The Halo Halo Podcast

Taste Test of "The Politician, Season 2" (Episode 220.625)

On this week’s Taste Test Episode is Season 2 of "The Politician", now streaming on Netflix. Sigi is joined by longtime friend/listener of the Halo Halo Podcast- Raie as Jezzie is away on assignment. They dive in and discuss Ryan Murphy’s latest masterpiece? Their convo covers singing the praises of Judith Light (who will forever be Angela Bower from "Who’s the Boss"); Bette Midler and a possible “spicy lube” drinking game; and the ultimate Gwyneth love her/hate her debate. Listen in and find out why Raie and Sigi recommend a serving of a latke imported from Montreal and a can of Bubly for a pairing this show. Sit back, enjoy some sass and tuned-up pop culture banter. As Sigi promised he’s left links in the show notes for their fast paced pop culture speak.
 
In this Taste Test:
Wikipedia's Entry on "Who’s The Boss",
"The Politician Season 2" Trailer,
The Politician Season 2 Episode 5 The Voters Vulture Recap,
ImDB's Entry on Gwyneth Paltrow,
ImDB's entry on Ben Platt,
ImDB's Entry on Judith Light,
ImDB's Entry on "Lost",
Fire Marshall Bill from In Living Colour,
Wikipedia's Entry on "Great Expectations(1998)",
Bubly,
Latke
 

Episode 220.5 - Who's Older Warmup

As we celebrate Sigi's birthday today, how appropriate that we play the game, Who's Older?  Find out if Jezzie is older or younger than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and if Sigi is older or younger than "Black Panther" star, Chadwick Boseman.  Have fun and Happy Birthday Sigs!

Episode 220 - Hot Summer Recommendations and Pagmamano

As this summer of quarantine living comes into full force, your co-hosts share with each other and with all of you, their recommendations on what will occupy them for these upcoming "dog days." From the "Babysitter's Club" and "Hamilton: The Musical" to "Canada's Drag Race" and "The Alienist: Angel of Darkness," Sigi and Jezzie have much to cover.  Later, they discuss the honouring gesture amongst Filipinos, known as pagmamano and its various expressions and meanings it takes on across the diaspora.  At that heart of this tradition is showing affection for our elders and in this time of physical distancing, Jezzie encourages us to demonstrate our affection through kindness, service or gifts.
In the Mix this week:
Netflix's "Umbrella Academy, Season 2",
Alicia Key's "Alicia" Wikipedia Entry,
Billboard's "Why Sam Smith is Renaming and Pushing Back Release of Their New Album",
Sam Hunt's "Southside",
Carly Rae Jepsen's Dedicated Side B
 

Episode 219.5 - The Proust Warmup with Monica

On this warmup and on the line with Sigi and Jezzie, Monica Vera, the Realtor Tita, joins your co-hosts and quickly revisit the Proust Questionnaire. Find out why Monica looks up to Oprah, how Sigi could be more specific with his wife, and what state of mind might Jezzie be in these days.  All this and a few more on this classic warmup!  

Episode 219 - The Generational Wealth of Monica Vera

As we continue to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month in Canada, Sigi and Jezzie welcome Monica Vera to the podcast where she shares her amazing immigration story and the generational wealth that she has accrued throughout her illustrious life.  As the Realtor Tita, and On the Flipside 101.3 FM radio personality, she shares both the ups and downs of parenting, the importance of breaking generational curses, and why sacrifice is more than just giving something up.  Monica also shares with Sigi and Jezzie how she has paid her wealth forward by founding the not-for-profit organization, Fundamental Learning Academy for Girls (FLAGPhil) in 2010, which has supported underprivileged girls in the Philippines and their pursuit of learning opportunities.  

Episode 218.5 - Either/Or Warmup

On this special warmup, Sigi and Jezzie are joined by their friend and editorial feedback provider, Marie Beath Badian on this forced-choice quiz.  Listen in on your co-hosts and special guest, as they muse on who they would want to narrate their lives and who would rather live with people in Antarctica versus in isolation on a tropical island.  Share in the laughs and the jabs on this Either/Or warmup.

Episode 218 - Prairie Nurse with Marie Beath Badian

June is Filipino Heritage Month in Canada and what better way for the Halo Halo Podcast to kick it off right, but with their very own special guest, editorial feedback provider to this narrowcast, and playwright extraordinaire--Marie Beath Badian!  Sigi and Jezzie showcase Marie Beath's talents in their recounting of her distinctly Filipino Canadian play, "Prairie Nurse" (available through the CBC PlayME podcast) and listen in on how she birthed this national story to life.  Later, Sigi and Jezzie ask Marie Beath to share her generational wealth where she reminds us of the importance of telling our own stories.
 In the Mix this Week: 
Goodreads entry on "Emergency Contact" by Mary H.K. Choi,
Neftlix's "The Last Dance" Teaser,
Food Network's "Junior Chef Showdown",
Netflix's "Never, Have I Ever" Trailer,

Episode 217.5 - Earn your Allyship

Earning your allyship is a lifelong journey that involves consistency, healthy self-criticism, acting instead of reacting and self-care.  In this last episode of this four-part collection on social justice and the Halo Halo Podcast's response to the call to action on Anti-Black Racism protests around the world, Jezzie helps Sigi makes sense of the coming journey ahead and the need to foster trust with the communities that we want to align ourselves with and support.  Finally, Jezzie reminds us that earning your allyship is not about earning a "badge" of sorts, but rather the point of allyship is that it helps us aspire to, in Louis Armstrong's words, "A Wonderful World".

Episode 217 - Taking Action

Educating yourself is the first step in taking any action against racial discrimination. Sigi shares how he is educating himself on what it means to be antiracist through the work of Ibram X. Kendi's "How to be an Antiracist."  On this third episode of a special four-part collection on social justice, Sigi and Jezzie expand further on Kendi's work and discuss what taking action means, and finding impactful and meaningful ways of doing this.  Later, Jezzie speaks to how systems of oppression, like white fragility perpetuate racism, and how microinterventions (inspired by Dr. E.J.R. David's Addressing Anti-Black Microaggressions in Filipino Families) especially within the Filipina/x/o communities, can be a worthwhile use of our energies.   

Episode 216.5 - Make Room for Anger

Expressing anger is key to taking any action against an injustice.  However, not everyone is comfortable with anger and its various forms of expression.  Some of us, when faced with listening to anger, want to run away from it.  While others want to contain it.  And even others will deny that any anger should be heard.  However, when we don't make space for anger, we don't really hear the injustice that needs to be heard.  In this second episode of a four-part collection on social justice, your co-hosts discuss why it's so hard to listen to anger, how anger is typically expressed and dealt with in the Filipino culture (i.e., tampo), and why it's important to validate and be a witness to one's anger.  Listeners, get ready to make room.