In this episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Cyra and Chef Martin share candidly about the big and small changes that come with becoming parents, especially as overseas Filipino workers raising kids away from extended family.

They talk about the shift from chef-life hours to parenting “shifts,” the struggles of caring for a newborn during the pandemic without extra help, and how they learned to balance work, sleepless nights, and new routines together.

Amid the laughter, personal anecdotes, and honest reflections, Cyra and Martin remind listeners that while no one is ever fully prepared for parenthood, love, teamwork, and trust in each other make the journey possible.

The conversation also dives into:

• The importance of teamwork in parenting (a.k.a. the “new job: shifting schedule”)

• Coping with fears like SIDS and adjusting sleep patterns

• Why both moms and dads need emotional support postpartum

• Discovering matrescence (the transition to motherhood)

In this pilot episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Martin and Cyra Capanzanas share the journey that brought them from the Philippines to Singapore, navigating career shifts, building a family, and rediscovering themselves as overseas Filipino parents.

They open up about the experiences that shaped their lives: from finding communities online and offline, to balancing demanding careers with family time, to turning loss and healing into meaningful projects. Most importantly, they reveal why they started this podcast, not just as a space to share their story, but as a living diary for their children, Avana and Yosef, to one day listen back to.

Along the way, Martin and Cyra talk about their love story, friends, career journey, side hustles, grief, resilience, and the importance of carving joy and connection while abroad.