Formosa Dream Chasers

Last week, we caught up with fellow Filipino Rhea Leorag, who’s been charting her own path across cultures — from Manila to Taipei to Seoul. We learned how studying in both Taiwan and South Korea broadened Rhea's view of the world — especially through the lens of music.

Today, we dive deeper into Rhea’s time in South Korea — this time, turning the spotlight on the country’s dynamic music scene. She shares what stood out to her from the inside and also offers her insights on the music industries in Taiwan, South Korea, and, of course, the Philippines.

Listen in as Rhea gives us her inside take on South Korea’s vibrant music scene and what sets it apart from the rest of the world.

In this episode, we reconnect with Rhea Leorag, a fellow Filipino whose journey has taken her from Manila to Taipei and Seoul — all in pursuit of learning, growth, and music.

Rhea recently earned her Master’s degree in Cultural and Creative Industries from the Taipei National University of the Arts, with part of her studies spent in South Korea through an exchange program at the Korea National University of Arts. Her time in both countries gave her a front-row seat to two vibrant music scenes — each with its own rhythm, culture, and lessons.

Tune in as Rhea shares what it was like navigating student life abroad, the differences between Taiwan and Korea’s learning environments, and what her takeaways were from these experiences. It’s a story of chasing knowledge, crossing borders, and finding your beat in unexpected places - an episode you don't want to miss!

David Perez is back for the third and final part of his story on Formosa Dream Chasers! In earlier episodes, we heard how his brother's motorcycle accident pushed him to start a new chapter in Taiwan with their Mexican food business.

As we learned more about David's start in the entertainment industry, we also discovered the many struggles he overcame to build his career. This time, we dig deeper into David’s mindset and discover how resilience, risk-taking, and staying true to himself have helped him face challenges head-on. His journey shows that chasing your dreams is never a straight path, but with belief and vision, it can lead to something greater than you ever imagined.

David Perez returns for the second part of his story! This time, we join him in the spotlight as we learn what it is like to step onto the stage here in Taiwan. Beyond running a Mexican food business and dealing with day-to-day challenges of life, David talks about facing down stage fright, finding ways to connect with his audiences, and discovering just how powerful laughter can be.

In this episode, he shares the highs and lows of performing in a language different from his own, including one unforgettable, bittersweet moment that became a true turning point in his journey as an entertainer. It’s a conversation about vulnerability, perseverance, and the magic that happens when one chases after one's dreams.

Listen in to find out more!

David Perez is back on Formosa Dream Chasers! You might remember him from our earlier episode with his brother Ivan, when they shared how a life-changing accident sparked the idea for their Mexican restaurant in Taiwan. But that was just the beginning of David’s story.

Beyond running a Mexican food business, David is also an actor and comedian, bringing energy and laughter to audiences here in Taiwan. In this episode, we dive into that journey: how David turned obstacles into opportunities, what it’s like to break into Taiwan’s entertainment scene, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Curious about what it's like to work in Taiwan's entertainment industry? Then tune in to find out!

By the way, if you missed out on the earlier episode of David and his brother Ivan, you can tune in to it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/the-recipe-for-resilience-transforming-pain-through/id1750621939?i=1000716288406

Last week, we sat down with Michelle Chiang (whom you may know as the host of Geek Out! here at Rti) as she put on her entrepreneur’s hat and joined us as the founder of Phoenix Dice. In the previous episode, we learned how her love of dice collecting grew into a thriving business.

Today, we dive deeper into her journey—exploring the challenges of running a niche business in a shifting global market and the importance of community support. Michelle also opens up about sustainability efforts, unforgettable customer stories, and the resilience it takes to keep her dream rolling, even through tough times like COVID-19 and current U.S. trade policies.

Join us for this inspiring continuation of Michelle’s story!

Step into the world of gaming with the founder of Phoenix Dice in today's episode!

While you might know her as the host of Geek Out! (one of our other programs at Rti), Michelle puts on her entrepreneur’s hat to share how she went from being an avid dice collector to becoming a business owner. From its humble beginnings to building a brand that resonates with players around the world, Phoenix Dice is more than just rolling numbers—it’s about passion, imagination, and community.

Tune in to learn more about Michelle's journey from collector to creator, and how every roll of the dice tells a story of passion and perseverance.

Over the past two episodes, we’ve been following the inspiring journey of Fr. Joyalito “Joy” Tajonera, a Maryknoll priest who has devoted more than two decades to serving Taiwan’s migrant and new immigrant communities.

In Part 1, Fr. Joy talked about his early life, his calling to the priesthood, and how his first assignment in Taiwan helped shape his mission. In Part 2, we shifted the focus to the Ugnayan Center and how it grew from a small church space into a lifeline for migrants - living up to its name, Ugnayan, the Filipino word for “connections,” by bringing together migrants, new immigrants, and even different faith communities.

In this final part, we’ll hear what makes the Ugnayan Center stand out among other shelters, and discover Fr. Joy’s hopes and dreams for its future. He’ll also leave us with a heartfelt message for anyone searching for their own calling or wondering how to live a life of purpose.

Tune in to continue our conversation with Fr. Joy.

In our last episode, we met Fr. Joyalito “Joy” Tajonera, a Maryknoll priest who shared his journey from the Philippines to the U.S., and how his calling to the priesthood was shaped by missionaries who walked alongside the marginalized. He also opened up about his first assignment in Taiwan—where he experienced culture shock, language struggles, and the unexpected discovery of Taiwan’s vibrant migrant community.

In this episode, we turn to the Ugnayan Center - a lifeline for migrants in Taiwan. At its heart is the word "ugnayan", which means “connections” in Filipino. From offering spiritual support and shelter to providing training and advocacy, the Ugnayan Center reflects Fr. Joy’s mission to build bridges across cultures and communities. So do tune in to catch the full conversation!

Dreams take on many shapes and forms, and today’s conversation with Fr. Joyalito “Joy” Tajonera is a perfect example of that.

Fr. Joy is a Filipino-American Catholic priest whose journey has taken him from the Philippines to the heart of Taiwan’s migrant communities. With warmth and a deep sense of purpose, Fr. Joy shares how his early life and spiritual calling led him to devote his ministry to serving others.

From his childhood roots to the moment he first felt called to the priesthood, you’ll hear the story of a man whose dream is not just his own, but one that uplifts and connects countless lives.

Listen in as we trace the remarkable path of a man whose dream is about building bridges and nurturing humanity.