclan explores developing love and understanding for the people who shape us. "My mom, she had lots of fits of rages and tantrums... She lacked the maternal skills, but she was a great friend," Bren says. "[The book is] about this dual personality of hers. In the end, it's all about love and forgiveness and the strength of a Filipino family." Bren is a full-tim...

In this episode, we profile Fatima Lacanlale. Fatima's journey to Boston has taken her from the Philippines to the Bay Area to the Bay State with stops in Utah and Tennessee in between. During our conversation, Fatima discussed her immigration story and the tales behind her different moves throughout the US. She also shared her personal hobbies in the arts — including an upcoming series of 12 pain...

Growing up, Josee Matela would tell her family that she spoke eight languages. That included, English, Filipino, and Boston. She grew up wanting to go to college in Boston, and achieved those dreams by attending BU as a first-generation student.  Now, Josee is a postgraduate living and working in digital marketing. In this episode of the BOSFilipinos Podcast, she shares her experience as a first-g...

In 2020, getting a haircut feels like a luxury. Filipino-American small business owner Marc Anthony Lujares can help. This year, Marc launched a business where he gives mobile haircuts and style consultations in the Greater Boston Area.  Marc is also a personal image concierge, who gives style consultations to help men look their best. Marc shares how he pivoted into the fashion game and tips for...

When it comes to her job, Katherine Choi says she feels most fulfilled when she helps her students communicate their wants and needs. That could be asking for a snack, or their iPad, or sharing their feelings with a loved-one.  Katherine is a speech-language pathologist, who aids people with speech or swallowing disorders. Today, she is a practicing clinician at a school for special needs students...

Art offers one way for people to share their stories and connect. This episode features two pinay artists, who share their inspirations and creative journeys.  First, we sit down with Magdalena Dolorico, a 15-year-old artist in Massachusetts. Then, we step outside of the Bay State to hear from Malaka Gharib, author of the graphic novel, I Was Their American Dream .

When Marge Maallo was in elementary school, her dad would bring home college-level physics books for her to read on the weekends. That kicked off her passion for science that has taken her all over the world — from her home in the Philippines to Australia to Pittsburgh and most recently to Boston. In this episode of the BOSFilipinos Podcast, Marge shares her experience as a scientist and discusses...

In July, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 into law. This bill expands the definition of terrorism so it could include, strikes, rallies, protest, and providing support to political activists. This episode dives deep into The Anti-Terror Law, how groups in the northeast are organizing in resistance, and why.  Three organizers guide this conversation. Bernad...

Star grew up with a love hate relationship with music. They slept through piano lessons in their youth. However, writing poetry and eventually lyrics became a creative outlet for Star. That musical journey led them to release a solo album, move to Boston, and form their band The Sunset Kings.  In this episode of the BOSFilipinos Podcast, Star shares the origin story of The Sunset Kings, their crea...