Kiss My Mike

NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Mental Health Awareness with Maricres Castro! Check out this new episode of Kiss My Mike ! Maricres Castro is a Mental Health Program Manager at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Washington State. In her role, she works closely with community members to help manage programs focused on mental health and wellness. APCC provides free and low-cost therapy sessions for community...

New podcast episode featuring Filipino American filmmaker, ANDREW ACEDO! BIO: Beyond being an avid Letterboxd user, Andrew Acedo is a Filipino American filmmaker whose shorts have been selected by numerous festivals - including a few Academy-qualifying ones - and nominated for or won several awards. He currently serves as the Manager of Community and Impact at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures...

Check out this new podcast episode featuring guest Zeus Oira .  Zeus plays Luis in my upcoming feature directorial debut, In This Moment . In this episode, we talk about Zeus’s background, his process in preparing for the role, and what he hopes audiences will take away from the film. We also dive into some fun and random topics, including his cat, Spotify playlists, and more. Now streaming, only...

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW! March is International Women’s Month , and in this special episode, I had the honor of sitting down with two incredible Filipino moms: my dear friend Jocy Walla (my very first podcast guest ever!) and a new friend, Fe Gonzaga . We all met here in the Pacific Northwest, connected by friendship, faith, motherhood, and our shared journey as Filipino immigrants. In this...

New Podcast Episode: I spent 25 years working in technology before shifting into a creative life as a screenwriter and filmmaker. Hearing Daniel Kwan speak about AI reminded me that this moment is not just about tools. It’s about ethics, jobs, storytelling, and what it means to stay human in a rapidly changing world. AI is already here. The question is whether we shape it with care, responsibility...

Starting over in your 40s can feel terrifying, lonely, and uncertain. In this first episode of a new series on reinvention, creativity, and emotional growth in adulthood, I share what it really feels like to begin again—and why it might be more hopeful than we think. If you’re navigating change, questioning your path, or wondering if it’s too late, this conversation is for you  #newpodcastepisode...

In this heartfelt short episode, I reflect on Mother’s Day and share personal memories of my mom, who passed away in 2018.  Growing up in the Philippines, we didn’t have much, but my mom understood the value of education and invested in our future the best way she could. Her sacrifices helped pave the way for my journey to the U.S., where I found career success and was able to help support my fami...

Why is May named after a Roman goddess? What’s the real story behind May Day? And did you know May wasn't always lucky for weddings? In this episode of Kiss My Mike , we uncover five surprising and fascinating facts about the month of May — plus a bonus fact you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a trivia fan, history lover, or just curious about the calendar, this one’s for you. 🎧 Hit play,...

In this episode of Kiss My Mike, I dive into why Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has captured my heart and hope as a potential future pope. As a queer Filipino, seeing someone who not only shares my heritage but also speaks with compassion and inclusivity—especially toward the LGBTQ+ community—means the world. I talk about his powerful sermons where he calls out discriminatory language against LGBTQ p...

As a queer Filipino American who believes in Christ, I’ve had a complicated but deeply personal journey with faith. Today, I want to reflect on Pope Francis — what he’s done, what he represents, and what it all means to people like me. From his groundbreaking "Who am I to judge?" moment to his inclusive stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals—including trans people and gay priests—Pope Francis...

In this episode, I open up about what Easter means to me as an LGBTQ Filipino American and a Christian.  How does being LGBTQ shape my experience of Christianity? What challenges and joys come with holding these identities together—especially around big holidays like Easter? I also reflect on the differences in how Easter is celebrated in the Philippines versus the U.S. — from the deeply religious...

Two Filipinos. One lasting friendship. In this episode, I catch up with my college best friend, Jocy Dollison-Walla. We met as student assistants in College at De La Salle University (Manila) and bonded during our shifts at work (while in school) —now years later, we reflect on how our friendship has stayed strong despite the distance. We talk about growing older, growing wiser, and what it really...

New Episode of Kiss My Mike : "Art as an Act of Activism"   In this powerful episode, I sit down with Filipino American filmmaker GIO Espiritu , a groundbreaking storyteller whose creative vision is deeply shaped by her journey as a bisexual, once-undocumented immigrant Filipina mom and survivor of a Biblical doomsday cult . Her award-winning films like ALLY 3000 and Legacy tackle patria...

🔥 New Episode Alert! 🔥 In this powerful episode of Kiss My Mike , I sit down with trans filmmaker and artist, Jade Phoenix to discuss: ✨ The current political climate and how recent executive actions are attacking the trans community. ✨ The history of discrimination and how these tactics have been in place for a long time. ✨ How Jade and the community continue to thrive despite these challeng...

Best Movies of 2024   Anora, Wicked, The Substance, Conclave, A Complete Unknown —these are just some of the critically acclaimed films from 2024! Check out the latest episode of Kiss My Mike , featuring special guest Charles Gray , a FilAm filmmaker based in California. We dive into our favorite movies and performances from last year, breaking down the most memorable cinematic moments—including t...

A Call for Advocacy I’ve always tried to steer clear of politics on my podcast and social media. But you know what? Staying silent isn’t an option anymore—not when policies are being set into motion that directly affect me as an LGBTQ+ Filipino American immigrant (and now, a proud U.S. citizen). CHECK OUT MY FIRST PODCAST FOR 2025: LGBTQ+ and AAPI ADVOCACIES. In this episode, I dive into some of t...

 2024 Year-End RECAP — Kiss My Mike Podcast! This year was a whirlwind of pop culture, movies, and major events — and I’m breaking it ALL down in my latest podcast episode!   Watch the full video on YouTube and the audio on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app! Here’s what I’m covering: The impact of AI on entertainment (and beyond!) The best movies of 2024 — and my personal faves! The breathtakin...

🎙 New Podcast Episode! 🎬 I’m diving into my journey as a director for my latest short film, THE MANALOS . From preparation to embracing the creative process, here are my key takeaways. Whether you're a filmmaker or just curious, tune in to hear more! #FilmmakingJourney #PodcastEpisode #TheManalos #DirectorLife #CreativeProcess #IndieFilm #BehindTheScenes

Check out this new podcast episode featuring Writer/Filmmaker:  KRISTINE GEROLAGA! Kristine Gerolaga is a Filipina American filmmaker and actor. Her work has been featured on ATTN:, Amazon Fire TV, ALTER, Shudder, Fangoria, Rappler, and Vulture. Her short films were finalists for the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Fest and Justin Lin's Interpretations 2.0 Asian American Filmmaker Initiative. She is a...

Check out this new episode with LA-based actor and writer, ROMMEL ROJAS! Rommel was born and raised in Davao, Philippines. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication and pursued a career in advertising. When the opportunity arose, he moved to the US in 2004. When his corporate stint ended in 2014, he rediscovered his passion in storytelling and attended both UCB and Elizabeth Mestnik Acting...

Check out this new 'Kiss My Mike' podcast episode featuring ACHIM MENDOZA. Achim is queer ex-Filipino-soap-opera-translator-turned-filmmaker, Achim’s passion for film started in his teens, when Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a renown Filipino director and National Artist, offered to mentor him. As a teenager, Achim would fly back and forth between his hometown of Davao and Manila to attend her clas...

Happy New Year Everyone! Check out this latest podcast episode to kickoff Season 5. In this episode, I share my thoughts on what's in and what's out in 2024! Hope you all enjoy it!

Check out this brand new podcast episode featuring CARLIN JAMES. Carlin is an LA-based, Filipino-American actor who has appeared in shows like Better Call Saul , American Crime Story , and It's always sunny in Philadelphia . Carlin's new short film "A Sweet Tooth" will have its premiere at FilmQuest on November 3rd and FilAm Creative Film Festival on November 4th. About A Sweet...

Check out my latest podcast episode with the Executive Producer of the movie 1521, FRANCIS B. LARA HO. Francis is born in the Philippines famous City of Love, Iloilo City. His father, Anotnio L. Ho was both a businessman and a statesman. His mother, Nenita L. Balaran was a teacher. Francis was raised and trained in a Filipino-Chinese family of entrepreneurs, military, educators, and politicians. H...

Check out my interview with the lead cast of "Asian Persuasion," DANTE BASCO and KC CONCEPCION at the movie's WORLD PREMIERE at Soho International Film Festival in New York City. About Asian Persuasion Written by Mike Ang and Directed by Jhett Tolentino, the film tells the story of a down-on-his-luck Chef, Mickey de Los Santos, who cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife, A...