MeSearch: Featuring Filipino Perspectives

YES! MeSearchers, this is our 100th episode and the finale of our third season of the podcast. In this episode, Krystle and Dustin reflect on their growth over the last three years of this show. They share thanks and flowers to guests and the community. Join us as we reminisce. Stay connected with us at  ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠mesearchpodcast.com ⁠⁠  and via social media (@mesearchpodcast): Twitter:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tw...

MeSearch meets Dax Valdes, a senior trainer for Right To Be , an organization dedicated to preparing professionals and leaders to create workplaces, schools, and communities that are free of harassment and filled with humanity. On this episode we tackle a few difficult subjects including, the behaviors that can be considered harassment, what to do if you've been harassed, and what to do when y...

In this episode of MeSearch, we meet Dr. Ceazar Nave, a post doctoral research fellow and professor of biology. Dr. Nave's area of expertise is in circadian biology, which means he studies the body's natural processes (i.e. waking, sleeping, digesting, etc.) that occur on a daily cycle. We learned that light sources, whether natural or from our computer/phone screens or lightbulbs can impa...

In this episode, MeSearch welcomes back former guest, Jaclyn Aimee, and we meet Ray Raymundo. As the WGA (writers') strike emerged, Filipino American actors Jaclyn and Ray created, wrote, and produced a short film entitled, "See You On IG." It tells the story of the rekindling of a damaged romance that may or may not be destined to fail. We chat about how the writers' strike, and...

In this episode of MeSearch, we learn more about the SoCal Filipinos organization from its founder, Jason Lustina. SoCal Filipinos is a non profit 501c3, which strives to connect the Filipino Community in Southern California by creating and sharing meaningful content, workshops, panels and events. Check out SoCal Filipinos: Website: https://socalfilipinos.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

Hey Mesearchers! In this episode, Dustin and Krystle listen to commentary from former guests of the pod, Dr. Micah Hernando and Dr. Dominic Laureano who share insight on the institutions of higher education. Dr. Hernando's research explores how faith based universities serve their students, while Dr. Laureano has had many years of professional experience across public and private universities...

In this episode of MeSearch, we discuss college admissions and affirmative action in the United States. On Thursday June 28, 2023, the US Supreme Court ended race conscious admission programs at colleges and universities across the country. So what does this all mean and why do we as Filipino Americans need to know about this? In this episode, we are joined by the founder and Executive Director of...

Yes. MESEARCH speaks to returning guest, Caroline Mangosing, the CEO and founder of VINTA Gallery and welcomes VINTA's Global Operations Manager, Sydney Cohen. VINTA Gallery offers a collection of "rebellious" Filipiniana clothing. In this episode, Caroline and Sydney reflect on a moment in which one of their original garments, stirred a bit of controversy on the Internet. They desig...

Many Filipino Americans and Filipinos across the globe attend religious schools which are traditionally private educational institutions affiliated with an organized religion. In this episode of Mesearch, Dustin and Krystle reflect on the intersection of religion and education. Many seek out religion and spirituality in schools in order to affirm their core values and to find a sense of belonging....

In this episode of MESEARCH, we discuss the concept of "civic engagement" amongst younger Filipino/a/x Americans. This term might be intimidating, but at the heart of it is how one gets involved in the process of improving the community, whether it be through local government or community organizing. To join in the discussion is guest, Dr. Gleanne Kienzler. Dr. Kienzler is a first-genera...

Hey Mesearchers! Happy Pride! June is recognized in the US and across the globe as the month in which we are welcome to acknowledge the LGBTQIA+ community and commemorate the Stonewall riots of 1969. This episode is another one on one discussion between your hosts. Dustin and Krystle discuss pride month and reflect on the conceptualizations of sexuality and gender in the US and the Philippines. St...

Hey Mesearchers!  In this vulnerable one on one episode, your hosts, Dustin and Krystle, share personal updates. The question of the day is “What season of life are you in?” We discuss a range of experiences, from feeling like an imposter to feeling courageous.  Stay connected with MeSearch at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.mesearchpodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠  and via social media (@mesearchpodcast): Twitter:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https...

In this episode of MESEARCH, we meet Jonathan "Jon" Wong, who is the founder of Layari Financial, a financial planning firm based in Southern California and  named after his two daughters, Aria and Layla. After 15 years working as a Financial Planner for high-net-worth families and successful business owners, he decided to follow his dream of starting his own practice, to serve people li...

In this episode of MeSearch, we talk to Dr. Pat Lindsay C. Catalla-Buscaino aka Dr. Pinky! Dr. Pinky, is a scholar-activist, community leader, public speaker, and educator and the Founder and CEO of Kuwento Co. LLC, a woman-and BIPOC-owned publishing company. She is passionate about helping people write, share, tell, and publish their life stories, kuwentos. She is driven to create the largest col...

Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of death and trauma. Listener discretion advised. In this episode of MESEARCH, we meet artist and death worker, Trishia Frulla. Today, we discuss how Trisha helps others process their trauma through crocheted sculptures and dolls. In their death work, they channels memorials for past selves and spirits through ritual and art. Ultimately, Trishia helps...

In this episode of MeSearch, we reconnect with actor, athlete, author, and the coolest guy in the room , Xavi de Guzman. Xavi discusses why neurological research in brain aneurysm detection and prevention is important for the community. He shares how he and his friends have been personally affected and the work of the Play On Foundation, which was founded in memory of Nathan Noel (1988 - 2013) Lea...

In this conversation, MESEARCH reconnects with former guest, Jaclyn Aimee. She's a Filipino-American actor and producer based in Los Angeles, California. Jaclyn is a close friend of the podcast and shares what acting means to her and how she decided to quit her day job to pursue art full time. It's a scary journey, but if you leap, the net will appear. Connect with Jaclyn: Twitter: ⁠ ⁠http...

Hey Mesearchers! Music is an integral part of our lives as Filipinos. In this episode, Krystle and Dustin discuss their relationships with music and reflect on how music brought them together to be able to do this very podcast. We talk about early influences and where we are today in our artistic journeys. Stay connected with MeSearch at ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.mesearchpodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠ and via social medi...

Hey Mesearchers! Listen in as Krystle and Dustin check in with one another on life and art. Krystle, a trained actor, reflects with Dustin, an amateur new to the game, on the living a creative life. In this episode, Krystle and Dustin discuss their recent experiences as members of Filipinx Actors Barkada, a collective of Filipino actors who regularly work on their craft, build community, and share...

PERIOD! MESEARCH talks to returning guest, Harlee Balajadia. Harlee is a Filipino American music educator from Long Beach, California. As one who is on the Millennial-Gen Z cusp, Harlee shares his insight into the language of Gen Z. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of language and how it is a reflection of an evolving society. Follow Harlee at ⁠@iharlee⁠ . Stay connected with MeSearch at...

This episode is all about grief and how the loss of a loved one can impact our lives for better or worse. In this conversation, MESEARCH talks to Jaclyn Aimee; Filipino-American actor and producer based in Los Angeles, California. Jaclyn is a close friend of the podcast and tells us about her personal experience the loss of a boyfriend years ago when she was just 18 years of age. Trigger Warning:...

MESEARCH meets Dr. Kiernan "Kiki" Steiner (she/they/siya) of Decolonizing Kiki. Dr. Kiki blends their knowledge of the voice, sound energy, and decolonization, and connects to ancestral wisdom in order to guide others to creative liberation. She also collaborates with other coaches, healers, and facilitators to create online courses and workshops for holistic community education and healing. In th...

MESEARCH meets Hazel Carranza, a guiding figure on social media with her comedy skits featuring call center agent, Tita Celing. Through Tita Celing, Hazel demonstrates how to react and respond during challenging conversations with our Filipino elders. In this episode we discuss how we can heal generational wounds and break harmful cycles of trauma!   Connect with Hazel Carranza: Tiktok: https...

According to HIV.gov , human immunodeficiency virus, otherwise known as HIV, is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV may lead to the disease AIDS ( acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ).  In 2020, more than 30,000 people received an HIV diagnosis in the United States. From 2016 to...

MESEARCH talks to Tianna Mae Andresen, a Filipino American history teacher educator residing in Seattle, Washington. As of the 2022-2023 academic school year, Seattle Public Schools offers a new yearlong course on Filipino American history for high school students which shall satisfy the district's US history graduate requirements! In this episode, Tianna shares how this was possible and why this...