BC Poppas

Recorded on July 22, 2025 almost a year after the last podcast release, The Poppas reunite in Bacolod City. In this episode Jojo and Jon sit down with business partner and fellow Nothing to Lose Coach Sharr Llera. Sharr discusses the important takeaways from his six months in Singapore working as a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor. And together they talk about what they hope the BC Martial Studio wi...

The Poppas sit down for their yearly “check in” with Christian Abelarde of Episodes 22 “Empire Building” & 25 “Muay Thai Bros.” Christian opens up about the life experiences that led him to the “make it happen” mentality and the mindset that “everything we need is right around us.” Follow @teamgera.ph @nothingtolosefoundation @bcmartial on Instagram to stay up to date on the Nothing to Lose Founda...

In this episode Jojo and Jon chop it up with Ferchide and Janssen Canturias. They are the content creators (Host & Videographer) behind “The Vlog” of the Asian Sport Jiu Jitsu Federation (Cebu). After visiting BC Martial to feature the gym on The Vlog Vol. 2 Episode 4, Jojo and Jon were able share a meal with them and hear some of there personal Jiu Jitsu beginnings as well as where they want to g...

The BC Poppas have been brewing delicous Mt. Apo coffee beans that are locally roasted in Bacolod City by mountaineer and small batch roaster Jelo Viendo. Jojo and Jon sit down with Coach Sharr and his good friend Jelo to hear about his early days of hiking and his transformation into a coffee roasting enthusiast. This episode is a part of the Nothing to Lose Foundation "Fundación Coffee Series."...

Christian and Al update us on whats up with Empire Sports @empiresportsph their partnership with the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines (MAP) and the vision behind the creation of the Western Negros Muay Thai Combat Club @teamgera.ph Listen up!

With Jon back in BC, he and Jojo catch up on all the happenings from the Fundación Coffee project, BC Martial, N2L BC and prepping for meeting the rest of the N2L crew in Romblon for the big comeback of the Nothing to Lose Foundation’s Warriors All Star Basketball Camp in Odiongan. Take a listen and catch up with us!

This episode was an assignment Jon did for his Philippine Studies class, which was the last class he needed to finish his Associate’s Degree in Philippine Studies at City College of San Francisco. Jon was one of two people who are the first to achieve this degree in the United States. “Jon (CCSF Philippine Studies 40) chops it up with Jojo Casilao, Bacolod (Philippines) native, and get's his take...

Chris Courtney is the President of the Nothing to Lose Foundation, Co-Founder of N2L Med and the founder of the N2L Medical Corps. Chris is a leader in the field of Emergency Medicine and he is a proud “Poppa” of two amazing daughters who have been swimming competitively at a National Level since they were children. Riley, Doc Chris’ oldest daughter swims for the University of Texas, the top NCAA...

Christian Abelarde from Empire Sports and Entertainment sits down with the Poppas and talks about the recent BCD Fight Night MMA event that went down this last August 6. Christian shares his thoughts on repping local and the future he sees for MMA shows in the Philippines. The Poppas were proud to make their comeback in 2022 as guest commentators on the BCD Fight Night Facebook livestream. More to...

In our FIRST ILONGGISH episode The Poppas dojo storm Chop034, their favorite Barbershop in Bacolod City. Jojo and Jon knock back a couple brews after hours with Jaffe Lacson (Chop034 Owner) and talk about overcoming cultural stereotypes in his pursuit to integrate his passions and his entrepreneurial spirit. Inside Info: If you book your cut for his last slot, 7pm, you might be able to close out w...

In this episode the N2L Coaches talk to Rob Harris, one of Jon J’s good friends and mentors. Rob shares his experiences growing up in Virginia during a time when schools were still segregated. We discuss some of the sports figures that he admired growing up, those who spoke up against racism and injustice. Rob also opens up about his path from hatred of white people to his faith in God leading him...

On the 20th Episode the Poppas sit down with Special Guest Thomas Sproten. Thomas owns a operates the Coffee Culture Roastery in Bacolod City. Jojo and Jon, coffee white belts, get a chance to hear some of their Coffee Sensei’s journey from Germany to Bacolod and into the amazing world of coffee. Traveling and exploring different cultures, good conversation over good coffee, hearing people authent...

Really eye opening conversation with Ben Batory on creating a culture around coaching and mentoring. Ben played his college ball (Basketball) at Brown University and Amherst College. After graduating from Amherst in 1994, Ben had a 5 year pro career overseas. Ben’s stories of the ups and downs of pursuing his hoop dreams and the moments of specific realizations he came to along the way were great...

Great time recording this episode with Pittsburgh Pirates (Major League Baseball) First Base Coach Tarrick Brock! Our friend Alex Figueroa (Episode 7) brings to the Podcast his High School teammate Tarrick to share about his path to the Major League as both a player and Coach. It’s an honor for us to have Tarrick take time out of his schedule to share his coaching philosophy as well as very person...

Fighter and Coach (6100 Martial Arts) Dave Gonzales joins the Poppas to talk about his first year of Dad Life, his competitive journey from basketball to combat sports, and his future coaching dreams.

Great conversation with Mikey’s good friend James Torres. James, a former NCAA Division 1 Wrestler for Indiana University, shares stories about his competitive career, being recruited, and transitioning from competing, to coaching, and now to athletic administration and mentoring other coaches. A lot of great insight if you are a competitor or coach. The second half of the podcast we get into the...

Mikey and Jon J are joined by Alex Figueroa, a friend of Jon J’s who he hasn’t talked to in 17 years!! Recording this podcast is their first time they have reconnected and they pick up right where they left off, a lot of sports and a lot of laughs. Alex talks about what life was like coming to Los Angeles from Puerto Rico as a fifteen year old who couldn’t speak English. Alex, who has always been...

In this episode the Poppas connect with Atos Jiu Jitsu Brownbelt Jar Arboleda. Jar is a coach at The Gentle Art Academy in Singapore. Jar shares how he got into Jiu Jitsu, how the art helped him develop his approach to life, and how he navigates the ups and downs of being a Jiu Jitsu OFW. It’s a great conversation that left the Poppas thinking “I wish I was like Jar when I was his age!” Jar will d...

Super fun episode! The Poppas (Jojo & Jon) talk with Nicole Baroy. Nicole is a native Bacoleña and a true artist. She draws, paints, cooks, writes music and poetry, and sings. On top of all that, Nicole is also a mother of two, she and her husband are providing a home environment to foster their children’s creativity and artistic expression. In this episode Nicole talks about overcoming insecuriti...

Jon J and Mikey catch up on Pandemic life in California and Bacolod, what work looks like as a teacher having to hold online classes. Talk eventually turns to what they are watching on Netflix and ultimately the recently released “The Last Dance” series documenting the 1998 Chicago Bulls. It’s a fun ride to go back in time and remember the Bulls and Michael Jordan as die hard Laker Fans. It always...

In this episode, BC Martial Head Coach and N2L Region 6 Director Jojo Casilao talks about his hope and vision for the “N2L Martial Arts Scholarships” that will be starting soon in Bacolod City. BC Martial Coach Sharr Llera joins as well. Excitement is building as a new chapter in the N2L Leader Scholar Program evolves. Take a listen and if you know any young people in Bacolod City or Negros Occide...

3 N2L (Nothing to Lose Foundation) Directors get together to catch up during these pandemic quarantine times. N2L Philippines National Director Epzky Forcado talks to us about the situation in Odiongan town during the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Get the update on the Romblon Scholars and how they are adapting to the current situation. Epz also talks about his “Banayad” philosophy on life and th...

Jon J sits down to catch up with renaissance man, activist, organizer, and creator of The Filipino Garage Podcast, Christian Guerrero. In August of last year (2019) Christian joined Jon J, Jojo (N2L Region 6 Director), Epzky (N2L National Director), and a team of N2L Leader Scholars on a trip to Giumaras Island. There they we were able to connect with young men residing at the Regional Rehabilitat...

In this episode Jojo and Jon reunite with their very good friend and the person who first introduced them to Jiu Jitsu, Chester Laquian. Chester shares about what it’s like being a new Poppa and caring for his 7 month old daughter, adapting to life in Canada (Calgary), his recent promotion to Brown Belt, and what the current COVID 19 pandemic is making life like in Calgary. This is the very first...

The Poppas are back with Uncle Tito Doug. In this episode these three old knuckleheads talk about their love for Jean Claude Van Damme and his first movie Bloodsport. The Poppas and Uncle Doug take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on how they love 80s and 90s martial arts action flicks. If you want to waste an hour or need help falling asleep during this quarantine, don't worry, we got you. E...