The Halo Halo Podcast

Episode 117 - Everything Korean and Equity for All

In this jam-packed episode, Sigi and Jezzie take a taste of everything Korean.  In the last decade, the influence of Korean culture and K-Pop music has slowly, but surely made an impact on Western culture and consumers.  Sigi and Jezzie examine BTS, and discuss Korean beauty products, along with Chanel's recent launch of beauty products for men.  Later Sigi and Jezzie, interrogate what it means to be a person of colour and suggest reframing ourselves as equity seekers.
 In the Mix this Week: 
Vox's K-Pop History Explained,
K-Pop: The Global Phenomenon Explained in 4 minutes ,

Episode 116.5 - What's in your iTunes Metadata?

What does your iTunes Metadata say about you?  Sigi and Jezzie reveal their top 25 songs played on their Apple Music + iTunes Library.  Guess which co-hosts top 25 songs resembles a 13 year-old girl playlist, and who's eclectic playlist relies on deep track and cuts.  Find out on this warmup episode!
In this extra helping:
"That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars,
"thank u, next" by Ariana Grade,
"How Do You Want It" (feat. K-Ci & JoJo) by Tupac Shukar,
"WooHoo" (feat. Nicki Minaj) [Ober Urban mix] by Christina Aguilera 
 

Episode 116 - My Way

In this compact episode, Sigi and Jezzie unpack the complexity of the social phenomenon in the Philippines known as the My Way Killings.  They critique and discuss the New York Times' article "Sinatra Song Often Strikes Deadly Chord" by Normitisu Onishi and try to find their own answers to this not-well understood string of tragic events where some karaoke singers were needlessly shot singing Frank Sinitra's crooner classic, "My Way."  Finally, Sigi and Jezzie make the case to check ourselves when we engage in the Filipino notion of having too much personal ambition, at the expense of the common good, otherwise known as kanya-kanya.
 In the Mix this Week:
The Ketogenic Diet: A Detailed Beginner's Guide to Keto,
"The Other Two" Season One Trailer,
Netflix's "Sex Education",
Netflix's "Big Mouth",
Crab Mentality,
Tall Poppy Syndrome
 

Episode 115.5 - This or That Warmup

Happy Easter Monday! Here at Halo Halo, we like our forced-choice warmup games! Two things go into the ring, only one comes out!  Will it be this or will it be that?  Will it be lecheon or will it be pancit?  Will it be Miley Cyrus or will it be Arianna Grande? Will it be "Like a Prayer" Madonna or will it be "Ray of Light" Madonna?
In this extra helping:
Jej Vinson's Blind Audition on "the Voice",
Mark Ronson - "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" (Official Video) ft. Miley Cyrus,
"Cruel Intentions" returns for one week

Episode 115 - Children's Literature and locating "home"

On this solemn Good Friday, Sigi and Jezzie spotlight children's literature and children's books.  They fondly remember some children's classics and explore soon-to-be contemporary classics for Filipino Canadians.  In particular, they showcase the award-winning Filipino Children's Story "Pan de Sal Saves the Day", "My First Book of Tagalog Words", "Filipino Celebrations: A Treasury of Feasts and Festivals" and "Hoy! A Philippine Islands Activity Book" by Toronto's own Eric Tigley.  Later, Sigi and Jezzie unpack what it means when a Filipino Canadian has not visited the Philippines, and conclude on how national identity isn't tied to going back "home."    
 In the Mix this Week:
Wikipedia Entry "One Day at a time (2017)",

Episode 114.5 - The Places We Have Gone Warmup

In this Canadian edition of "The Places We Have Gone," Sigi and Jezzie talk about their favourite memories of four Canadian Cities as their warmup.  Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, and Quebec City play centre stage as they reminisce about what made those cities so memorable.  Which city has a Goldilocks and which city served as a retreat?  Find out the answer to these questions, and much more on this warmup!  
In this extra helping:
Past Exhibitions of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts,
Vancouver port for Disney Cruise,
Goldilocks (Canada),
Wikipedia Entry on The Plains of Abrahams,
Culture Trip's "The Most Beautiful Buildings in Quebec City"

Episode 114 - Embracing the Netflix Phenomenon

Netflix. It's everywhere.  It's impact is undeniable and has sparked not only a phrase but a new activity where we can "netflix and chill."  Sigi and Jezzie reveal how Netflix has captured their attention, what they've been binging, and review the cultural influence that it has had this past decade.  They discuss how Netflix is a gamechanger and speculate how else it might disrupt the TV and Film industries.  After examining how Netflix celebrates and caters to the varied tastes in entertainment, Sigi and Jezzie discuss how learning Filipino Languages for some Filipino Canadians have been a casualty in the pursuit of being part of the Canadian society.  Sigi and Jezzie remind each other to embrace their language of origin and to take it one word or one phrase at a time.
 In the Mix this Week:
Vulture's "The Netflix Binge Factory",
"Chilling Adventures of Sabrina",
"Umbrella Academy" trailer,
"YOU" trailer,
"Dirty John" Trailer,
"You may also like: Taste in an Age of Endless Choice",
Tagalog language,
Ilocano language

Episode 113.75 - March's Debunk This! Meryenda time!

On this meryenda episode, Sigi and Jezzie debunk why Filipinos are passionate about ballads. They also analyze why gallivanting is a Filipino parent's preferred way of describing their children's roaming behaviour.  Sigi and Jezzie examine the implications of Filipino time. Finally, they trace back the origins of why leche (i.e., milk) is a serious Filipino insult.  Enjoy this snack side episode!
In the Mix this Week:
Florante's "Why do Filipinos love Sad, Pensive Songs?",
Florante Aguilar's bio,
Miriam Webster's definition of gallivant,
Research abstract on "Ay! Nosebleed!" by Dr. Dana Osborne,
"Why Filipinos follow Filipino time",
Ask the Pinoy's "Why is Milk a Filipino expletive?"

Episode 113.5 - The Proust Questionnaire Warmup

On this warmup, Sigi and Jezzie go back to the original source material and do their own Vanity Fair take on the Proust Questionnaire.  Play along with our co-hosts on this thoughtful warmup, as they contemplate what happiness truly is, confess their own deplorables, and explore their considerations that allow one to not tell the truth.  Hear how their answers reflect their personalities and reveal their true nature!
 In this extra helping:
Answer Vanity Fair's "The Proust Questionnaire",
Futurelab's "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility",
New York Time's Editorial Opinion on "Suffer Fools Gladly",
IMdB's Entry on "The Bachelor",
Wikipedia Entry on "The Apprentice (US Series)"

Episode 113 - Reboots, Remakes, Revivals and our Re-educations

The TV landscape has felt, at the same time, both new and old.  These nostalgic and familiar feelings could be attributed to the recent wealth of reboots, remakes and revivals available on TV and streaming. Sigi and Jezzie review the nuanced differences among these shows.  Later, they re-examine their education journeys and the implicit (and sometimes) invisible pressures that they have felt along the way.  They discuss the importance of mentorship, and it how it can be an important strategy to help one thrive, on one's academic and career paths.
 In the Mix this Week:
English-Language Thoughts on Reboots, Remakes, and Revivals,
"Queer Eye" Wikipedia Entry,
"Charmed" Trailer,
IMDb's entry on "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina",
Variety's take on "Murphy Brown"Revival,
The Conners: ABC Eyeing Season 2 of Roseanne Spinoff Amid Strong Ratings,
Promoting Post-Secondary Pathways Among Filipino Youth in Ontario