This week we are closing out Season 2 and the final episode of Cultural Kultivators with Unsung Heroes student guest host, Jerard Del Mar! In this episode, Jerard interviews his father, Mario Del Mar.  In this conversation, Mario reflects on the hardships he faced growing up in Cebu, Philippines and the trials and tribulations of his immigration journey in pursuit of the American Dream. With an unwavering drive to make a life for himself, he shares his experiences of code switching, microaggressions, and the values of Filipino and American culture which shaped him into the man, mentor, and father he is today.  As we pass the torch on the Cultural Kultivators show, we look toward the future with hope and pride. This journey has been about more than just stories—it’s been about honoring our values and preserving the richness of our oral histories. Now, it’s time for the next generation of storytellers to take the stage and continue cultivating a legacy of connection and cultural resilience. Thank you for being a part of this incredible chapter with us. To stay connected and inspired, follow Kindred Kapwa as the story continues. This project was made possible with support from California Arts Council and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. We’d love it if you could take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey. Your feedback is essential—not only does it help us improve, but it also strengthens our efforts to secure the funding needed to keep this platform alive. As a thank you, we’re offering some awesome Kultivate Labs swag for folks that participate and leave their email! https://forms.gle/VeA2qCohUQwAd3Nj8  WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative  Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

In this episode we welcome a very special guest host: Soluna! She is a local Bay Area highschooler and graduate of our Unsung Heroes youth podcast program. In this student-produced episode, Soluna interviews co-founding member of Sama Sama Cooperative and a current advisory board member for Filipino American Coalition for Environmental Solidarity, Lisa Juachon!   10 years since the start of Sama Sama Cooperative Summer Camp, Lisa speaks about her and other families' determination to fill a gap in children’s education by teaching kids about social justice and solidarity, finding and cultivating community within the diaspora, and their own culture and history. As a sanctuary of love, solidarity, and shared values, it gave Lisa’s children an extended family—a network of 20 aunties and uncles, helping to raise them with compassion and care. For Lisa, Sama Sama was a place of true community and belonging, “it was a place where we could express our values of bayanihan, of Kapwa, our social justice values.”  Soluna and Lisa's conversation is a reminder that in moments when division and fear are amplified, building intentional community is one of the most radical and necessary acts we can undertake. Tune in to see how Avatar: The Last Airbender and Filipino Martial Arts come together in this special episode! Follow Sama Sama Cooperative on Instagram! @samasamacooperative This project was made possible with support from California Arts Council and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. We’d love it if you could take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey. Your feedback is essential—not only does it help us improve, but it also strengthens our efforts to secure the funding needed to keep this platform alive. As a thank you, we’re offering some awesome Kultivate Labs swag for folks that participate and leave their email! https://forms.gle/VeA2qCohUQwAd3Nj8 Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means everything to Cultural Kultivators and the Filipino American community we celebrate in every episode.  WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative  Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

This week we are kicking off the end of the year with a very special guest host: Amelia! She is a local Bay Area highschooler and graduate of our Unsung Heroes youth podcast program. In this student-produced episode, Amelia invites multidisciplinary writer, Zee Lacson, to talk about her journey as a published YA author of The Woolgathering Trilogy and her most recent novel, Twice Removed.  Amelia relived a dream with Zee, a firm believer in following your heart, the power of love, and all things Star Trek. Before rekindling her love for the arts and transitioning to writing, Zee had pursued careers in mechanical engineering, early childhood education, and photography. With stories inspired by culture shock and her own risk taking, Zee explores what it means to be whole when you’re torn between two worlds as an immigrant in between two generations, and a literal manananggal, or as Zee likes to put it: twice removed.  From revealing the in’s and out’s of the publishing world, the difference between “Pantsers” and “Plotters,” this is a must listen episode for aspiring writers and readers! Follow Zee’s writing journey on Instagram and books: @zeelacson on Instagram and https://zeelacson.com/ This project was made possible with support from California Arts Council and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. Music Credits: "Nighttime Breeze" by Ann Zhou We’d love it if you could take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey. Your feedback is essential—not only does it help us improve, but it also strengthens our efforts to secure the funding needed to keep this platform alive. As a thank you, we’re offering some awesome Kultivate Labs swag for folks that participate and leave their email! https://forms.gle/VeA2qCohUQwAd3Nj8 Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means everything to Cultural Kultivators and the Filipino American community we celebrate in every episode.   WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative  Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Happy Halloween and upcoming All Souls Day! This Wednesday, we are so excited to host podcaster, animator, and occultist, Sapphire Sandalo! As the host of SpectreVision Radio’s Stories with Sapphire podcast, she is also known for her work on The Ghost Town Terror and Paranormal Caught on Camera.   In today’s conversation, Sapphire delved deep into her unique take on the paranormal, approaching it with culturally inclusive curiosity and the mysterious interplay between intention, intuition, and manifestation. She also shares her views on recontextualizing her experiences of her Catholic upbringing in conversation with the cultural and spiritual practices we observe today.    For listeners looking to get more in touch with their spirituality or connect with their ancestors, this episode is for you. We invite you to find what makes your soul sing and follow the alignment with your authentic self across time, past, present, and future.  Stay tuned to witness the power of vision boarding, how to watch for “Godwinks,” and the unexpected tie between dolphins and roses. You can catch Sapphire on Instagram @sapphire_sandalo and on the web at www.storieswithsapphire.com and youtube.com/sapphiresandalo! We’d love it if you could take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey. Your feedback is essential—not only does it help us improve, but it also strengthens our efforts to secure the funding needed to keep this platform alive. As a thank you, we’re offering some awesome Kultivate Labs swag for folks that participate and leave their email!https://forms.gle/TAw7aRupB4DWpBAE9 Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means everything to Cultural Kultivators and the Filipino American community we celebrate in every episode. WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com  Instagram: @balaykreative   Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

In this week’s episode, we’re honored to sit down with special co-host, Luna Salaver and the King of Latin Soul, Joe Bataan!  As the first recording artist to create Latin Soul music, Joe has made a lasting impact through his innovative combination of genres, including Boogaloo, Salsa, and Disco, leading to hits like “Gypsy Woman” and “Young Gifted & Brown.”Joe Bataan’s stories beautifully illustrate lessons that tie right into the 2024 Filipino American History Month theme of “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience.” His origins of growing up in Spanish Harlem, New York amidst crime and incarceration shows that resilience is about continually adapting and finding ways to stay true to your path, no matter the obstacles. In embracing his identity as an Afro-Filipino musician, singer, songwriter, and producer, Joe shares his journey of peddling his music from coast to coast, gaining a grassroots following of not only Filipinos, but people of color from all walks of life. With the gift of his life experience and wisdom, Joe also built a career counseling at risk youth in correctional facilities. His ability to evolve, whether through genres like Disco and Rap, or through his role as a mentor, is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength that the Filipino American History Month theme celebrates.Stay tuned to find out the secrets behind Joe’s success: spirit, health and knowledge!  You can find Joe Bataan at https://www.joebataanmusic.com/ and preorder his book “Streetology” at mahalpublishing.comWe’d love it if you could take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey. Your feedback is essential—not only does it help us improve, but it also strengthens our efforts to secure the funding needed to keep this platform alive. As a thank you, we’re offering some awesome Kultivate Labs swag for folks that participate and leave their email!https://forms.gle/TAw7aRupB4DWpBAE9 Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means everything to Cultural Kultivators and the Filipino American community we celebrate in every episode. WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com  Instagram: @balaykreative   Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Kicking off Filipino History Month (FAHM), we’re honored to spotlight the storytelling journey of documentary filmmaker and video editor, Sondy Lucille! Sondy’s work captures the power of oral and visual storytelling, as well as cultural preservation. With a keen eye for detail and determination to shift the painful narratives embedded in our history, Sondy’s films delve into mixed heritage, Asian diasporic experiences, and how globalization molds identity in multicultural homes and communities. Sondy reflects on her dual heritage as Filipino and Mauritian which has fueled her desire to research her family histories and find solidarity in the shared struggles of Filipino Americans. Dear Watsonville – Sondy’s most recent project touring the festival circuit – sheds light on the untold stories and memories of the Manong/Manang generation with a  distinct focus on Watsonville, California—a place often remembered for the violence and racism towards Fil-Ams. By weaving together family photo albums, hand drawn illustrations, and oral histories, her work seeks to preserve the experiences of first-generation Fil-Am immigrants through the memories of their second generation descendants. She encourages filmmakers to embrace imperfection and to “free yourself from the shackles of filmmaking rules” — in order to approach filming as a form of self-expression. Sondy also emphasizes the importance of film fellowships for Asian-American and BIPOC filmmakers and recommends “creating your own experience” by using unconventional, experimental spaces to gain valuable production and post-production expertise. She also challenges listeners to be curious and to look into their family histories and documents, as a means to recognize the power of storytelling of our shared heritage. Follow her journey on Instagram @sondy.lu and @dearwatsonville and on the web at sondylu.com. The Watsonville is in the Heart digital archive can be viewed at wiith.ucsc.edu and on Instagram at @wiith.ucsc Catch a screening of Dear Watsonville at the SF Indie Fest coming this October 17th - 27th!  WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com  Instagram: @balaykreative   Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

In this week’s episode, we’re honored to sit down with Kultivate Labs’ very own Desi Danganan, Founder/Executive Director of Kultivate Labs, a trailblazing cultural strategist, and human catalyst who is helping revitalize San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural District. With a nearly two-decade career spanning tech, hospitality, branding / marketing, and community organizing– he has dedicated his career to uplifting our local Filipino-American community and empowering the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and culture bearers. From the days of Poleng Lounge and Summit SF, to Plinth Agency and Kultivate Labs, Desi discusses the obstacles of balancing cultural preservation with economic development, addressing income inequality, and building a more livable, enriching community without displacing its members. Desi’s vision for “developing community through abundance, not sacrifice” is transforming SOMA Pilipinas into a corridor of creativity and cultural pride that is inspiring folks as far as Winnipeg, Canada to develop their on Filipino communities Desi also challenges us to realize our role as the bridge between the younger and older generations of creatives and entrepreneurs by creating an ethic of self-forgiveness and learning from one’s mistakes. He also encourages us to envision collective liberation and economic alternatives to revitalize our community, ultimately embodying his advice to “enlarge the table.” Follow his journey on Instagram @kultivatelabs and on the web: kultivatelabs.org/team and linkedin.com/in/desi-danganan/ WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com  Instagram: @balaykreative   Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

In this week’s episode, we are excited to welcome former UC Davis professor turned farmer, Dr. Robyn Rodriguez! As a widely published researcher, highly-sought after speaker, and long-time community organizer, she founded the Remagination Farm and Lab, a research and educational consultancy service encompassing the School for Liberating Education and the Amado Khaya Initiative. In this conversation, Dr. Rodriguez shares with us how the origins of the Reimagination Farm located in Lake County, California were inspired by her late son, Amado Khaya, her transition away from academia, and realizations brought on by the pandemic. For many, the pandemic posed a time of great loss as well as a reckoning of the old systems designed for social inequalities and ecological destruction. In a radical approach to a more authentic way of living, Dr. Rodriguez talks about embracing the end of these systems, not with fear, but with excitement as an “invitation to get back to the land.”  In weaving and braiding her background as an educator and sociological researcher into her life as a farmer, she welcomes visitors and guests on the farm to come and learn regenerative agricultural practices as well as surrendering to the forces of nature and what it has to teach us. Join Dr. Rodriguez at the Reimagination Farm on Saturday, September 7th to celebrate her first fall harvest/Anihan in commemoration of when Filipino agricultural workers, led by labor leader Larry Itliong, walked off the job on September 8, 1965, to protest years of poor wages and working conditions in the Central Valley’s grape fields. Follow her journey on Instagram @madprofessora @liberating.education @remaginationfarm @amadokhaya and on the web: drrobynrodriguez.com, liberatingeducation.thinkific.com, remaginationfarm.org, and amadokhaya.org.  WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative  Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Join us this week as we sit down with Cambio & Co. co-founder and CEO, Gelaine Santiago! Award-winning social entrepreneur and storyteller, Gelaine shares the inspiration and the journey behind the Toronto and Manila based Filipino jewelry company.       In this conversation, Gelaine navigates the nuances of entrepreneurship under our capitalist systems and its potential for activism and social change. Embracing the ethos of her work and leadership, Gelaine is on a mission to build more ecosystems and not empires in a radical shift towards more collective wealth and joy.    Listen for a behind the scenes look at Cambio & Co.’s partnerships with local, Filipino artisans whose work centers modern design and traditional craftsmanship made with locally sourced materials. In uplifting these collaborators, Gelaine urges us to get curious about long held beliefs we might hold that have a more sinister, colonial mindset at play.    Tune in to learn about the haters who inadvertently inspired the Cambio & Co. team to lean into community led conversations and the power of education. In Gelaine’s words, dare to “Reimagine what it means to be proudly Filipino.”   You can connect with Gelaine at www.gelainesantiago.com and on Instagram @gelainesantiago.  To shop Cambio & Co.’s latest products, visit @cambio_co on instagram or https://www.shopcambio.co/.   WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?   BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California.   EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Joining us this week is multi-passionate teaching artist and dancer-choreographer, Niki Saludez! As part of the original cast of the newest Broadway musical by Alicia Keys, "Hell's Kitchen,” Niki shares his journey from internet kid studying Lady Gaga music videos to achieving what it takes to dance on a Broadway stage. In this episode, Niki takes us back to the catalyst of his transformative journey in New York City: a fateful dinner party that led to his meteoric rise. Listen for the magic that happens “when preparation meets opportunity,” in spaces which demand nothing less than your best self.  In opening up about the levels of physical and mental wellness of a Broadway dancer, Niki stresses the importance of community and the power of staying true to one's artistic path. His story inspires us all to listen to that inner voice, even when the path ahead is uncertain, because it's often in those daring moments that we find our true potential.  For the aspiring creatives, Niki's advice is clear: embrace discomfort, listen to your inner excitement and let it guide you.  Catch Niki on stage and get your tickets to “Hell’s Kitchen” at https://www.broadway.com/shows/hells-kitchen/ ! Follow Niki’s journey on Instagram: @TitoNiki. WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

In this week’s episode we are honored to welcome Abi Balingit! As the 2024 James Beard Emerging Voice Award Winner, Abi opens up about the success of her first book, Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed.  From her “Hotline Bling It” blogger days to experimenting with recipes in her low-lit New York apartment, Abi shines brightest as a Do-It-Yourself champion. As a self taught baker, she shares the origins behind The Dusky Kitchen blog and the impact her upbringing in a multigenerational Filipino-American household had on her culinary palate.  For creatives struggling with self-sabotaging perfectionism, Abi encourages us to build habit based strategies and to courageously “own your work.” She also gets candid on the transition from hobbyist to winning career-defining awards and the industry’s commodification of art.  Stay tuned for a sneak peek at Abi’s upcoming project, Trinket Dish! To keep up with Abi, you can follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok (@theduskykitchen) where you can explore new recipes like her Calamansi-Fish Sauce Shortbread Cookies! WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative  Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Join us this week as we sit down with Bay Area multidisciplinary artist, ChiChai! As a past Balay Kreative resident artist, she catches us up on her most recent projects, large scale murals in Yerba Buena Gardens and the gateway to the SOMA Pilipinas District, Pagsasama Sama. Muralist, fashion designer, mixed media maker and more, ChiChai honors indigenous craftsmanship and her connections to Mama Earth in her work as a youth educator. Whether teaching or creating, her work is intersectional in its roots to nature, feminism, and the dismantling of colonial mindsets,  inspiring youth to see themselves reflected around them in our collective landscape. For young Pinay creatives, ChiChai shares her impact in uplifting greater visibility for Pinays and the Filipino American Community at large and urges us to follow our guts. Her work echoes ancestral patterns and purposefulness throughout the realms of both public art and fashion, works of both function and heritage. Tune in for a behind the scenes look into ChiChai’s creative process, mural easter eggs and Icelandic tide pools! You can keep up with ChiChai at her website Chi-chai.co and her newsletter by providing your info in her contact form. WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California.   EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreativeFacebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative  

Happy Pride Month! Queer-Pinay duo, AstraLogik, joins us this week to talk all things sound and healing. As the show’s first live recording session, they curated an inclusive soundbath experience with our in-studio audience. In this episode, the pair share their trajectory of their creative process and how they discovered their “why” in the simplification of their instrumentals. In order to actualize their mission of ultimately resonating with more people, Chen and Charito strive to meet their listeners where they’re at with themselves.  They also open up about the realities of pressure coming hand in hand with growth. Their recent collaborations and projects like Pinay Voltron are revealed to be born out of evolving past the competitive conditioning they’ve been led to embody.  Between the pair’s Aries-Fire energy, Tiger Moms, and chiropractic practice, discover the magic behind Chen and Charito’s transmutation of trauma into life and artistry! Keep up with their music journey on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2eQwBFXh8c3xcnUpB7SEQ5?si=e347d08c5f1e41b2 WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreativeFacebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

This week on Cultural Kultivators, we sit down with comedian and writer Kevin Camia, who is currently on tour with Sheng Wang. From his early influences of comedy legends like Andy Kaufman and Martin Lawrence to the serious undertones of historical research and personal resilience, Kevin opens up about the complexity of his craft and his approach to life's challenges. Kevin shares the profound impact of mentors like Allan Manalo and explores the nitty gritty of creating characters that resonate with real historical figures, such as writing for "Larry" in "Larry the Musical." Discover the San Francisco comedy scene that shaped his early days and listen to Kevin’s invaluable wisdom for those navigating the unpredictable waves of the entertainment industry. Kevin's reflections on maintaining authenticity while battling industry ups and downs are particularly important for young creatives and entertainers. Join us as we uncover the blend of humor, history, and heart with Kevin Camia—a true cultivator of cultural and comedic landscapes.   WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

This week, we are thrilled to welcome mama of 5, educator, and founder of Raising Ancestors: Adrienne Esguerra!  In this crash course on what it can look like to decolonize and re-indigenize the youth of future generations, Adrienne shows us that it does start with the revolutionary act of parenting. Building in solidarity with other BIPOC scholars and educators, Adrienne’s breakdown of the Raising Ancestors’ frameworks proves that it takes a village.   At the heart of her Raising Ancestors work is raising her blended, systems-impacted, immigrant family in a multigenerational Filipino home, inspiring her to create a space that acknowledges their experiences while empowering parents to heal generational trauma through a decolonized lens. Find out how one mama’s great leap of faith and divestment from the 9 to 5 of clinical work ignited a pathway for collective liberation! For our expecting parents or current listeners looking for a safe place to explore their roles as culture bearers and raising liberated kids, this episode is for you.  To learn more about Adrienne and how to apply to the Raising Ancestors Summer Camp, visit: https://www.raisingancestors.com/ and their Instagram @raisingancestors.   WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This week we are welcoming a triple threat- powerhouse team, Sarap Shop restaurant owners: Kristen and James Brillantes and JP Reyes! Join us as the trio share their journey from a celebrated Bay Area food truck to their brick and mortar grand opening this past March. They dive deep into what it takes to come together as a dream team, which for Sarap Shop, means trailblazing a more inclusive business culture by incorporating our shared humanity and identities rooted in family systems, community networks, and fun.  From our titas’ family management roles to healing sibling relationships, tune in to their approach on how Filipino culture and family dynamics take shape in our everyday working environments. In Kristen’s words, discover how business can be a, “vehicle for the lifestyle you want.”  The Sarap Shop team is also the leading force behind Kultivate Labs’ Business Accelerator program, Seed Network. Through the Anchor Creatives and Entrepreneurs Collective (ACE), their efforts to support small businesses continue to shape the commercial district in SOMA, Pilipinas. Learn more about their work here: https://www.seednetwork.biz To aspiring food-preneurs, find out how a food truck shaped wedding ring turned into a staple at the Warriors’ stadium! @thesarapshop   WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

Join us this week as we explore Jenn Ban’s journey as a queer, Filipinx-American multidisciplinary artist whose work lies at the intersection of healing and artistic living.  Between being born into a military family, growing up in a red state, and leading her Catholic youth group, she shows us that learning and unlearning is an art in itself.  Learn how Jenn lives and breathes Reiki into her tattoo sessions as a powerful modality of healing and intention. From spiritual hygiene practices and the origins of her Dito Lang exhibit, to working with street based artists in Manila, listen in to find out how Jenn made the shifts from her pre-med path to the artist we see today. Tune in for a behind the scenes look into Bituin Studio, San Francisco’s newest Filipino-American owned and operated body art studio, a collaborative effort of co-founders Jerome Noveras, Thank You Saint, and Jenn Ban! @bituinstudio You can keep up with Jenn on her instagram @jenn.ban and book your next tattoo session with her at @sacredskinadornments   WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

This week we are honored to welcome leadership coach, business consultant, and Art of Hustle founder, Anthem Salgado!  In a metaphorically painted world of tree pruning and sports tournaments, Anthem takes us on a deep dive into his approach to professional development and artistic living. In this info-packed dialogue, he explores the starving artist narrative that many of us are all too familiar with. He advocates for a radical shift in our approach to money as a resource and reclaiming a sense of community in the arts field.  Anthem provides valuable lessons on the mindset behind "losing properly" while also responding to the asks of the universe when pursuing your creative endeavors. For budding Fil-Am entrepreneurs, this episode offers essential insights on optimism, effective leadership, and advice rooted in action.  Discover the gems behind the Paloma Concordia success story, Anthem’s PIES wellbeing check, and the humble origin story of Art of Hustle! WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

This week we are proud to welcome Bay Area rapper and Kreative Growth 2023 alumni: Mikey Vee! Get the scoop on his highly anticipated debut album, R.E.M. (Realest Expression of Myself) inspired by 17th century painter Rembrandt and his unlikely source of inspiration. A virtuoso at translating challenge into ingenuity and imagination, Mikey opens up about his creative process of self imposed artistic limitations as a practice of experimentation and introspection. Dig deep on the anatomy of some of Mikey’s favorite songs on the album like “Danaё”’s disco violin track and greek mythology lore.   Mikey stands as a testament to the breadth over depth argument, demonstrating that being well rounded can be the key to your success. Unpack the J Cole vs Kanye strategy and how he’s taking his impact to the next level as the founder of Golden Oras, an outreach and creative collective.  Find out what the video game Horizon Zero Dawn, the Tesla Bot, and a Baroque painter have in common and Mikey’s laundry list of book recommendations!   You can follow Mikey’s music journey on Instagram @mikeyveemusic and the Golden Oras Collective at @goldenoras.official WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative

As our first Season 2 guest, we’re bringing in a fellow story teller from across the country, Future Ancestors Podcast co-host and Kalayaan “Filipina Heroines of World War II” author: Kathryn Serrano!  In this Tri-State area x Bay Area crossover, Kathryn gets candid about using our privilege decisively and effectively as Filipino-Americans in a way that embraces the intentions of our family and ancestors who wanted better for us in the diaspora. She also lets us in on her journey of aligning closely with our ancestors and using their her-stories to fuel her own potential through historical immersion. In her words, sometimes this means, “being okay with the pain” of unlearning and re-remembering as a process of becoming. In a reframe of the Fil-Am Identity Crisis, Kathryn reminds us that the forces of exclusion and hunger for self understanding reflects a powerful appetite and capacity to know history, know self.  Open up Women’s Herstory Month with two powerful Pinays and stay tuned to find out who put Salvador Dali in second place. Stay for unpopular opinions on religion and surrendering control! Bahala na! For the latest updates on Kat and her work, you can follow the Future Ancestors Podcast, Mahal Publishing, and her instagram (@thekatosphere). WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE? BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVE Website: www.balaykreative.com Instagram: @balaykreative TikTok: @balaykreative Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative