The Halo Halo Podcast

Episode 502.5 - Comics Warmup with Allan Matudio

On this warm up, Sigi and Jezzie are joined by Allan Matudio, author of the graphic novel "Kasama". They discuss the first comics they purchased and consumed as young kids. Find out which co-host got very confused about Archie comics. Also, Sigi asks Allan for some recommended reading for our listeners! To learn more about Allan and get your copy of Kasama, go to www.allanmatudio.com and follow him on @allanmatudio

Episode 502 - Allan Matudio’s ”Kasama” Deconstructed

On this episode, Jezzie and Sigi welcomes Allan Matudio into the virtual Halo Halo Podcast studios to discuss his graphic novel, "Kasama". Allan shares that his research on the pre-colonial Filipino aesthetic led  to volunteering in his local community. He had learned a lot from his own kasama in Montreal and it brought an urge to share what he had learned with a greater audience. As an illustrator and writer, Allan thought the best medium for sharing is through the comic book format. Sigi and Jezzie explore with Allan, the themes that Kasama touches on and discuss his inspirations in creating this graphic novel. To learn more about Allan and order a copy of "Kasama", visit www.allanmatudio.com and follow him on @allanmatudio.

Episode 501 - Livestream Talkback Session on ”The Waltz”

On the season five premiere, Sigi and Jezzie have a livestreamed talkback session with the writer(Marie Beath Badian) and director (Niña Lee Aquino) of Factory Theatre's production of "The Waltz".  On this live recording, with an in-studio audience, Sigi and Jezzie discuss stepping into the Prarieverse and discuss how "The Waltz," a coming-of-age love story under the Saskatchewan Sky, is a love letter.  Later, listen in as Sigi, Jezzie, Marie Beath and Niña, reminisce about their favourite rom coms and what they loved most about the 90s.  Factory Theatre's Toronto production of "The Waltz" runs until November 13, 2022.  Buy your tickets now!

Episode 420.75 - Meryenda on Manille Liqueur de Calamansi

For this Meryenda Episode, your co-hosts talk calamansi cocktails and close off Season 4 of The Halo Halo Podcast. Sigi and Jezzie take a look back at Season 4 on memorable topics, funniest discussions and  the plethora of guests who graced them with their presence for 2021-2022. Big thank you to all of you listening, elevating and celebrating. Over 19 000 downloads and counting, cannot wait to come back for Season 5 Fall 2022!

Episode 420.625 - Taste Test of ”Trixie Motel”

On this last Taste Test of Season four, Jezzie samples "Trixie Motel". Find out why Jezzie compares this show to authentic Greek food and how Trixie Mattel and her crew finds ways to integrate themselves into the community of Palm Springs. If you are a die hard Trixie Mattel fan or anyone who would want to venture to Palm Springs, this show may be up your alley.

Episode 420.5 - Travel on the Fly Warmup

With Sigi away on location, guest co-host, Chelle, helps out Kuya on this warmup.  With the Halo Halo Podcast focusing the month of July on travel, Kuya quizzes Chelle on their most favourable places they've travelled. Find out who can't get enough of southern California and why El Nido is reminiscent of the French Riviera.  This and just a bit more on this final warmup episode of Season four.

Episode 420 - Small Town Pride and Filipinos in Small Towns with Chelle

In honour of July being a travel month for the Podcast, and to help close out Season four, Chelle visits the Halo Halo Studios and fills in for Sigi while he's away on location.  On this visit to the Halo Halo Studios, Chelle discusses their latest work, "Small Town Pride", a documentary streaming on CBC Gem which follows several queer individuals planning and preparing as they celebrate Pride in their respective small towns.  Jezzie dissects with Chelle how being unapologetic and being persistent is the key to having pride in this intimate portrayal of being queer in a small town. Later, Chelle reveals how they also met and discovered the Filipinos in these small towns and remarks on the lengths that our fellow Filipinos will go to support our families.  

Episode 419.625 - Taste Test of ”Showpao”

On this week’s Taste Test episode, Sigi samples the documentary Showpao, currently streaming on YouTube. Sigi likens this film to a serving of halo halo, a mix of personal stories told from the perspectives of Carlito, Rosabel, Jean-Noel and Jash, four Filipino/a/x Canadians living in Montreal. Each candid reflection had common threads but were still unique in sharing the Filipino/a/x Canadian experience in Quebec. It was refreshing for Sigi to see the representation of several generations of our culture and their personal journeys take up space in a film.
The immigration stories ranged from Carlito’s accidental story of getting sponsored by his brother to Rosabel following her mother’s advice to change her path to create a better life for her daughter. As each person shares their unique story, it is so interesting they include discussions on a unifying thread of people and their connection to culture and food, whether it be Jash musing that she cooks when she feels alone, Jean-Noel sharing the origins of the name of his cafe and Carlito smiling and telling the interviewer, that eating adobo and pancit makes us Filipino. Each person shares a message of hope as they talk about what makes you a Filipino/a/x Montrealer, to connect and find community with fellow Filipino/a/x with your shared experiences; embrace your culture without fear and to grow; and to have empathy for future generations.
Halo Halo Podcast listeners, we highly recommend you all to watch Showpao to learn more about the Filipinix-Montrealer experience. Many props to the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students (FOCUS) for sharing this film.

Episode 419.5 - No Person is an Island Warmup

To kick off this July warm up–No Person is an Island,  Sigi and Jezzie curate their own specific Island experience by answering what items, meals, music, apparel and people they would include in their stranded island situation.

Episode 419 - Filipino Travel Bloggers and Connection to the Islands

The Halo Halo Podcast kicks off July with a spotlight on Filipino Travel bloggers and explore our connection to the islands. In their pop culture catch up, Jezzie and Sigi discuss not crossing paths during Pride weekend in TO while Sigi and his family spend a quick 24 hours visiting close friends and the aquarium. Sigi waxes on his latest streaming addictions: Loot and the Lake while Jezzie shares his love of Fire Island, the latest seasons of Legendary and The Handmaids Tale.
As both co-hosts mention that it is the beginning of summer and people are ready to travel, Jezzie highlights Filipino Travel bloggers, David Guison, (@davidguison)  and Jan and Ann, (@janandann). David who has been a travel and lifestyle blogger since 2011 shares a cool, luxe vibe encouraging a millennial view on how life should be about recreation, relaxation and discovery. Jan and Ann are a Filipino couple who moved from Alberta to Philippines to pursue their dreams of wanting to be content creators and sharing hidden gems/paradises and collecting experiences. Jan and Ann’s story is a call to the islands and their travel vlogs share similar stories to other vlogs where picturesque vistas are showcased that encourage people to connect with the islands. Jezzie explains that there is something visceral about watching a travel vlog or visiting the Islands themselves. Further, we encourage others to find other Filipino vloggers like David, and Jan and Ann and find something that you can connect with in terms of what they showcase.