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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:
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?
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:
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!
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
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
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
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
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
titles
Sound Bites
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
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
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 Timestamps00:00 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
Follow Lia and her work:
Instagram
@alyssamariewellness
Website
https://www.alyssamariewellness.com/
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!
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
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
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!…