Filipina on the Rise

Filipina on the Rise

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Filipina on the Rise episodes

  • Asking the audience: What are you building and why? (LIVE Call-in!)

    A live "radio" show! Where I ask the audience questions.

    Host Krystl brings back the cozy vibes of old-school call-in radio with a live episode of Filipina on the Rise. She shares how her podcast evolved into IRL meetups across multiple cities, why she had to pause the in-person chapter program after leadership and operations challenges, and what she’s now building: a community tech product designed to make it radically simple for women—especially Filipinas and anyone feeling lonely—to find local community and monthly gatherings in just a few clicks. Inspired by Canva founder Melanie Perkins and her mission to “make complex things simple,” Krystl is applying that same philosophy to community-building.

    Then, three callers share what they’re building and why:

    • Leonie (New York) talks about Pop Syrup Popcorn, a Filipino-inspired small batch popcorn company born from her time in “corn country” Iowa and her longing for Filipino flavors. She shares moving into her own popcorn facility, launching a Kickstarter to fund custom packaging and limited-edition Filipino-designed stickers, and learning the ropes of capital, QuickBooks, and scaling a food brand while being buoyed by strong community support.
    • Misa (South Pasadena / LA), founder of Authentic Asian, dives into building a paid community for Asian women in the workplace across the U.S. and London. She unpacks three big challenges: scarcity mindset around investing in joy and community, discoverability of such a niche space, and early algorithm issues where her content was served to men searching “Asian female.” She and Krystl reflect on breaking cultural cycles, redefining success, and holding space for high-achieving Asian women to grow and heal together.
    • Michelle (Long Island), a social worker and founder of Thriving Asian, shares how burnout in international social work and public health led her to center the mental health of Asian and Filipino leaders and high achievers. She explains why mental health must be seen as a foundation (not an afterthought) and how she creates culturally relevant workshops and conversations that go beyond “Western” mental health language. Michelle also opens up about the challenge of shifting from traditional nonprofit funding to building a more sustainable, community-powered model.

    Across the episode, you’ll hear real-time stories of Filipina and Asian women turning online connection into offline community, wrestling with funding and visibility, and reimagining what success, leadership, and mental health can look like for our communities.

    Would you like a one-paragraph, under-500-character version of this specifically for Apple/Spotify episode descriptions?

    59 min
  • The next version of you involves other people! (+ my fun formula to building things)

    Hey y'all it's me Krystl! I'm recording this spontaneously in a morning in Brooklyn, NYC after a conversation I had with a friend about a clear realization that might help everyone RISE into their next season of life better :)

    In this solo episode recorded from New York City, Krystl reflects on how Filipino on the Rise grew from one casual meetup into a movement, and what’s calling her into a new season of collaboration and in‑person connection.

    What we cover:

    • How a spontaneous Filipino restaurant meetup in NYC grew into 50+ local chapters and monthly gatherings
    • Why Krystl is feeling blocked starting her next big project—and how she realized it’s because it’s not meant to be built alone
    • The “three forces” behind everything she creates: her own will, the energy of other people, and God
    • How she builds teams around zones of genius (shoutouts to Patricia, Stephanie, Tess, and the chapter leads)
    • Her emerging vision to turn online followership into real-life friendships, including a future live radio-style show where listeners can call in

    Send me your thoughts on this episode at Instagram @filipinaontherise @krystlbella

    Ready to meetup with other sisters? Join our in-person communities here!: https://forms.gle/AVsyxwKFbYHfwNaS6

    Re-launching this fall!

    45 min
  • When 10 Years of Trust Building Takes Off | Jelynn Malone, Award Winning Coffee cofounder and Lead Actress of Hollywood Dramedy

    Filipina-American actress, host, and award-winning entrepreneur Jelynn Malone is on a mission to put the Philippines on the global stage—from Hollywood sets to specialty coffee farms. As Co-Founder and Chief Brand & Marketing Officer of Mostra Coffee and the lead of the new medical dramedy Nurse the Dead, Jelynn shows what it looks like when a Filipina builds her own lane at the intersection of culture, creativity, and impact. This episode dives into how she turned her family legacy, cultural pride, and a clear sense of purpose into platforms that uplift Filipino stories and livelihoods worldwide.  


    In this episode we’ll cover…  

    - How growing up in a family of Filipino entertainers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in San Diego shaped Jelynn’s vision for her life  

    - The identity journey from being the only Filipina in a predominantly white neighborhood—and feeling shame about her roots—to claiming her Filipina identity as her superpower  

    - The pivotal moment seeing her tita star in Miss Saigon and realizing Filipinas could be leading women in media, not just side characters  

    - Jelynn’s path from professional dancer in Hollywood to actress and host, and why she felt called to use media as a tool for representation  

    - The origin story of Mostra Coffee: a trip to the Philippines, witnessing deep poverty, and the decision to build a business that creates jobs and champions Philippine specialty coffee  

    - What it means to lead a purpose-driven brand that supports Filipino coffee farming communities while also stepping into a major acting role as a Filipina nurse in Nurse the Dead 


    🧭 Timestamps:


    00:00 Intro bloopers, host welcome & who is Jelynn?  

    02:01 How Crystal & Jelynn met + the power of Filipina community  

    03:21 Growing up Filipina in San Diego: family legacy, arts & identity  

    07:20 From Hollywood dancer to media representation advocate  

    09:04 Trip to the Philippines, Gawad Kalinga & the seed for Mostra Coffee  

    11:10 Choosing coffee to uplift the Philippines & create jobs  

    13:18 What makes Philippine specialty coffee special (and why it matters)  

    15:23 Paying farmers fairly, partnering with big brands & staying true to the mission  

    17:52 Defining your bigger why & keeping the doors open in a crisis  

    19:12 Trust, values & what makes strong co‑founder relationships  

    22:30 Scaling Mostra, returning to acting & leading as a multipassionate Filipina 

    31:45 Landing “Nurse the Dead” & Filipina representation on screen  

    40:30 Advice for Filipinas carving their own path + closing reflections   


    Importance of Episode:  

    For Filipinas who are the “firsts” in their families, Jelynn’s story is a powerful reminder that you’re allowed to be many things at once—artist, entrepreneur, cultural advocate, and leader. This conversation offers a real-life example of how to turn cultural pride into concrete impact, from economic empowerment in the homeland to authentic representation on screen. If you’ve ever felt torn between your ambition and your roots, this episode will show you how they can actually fuel each other.  


    ✨ CONNECT WITH JELYNN:

    * Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1650175/  

    * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jelynnmalone  

    * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jelynn.sophia/  

    * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelynn-malone-969357209/  


    📣 FOLLOW US:

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise  

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise  

    Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com  


    #FilipinaOnTheRise #JelynnMalone #MostraCoffee #FilipinaExcellence #FilipinaLeadership #FilipinaEntrepreneurs #AAPIWomen #RepresentationMatters #PhilippineCoffee #PinayPower


    Brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.

    As a business owner, podcaster, and multi-business owner, I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from building the right partnerships. OptiNizers matches you with carefully vetted, continuously trained remote talent aligned with your goals, so you can scale with confidence.

    👉 Book a free call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

    https://www.optinizers.com/contact



    49 min
  • Filipino Virtual Professionals are powering businesses worldwide... but at what cost?

    This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers (https://www.optinizers.com/) — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

    Andy Cheng is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and former President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Los Angeles Chapter who has built and scaled multiple multi‑million dollar businesses. In this episode, he’s joined by Trisha, a Filipina operator and Head of Recruitment at OptiNizers, to break down how scrappy founders can stop doing everything alone and finally build the right support around them. If you’ve ever felt stuck at the same level—working nonstop but not really moving forward—this conversation will show you a different way to grow.

    In this episode we’ll cover…

    - The moment you know you can’t “DIY” your business anymore and what to do instead  

    - Why Andy believes your first hire should usually be an executive assistant—and how that unlocks both your business and personal life  

    - The difference between “connecting the dots” and truly empowering remote talent, especially Filipino professionals  

    - How Trisha went from BPO employee to a founder’s right-hand operator helping scale a team from 2 to 20  

    - The most common mindset blocks founders have around delegating, and practical shifts to start letting go  

    - Real examples of what Filipino remote talent can own for you—EA, operations, bookkeeping, video editing, and more  

    🧭 Timestamps:

    00:00 Welcome & why this convo matters for every kind of builder  

    01:30 Meeting Andy & Trisha + how OptiNizers supports this podcast  

    03:26 Trisha’s journey from BPO to right-hand operator & Head of Recruitment  

    06:46 If you feel stuck and keep “starting over” every year…  

    10:25 Who OptiNizers serves and the most common roles to hire first  

    13:40 Two types of clients & getting honest about what you really need  

    19:25 Discovering exploitation in the VA industry  

    20:45 Starting OptiNizers with a more ethical, balanced model  

    25:06 When is it actually time to hire support? (Effective hourly rate)  

    30:40 What to delegate first as a scrappy founder  

    36:10 How to build healthy relationships with Filipino remote talent  

    42:00 Letting go of control & focusing on your zone of genius  

    47:30 Final advice for Filipinas redefining leadership and success  

    ✨ CONNECT WITH ANDY

    Instagram (OptiNizers): @optinizers  

    Website: https://chengandy.com/

    📣 Follow Filipina on the Rise  

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise  

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise  

    Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com  

    #FilipinaOnTheRise #AndyCheng #OptiNizers #FilipinaLeadership #FilipinaEntrepreneur #FilipinoTalent #AAPIWomen #FilipinaExcellence #VirtualAssistant #RemoteWork #Delegation #WomenInBusiness

    As a business owner, podcaster, and multi-business owner, I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from building the right partnerships. OptiNizers matches you with carefully vetted, continuously trained remote talent aligned with your goals, so you can scale with confidence.

    👉 Book a free call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

    https://www.optinizers.com/contact

    52 min
  • Filipino Virtual Professionals are powering businesses worldwide... but at what cost?

    This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers (https://www.optinizers.com/) — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

    Andy Cheng is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and former President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Los Angeles Chapter who has built and scaled multiple multi‑million dollar businesses. In this episode, he’s joined by Trisha, a Filipina operator and Head of Recruitment at OptiNizers, to break down how scrappy founders can stop doing everything alone and finally build the right support around them. If you’ve ever felt stuck at the same level—working nonstop but not really moving forward—this conversation will show you a different way to grow.

    In this episode we’ll cover…

    - The moment you know you can’t “DIY” your business anymore and what to do instead  

    - Why Andy believes your first hire should usually be an executive assistant—and how that unlocks both your business and personal life  

    - The difference between “connecting the dots” and truly empowering remote talent, especially Filipino professionals  

    - How Trisha went from BPO employee to a founder’s right-hand operator helping scale a team from 2 to 20  

    - The most common mindset blocks founders have around delegating, and practical shifts to start letting go  

    - Real examples of what Filipino remote talent can own for you—EA, operations, bookkeeping, video editing, and more  

    🧭 Timestamps:

    00:00 Welcome & why this convo matters for every kind of builder  

    01:30 Meeting Andy & Trisha + how OptiNizers supports this podcast  

    03:26 Trisha’s journey from BPO to right-hand operator & Head of Recruitment  

    06:46 If you feel stuck and keep “starting over” every year…  

    10:25 Who OptiNizers serves and the most common roles to hire first  

    13:40 Two types of clients & getting honest about what you really need  

    19:25 Discovering exploitation in the VA industry  

    20:45 Starting OptiNizers with a more ethical, balanced model  

    25:06 When is it actually time to hire support? (Effective hourly rate)  

    30:40 What to delegate first as a scrappy founder  

    36:10 How to build healthy relationships with Filipino remote talent  

    42:00 Letting go of control & focusing on your zone of genius  

    47:30 Final advice for Filipinas redefining leadership and success  

    ✨ CONNECT WITH ANDY

    Instagram (OptiNizers): @optinizers  

    Website: https://chengandy.com/

    📣 Follow Filipina on the Rise  

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise  

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise  

    Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com  

    #FilipinaOnTheRise #AndyCheng #OptiNizers #FilipinaLeadership #FilipinaEntrepreneur #FilipinoTalent #AAPIWomen #FilipinaExcellence #VirtualAssistant #RemoteWork #Delegation #WomenInBusiness

    As a business owner, podcaster, and multi-business owner, I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from building the right partnerships. OptiNizers matches you with carefully vetted, continuously trained remote talent aligned with your goals, so you can scale with confidence.

    👉 Book a free call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

    https://www.optinizers.com/contact

    52 min
  • Being Underestimated is your Biggest Advantage | First Filipina Winner of Survivor, Erika Casupana

    This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers (https://www.optinizers.com/) — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

    Erika Casupanan made history as the first Canadian — and first Filipina — to win American Survivor, breaking a seven-season streak of male winners with her quiet, strategic game. A proud Filipina Canadian with roots in Manila and a background in tech and communications, Erika turned a lifetime of being underestimated into her greatest competitive advantage. In this episode, she shows us how the skills many Filipinas develop just to survive and succeed in Western systems are the same skills that can make us powerful leaders, strategists, and game-changers.

    In this episode we’ll cover…

    - Growing up in a multigenerational Filipino household in Canada and watching her parents navigate “survival mode”

    - How being the child of immigrants shaped Erika’s resourcefulness, ambition, and belief that she could “figure it out” no matter the hand she was dealt

    - The story of how Survivor became her childhood dream after the loss of her grandfather — and why representation and resilience were at the heart of it

    - The real skills that helped her win Survivor: emotional intelligence, reading people, communications savvy, and navigating male-dominated spaces like tech

    - How Erika strategically leveraged being underestimated — her size, her identity, her persona — into a winning advantage

    - What it means to step into your power as a Filipina, own your story, and see that you already have what it takes to “win” in your own life

    🧭 Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Breaking Survivor history & Erika’s many “firsts”  

    00:03:12 From tech & comms to the Survivor island  

    00:04:53 Growing up Filipina Canadian in survival mode  

    00:07:41 Discovering Survivor at 11 & dreaming of winning  

    00:10:07 Noticing privilege, power & being “different”  

    00:10:36 The high school TV show story & losing an opportunity  

    00:18:24 Invisible strings, bias & trusting your gut  

    00:21:26 Overachieving, people-pleasing & career beginnings  

    00:30:00 Turning being underestimated into a winning Survivor strategy  

    00:42:00 Emotional intelligence, alliances & making bold moves  

    00:54:00 Life after Survivor: speaking, media & owning your identity  

    01:04:00 Creating “Happy to See Me” + advice for underestimated Filipinas 


    ✨ CONNECT WITH ERIKA:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas  

    Website: https://www.erikacasupanan.com/  

    Podcast: “Happy to See Me!” (available on all major podcast platforms)  


    📣 Follow Filipina on the Rise  

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise  

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise  

    Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com  


    This podcast episode is brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.


    👉 Book a free call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

    https://www.optinizers.com/contact

    1 hr 15 min
  • Why Filipinas Need to Be in the AI Conversation | Replay with Dr. Kristine, Founder & former Director of AI

    This episode features Dr. Khristine Gloria, a cognitive scientist and AI ethics expert, discussing the importance of diversity, representation, and ethical considerations in AI development. We explore how biases in AI reflect societal stereotypes, the role of community input, and strategies for responsible AI use, especially for marginalized communities.

    keywords

    AI ethics, diversity in AI, representation, biases, responsible AI, Filipino community, media representation, technology for good

    key topics

    • AI biases and stereotypes
    • Representation of marginalized communities in AI
    • Ethical data collection and consent
    • Diversity in AI development teams
    • Community engagement in AI design

    titles

    • AI and Cultural Representation: Addressing Biases and Stereotypes
    • The Future of AI: Diversity, Ethics, and Community Impact

    Sound Bites

    • "Bias is exponential in AI decision making"
    • "Humans have qualities AI cannot replicate"
    • "Diverse teams create better AI products"

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction to Dr. Christine Gloria and AI ethics

    01:14
    The Filipino Barbie AI-generated controversy

    02:59
    Media representation and stereotypes in AI

    07:55
    Critical thinking about AI and cultural biases

    11:23
    Human bias in AI training data

    12:58
    Ethical data collection and regulation

    15:24
    Diversity in AI teams and decision-making

    18:33
    Approaching AI with curiosity and responsibility

    20:06
    Common misconceptions about AI and fears

    23:38
    Humans' unique qualities in the age of AI

    25:04
    Connecting with community and upskilling in AI

    27:05
    The art of articulating AI prompts

    27:52
    Learning Filipino history through innovative courses

    29:54
    Cultural adoption of technology in the Philippines

    30:36
    Diversity and representation in AI development

    32:58
    Final thoughts and resources for further learning

    33:43
    Fun with AI: Creating song lyrics

    Resources

    • Dr. Christine Gloria on LinkedIn
    • AI Bias and Fairness - MIT Technology Review
    41 min
  • Why Is It So Hard to Ask for What You Need? Achieving Relationship Reciprocity with Lia Mancao, Licensed Therapist (feat. on Vogue, Elle, Oprah Mag)

    Many of us grow up learning to take care of everyone else first.

    For many women — especially Filipina women navigating family expectations, cultural values, and relationships — that can show up as over-functioning, suppressing our needs, and staying in patterns that don’t truly support us.

    In this episode, therapist and social worker Lia Mancao joins us to talk about the relationship patterns many people don’t realize they’re carrying — and how to start building self-trust, healthier boundaries, and more balanced partnerships.

    Lia shares insights from her work helping people understand how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, why people often forgive quickly to avoid abandonment, and how we can begin reconnecting with our own needs.

    This conversation is honest, reflective, and ultimately hopeful — especially if you’ve ever felt responsible for holding everything together.

    In This Episode We Talk About

    • how Filipino culture and family dynamics can shape the way many women show up in relationships
    • the difference between a “proximityship” and a true partnership, and what self-abandonment actually looks like
    • why many women over-function in relationships and struggle to name their needs
    • how to start rebuilding self-trust, boundaries, and healthier relationship patterns

    Listener Reflection

    Have you ever noticed yourself doing more than your share in relationships — just to keep things working?

    What might change if you trusted yourself enough to name your needs?

    Episode Timestamps

    00:00 Intro & meet therapist Lia Mancao
    02:20 Lia’s background and path into therapy and social work
    05:00 Why understanding childhood experiences matters in adult life
    09:00 Social justice, advocacy, and mental health work
    12:05 The difference between functional rest vs restorative rest
    13:55 Why some people struggle to truly relax
    23:50 Finding micro-moments of rest in busy lives
    24:55 Relationship patterns many Filipina clients experience
    26:10 How childhood needs affect adult relationships
    27:10 Why some people struggle to even identify their needs
    28:10 Forgiving quickly because of fear of abandonment
    30:20 How to rebuild self-trust through small actions
    32:30 Inner child work and what we needed to hear growing up
    34:00 Giving yourself the apology you never received
    34:45 The concept of a “proximityship” vs partnership
    36:30 What self-abandonment actually looks like
    37:55 Understanding social currency and external validation
    40:00 The pressure to perform on social media
    42:00 Adapting without losing authenticity
    44:00 Knowing when to step back from productivity
    46:15 Navigating seasons of uncertainty
    47:10 An inner child reflection practice

    Connect with Our Guest

    Follow Lia and her work:

    Instagram
    @alyssamariewellness

    Website
    https://www.alyssamariewellness.com/

    Connect with Filipina on the Rise

    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/filipinaontherise

    Website
    https://www.filipinaontherise.com

    If this conversation resonated with you, please consider giving to Filipina on the Rise here: https://www.filipinaontherise.com/donate or leaving a 5-star written review on Apple Podcasts.

    It helps the show get discovered, allows us to bring on incredible guests, and supports the mission of uplifting Filipina voices and stories.

    Thank you and Stay Rising!

    51 min
  • Why Not You? Martial Artist Nelita Villezon on Building Unshakable Confidence, Reclaiming Mixed Identity & Dreaming Bigger at 40

    This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers (https://www.optinizers.com/) — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

    Filipina martial artist, wellness entrepreneur, and digital creator Nelita Villezon has spent her life becoming a “human weapon” — and now she’s using that power to help women feel safer, stronger, and more rooted in who they are. From growing up under the wing of her world-champion martial artist father to navigating health challenges, grief, motherhood, and reinvention, Nelita’s journey is a masterclass in embodied confidence and redefining power as a Filipina. This conversation is for anyone who wants to feel more secure in her body, more honest about her struggles, and more intentional about how she rises. 

    In this episode we’ll cover… 
    - How Nelita’s Filipina upbringing and her dad’s legacy in martial arts shaped her identity, confidence, and career path  
    - What it really means to be a “human weapon” — and how awareness, boundaries, and simple tools (yes, even an umbrella) can radically increase your safety  
    - The behind-the-scenes reality of being a creator, mom, and entrepreneur in her late 30s/40s — and why she’s done performing perfection online  
    - Why she felt called to create women-only self-defense spaces and the emotional shift she witnesses when fear turns into power in her students  
    - How grief, health scares, and life transitions led her to focus on longevity, wellness, and sustainable strength instead of hustle and burnout  
    - Practical ways Filipinas can reclaim power in everyday life: from how you walk into a room to how you advocate for your body, time, and energy  

    ⏱ Timestamps

    00:00:00 Welcome, Filipina on the Rise & Nelita’s intro  
    00:01:21 “Frazzled but here”: real-life chaos & showing up anyway  
    00:03:06 What it means to be a “human weapon” & her dad’s legacy  
    00:04:49 Lifelong martial arts, survival, and doors it opened  
    00:05:56 Situational awareness, travel safety & everyday “weapons”  
    00:06:52 Why she felt called to train women specifically  
    00:07:58 The switch that flips when women find their power  
    00:09:40 Representation, fierceness & being who you never saw growing up  
    00:11:04 Growing up Black and Filipina, moving from North Carolina to California  
    00:13:35 “What are you?”: forms, race boxes & early identity confusion  
    00:18:30 Claiming both cultures & healing the inner child  
    00:25:10 Entering male-dominated spaces in martial arts and film  
    00:33:45 Grief, health challenges & rebuilding from rock bottom  
    00:42:20 Redefining strength: longevity, nervous system & sustainable power  
    00:51:00 Motherhood, boundaries & designing a values-led career  
    00:58:30 Practical self-defense tips & how to start training today  
    01:03:00 Final words for the woman learning to take up space  

    ✨ Connect with Nelita  
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/nelita_v  
    Programs & Offerings: https://stan.store/nelita_v  

    📣 Follow Filipina on the Rise  
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise  
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise  
    Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com  

    This podcast episode is brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.

    👉 Book a free call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

    https://www.optinizers.com/contact

    1 hr 6 min
  • A Film Producer Bringing Our Stories to the Big Screen | Hillary Soriano on How to Execute Big Visions on a Budget & Filipina Care as Power

    This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.


    Hillary Soriano is a Filipina-American actress and executive producer creating independent films centered on Filipino and immigrant stories. From co-producing their very first film with Manny Pacquiao to releasing their latest project theatrically through Regal Cinemas, Hillary and her husband Chris have built a filmmaking career outside the traditional studio system — on their own terms.

    What if our cultural traits — our care, service, and resourcefulness — are actually our greatest advantage?

    Hillary shares what it was like feeling replaceable in LA and the moment she and Chris stopped waiting for permission and built their own projects. We talk about her new film, Red Light Teachers, following a Filipina immigrant forced to make difficult choices to survive — and unpack a familiar tension: being pushed toward “safe” careers, yet discovering that the same caregiving instinct can become real leadership power.

    ⏱ Timestamps

    00:00 – Welcome + Why Filipina Care Is Power
    03:16 – Feeding a 15-Hour Film Set & Leadership Through Care
    06:58 – Co-Producing Their First Film with Manny Pacquiao
    10:32 – Feeling Replaceable in LA & Creating Their Own Opportunities
    15:19 – How to Start Producing a Film: Script, Team, Budget
    22:16 – The Story Behind Red Light Teachers
    26:07 – Immigrant Survival & The Choices We Don’t Talk About
    42:17 – Relationships, Business & Why Being Nice Wins
    49:54 – “Your Time Will Come”

    This podcast episode is brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.

    As a business owner, podcaster, and multi-business owner, I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from building the right partnerships. OptiNizers matches you with carefully vetted, continuously trained remote talent aligned with your goals, so you can scale with confidence.

    👉 Free up time to focus on the BIG PICTURE, book a complimentary call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL



    56 min

About Filipina on the Rise

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Filipina on the Rise Podcast! This podcast aims to promote Filipina excellence world wide by elevating Filipinas in every industry who are doing big things and making an impact!…