Filipino identity is not defined by geography, language fluency, or birthplace, but by family connections, shared values, and cultural practices that are intentionally preserved and passed down through generations. The Philippines remains present in Filipino lives through everyday traditions like family meals, storytelling, language use, and cultural practices such as using tabo (dippers) for showering, eating rice at every meal, and the tradition of pasalubong (gift-giving). Culture survives not by accident but through deliberate choices to tell stories, cook family recipes, teach songs, and maintain connections across borders. Embracing other cultures does not weaken Filipino identity but enriches it, as identity is an inheritance that becomes richer when understood rather than feared.
Up Next: FILIPINO ACROSS BORDERS:GROWING UP IN A MULTICULTURAL HOME
Added:Heat. Heat.
Welcome to Up Next. I'm Sarah Henderson and you are listening to TMC 105.1, the most Cebu radio. Thank you for choosing to spend this time with us.
Every week we gather around stories that connect us through theater, film, art, and culture. But today's conversation feels a little different. It's one that's especially close to my heart because it's about family identity and how we hold on to where we come from.
So, wherever you're joining us from, whether here in the Philippines or somewhere else in the world, welcome.
This is up next.
There is a saying that you can take a Filipino out of the Philippines, but you can never take the Philippines out of a Filipino. It's a beautiful sentiment, but I'd like us to ask a different question. How How does the Philippines remain with us when we no longer wake up to its sounds?
When our children grow up speaking another language? When Christmas looks different, birthdays are celebrated differently and home exists on more than one continent. For sure, we can all agree that identity doesn't preserve itself. It is passed on one conversation at a time, one family tradition at a time, one story at a time. And we often think of culture as something grand like festivals, folk dances, museums, national heroes, historic landmarks. But culture doesn't begin there. Culture begins at home. It begins in kitchens filled with familiar aromomas and grandparents telling stories that somehow become more colorful with every retelling. in family reunions where someone inevitably asks why you're still single, whether you've gained weight, or when you're having children. It begins in laughter, in language, in memory. And these ordinary moments become extraordinary because they quietly answer one of humanity's oldest questions.
Who am I?
For many of us, the answer seems simple.
I'm Filipino. But what happens when life becomes more complicated? What happens when your father is from one country and your mother from another? What happens when you were born in the US, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom, but your grandmother still insists you eat more rice? What happens when your passport says one thing, your accent says another, and your heart refuses to choose? The truth is millions of Filipinos live this reality every single day. The Filipino story has always been a story of movement long before overseas work became part of our national identity. Filipinos were already travelers, traders, sailors, teachers, artists, dreamers, and pioneers. We crossed oceans not simply because we wanted to leave but because we carried hope with us. Today there are millions of Filipinos living and working across the world. Some left for opportunity.
Some left for love. Some left because circumstances gave them little choice.
Others were born abroad and have never actually lived in the Philippines. Yet somehow, despite the distance, many still introduce themselves by saying, "I'm Filipino."
Not because geography tells them they are, but because family does. Family has an incredible way of preserving identity. Sometimes it happens through recipes. And every Filipino family believes their adobo is the correct adobo. Every household has its own version of panset. Lubia somehow tastes different depending on whose grandmother made it. And somehow food becomes more than food. It becomes memory. One bite can transport you home. Sometimes it also happens through language. Maybe it's learning how to say po and oppo or hearing anak a po or kustana spoken with affection. And maybe you don't speak fluent Filipino anymore, but you recognize the rhythm of the language because it sounds like love.
Language isn't only about communication.
It carries values, respect, affection, belonging, and sometimes it happens through celebrations. Christmas that begins in September. No bueno, fiestas, family karaoke that lasts longer than anyone planned. Children laughing while adults tell stories they've heard a hundred times before.
These traditions may seem ordinary while we are living them. But one day we realize they have quietly become part of who we are. And perhaps that is what culture truly is. It's definitely not performance practice, not something we put on for special occasions. It's something we live. Yet preserving culture today isn't as simple as repeating traditions.
Families are changing. Communities are changing. The world is changing. More children are growing up in multicultural households than ever before. And many have parents from different countries.
Some speak three languages before they begin school. Some celebrate both Lunar New Year and Christmas. Some have grandparents living thousands of kilometers away. And for these children, identity isn't a single story. It's a conversation. And conversations require intention because culture doesn't survive by accident. It survives because someone decides that it matters. Someone decides to keep telling the stories.
Someone decides to cook the family recipes. Someone decides to teach the songs. Someone decides to explain why we bless the hands of our elders. Someone decides to say this is where our family comes from. That responsibility often belongs to parents. Sometimes grandparents, sometimes aunts, uncles, cousins, and older siblings. Sometimes even friends become the keepers of culture. The beautiful thing is that preserving Filipino roots doesn't mean resisting other cultures. It means making room for them. There is a misconception that embracing another culture somehow weakens our own. But I don't believe culture works that way.
Love rarely asks us to choose. So children can love sinigang and shepherd spy. They can celebrate both Independence Day and another nation's holiday. They can dance tinling and ballet. They can carry two languages, two histories, two family stories.
Identity is not a competition. It is an inheritance. And inheritances become richer when they are understood, not feared. And someone whose own family stretches across culture, this conversation is deeply personal. I've seen firsthand how traditions evolve, how children ask difficult questions, how parents wonder whether they're doing enough to preserve what matters, how grandparents smile when they hear a young child pronounce a Filipino word for the first time. These moments may seem small, but they are anything but small. They are the moments that determine whether a culture continues to live. I often think about the word roots. Roots are fascinating. They remain mostly invisible. We don't admire them the way we admire flowers. We don't photograph them the way we photograph trees. Yet without roots, nothing grows. Roots don't limit a tree. They make growth possible. The stronger the roots, the farther the branches can reach. Perhaps that's a lesson for all of us. Teaching our children where they come from doesn't prevent them from discovering the world. It gives them the confidence to explore it because people who know their story are often better prepared to write the next chapter. So today's conversation is about deciding or actually not about deciding who is Filipino enough. It isn't about measuring language fluency, passports, or where someone was born. Being Filipino has never been a checklist. It is a relationship with family, with memory, with values, with community, with a history that continues to shape us even when oceans separate us from it. Whether you've lived in the Philippines your entire life, whether you've recently moved abroad, whether you're part of a family that spans continents, I say this, culture isn't something we inherit once.
It is something we choose again and again. Every meal we prepare, every story we tell, every tradition we continue, every child we teach, every time we say this is who we are. Borders may define nations, but they don't define families. They don't stop love.
And they certainly don't stop culture.
The Philippines is more than a place on a map. It lives in our values, in our ability to make strangers feel like family. And maybe that's why being Filipino can never be measured by distance. Because home is not only where we live. Home is what we carry. Today, we'll explore what it means to carry the Philippines with us wherever life leads.
And joining me are people who know this journey intimately.
My cousins and my daughter have each experienced what it means to grow up across cultures and across borders.
Together, we'll talk about identity, belonging, family traditions, and the beautiful challenge of preserving our Filipino roots while embracing the richness of multicultural lives. So, let's begin. Up next, Chandler Limb, Claire Mahia, Issa Mascarinius, and Shiffra Bushiki and Clana. Hello, kids.
>> Hello.
>> A sound off. Hello.
>> Hello, Tao. Taga from Cebu.
>> Yes.
>> And the whole Philippines.
>> So, I mentioned that they're actually Yeah, these are family to me. They are my family. Um, so my I'm actually the eldest daughter of the eldest son of nine children, right? So I have cousins who are close to my daughter's age. So um, and here they are. So, um, Claire, Isak, Chandler, Shiffra, and Shiffra is my daughter, which means that you're actually actually sitting with your uncle and aunts who are still very young.
Bless. Yes. So, we're talking about multicultural home, right? And how how it is to be a Filipino, let's say, outside of the Philippines. So maybe tell us first about where you're from. I'm not talking about the Philippines, okay? But the non-filipino aspect of you. Maybe let's start with you, Shiffra.
>> Hi, it's me. I'm Shiffra and I was I was born in France to a Filipino mother.
>> That's me.
>> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> And to a French Moroccan father. So his uh my grandparents on my father's side were Moroccan and then they moved to France and I moved to the Philippines when I was when I started elementary school and I've been here ever since.
Yes. And but you still do your regular visits to your how do you call that?
Because in in fact it is like half of your home is is France and half of your home is the Philippines. So yeah. So your other half.
>> Uh yeah. Yeah. And Chandler, tell us more about you, your multicultural background.
>> Uh hello po. Hello Tano.
Uh my name is Chandler. Um I was born in Singapore and I grew up in Singapore. Uh to a Sibuano mother and a Sibuano Chinese father. Uh >> okay. But I know for a fact that you're you're mentioning that but you're here in the well you're visiting the Philippines at the moment. But you're going back not to Singapore but to the US.
>> So recently I I graduated from school in Singapore and I moved to New York after that.
>> Wow. So >> now I'm on now I'm in Cebu for vacation.
>> Yes. Okay. So Issa.
>> Yes. Okay. So, I was born in New York City um in America. Um lived there for like about a decade, like 10 years. Um and then moved to Jersey. Um and I've never like actually lived in Sabu, but my mom is Sabano, my dad is from by Lee.
Um and it was it was really my dad's side that brought us to America originally. Um but we we just go back like every now and then to Sabu and also by >> in fact this year this is your second visit to the Philippines. Yes. So um visiting the Philippines is not really like um you know it it doesn't happen uh between a long period or or gaps right for you it's a very regular thing >> except for co but >> yeah except for of course during the lockdown and that would be the same for you Claire right but tell us more about yourself. Hello, I'm Claire. So, my parents are both from Sibu. Um, when my dad was younger, when he was about like 13, he moved to um New York. And in fact, I think he knew um at Isabella's dad cuz like they were like kind of neighbors like both their parents. Yes, our lolos were like neighbors and they were kind of friends. So um my mom so I was also born in New York same as a lived I was only born there and then I moved to New Jersey and I lived there also for about a decade and then now I live in California very close to LA.
>> Now here's the fun fact. In this family there are two sets of twins. I'm talking about my father's siblings, right? And so Issa, Isa's mom and Clara's mom are actually twins, identical twins. And you've mentioned about your dad's actually knowing each other like maybe briefly even before they met your moms, which were actually um these are separate occasions. It's it's not like, oh, they're friends and then we're going to go after after twin sisters, which is fun. But anyway, um please don't be fooled. This is a bunch of very talkative people. Um, and they're trying to be at their best behavior. But okay, we have established that you come from multicultural homes, which is quite interesting. Um, but maybe one of the thing that I'm interested to know is when do you actually feel most Filipino?
>> Okay, I'll I'll answer this first. I think recently, like um for a while, I I didn't really feel Filipino and I still kind of don't sometimes, but what really makes me feel Filipino is when I hang out with my classmates. In high school, I went to like my first big university where I met so many diverse people because in elementary, I was quite sheltered. Um I went with um I went to a very small private school and it's only in high school that I really started to like that's when I learned how to take a jeep because of my my high school classmates and then um that's also when I started to ukai and I was >> wow I should thank your high school classmates for that >> and that's also um how I um I I became more open to trying Filipino dishes than street foods because I'm actually quite picky. Um, wait, what was the question again?
>> Yeah. When do you feel most Filipino?
>> Yeah, I think I feel most Filipino when I'm like out in the streets and I'm not like going to the malls actually makes me feel the least Filipino. Like going to like those like um those very well-developed areas. It kind of I feel like it takes me away from the people like the the Filipino people. So basically it's it's like the people that you're with that makes you really feel the Philippines. I mean I remember you saying that when you're in France you feel like you're not French enough and then when you're in the Philippines you're also not Filipino enough. Is that still true to this day? Shifra, >> I think so. I haven't been to France in a while and I I barely speak French, so I don't think I would be able to relate to them and I don't think I could relate fully to the experiences of just any other Filipino person here. But I do think that there are similar children here or people my age who have a similar experience as me.
>> Oh, definitely. I mean, you're you're sitting with three of them already.
Yeah. So you share. How about who wants to share? When do you feel most Filipino? Issa.
>> Uh I feel like I have two answers to this one. Go ahead.
>> Is when I'm in America because of like like there's sort of like a foil situation because everyone around me is not Filipino.
>> Um like the places I've grown up haven't really been like like she she's in California. There's a lot of Filipinos there. So Claire's in California, which is like Filipino country, >> right, in a way because that's where the Filipinos are, but >> but I sort of grew up like away from that. Like there would be like, >> you know, like there's like a Filipino diaspora in New York, but there >> like we would have to travel there. Like we didn't live directly there. So, I kind of grew up with the whole like, you know, like when especially in Jersey, like New York's very accepting, but in Jersey, it's like, ew, like what are you eating? Like, I felt very like called out. So, I felt Filipino because I'm like not like you guys. I'm like, you know, I can't change the color of my skin, what I look like. Like, you know, I I a little bit got bullied for that.
But >> Oh, that is sad though. Yeah, >> because your identity becomes like the source of bullying. Yeah. Yeah. There's sort of a target on me just because I look different. But my I guess my second answer is I since in America I feel like I don't have access to Filipino culture as easily like like if I want to get anything I have to go to specific places like if I want to eat Filipino food. But the most access I have is when I go to Sabu. So then like I feel Filipino, but I also feel more American because >> when you're in the Philippines, you're more Filipino. That's how that's your feeling. But then you also feel American compared to the regular Filipinos. And and that's I I guess that's also understandable. I mean I I've obviously Shiff was my daughter. So if she lived in France, that means I also lived there for a while. And there's always that feeling that you're different, right?
But that difference also be it's your identity and and it makes uh you you um but there's also that pressure of like oh you're the one who came here and so you have to adjust to our culture or maybe that's the the well most of the experience that I had in France was like that. Um but for you Chandler and you Claire um you're living in in areas where there are so many Filipinos.
Um and to answer the question of when do I feel most Filipino? I think when Jollibee Jollibee it's the best fried chicken.
I'm not even trying to be biased.
Jollibee.
>> So is that where here or >> uh wherever? Um, Singapore, um, America, Philippines, Jollibee is the best. But a more serious answer.
>> Why? So, that was not a serious answer.
>> A more fun answer. Serious answer. But I can also kind of relate like growing up in Singapore. Maybe sometimes I didn't feel like I was Singaporean enough.
>> Mhm.
>> Um, even though I can speak Mandarin fluently. Um, yeah. It's like people like sometimes they see you look a bit different from the common Singaporean and they're like, "Oh, you're from Singapore." Okay. But >> so growing up, I I had a bit of I had a bit of issues with my identity.
>> Will that be like an identity crisis in terms of uh nationality?
>> Am I Singaporean or am I Filipino, Chinese, whatever? But now I'm more like secure of who I am. Like um yeah, I'm more secure with my identity now.
>> And I guess that's I think the difficult part is really when you're so much younger. Well, Claire is the youngest of us all here in this room.
>> And um you said that, you know, you you were born in New York, you moved to New Jersey, lived there for 10 years, and then now you're living in California.
How is that? How's that been? So far for you, >> I think similar to at the Sabi, um I also when I lived in New Jersey, I felt like I was like also very different because a lot of people in Jersey, they're like all Italian or they're like Hispanic and I was able to relate to like my like Hispanic friends cuz I was like, you know, we're like kind of similar in a way. But at the same time, like I just felt so different. So it was hard for me to connect with my Filipino culture. But I think when I fe feel the most Filipino is obviously when I'm in Sabu surrounded with like all my cousins because I get to hear like the humor here and I just like I don't know with them it's like it's like I really feel Filipino and like my mom cooking Filipino food like both my parents it really makes me feel like closer to home. So >> food really makes us close to home right embracing Filipino culture. Um I in Singapore, yes, there's a lot of Filipinos in Singapore and I have a lot of Filipino friends in Singapore and you know, oh my god. Okay, >> we do that in Singapore sometimes, right? When um listening to OPM, listening to Filipino music. Yeah, that really helps as well.
>> Oh wow. So you do listen to OPM. Now I'm going to I'm going to >> put us on a break because I'm going to say hi to those who are listening right now. So hi to Janice.
Woohoo. Thank you Janice Wayne Limb.
>> We miss you. We miss you so much. We love you.
>> That's my Kuya right there.
>> Yeah. And right now he Where is Janice right now?
>> Uh my brother went back to Singapore cuz um he has work.
>> Oh yeah. So well we miss you Janice.
>> Oh yeah. I miss my >> and then Kirsten.
>> Tita Kirsten. I'm calling Tita. It's your TA. Okay.
>> Listening right now. And of course Ta Haiti or Auntie Haiti. Well, she's my auntie but she's six year uh six years um older than me and Issa's mother.
Auntie Haiti. Hi from Shout out from Singapore. Andy Torres.
Hi out there. Thank you for watching.
I'm sure she's listening because of you, Chandler. Thank you for the ginamos ginamos.
Yeah, that's one thing also before she left. Okay, so um this happened like two weeks ago, right? So um Anna was here um and before she left, she made sure that she bought Chandler the right ginamos because apparently that was your favorite and it was a specific brand.
She had to search for it. still my favorite >> and and buy it, you know. Yeah. So, ginamos for you, is that like a staple?
You have to have it even in Singapore.
>> Whenever ninamos, I will finish it.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Add a bit of sili uh lemon. Yes, >> with sili and lemon. Well, you see that makes him very Filipino for for me because I mean um I think these are things that people take for granted. you know, the food that's available here, you think that, oh, they'll be available everywhere else in the world until you go somewhere and you're looking for something that you love and you can't find it. And hopefully there's a Filipino store near you, but sometimes there's none, right? So, yeah. Well, um, of course, uh, my mom is watching. Hi.
And then Morgan at Chavez. So hello, thank you for listening. Um, hello from New Jersey. Hazel Haiti. Okay. Oh my god, we are going going global at the moment, you know, because of course this conversation is really about that how how it's been for all of us. And hi Tita Maritzes.
Thank you for watching and listening. Um cute that's from Tita Kirsten. Okay, this is something that we'll probably discuss later on how we call everyone ta ate tito. I mean of course obviously we call our own relatives like uncles and aunties or tas titos but even non- relatives we do we we do address them that way right but Issa I caught on with your you know you shared earlier about um how it is to be at school maybe having lunch and your classmates seeing what you're having for lunch and others would say remarks that can be very helpful. And so I was going to ask what was the biggest challenge of growing up multicultural, but I would think that that's like one of the biggest challenge having to you know um be how do you call that? Bullied because of where you're from.
>> Ostracized.
>> Yeah. Sort of a social pariah. But I feel like um cuz in the first 10 years of my life I lived in New York, it's very diverse there and like I'm very used to like like um growing up in elementary school like like all of my friends were eating different food and like maybe I would try like you know my like Jewish friends food or something like like there was an an exchange of cultures happening there. But then I went to like suburbia New Jersey where it's like white majority and like very um like homogeneous in the like you know ethnic population. So um that's where I really experienced the most like like ostracization as you were talking about like um that's where I felt the most like oh I guess I'm different. Like I would go to church. I remember actually the first time I went to church in my new town in Jersey. I was like, "Mom, why are there so many white people?"
Because because our previous church that we went to, like the priest was Indian and like everyone looked different. Like >> you say it's more cos cosmopolitan.
>> Yeah. Yeah. It was New York City. So that's what I was used to and then it was such a shift. It was big culture shock.
>> Yeah. I guess it's also like what here in the Philippines right now. Um you would I remember Shiffra like mentioning there was a summer um of course you were so much younger then um and we were at the mall and we were meeting so well we we would be like walking around and we'd be seeing so many tourists but like couples you know like a a foreign husband or a foreign wife. um not like Filipino and a foreigner, but it's really like a a couple. And you did ask me at that point, mom, how come there are so many foreigners at the at the moment? I guess because you're used to only seeing like majority as Filipinos.
And I guess for you it would have been like you're so used to the cosmopolitan New York and you go to an area wherein you become the you become the stand out in a way. Everyone's now looking at you because you're different, you know, but supposedly being different is nice, right? Being um but it can attract the wrong attention in a way. And so yeah, I I mean for that actually, you know, the bullying and all that that that's already towards a discussion on racism.
>> Mhm.
>> Um and which, you know, many sadly have experienced that and even Filipinos have that towards non-filipinos as well. And sometimes without excuses for them, they're just so unaware that the words they say are actually um racist, the jokes, the comments. And I guess we need to be more educated about these stuffs. Um yeah, but the challenge, you know, the challenges that multicultural children have to experience or homes anyway, even adults do have to face those challenges.
How about you, Claire? How how's what's your challenge now? You're still you're still a kid, I would say. You're not yet an adult.
>> Yes. Um, I know we have so many friends, but like what do you think had been like the biggest challenge so far for you?
>> I think my biggest challenge is like feeling a lot Filipino, but at the same time also not feeling a lot Filipino. My mother was like born and raised in Sibu.
So, um, she's like she knows how to speak bisaya. Like she tells me all of the stories of like her high school. Um, compared to my dad, he doesn't know how to speak any bisayiah.
>> Um, which makes >> Oh, your dad doesn't know how to speak >> bisayiah. A little bit.
>> A little bit. But it's like he I think when we were in the globan, he tried to speak. So >> he knew.
>> Wow. Great.
>> I think he knew a little more than he does Paya. But he doesn't um The reason that I don't know Bayiah is because of him. Cuz he always spoke.
Sorry, Dad. I love you. I know you're probably watching this, but I love you so much, but it's not my it's not my fault, bro. You you you you grew up in the US. Okay. Um yeah, but I think that made it like a little bit hard since um not both of my parents spoke Bisayiah.
So, I guess that's why it didn't really stick with me. But I do in the future want to learn Bisayiah. I mean, you've been asking me like where can I where can I have like a tutorial or classes to learn because I uh yeah so if anyone knows anyone who does Sabano lessons I have three kids here who would like to learn and maybe number four as well find a bisaya friend or ouyab and then just speak in bisaya every day and then you learn it cuz that's that's what I did man that's what I did mean that while you were in Singapore you looked for a bisaya girlfriend or friend >> no comment >> no comment while we are live here on TMC 105.1 and uh yeah And this is recorded Chandler. So is that why you're keeping quiet?
>> Yeah.
>> Making sure you protect yourself.
>> What's her name?
>> Yes. But yes, Issa.
>> Oh. Um, in terms of the not speaking Bisayiah conversation. So there was an event I went to in New York at the Philippine Embassy in Manhattan. And so I met with a bunch of other like first generation American Filipino kids >> and we were all talking about how like depending on how we were raised like the level of um either bisay or tagalog or you know whatever like Filipino language um really dependent on whether our parents spoke it to us as a kid and like my parents would speak it in the house growing up but they didn't ask me to speak it back I would reply in English >> and I noticed that everyone who had a similar experience understands Bisayiah but can't speak it. If your parents grew up only speaking English, then you don't understand bisaya but and you also can't speak it. But like the key really is like like like if you're if you're going to raise a kid outside of the Philippines and you want them to like pass on the language, um speak to them in the language and make them speak it back to you.
>> I totally agree. But before we continue, I have to make sure I say hi to France Allen Mascarinius.
You woke up early to listen to this important conversation. It's 3 a.m. in the East Coast.
>> Yes. So Oh, Kristen, it's Ate at Okay. Yeah. Oh, yes. Oh my god.
>> Yeah. It's only Shepra who calls who calls her >> Tita.
>> Ta. Oh my god. I forget. Yes, because they're so young here. I I even think, you know, they're not my cousins. Or maybe I'm I'm still young. Hi, also from Suriga.
Uh Talot, Marilu Pagar. And then of course, Shane, Ranel, Ayong, on say Checka Sa Parlor. Hello, Sarah and Shifra. Say hi to Chené.
>> Hi.
>> Yes. And um yeah, interesting. I mean you're talking about language and and I really um I I I know Shifra you can you can relate to the difficulty of language right so um maybe let's start I I'll ask this question um what languages do you speak Shifra >> I speak French that was my first language I speak English fluently clearly and I had the potential to speak Morocco talking and Arabic and Filipino.
>> Mhm.
>> But my father and my mother didn't speak English.
>> I'm telling you, that's the key. That's the key.
>> It's their fault.
>> Who are these parents?
>> True.
>> Shout out to my mom for speaking Bisayiah to me. I'm making sure to speak.
>> Yes.
>> And also to that girl.
>> To that girl.
>> The girl was actually my mom, guys.
>> Oh, yes. But you see my um I grew up um well I grew up listening to Warai and ilongo because um our family and cla on the cla side we are and then on my picco side we are ilongo right but I never really spoke them at home I would be listening and I understood everything clearly.
>> Hi to my papa. Papa Bebot. Yes. But I understood everything clearly. Um, and then of course we're living in Cebu, so naturally my classmates would be uh speaking in Bisaya, but English is also like it's a regular language. We use that all the time. Um, and I guess my worry was when I was living in France, having just given birth to Chiffra, when she was starting to, you know, start to to speak a bit, she was going French fullon and I'm like, I'm trying to I'm I'm trying to like speak to you in English and it wasn't happening. So, I guess it was my fault for worrying that she might not learn all the languages like Sabuano, Filipino, and all that and focused on English. Um, but now that you're an adult, Shishi, >> I'm very good at English.
>> Um, we should worry about my French though.
>> Yeah, I guess. Yes. But I think that um you know um having lived here, you tried to speak to me in Bisaya as well. But >> that's a secret.
>> Yeah, it is a secret.
>> It's not good. I'm not going to speak to anyone in this.
>> Actually, it's very good and proper, >> but she's just not confident um using it outside of our room.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So I I guess Yeah. language help for you, Chandler.
I speak English uh basic, not really very good at English.
>> I speak uh Mandarin fluently.
>> I speak fluently.
The grammar.
Okay.
>> What did you say to anyone watching from Singapore?
Okay.
>> Obviously, I I don't live in Singapore and I don't speak that language, so I did not understand at all.
>> Yeah. And for you, um, Issa?
>> Yeah. So, my first language was probably English. Mhm.
>> Um uh my I I besid like I can understand like maybe like maybe a little bit like just a little bit I can speak but I won't do it here.
>> You won't do it here.
>> Um and then my language that in in America they make you learn a language um in school. So I chose Spanish. So I just but also like very little like maybe less than my bisayiah but I can understand where but I can't really >> like maybe if I talk to like um like someone who's really from I I can only understand >> your dad no by your dad's from Bai which is >> which is the part that >> Sabuano speaking no Sabano speaking area in Lee. Yes.
>> Yes. And you, Claire.
>> Hi. Um, I can I can literally only speak English. I can understand Bisaya and I can understand somewhere. Um, I recently went to Tloban.
>> Mhm. And >> how was that experience? Tell me.
>> It was It was actually very fun. I got to meet um like the the girls and the people that went to my grandfather's like memorial school. So the reason I went there is because my great-grandfather had a school named after him.
>> So >> mention this the name the the school >> Lucio Vero Elementary School. I'm going to be honest. I don't know if it's like an elementary school or not, but I will send this to all my friends there. So hi >> Papy. Weren't you like a mini celebrity in the school?
>> Oh yes. Oh my god. I actually I was a I was like a mini celebrity. I still get friend requests from people from Lucio Vero school.
>> Of course. I mean, you're the descendant of uh the man whose school is named from, you know.
>> Yeah. Um while I was there though, I did face like a little bit of racism.
>> How? I'm like I'm literally Filipino so I was a little bit confused but they were just like they would just make like um I don't know like racist remarks towards me. Maybe it's just cuz like I don't know how to speak where I and I'm from America so I I don't know. So that was that kind of sucked. But for the majority of my trip it was very fun though um to get to like reconnect with my roots. Like especially I never got to meet that side of my family. So that was nice. I guess that's also very important, you know, and I'm so glad that your dad actually shared with me um yeah that um you asked about his side of the family because apparently you're so exposed to the Enclana side, you wanted to be more exposed to the Mahia side and and that was and you got that invitation and it was a good opportunity for you to visit um Lee. But, you know, aside from um we're we're mentioning areas here in in the Philippines. So, obviously we're living or your our how do you say that?
Our our parents um like lived longer or stayed in Cebu for a long time. Some of them are still here. Well, my parents are are still here um in Cibu while yours um left for US or Singapore anywhere else. But there was actually a time when they lived in Manila and also Zambanga city and you do know that there's a different language in Zambanga.
>> I think they speak every language in Zambanga.
>> They speak Chavakano.
>> Chavoc.
which is considered as the what's this like um >> broken Spanish.
>> Yes. Some would say that >> I've had I've had my Spanish friends listen to Jabakano and they were like we don't know what they're saying.
>> They don't know what they're saying.
>> Maybe too broken. Like >> the thing is I Yeah, I heard Travocana was invented so that Spanish people wouldn't understand Filipinos.
>> Really? Wow.
>> Please fact check that though. Don't don't take it from me. Uh but you see my my um I I know that um papa and yeah some of the siblings actually speak chavakano and in fluently you know so I guess you know language is also like a thing um in our family and so I have uh well I I do to be honest well I speak sabano tagalog or Filipino um I do understand what I andlong O and if I have to I will force myself to speak them. There was a time when my dad actually taught me a chavakana song. I still remember. I'm not going to sing it though um on air. But yes, so there was that. You'll >> sing it.
>> And then of course English is like our language at school and in business. And then when I went to France, I had to I had to learn French. And so, um, there's still so many languages that we can learn, right? Um, but I think I would have to say hi to your Sabuana tutor, Chandler.
Hi to Faith L.
>> Hi, Faith.
>> A, >> hello.
>> Yes.
>> Yes. Thanks for teaching Chandler Sabuano. It's been very helpful. See, see you soon, Faith.
>> Oh, and then hi also to Bernard Earl.
Yo, what's up, mga?
>> Yes. Oh, wow. Um, well, we're here on Up Next and we're talking about how it is to grow up in a multicultural home, you know. Um, and I'm here with my cousins. um they're um from different parts of the world and with my daughter as well who has the same experience. Um but uh I think I'd like to talk about traditions. Um what are the traditions that we um have made sure to keep? Maybe foods you loved or hated as a child, but you still deal with it anyway. Um yeah, what what can you say that you know this is something that's also like maybe um the tradition that you'd like to continue?
>> Okay.
>> Amen po.
>> Amen.
>> Amen.
>> Bless bless.
>> No. So others would call it kissing of the hands other of the elders. Okay.
Others would say um blessing the elders because we say oh bless me. No. Um, what kind of others would say kissing, but it's actually that's the the back of your your hand. You're going to well, you're going to take the hand of the elder and let the back of their hand touch your forehead. So, we're actually not kissing it. It's not very, you know, it's not Europe and like that. But, um, so that's something that you'd like to to keep. And I do agree. I I mean um it actually makes us very Filipino to be doing that and and I think that you know it's a sign of respect. Um, I do have um aunts and uncles who are very close to my age. And in fact, I probably have a few are younger than me.
And so they won't allow me to do that to them. But you still attempt, you know, as a sign of respect and then they'll just tell you, "Oh, no, no, no. I'm younger than you, you know, and and that that's it." But it becomes a um yeah, I think that it's so Filipino that in in something that's um so about respect and identity. Uh yeah. What else for you, Isa?
>> I feel like the food is so big. Like I love Filipino food. Like in New York City, I like every day we would eat like different dishes, but my mom's Filipino cooking is really what feels like home to me. Oh.
>> Oh. Yes.
>> But I was talking to Chandler about this. We don't like ampalaya.
>> You don't like ampalaya?
>> Who does not like ampallaya, >> bro?
>> Sorry. My That's like my mom's favorite.
>> I also love it.
>> I love everything else. Tloa liao balbakqua. Give it to me. Give it to me.
>> Not ampalaya. Sorry.
>> Not ampallaya.
>> No. Not a fan. So for for those who don't know Ampalaya because you just don't know the local name. It's bitter gourd, right? Am I right?
>> Bitter gourd.
>> Yeah. So I love it.
>> I really love it. There are times when I that's I just have to cook that and eat that with rice. And I don't know if it's an age thing because maybe when I was younger, I probably did not want that.
But now that I'm older, I do like that.
How about you, Shifra? Because I I mean I cook that. Am I cooking that for myself? Uh, I I don't remember the last time I had that. I think I tried it when I was like eight years old and I refused it ever since. So, >> a maybe you have to revisit.
>> No, but >> but remember, look, you don't like or you used to not like to talong >> and now you love it.
>> I liked it and then I didn't like it and now it's my favorite Filipino food.
>> A Yeah. Yeah.
>> So, we go to a restaurant, a Filipino restaurant, and she'll be looking for that. And as long as there's store, Tang Talong, she is happy.
>> And ketchup.
>> Ketchup.
>> I think in regards to food, right, I've I've made a lot of my friends in Singapore try Filipino food.
Lechon. Shout out Rin. Relin's coming to Cebu to eat the food here.
>> Who's Rein? Uh Rein, I don't know you watching or not, but uh he's my very good friend from Singapore who's coming to Cebu.
>> Ah, so he's only coming here for the Lechon, not for you.
>> I think more for the Lechon Lechon. He wants to try a authentic Lechon car.
>> Chandler secondary. Yeah. How about you?
Um Claire.
>> Um okay. Similar to Guyia Chandler at the Sabi, I don't like Ampalaya.
>> Um I >> It looks like the four of you don't like Ampalaya.
>> Yeah, actually. Yeah. Um my mom though, I think both my parents really like it.
So I grew up and I still do help my mom cook aaa and it's and my mom's always like, "You're helping me cook it. Why don't you try it?" I'm like, "I don't want to. Never again." Like >> never again. So that means you tried actually. You've tried in the past.
>> Yes. Yes. And and you've decided it's not for you.
>> No. I will squeeze the water from the cheesecloth, but I will not put that in my mouth. Okay.
>> But you know, there are others who would say that their their rule for their kids when it comes to food is as long as you've tried it and you've decided that you don't like it after, that's good enough. So, they're not going to not not going to force you to it. But >> there are exceptions.
>> There are exceptions. Yes. What are the excessions, love?
>> Number one.
>> Number one, >> uh, dried fish.
>> Dried fish. So, you've never tried dried fish?
>> No, I don't think so.
>> But I have a secret. You see, when um, like obviously you you know, I'm in a multicultural house. I'm living with a Kiwi, a French, and a British. Well, the the British girl has now found her own place and uh really great. But >> Freya, >> hi to Freya.
>> More Filipino than me.
>> Yes. But you know, um there are times when I'm like, uh I'm not in a good mood and I'm going to drive you away. Shout out to my husband, Nick. So, I'm just going to cook dried fish and he'll be going.
>> Dried fish as in buad.
>> Bad. Yes. I love it. Right.
>> Usually I don't eat fish with bones exception for the healthy meal.
>> For the healthy meal. Very healthy. Yes.
But yeah, dried fish. So for you, you've never tried. I thought that I actually let you try.
>> No, I don't think so. I >> Or you've blocked it from your memory?
>> Maybe. Um, the smell obviously is very interesting to say the least.
>> And yeah, it it has bones. Like you just eat it whole, which is interesting, but not not in a way that I'd like to try it. And um yeah, it's seafood, which I'm not a very seafood person. So, >> oh my god.
>> That's so tragic.
>> Funny tidbit. My other Lola, I've actually seen her ferment the buad at Sabalai by herself. Grandma Vita, love you. Um, it's like authentic homegrown under the sun like fermented.
>> Yes. Wow.
>> That was a childhood memory. So, yeah.
>> Did you ever learn to do that yourself?
No.
>> All I do is lang. That's >> Yeah, that was your And that's still your job.
>> Yeah. Well, and for So, no dried fish also for you, Claire.
>> Um >> Um I've probably tried it and I don't remember if I liked it or not, so I can't say anything. But it's probably good.
>> Uhhuh.
>> Well, I feel like it's also the smell for me.
>> The smell.
>> Yeah. But I would try it actually. like because I I don't remember trying it. So even if I tried it, I don't remember. I should try it again. Right. But >> I also do want to mention that I don't I'm not shaming anyone who likes this food. I know it's a me problem. I'm very picky with food. I don't like to be like like adventurous that way.
>> But you know, there was a time when I I'm like cooking my blood at home and they're like of course they complain about the smell, right? you know, like you're in control. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
And let's just say we're all at home and maybe we shouldn't be discussing this on air, but I'm like, >> you shouldn't be like saying that to my food, you know? You have to respect my food. I love my food. And anyway, um Chandler, there's a message for you.
Your dinner later would be buad and ginamos.
>> Yay. Buad and ginamos.
>> Ampalaya.
>> Ampalaya. Ada alaya. Yes, that would be great. Oh my god. I should be joining you later then.
>> Yes.
>> Yes. Yes. Say hi. Hi. Hi.
>> Guys, can we go to phase two?
>> Yes. We'll probably be all going home together.
>> Not mention our address.
>> Yes. Go to one of our family homes and then we'll we'll eat there. Yes. Yes.
Anyway, how about let's play a little game right now. I'm going to mention something that's distinctly Filipino.
Um, tell me if it's something you grew up with, something you had to explain to your non Filipino friends and or and or something you still do today. Anyway, for those who are listening, this is up next. You're listening to TMC 105.1 and we are here at Tops Cebu City, Philippines. My god, it's a really beautiful view from where we're we're sitting.
>> Cebu is truly my favorite place in the Philippines. No, >> no glazing.
>> It truly is.
>> Yeah. That's why you come home all the time, right? Or as much as you can.
>> Yeah. So, I'm here with my daughter Shiffra and my cousins Chandler, Issa, and Claire. And we are now going to play this little game. And of course, I'm going to mention again, I'm going to mention something that's distinctly Filipino and they're just going to well, we'll just talk about it anyway. You you'll understand.
So, let's go first to our home and everyday life. Okay. Um, this is probably something like uh See, I'll just mention it anyway. Tabo.
>> Oh my god.
>> Yes. I have one in my shower in in America.
>> Yes. I actually like to use the tabo.
>> Tabo. Yes.
>> Tabo.
>> Shifra, do you have one in your bathroom?
>> Not right now, but I remember the first time.
>> And >> I had like a >> Was it first love?
>> No.
>> Um, I had a Yaya who would shower me when I was like 7 years old. And like when the first time I tried it, when I put the bucket or like the dipper over my head, >> Yes.
>> it it fell to the floor. It didn't even hit my head.
Yeah. So there's actually a technique and you and we just think that you know it's it's so natural you can just do it.
You do have that also Chandler >> when I'm in Cebu. Yes. I like to use the taboo.
>> So not in Singapore not in in New York but I don't really >> in New York now I asked my mom to get a pale.
The water pressure in New York.
>> Yeah.
>> Like in Singapore you can adjust the water pressure of the shower head but in New York it's fixed in America. So, so sometimes when the water like I >> You can get one that changes.
>> Yeah.
>> And just buy one.
>> All right.
>> Something you have to purchase when you get there.
>> I like to use the tabo.
>> Yep.
>> Yeah. You're in love with the tabo, Claire. Yes. No.
>> Yes. I was really sad when I was in Shishi's bathroom cuz I actually when when No. No. When I'm in Sabu, I enjoy showering with a taboo because it's more I don't know >> a dipper. Yes. Good.
>> Yeah. Toto. How do What's the proper way to say it? I'm asking Raph, our guy here at TMC who helps us uh with our show.
>> Tabo.
>> Yeah. Tabo.
>> Tabo. Yes. Okay. The dip. We call it the dipper. Oh, and zipper >> bucket and taboo. Oh, yeah. So, >> so maybe you should buy one.
>> Please.
>> I've been meaning to. I'm sorry. I You know why?
>> That's my favorite part about going to the Philippines.
>> You know why? My bucket was old and rusty and I wanted to get like a brand new shiny like pink bucket or something and we haven't done that.
>> Okay, then go get a pink and shiny bucket. And the one that's in my shower in um Jersey is actually for my grandma there, my dad's my lola because she even though there's like a shower, she'll use the tabo. I think she's just comfortable with that.
>> Mhm. And when >> and so it's for her, but you use it anyway.
>> Well, I don't really >> I always use Sabi's tabot when I visit.
>> Oh, I always Yeah, it's green color tabot hanging it there. So I take it out and I go because you can't adjust the water pressure.
>> It's there.
>> I suppose when it's there and it's available, it's as if it's available for everyone, right? No one really owns it.
It's like a communal um taboo.
>> Also, it's not something that's only Filipino actually. Like when I when I've talked to my like international friends like um it's very common in Africa and other other places. Yeah.
>> So like ah okay. And in areas in Africa.
Yeah. Um, but it's not European at all.
And I don't think it's also American.
>> It's not American.
>> Yeah, >> it might be South American.
>> Americans prefer to use tissues only.
>> We're not very shower. Apologize to all Americans. Americans, >> what is it called?
>> But I I think I know what. So yeah, we let's add tissue or water.
>> No, what is it called? Bed. Yeah. Now that that's very well, you see in in Europe the bud especially in France that's diff different.
>> It's uh it's something you sit on and you know it has its own water um thing.
But here you have that gun. We we call that water. It's like water gun.
>> Yes. And that's become very popular here in the in the Philippines. So most homes have them. Um even the public toilets have them. you know, the malls would provide them, which I guess is a it's, you know, it's part of our culture. We we >> clean butts.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes. But yes, I agree. And but I but how come during the pandemic? I know I I think that was also in the US when there was like a shortage.
>> I should correct that. It's not a preference. It's a matter of it's just not common there. Accessibility. It's really not a thing there. And people that have it are more privileged >> like it's more like >> yeah it's harder to access and whereas like I know here and like in Singapore it's just normal >> but if you have no bidday you can use the shower head to wash your butt >> but yeah but no one's got the time for >> I think it's the culture differences where America just likes to use tissues.
>> No we don't like I don't like it. I also have a bedet in my >> there's there's the middle ground.
There's wet wipes.
>> Just use wipes >> wet wipes. the middle.
>> Yes. Okay. Let's get out of the toilet.
>> Yes. And let's go to the kitchen. So, rice at every meal.
>> No. Yes.
>> Depends on the food.
>> Hell yes.
>> Depends on the food.
>> Oh, yeah. Dep Well, okay. Like like for me, I grew up I really grew up like rice with every meal. Even Even like in America, you can't get um like McDonald's and KFC. Like there's no rice. You you can't get rice there. So, we just have um a rice cooker that's always like four cups of rice every day.
>> Every day.
>> Rice 99% of >> most of the time. Yeah. Um and I have one in my dorm.
>> So, one out of four here. So, 25% says no. 75 says yes. So, Shifra, it's a no for you.
>> Yeah.
>> But for the rest of you, it's a yes.
Rice at every meal. Okay. Um Okay. I'm not going to judge you, love. We live in the same home.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. And I also agree >> because the thing is I'm picky. Well, no. First of all, in France, I didn't have rice at every meal. When when we moved here, I was like, oh, rice.
Interesting. Oh, rice again.
Interesting. Oh, rice again. Oh my god.
And I was like, are we going to eat rice every day? And then it's like, yeah. And like, oh. So, like I I was like, okay, that's interesting. I think it's only like after I graduated from elementary that I kind of started to appreciate it more, which is like >> how many years? Like six years that it took me to kind of get used to it. But I think part of it is I'm also very picky.
So I like it I like my rice to be soft and fluffy and not overly cooked and not over not overcooked and not undercooked.
Yeah, that's >> Yeah, I guess it's the fault of your mother, >> maybe.
>> Yeah. Well, to the listeners, that's actually me, so no need to bash me or anything. Yeah, I I think that um I also never really like learned to cook proper Filipino food because when I started cooking, it was already there in France.
So, I was so adapted to um what I was like, what what I was going to say what normal French people cook, you know, and that's not based on preference actually for me because I love Filipino food. I love rice every meal, but it's also more of the the ingredients that I enjoyed working with in terms of cooking. So, but yeah, I also agree. Shifra is a a picky eater and um that's just how it is, right? So, how about shoes off before entering the house?
>> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Always barefoot. Actually, >> not just shoes like barefoot in the house.
>> Wow.
>> Barefoot. But um yeah, barefoot.
>> Aua Chandler has these really really weird barefoot shoes that I hate. They >> That's not related.
>> No. No. No. No. shoes. Barefoot shoes.
How does that work?
>> It is so weird. Sorry, this is not related, but you said Guia Chandler said barefoot, and it made me think about his obsession with these shoes. They're basically like you're you're you're there shoes. Yes. And there's they're there's bottoms to them, but it's like it's like molded to your feet. Like look, she's going to show you a photo.
So, Shiff is showing me a photo of Oh my god.
>> No, mine mine looks better. That's That's from Google. My barefoot shoes are Vibram Five Fingers. Very good for your feet scientifically. And um Aura basically.
>> Well, okay. I will just Okay, I will trust science.
>> In his defense, I actually want some.
>> I think it's just supposed to correct your cuz modern toe box toe boxes and shoes are like too tight for your toes.
So, they're not actually able to >> be like toes are like this when you wear closed shoes. When you wear the barefoot shoes, they go back to their natural thing like >> how your feet are culture. Yes.
>> Is that is that Filipino?
>> For Filipinos, we we wear >> slippers.
>> Slippers, right? And we say slippers or the jandals or the tongs or whatever.
Depends where you're from. And then I actually thought that was a common like that's a regular thing everywhere in the world. But then I I found out that it's not. People wear shoes inside their homes and um >> you guys can speak about >> in Singapore people are barefoot in their house. They don't wear house slippers. They wear they are barefoot >> because I I guess because we're still that's still an Asian country. So maybe it's a it's such an Asian or a Chinese practice.
But like when I go to like my white friend's house, like I'll still take my shoes off just out of like cuz I think it's crazy to not like like there's some things that stick with me like like calling my partner's mom just their first name. It's kind of like >> um like I know it's your preference what you want me to call you, but is there anything else I can call you?
>> Mr. or Mrs. >> Yeah.
>> But they'll insist. I mean they will insist.
>> Look at you. You call me >> ae >> or you know and yet how do you call my my husband?
>> Oh yeah. Well we asked him and >> and he would say just yeah he just he just wants >> to be called by his first name >> it's really about culture >> but I guess um there's also there's still respect you know in in calling people by their first name if that's their culture. It's the way you say their name. Um the way that the tone, the way you communicate with them. So, but for Filipinos, um we are so attached to the to the titles or you know how Yes, that >> um so yeah, I guess um that was something that I was going to ask um later, but is that like so in the in the US you'd be calling your your your friends um parents by their first name?
>> Yeah. Well, it really like I will wait as long as possible to find out how to address them like but it's I'll ask normally because I don't want to just call someone like >> but for Filipino friends automatically you go Tita and >> Tito. Yeah. But I don't really have >> You don't have >> I mean I do I haven't met their parents though.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh not yet at that uh level. How about you Chandler in In >> I was going to say China. No, in Singapore.
>> Singapore is not part of China.
>> China. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, correct me. Correct me. Yes, >> I think for me um it's the same cuz um s Philippinesto >> uh ae kua >> but in Singapore is that we we don't call people by first name as well. For example, uh we we say auntie auntie >> auntie of auntie and uncle >> uncle.
Mhm. Yes, I agree.
>> Oh, you agreed. Thank you. Thank you.
Okay.
>> Oh my god. I didn't even agree to >> I don't even understand what uh I agreed to.
>> Basically, it's it's still weird to call people by their first name there. So, we say auntie, uncle. Yeah.
>> That's the the similar to Tita and Tito.
>> Uhhuh.
>> And bro. Bro. Yeah.
>> Bro.
>> Yes. So, how about um saving plastic bags? Do you know when we go to Well, here in the Philippines um we go to the grocery where we do our groceries and they still give you plastic bags, right?
Instead of you bringing your own bag.
Well, there are also malls that um encourage you to bring your own echo bag, but uh usually they still have the plastic bags.
Do you actually save? I I do that in my dorm. I have a pile in the corner of my room that is just plastic bags and like random bags that I have for when I go shopping or like for the trash. So you have the famous bag of bags, a plastic bag containing um folded plastic bag in the triangle.
>> I was taught how to hold it in a triangle.
>> Yes, I do that as well.
>> Yeah. Oh my god. No. So yeah, we have that collection. So obviously we do that wherever we are in the world, but it's also good for environment.
>> So uh yes, Shifra, you want to disagree?
Come on. Come on. one.
>> I mean, ours are is from the supermarket, so maybe it's not very environmentally friendly, >> but at least it's not single use.
>> Okay. It's double use.
>> Double Well, they have a double life, whatever. But you know um I I guess we try to be helpful to the environment as much as uh we can by you know I I guess we feel that that's one step in in and not like yeah whatever killing the environment but anyway yeah if if any of you actually do those triangles the folding I mean I don't know who started that I'm I'm sure there There was one person that started that and everyone just followed. But I don't know if you actually >> someone who folds the Philippine flag.
>> I was going to say very personal.
>> Yes. It's it's and and but it's like when you do it, it becomes like meditative and then at the same time it it's like you have to do it in proper order, you know.
>> Okay.
Plastic at that time. I don't know. But anyway, anyway, this one, um, this happened actually, funnily, this happened like three weeks ago at home. Ice cream container that actually contains fish or leftovers.
>> Were you ever disappointed opening one?
>> Disappointed is the wrong word.
>> What is the word?
>> I was shocked. Oh my god. Like I was cuz the thing is in our house it's just my mom, my dad, and me. But recently, my grandmother and my grandfather has been uh living with us. So, of course, she's brought her own habits to the house, which is fine.
>> Hi, mama.
>> She calling out her whole family.
>> And one one of them being um yeah, a chicken, a raw, very voluumptuous chicken.
in in the ice cream container. I was so sure because in in our house household that would never happen. Like if I went to um our my relatives place, I would I could expect that. But at home, I was not expecting that. And I was disappointed. And I think that also happened to my dad.
>> Yeah. Because well because we bought ice cream, right? And then so you're expecting that all the all the containers the ice cream well the ice cream gallons that are in the in the freezer would contain ice cream in them, right?
>> So we were like excited to like have some ice cream and then he opened it and it's like, >> "Oh my god, what happened?" But we laughed at it anyway cuz it's like, "Yeah, this is happening at home."
Yeah. How about you, Claire? Um, I noticed I was in like our grandma's house, right? There's near the kitchen there's just like maybe like 15 boxes or like of like the ice cream.
>> 15?
>> Yes. It's just stacked up. It's near the kitchen. And I was always curious. I was like, "What's inside?" And then I saw a video recently that was talking about this. I was like like guessing what is inside the ice cream. Is it actually ice cream or is it fish? So >> So you have to guess.
>> Yeah, you have to guess. But I'm so curious. I'm like, are they just using that as like containers or is it just there?
>> Another way of um helping the environment, >> you know, and and I think Filipinos also love to save, you know.
>> Oh, maybe we can this can still be useful.
>> Save money.
>> Why throw it away?
>> Poverty mindset. And um yeah, and I I think uh your mom just even confirmed here, Issa, in the comments. Um she does the triangle way of folding the plastic bags.
>> Yes, >> she does.
>> Yeah. Um Yeah. But yeah, we we tend to keep we think that, oh, there's still, you know, this there's still use for this. We don't want to throw it away.
Yes, it's the it's the container of the ice cream which we've already consumed, but maybe it still has a life after ice cream.
>> Yeah, very relatable. And they do. They do. That's why um many Filipino homes will have them instead of purchasing Tupperware or plastic wares and and all that, right? That's only happened to me so occasionally that the first time it ever happened to me, I was so shocked and angry and sad.
I I was craving ice cream.
>> Angry, sad. Three emotions.
>> I was craving ice cream. I opened the freezer. There's only one. So, okay.
One. If there was 15, okay, you know, that's sus. But one, okay, that has to be ice cream. Okay. Okay. I'm going to eat it straight from the container.
>> Yes.
>> I have the spoon.
I if I recall correctly, it was fish.
>> It was fish.
>> Yeah. And Yeah. Not >> definitely not cooked, right?
>> Not cooked.
>> Not cooked.
>> We don't really do that though. I've never discovered ice cream in our house.
>> Yeah. And it was like fish. Like it's normally ice cream.
>> It's normally ice cream. So you have not yet been disappointed that >> Not yet.
>> Not yet.
>> That never happened.
>> You deserve ice cream when you're craving it. Oh, well, Charlene Vuve, hi Charl. She's actually saying that there's lots of hoarding in a Filipino home. Now, Charlene is uh well, um Charlene's dad was French and her mom is Filipino, so she understands this life um you know, firsthand. Hi Charl, thanks for listening.
>> I think also the hoarding thing. Yes, >> cuz um >> saving cuz I I also have like like artist mentality where like I one of my majors is art and like I'll collect I'll like keep scraps because in my head I'm like I have an idea for this like I'm going to you know create a project or something and then I never get to it and it's just sitting in my >> maybe next month, >> maybe next year.
>> Uh yeah. Well, I I guess we have that kind of thinking and and in a way it's good, but uh it can also be too much.
>> I think I'm I'm also a slightly a bit of a hoarder because I'm very sentimental.
>> Sentimentality.
>> Oh, that I understand.
>> That's probably why I hoard a bit.
>> A bit.
>> Okay.
>> Okay.
But yeah, but but isn't that you know, mostly it's um I hope it's about family, Chandler. Of course, it's about family, friends. Family and friends.
>> Okay. Yeah, family and friends. I I totally understand that. I mean, there are certain things that maybe Shifra and Freya are willing to let go. I'm the one who's not willing. And then there's probably things that I'm willing to let go, but my mom's not willing, you know, and and um there's always a story to the things that we have. And uh yeah, emotions will always uh prevail um before we allow sensibility.
>> I have a story related to that.
>> Go share.
>> So my parents when they when they were younger, they used to send each other like letters cuz they were long distance Philippines in America.
>> So that my mom has kept all her letters, but we don't know where my dad's letters from mom are.
>> Oh my god. But she has all the ones from him. And so like I've I've >> So you've read them?
>> I've read some of them.
>> Oh, okay.
>> The G ones, right?
>> Oh no.
>> Oh my god. Yes.
>> What's funny is I remember like Dto Fries would get shy if we >> Fry is Isa's dad.
>> Oh yes. Sorry. Um he would get shy if we would read it. You like it was kind of funny.
>> Now we're telling everyone. Now, and there's even a an even fun fact about your parents and tops.
>> Yeah.
>> Are you going to I'm not going to be the one to say it. I'm not going to You BE THE ONE TO SAY IT.
>> You guys are overhyping this. It's a very cute.
>> It's very cute.
>> It is very cute. That's why I don't want to be the one to say it. It has to be the full story because But anyway, the idea anyway, I'm not I'm not going to say much of it because it's your story.
It's It's going to be nice coming from you.
>> My My basically my parents um when my dad was here in Sibu and they were like first dating. I actually don't know how long. Maybe one year in. Um >> it was Yeah.
>> Yeah. And they went to Tops and they had their first kiss at one of the in one of the caves.
>> Yeah. But I don't actually know what it used to look like.
>> We should we should guess which cave it was. Yes. They don't have the the covers now, but they're still there. The walls are still there. And if those walls could speak, they would tell us what truly been many kisses there.
>> I'm sure. I mean, Tops is a a really special place for so many people, not just Sabuanos, for so many tourists as well. And now it's going to be something very special to me too because I've had this chance to speak to you on air here at Topps and we are having fun. And who would have guessed that they are my cousins, firstderee cousins, they're not my my nieces and nephew and of course you know my daughter Shiffra here. Um still so this is quite a young group. We are a very young group. Thank you so much, Atasara, for inviting.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you so much for inviting me to pod on the radio, >> but we're not yet done. Okay.
>> I don't think I've ruined my digital footprint yet, right?
>> Not yet.
>> Not yet. All right. Not ever. Not ever.
>> Yeah. Well, I don't think you'll you'll do that anyway. Um we love you.
>> I love you guys, too.
>> So, we're still playing this game. I I so for those who just uh tuned in um we're playing a game of how you know some um I'm going to say something um that's very Filipino and they're going to share their experience with that something. Okay. So, um, the the last one that we talked about was the ice cream tub empty. Well, filled not with ice cream, but with >> with frozen products, you know, fish or chicken or something else, even pork or whatever. Um, just not the ice cream.
So, how about using a spoon and fork instead of a knife and fork?
>> Me, me, me, me, me. Wait.
>> Okay.
>> What? That's different.
>> I I was Okay, >> Claire. Yes, that's different.
>> Wait, I just realized that's Sorry.
>> For context, so I was born in France.
And then when I found out that we were going to move here, one of the things my mom said was, "Oh, by the way, we use fork and spoon there. We don't use fork and knives like we do here." And I was like, "How how would how would that work? like, "How are you going to cut your food?" And she got her spoon and she got her fork and she broke her fork and she got her spoon and she cut the the food with the spoon. And I was genuinely I was like 5 years old.
>> I was genuinely so blown away. I was like, "Wait, spoons can like do more than like hold soup and stuff."
>> So yeah, that >> Yes.
>> So that was magical.
>> Yes, it was.
You guys you guys probably grew up Yeah.
Like >> we grew up doing we grew up with the fork and spoon. She just realized just now that it's Filipino.
>> It was or like it's Asian. Yeah. I found it so crazy. Like I was like whoa spoon do more than just spoon.
>> Spoon do more than spoon and knife.
>> Spoon do knife.
>> What spoon can knife? Okay. Yes.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. And and um I guess you actually struggled at the beginning when we started just um using spoon and in and fork here in the Philippines because you were still using well you were actually using spoon as a literal substitute to the knife.
So yes. Yes. I mean Chandler is actually >> mimming you know how you do it and yes um so it was cute in a way because you know kids are always cute until they aren't anymore. Um but uh yeah it was actually very cute um you know seeing them trying and struggling and then eventually learning.
So when you've learned it, you actually forget how difficult it was at the beginning. It becomes so part of you. It becomes so natural. Yeah. So you didn't know that was a thing, Claire? No, I was okay. Like I eat with like I can eat with a a fork and a knife and I can eat with a fork and a spoon. But I didn't know that that was like different. So that's really that's really funny. I just thought that like the majority of people would use the a fork and a spoon.
>> You've learned something.
>> I just learned something new.
>> Yeah.
>> Can I just say the best way to eat is using chopsticks.
>> Using your hands?
>> Yes. Chopsticks is the >> Okay. Wait, but Filipino like what I associate with Filipinos is actually eating with the hands.
>> Oh, chopsticks. If your hands are the two Io agree, >> but like I actually agree with Chandler.
Chopsticks are so versatile. You cook with them. You eat with them. You can cut with them. Like very versatile, >> but also hands.
>> Frey is listening to us right now.
>> Hi, shout out.
>> We mentioned your >> I love you, Frey. I miss you.
>> She should be here.
>> Yeah, she should be here.
>> Pull up the tops right now.
>> Yes. We'll wait for you.
>> Yeah. Yes.
>> Hiking taffrey.
>> Yeah. So, so yes. What were we talking about? Spoon and fork, right? Yes. and and how that's actually you know in in other countries that's that's quite not normal. Hi to what Casey Cesoy and Chilada.
>> Hi Ku Casey >> for my brother >> for him kinamote is the way.
>> Yeah.
See Casey your brother is in cavit right now and you're listening um right now from cavit. Well is that kavet city?
Marina.
>> Yeah. Okay. Hi, Case. We miss you.
>> Yeah. This would have been a really good conversation with you. Maybe next is already a good conversation.
It's already a good conversation without you. Yes. But anyway, we talk about the bless earlier and then we also call our older people older older people older than us. Tito, ta, auntie, uncle, you know, even when they're not even related to us by blood.
>> Um, the po and oppo canina. Um, I caught you saying po. Um, Chandler, but in in Cebu, we don't really use that in our language. Sabanos don't use po and oppo.
It's more of a Luzon thing. Tagalog when I meet my Tagalog friend's parents.
>> True.
Bless bless. Yes. because in Cebu it's not part of our language.
>> That doesn't mean we're disrespectful, please. Um it's just that it's not part of our language.
>> And in fact, there there are even people who find it um uh they find it uncomfortable when someone speaks a buano and adds like po and oppo.
But for some reason, you know, but um I guess because universally that's known to be a sign of respect here universally.
In other words, um for Filipinos ba no.
Um you say po and oppo. And you know there are people actually like talk to me and they add that and I feel like oh my god am I that old that you have to to say po and oppo to me. Um well maybe I am but uh still >> they're just extra respectful. Extra respectful is the term.
>> Yeah. How about pasalubong?
>> Yes.
>> Oh my god.
>> Yeah.
>> Why Claire?
>> So I traveled here with the Haiti her mom and at the sabi.
>> Uhhuh.
>> Sorry mom.
>> Sorry.
>> Um I love you ta hates. There were so much hates is so generous that the majority of her suitcases were just full of basalong. How many suitcases were was that? How many?
>> They have like 10 suitcases.
>> It might be more than I have.
>> It might be like five and >> just for pasalubong.
>> Just for >> Yes. And then her clothes are like spread out in between, but the majority ate. The majority. It's basalong. She's a very generous person. I love you.
>> Yes. Very generous.
>> Love you, ma.
>> Uhhuh. And um my god. But that that is a Filipino thing >> and and I do remember when I was touring um with the um group of artists doing Sedarta the musical around uh you know different countries you actually watched us perform in Singapore right Chandler?
>> Yes. Um, >> so one of the things that became an issue like most most of the time is >> baggage allowance because they will, you know, and it's it's actually a a very nice and beautiful trait to be generous and to think of your loved ones, but their suitcases will be full of basalong.
>> Yeah.
>> And um Yeah. uh and they they they have a list and it's always like and but it becomes a problem because obviously there's a limit to our baggage allowance and and I think in the end it's like we always have to add and and pay for the extra um weight um yeah and but yeah that's generosity you know and many uh I believe so that's our overseas uh Filipino workers even think of sending balik bayan boxes like regularly you know um and and yes that's so big on generosity >> family oriented >> yes >> hospitality >> now Julianne Reyes hi Julianne she's saying Katie and Cla Mascarinia so this is a comment for your mom Issa basal lubang oh om gosh 10 suitcases wow Yes. I don't know if it's done.
>> That's not even an exaggeration.
>> And they said, "Okay, Freya, what's Balik Bayan box but reversed?"
>> uh >> uh when you ship it out from the Philipp um Yeah. Um who else are listening right now? Well, Judy, hi Judy. Um Oh, the you so you watched Ankawatan.
>> Yes.
>> At the Cabillian Center. So Judy was the actor who performed. Who was Anna? And Anka Watan saying hi to the family. You guys are so cute. Sending love. A. So we're sending love back. Lots of love back. Who did I miss? I don't really want to miss anyone. Oh, there's a comment from earlier from um Oh, Marcus Arcelia. Is there any good massage place in Cibbu? Now, I don't know why you're asking us about this, but I am big on uh massages, you know, like uh I I love going to the spa and and all that. That's probably my my bish show my vi vice. And then Oh, >> yimlen.
Yes.
>> Oh, yeah. So, there are chamber.
>> Hi, Lynn. Hi, Lyn. See you soon, bro.
See you soon.
>> They're they're good places. Yes, she >> Yeah, you didn't mention. I'm not going to mention them.
>> Okay. Um it's not that I'm gatekeeping.
It's just that uh Yeah.
>> Massage place.
>> Yes. There's so many.
>> I will give Chiva Spa and Tree Shade Spa.
>> Tree Shade. I love Okay. I mentioned you anyway. Yes. Especially the fact that it's 24 hours.
>> Yeah. 24 hours.
>> You know, and they're very consistent with their service. And we have it in the Philippines. We call Hilot. No. or in Cebu Hilot they you say it's like oh it's it's different from the usual it's like you know Thailand they have their Thai massage and all that it's like what is Filipino they say hilot >> yes hi also to Zachary Joseph and cla >> yo Zach >> uh yeah I don't know what this message was about Zach but he was saying just have a little faith Tito Chandler >> thank you Zach yeah >> hi to Mario Alcarisa um sending you love there in Zambanga City.
Yes. And Kirk Cortez is talking about spaghetti and rice. Yeah. Weird combination, but very Filipino.
>> Oh my god.
>> Yeah. But uh do you do that as well?
>> NO. SORRY.
>> Pit canton. Lucky me should only be with pansitan. No rice. Lucky me. Piton.
>> I agree though.
>> Spaghetti rice.
>> Spaghetti also no rice. Like even if it's sweet Filipino spaghetti, don't get me right. So I'll be I'm fine with that.
>> Yeah, to each his preference. But anyway, let's go back to the game, you know. So we ended with pasala lubong. Now let's go to food. Just I don't know, maybe say yes or no. Um earlier Shifra, you mentioned ketchup.
>> Banana ketchup.
>> No.
>> Yes. Halam.
>> Depends. Depends. Yes.
>> Depends.
>> Yeah. No, not for you.
>> Friends that like it more than I like it.
>> Yes, but you know the story of the banana ketchup.
>> It's cheaper than tomato.
>> No, but like it's it's really Filipino and how it was created. Um but this was just something that I actually saw online. Yeah. Yeah. Share.
>> I I think it was like they um they wanted to like replicate like like you know this tomato sauce, but there's no access to that so they just use what's accessible. So >> and it was bananas at that time.
Banana ketchup.
>> Yes. Filipino lady.
>> Yeah.
>> Mhm. And then it became a big enterprise. So now everyone has banana ketchup. And you know now that like you've mentioned it, we don't really us personally. Well, because growing up, I've always loved tomato ketchup. Okay.
Not banana.
>> Yes. But I think my dad likes banana ketchup. And so we have a jar at home.
>> Yes. Yes.
Philippines, you need to get chili sauce. Every restaurant has to have chili sauce. Chili sauce. Not hot sauce.
Not tobasco. Chili sauce.
>> I agree. But also Tabasco. Yes. My mom used to >> Good. That's like chili sauce. That's like tomato ketchup. Pero chili sauce kind of texture like every restaurant you guys need some chili sauce, please.
>> But mama used to to bring Tabasco. Even your mom, Auntie Ad, Auntie Hazel, I think they they bring in their bag. So when we also do that >> we go to a restaurant and there's like oh Tabasco in the bag. Okay. I don't do that but I love Tabasco. Yes. If only they will sponsor a year-long supply. Yes, please. Please sh How about um spaghetti with sweet sauce?
>> No.
>> The Filipino style spaghetti.
>> It depend. It's good. It's good.
>> I'm sorry. I really really don't like Filipino spaghetti.
>> Jollibee.
>> I think just make sure you don't It's not pasta and it's not close to like real like it is its own thing. It's like you know spaghetti.
>> That's what matters. It tastes good.
Lame.
>> My Vietnamese friends love it more than I do. They'll literally go to Jollibee just for that and then when we go back home.
>> But that's true. It's not considered pasta.
For me, it's like fast food. It's like like I'll have a random craving at 3:00 a.m. for it, but it's not something I consistently like.
>> But I also, you know, agree like um if I were to make it at home, I I I I'm not going to be doing the sweet um spaghetti >> or Filipino.
>> My mom's my mom mixes like tradition like Italian and Filipino and it tastes like very different.
>> Okay. Hint hint.
>> It's really good.
>> Maybe. Yes. But um I also agree with like um who mentions Jollibee? Yeah.
>> Yes. That's why they consider it a snack or a side dish cuz it's sweet. It's not they don't eat it like >> European people >> and and they have hot dogs which you don't really find in you know proper spaghetti >> Philippine hot dogs >> but the Yes. And for some reason, it's just something that we we like and yet we say, "Oh, we don't like the sweet uh sauce." But anyway, yes. Uh remember you said you can try you you you can try it, but there's an exception.
>> Mhm.
>> Number two. Balut.
>> That's your number two exception. Why?
How many exceptions?
>> Remember the first one was was fried dried fish.
>> Yes.
>> Balut is the second one. Please. No, thank you. But have you tried it?
>> No, exactly. That's the exception. I don't have to try it.
>> Yes, you do. It tastes good.
>> It has to be the pinoy or 3 weeks old.
Not the kang 10 weeks old. You don't want You don't want to see the feathers.
>> If I have to close my eyes.
>> I close.
>> I'll I'll look the chicken right in the eyes. I'll eat >> when you eat eggs.
>> Here's my thing. Here's my thing. You'll eat egg and you'll eat chicken. You won't eat in between. What's the difference?
>> The the difference. I have to look at its face.
>> You look at a chicken's face. THIS IS SO ANNOYING TO ME. LIKE, >> close your eyes when you eat balloon.
>> No, I have to look at their frail little body and then I'm going to digest it.
>> After you drink the soup of the balloon, you just put the whole You've had lechon with its face. It's the same. I don't eat lechon.
>> Okay.
>> Your fried chicken has a face.
>> Exactly.
>> That's why.
>> Can I say something? Oh, >> we save the children and and the the adult chickens.
>> If you don't if you don't introduce your child at a young age, they will become like I >> they won't like it.
>> That's so my fault. That is really my fault.
>> Sorry.
>> But you know, I I think that there's also a technique in eating ballot one.
That's why they do it in the evening.
>> I think because I think if it requires a technique, then maybe maybe no.
No, but that's what has a technique.
>> You they they buy they sell it in the streets in the evening and it's dark so you don't really see. You can be a hypocrite. You can you don't have to see what's there. You just eat it.
>> Crying face.
>> Yeah. Oh my god.
>> I'm an empath.
Leave me alone. I don't want to see the the dead babies. We're all empaths here.
I think it's hypocritical just be vegetarian then she >> I almost did once. Yeah, almost she for you. There's still time.
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, was that loves to >> That's from Zach. He wants to Or is that Are you telling us Zach that you love to Bua or >> that he wants to be invited to?
>> You tried the tlo bua here in Templados here in Topps?
>> No, I tried it.
>> There was that work. We had a workshop at the host. Oh, okay. That was my first experience. For some reason, I'm so late with Tusloua.
>> I ate it.
>> I loved it. Yes. Yes. I I really loved it. I Yeah. I'm I'm glad that was my my first experience of Tuslua.
>> I feel like Tulua half of it is Yeah.
It's the experience. It's not really the food itself.
>> It tastes good, >> but a lot of it is tastes good. That's why that's why the Filipino, you know, the Filipino experience of food >> um is fun and memorable because it's about sharing it with family.
>> I just like to share a short tidbit.
I'm an adventurous eater and most of the time the food tastes nice. Most of the time does not eat and he doesn't want to eat labua. He doesn't want to eat lunch. He does not want to eat anything that's >> okay. So he can go with Shifra.
>> So yeah, I think you should just try as much food as you can. Actually, >> I agree with that. Yeah, go travel the world and eat the local food. And yeah, that's my take also.
>> Balut also has not tried balut. Yeah, he has not. Okay, I think that there's going to be a list of like >> identify the foodies and the picky.
>> You know what? I will try balut as long as I'm in the dark. Turn the lights off.
Turn the lights off. I'll eat it cuz it actually doesn't sound that bad. I just don't want to look at its face.
>> When When you bite into it, it's going to be crunchy.
>> Oh my god.
>> No. When it's 10 weeks old. When it's 10 weeks old, you're going to feel textures that you're not supposed to feel.
>> Oh yeah. Textures. Crunchy.
>> Texture. But not crunchy. He's lying.
He's straight lying. Yeah, that's like the >> You just don't want me to try it anymore. You're just like praying on my downfall. You drink the soup and hold the soup in your mouth as you eat it.
>> You add salt.
>> Yeah, you add you you add like flavoring.
>> It tastes fine. But >> it tastes good. Yeah, I'm sure it does.
But >> experience it. She's making a face.
>> It's like when you say, "Well, why do you care what it looks like? It's going to be all mushed up in your stomach."
Like, I still don't want to eat mushed up food. That's why there's >> chicken nuggets here, right? Chicken nuggets. Go see the YouTube video about how they make chicken.
>> Like hot dog, whatever. Like >> hot dog.
>> Everything is sus. Just eat it.
>> Oh my god.
>> All right.
>> Yeah. Well, yes, we are starting to have the appetite now. Well, hopefully Shifra, I'm losing and and Claire will try balut soon. No, >> but um you know that there's you know here in the Philippines it's such a big deal to be able to eat at least three times a day.
>> And that's like a very important thing for Filipinos. They usually say that oh for as long as we can eat three times a day then we we are good. But you know like eating three to five time meals a day I feel it's like it's it's not actually a thing abroad.
No. So do you actually follow that?
>> Wait, can I also mention the first time I ate rice for breakfast, I was genuinely shocked. Like >> I was at a sleepover.
>> I was I was at a sleepover. I think I was like in grade two, so I was like 8 years old. And I I had this sleepover with my my girlfriend. And they're like, "Come on, we're going to have breakfast." And in my head, I was thinking pancakes, waffles, toast, like chocolate, sweet things. And yeah, and I was met with um rice and corn beef. And that was very shocking. That's my favorite breakfast is is you take either like hot dog or um >> uh I don't know any type of like leftover meat you have and then cut it up with egg and then with rice and mix it and put like toyo like and then hot sauce.
>> Yes, that's my breakfast.
>> Sila ni gian.
>> So Jollibee topog is also good.
>> So those are your go-to places when you come here. But I mean there there are so many things we've just talked about food >> and also churado.
>> Champu.
>> Speaking of rice in the morning, >> but I guess they're all she's missing out.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Maybe.
>> Maybe. But um I as I said well her palette has to decide you know but you know um aside from food there's so many celebrations as we said the we do we start thinking of Christmas in September because it's the burr months and people even um set up their Christmas trees as early as September 1, you know, and and and that's the truth that it's not something we made up. And then of course you have the fiestas, the karaoke.
Yes, you asked what are the cultures that are going to stick with you.
>> I couldn't think of any. I I don't think I'm not a very like outgoing or performative person as in like I don't sing and dance that much, >> but I'm going to >> shocking.
>> But I'm going to like give a microphone and like YouTube karaoke to my kids if I can >> cuz I think it's so fun singing with a family.
>> Ah, yes. My friends know the number one thing I suggest if we hang out is karaoke. Let's go have Let's go. Yeah.
Yeah. I just miss it.
>> And it is fun, right?
>> Yeah. I think it's low key like a skill to have good karaoke with people because there's some people when they karaoke, they just pick songs that they know so no one else can join in. So, it's like a it's like hosting. Like it's a it's like an art form, but it's like very low-key and people don't know about it. Wow.
>> Karaoke, not KTV. Karaoke.
>> Yes. Chandler. Not KTV.
>> Noted. Noted with thanks.
>> Yes. Yeah. But yes. Um but that's actually a good thing you say that hosting and that uh you know choose songs that you know other like other people will enjoy or maybe you'd end up having like a chorus instead of a solo.
I have a story about. Do you remember when it was like all oldies like like because it was like our tas and titos and then your janos just randomly pulled out rap god. Yes sir.
>> Yeah.
>> Why?
>> No, that's like what she's talking about like kind of know your audience and then >> nah nah nah nah. We do our own thing.
>> We do our own thing.
>> Yeah.
>> It can be fun though.
>> Yeah. But anyway, I' I'd like to go forward like, okay, if you now this is like if you decide or if you ever have children in the future, what Filipino traditions would you want to pass on or would you like them to or you know or values that you you'd like to preserve?
Um things that you'd like to teach them.
>> Okay. Firstly, I do not believe in having kids. However, should I have a kid? I think Filipino hospitality >> the Filipino hospitality >> that's that's truly I think that's quite unique due to Filipinos like being very hospitable >> to whoever like guests >> other >> uh yeah other countries they might not be like that other people like Filipinos even if they'll still be very hospitable to you that's something I want to teach my um if I have a kid yeah >> or if you have to take care of younger people Yes.
>> Yes. Nieces, nephews. Yes.
>> Issa, >> I think to be like proud of being Filipino like just to because it's very easy to be like whitewashed or like like blend in so much that you kind of forget your roots and just to remember. Yeah.
And go back to the Philippines like as often as you can. How about you, Shafra?
>> Uh, yeah. Ironically, I don't think this is Filipino, but yeah, like what you said, like colorism.
Like there's a lot of colorism here. And I'm very lucky because you memo, you always told me that I should like it was something to be nice like proud of. Like like it's it's so funny cuz like light-skinned people or like from what I've seen people like in America, they try to be tan, but then Asians try to be white. So just just be what you are about that like I don't know about that thing about trying to be white.
I don't really agree. If guaka guapaka guapo if you're guapo guapo guap if you're gua >> if you're bad you're bad. If you're bad you're bad.
>> If you're from America stop using tanning beds. It's like guaranteed like cancer. Like stop using it. Stop trying sitting in the sun for like 9 hours at the beach with no sunscreen. use sunscreen. That's my PSA.
>> So, basically, Shifro, you're trying to say that we have to be proud of our color. Yes.
>> You know, and and basically of who we are, how we look like cuz it's it's not just about color as well, you know. I think that Filipinos, we might not have a a singular look because of of our history and the different tribes and all that, but we are distinctly Filipino and we can be mistaken as other um nationalities. It can be Latino, even other Asian nationalities, but in the end, we are Filipinos. It's something we can be proud of. Maybe now um do you know that we're almost 2 hours chatting here now? And so we're about to end this conversation. I'm so sad about that. But lucky for me, I can have I can continue this conversation outside of up next. Um but to end this conversation, I'd like to know what is up next for you. Let's start with you, Claire.
>> For me, I'm going back to school soon starting in August. Um, I'm really not excited.
>> A >> um I'm starting high school, which I always saw my sister like she would always be in like high school. Like I always thought that'd be so cool, but now that I'm like finally here starting it, I'm so scared. Like I don't know.
Like I actually have to grow up now and I got to lock in. So thank you for my older sister because she's so cool and she taught me everything I know. Um, yeah, I think that's pretty much it.
That's coming up. Yeah.
>> Catch me in Eastern Pennsylvania at Lafayette College pursuing uh my double degree in anthropology and fine arts. That's what I'm doing.
>> I'm bragg right there.
>> Why Why do one can do two?
>> Be greedy like that.
>> No, but we're proud of you. Yes. and Chandler >> uh road running risk takingaking and uh gap year gap year and gap year.
>> Wow. How many gap years was that?
>> Uh gap year then gap year then entrepre entrepreneurship and then a risk takingaking and then road running.
>> Wow.
>> Looking forward to that for you.
>> Yep. That's it.
>> And Shiffra I'm so happy because I can say this. Um, I'll be having my diretorial debut.
>> Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
>> Okay. On August 29 and 30 at the Cabelian Center. If you're interested to know more about this, DM me.
>> Please check out two tin cans on Instagram and Facebook. follow the page and I'm sure that when more information comes up um you'll be able to see it.
And um I'm so I'm on summer vacation and I'm about to start my second year of college.
>> Oh my god, so proud of this bunch and thank you so much for um joining me today.
>> Thank you very much ate Sara. This was a very enjoyable experience.
>> Call me a I also had fun. Oh my god.
>> This is my first and last podcast uh radio interview.
>> This will be my only digital footprint on the internet.
>> We'll see. We'll we'll we'll see.
Anyway, thank you so much to Shiffra Chandler, Issa, and Claire.
There is no single way to be Filipino.
And some of us are born here and spend our lives in the Philippines.
Some leave in search of opportunity, adventure, or love. And some are born thousands of miles away and know the Philippines first through stories, family photographs, video calls and balikan boxes.
Some grow up in homes where different cultures meet around the same dinner table. Yet somehow our stories still find one another. I honestly thought this conversation would be about preserving Filipino traditions, the beautiful reminder reminders of where we come from. But I realized something as we listen to one another.
The traditions are not the destination.
They are the bridge. The bridge that connects one generation to the next. the bridge that connects a child born in Paris, a student studying in the United States, someone who grew up in Singapore, and families here in the Philippines. Every time we tell a family story, we cross that bridge. Every time we teach a child a Filipino word, we cross that bridge. Every time we cook a recipe handed down by a parent or a grandparent, we cross that bridge. And every time we choose kindness, generosity, resilience, or hospitality, we cross it again. The most Filipino things about us are not the things we own or the places we've lived. They are the values we practice. The instinct to make room for one more person at the table. The habit of asking, "Have you eaten?"
The willingness to help a neighbor without expecting anything in return.
The ability to laugh through hardship.
The deep belief that family is not only something we are born into, but something we continue to build. The world is becoming more connected every day. Our families now span continents.
Our children grow up speaking different languages. Our homes are filled with traditions from many cultures and I think that's something to celebrate.
Embracing another culture doesn't mean losing our own. It simply means our story have become richer and that's what it means to be a Filipino across borders. Not carrying the weight of proving our identity but carrying the joy of sharing it. sharing it with our children, our friends, our partners, with everyone whose lives become intertwined with us, with ours. Culture survives because someone decides it is worth passing on, not perfectly, not exactly as it was, but lovingly. So whether you're watching from Sibu, California, Singapore, London, Auckland, Dubai, Paris, or anywhere else in the world, I hope our conversation encourages you to ask your parents about their childhood. Call your grandparents if you're able. Learn the recipe you've always meant to learn. Teach your children Filipino songs. Tell them where your family came from. Tell them why those stories matter because one day they'll become the storytellers and they'll decide what future generations remember. Borders may shape our journeys but they have never or they never have to define our identity. Home is more than where we live. Home is what we carry. And as long as we continue carrying our stories, our values, and our love for one another, the Philippines will never be too far away.
Thank you for allowing us to share a little piece of our family story with yours. And thank you for joining us on Up Next. Until next time, keep supporting the artists, the storytellers, and the communities that help keep our culture alive. I'm Sarah Henderson. Take care of one another. And remember, every conversation is a chance to understand each other a little better. This has been up next.
Related Videos
World cultures curating
museumsassociation
683 views•2019-11-22
Indian Graveyard
JasonLovesLife
3K views•2017-08-05
Inaugural Hocart Lecture Marshall Sahlins, SOAS University of London
soasuni
5K views•2016-05-31
Experience the vibrant energy of Panay The Sugidahon Jahaud Festival at Dinagyang 2023
PhilippinesTravelSite
133 views•2023-01-21
Are Louisiana Creoles Black?
nytn
33K views•2024-05-04
CLAAS Webinar – Adrián Oyaneder Rodríguez
claascanada4711
106 views•2025-03-28
Cultural Diversity in the Philippines: A Case Study of the T'boli Peoples
soulmusicph
427 views•2023-08-18
What if early Australians once shared land with ‘hobbits’
VaidsICSDelhi
2K views•2026-03-05
Trending
Playstation NO DISC/NO BUY Fight Is Over...
DavidJaffeGames
4K views•2026-07-23
Steam and Xbox Just Dropped The Hammer On PlayStation
OhNoItsAlexx
9K views•2026-07-23
Americans Confused in Australia for 17 Minutes Straight
IWrocker
17K views•2026-07-23
SuperBike Factory Has Gone... What's Next for the Motorcycle Industry?
thatbikersimon
11K views•2026-07-22