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It's Filipino American History Month, and we're stepping into the roastery with Robert Sonza, founder of Himig Coffee Roasters, to talk about Philippine coffee and the history in every cup.

After nine years as a barista, Robert started wondering why he'd never tasted coffee from the Philippines. That question led him to his first bag of Philippine coffee, roasting classes in New York, and a small sample roaster at home. He started out selling in New Jersey, and soon orders were coming in from across the country. We talk about how coffee took root in Lipa, Batangas, how the Philippines became a major coffee supplier before coffee rust hit, and the work to bring Philippine coffee back today.

Plus: the difference between arabica, robusta and liberica, where kapeng barako gets its name, and why Robert's work is about supporting Filipino coffee farmers.

Stick around as Robert roasts a batch of barako and leads us through a cupping to taste the difference for ourselves.

📌 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:20 Robert's coffee story 01:00 Does the Philippines grow coffee? 02:06 First sip of Philippine coffee 02:31 Learning to roast 03:55 From passion to business 04:53 The history of Philippine coffee 06:41 Philippine coffee's comeback 07:14 Arabica, robusta and liberica 08:33 Where kapeng barako gets its name 09:35 Roasting barako 10:07 Finding his roast style 10:26 His favorite customer moment 11:05 Doing it for the farmers 12:27 Cupping: tasting the difference 14:10 Where to find Himig Coffee Roasters 15:05 Robert as a future ancestor

Know a Filipino-owned business we should visit? Tell us at futureancestors.tv

Go to Himig Coffee Roasters to purchase your coffee and follow Robert Sonza's journey on Instagram.

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Ever wrestled with feeling Filipino enough or American enough? Kat Serrano and Jason "Encite" Hortillas sit down with John Sapida, president of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Metro New York chapter, at Kamalig Grill by Jayhan.

Born in the Philippines and raised in New Jersey from age nine, John shares how a graduate school museum studies project led him to FANHS and a his work preserving Filipino American history. Over sisig, fish balls, and kwek-kwek, the conversation covers Filipino labor history, José Rizal's visit to New York, the pensionados (government-sponsored Filipino students who came to the U.S. in the early 1900s), and this year's Filipino American History Month theme of intersectionality.

For anyone just starting to explore their roots, John offers simple ways to begin documenting your family history, starting with a food memory, a song, or an object your family brought from the Philippines. Wherever you are in your journey, it's okay. That's the bayanihan spirit.

This episode is sponsored by Kamalig Grill by Jayhan, a Filipino-owned restaurant in Jersey City, NJ, inspired by the kamalig, a traditional Filipino structure that honors rural life, tradition, and hospitality. Comforting, affordable Filipino food made to bring families together. Visit them at 195 Mallory Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, or follow @kamaliggrillbyjayhan on Instagram, and tell them Future Ancestors sent you.

Mentioned in this episode Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS): Website FANHS Metro New York: Website | Instagram Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

Know a Filipino-owned business we should visit? Tell us at futureancestors.tv

All past episodes and links: futureancestors.tv YouTube: @FutureAncestorsTV | Instagram & TikTok: @futureancestors.tv

Is Philippine Independence Day June 12 or July 4? Kat Serrano and Jason "Encite" Hortillas kick off Season 3 of Future Ancestors on location at Weekend Material, a Filipino-owned curated vintage jewelry studio in Jersey City, NJ.

After a break to rest and realign, the hosts are back with a new season focused on Filipino American identity. In this premiere, they unpack the difference between June 12, 1898, when Filipinos declared independence from Spain, and July 4, 1946, when the United States formally recognized it. They also explore why Philippine independence connects to Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba through the Spanish-American War, and what it means to pass this history on to the next generation.

Kat and Jason also catch up on what Future Ancestors has been doing in the community: Filipino folk dance classes for kids, a talk at Rutgers University on social media and history, and a Kalayaan book reading for 400 students in Westchester. This season, Future Ancestors records on location at Filipino-owned businesses across New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

This episode is sponsored by Weekend Material, a Filipino-owned curated vintage jewelry studio in Jersey City, NJ. Hazel curates a collection of vintage jewelry, pieces with a past, ready for a future with you. Find her at pop-ups across New Jersey and New York, or book a studio visit, available by appointment only. Email [email protected] or DM @weekendmaterial on Instagram, and tell Hazel Future Ancestors sent you.

Mentioned in this episode Kalayaan: Filipina Heroines of World War II by Kathryn Serrano

Know a Filipino-owned business we should visit? Tell us at futureancestors.tv

All 51 past episodes and links: futureancestors.tv YouTube: @FutureAncestorsTV | Instagram & TikTok: @futureancestors.tv

In this powerful episode of the Future Ancestors Podcast, hosts Kat Serrano and Jason Encite sit down with Jay Ross, the Filipino American designer behind PocketKings, the rising handmade fashion brand known for its iconic kimonos and culturally rooted streetwear.

Jay opens up about growing up disconnected from his Filipino identity, discovering his voice through creativity, and finding purpose through grief, fatherhood, and rediscovering his roots. He shares how sewing by hand turned into a brand, how his wife pushed him toward entrepreneurship, and how his designs became sought after by major artists, including Michael K. Williams, Taboo, and Henry Golding.

From competing in Filipino basketball leagues to hustling through poker, navigating loss, honoring his parents, and building a fashion house that refuses to compromise its purpose — Jay's journey is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and ancestral guidance.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up Filipino in NYC and searching for belonging

• How grief shaped Jay's creativity and emotional depth

• The spiritual + ancestral connection behind his kimono designs

• Why PocketKings resonated with celebrities — without paid placements

• His unreal basketball story in the Philippines

• How he designs with intention, not hype

• The role his wife played in launching the brand

• Why he believes his work is "an answered prayer"

If you love conversations about culture, identity, creativity, fashion, and healing — this is one of the most heartfelt episodes yet.

Follow Jay Ross / PocketKings: Instagram: @PocketKingsbk

Watch the full episode on YouTube: FutureAncestors.tv Follow us on IG: @FutureAncestors.tv

In this episode of Future Ancestors, we sit down with Dr. Kevin Nadal, an award-winning author, educator, and one of the most influential voices in the Filipino American community. We're talking about decolonizing the mind with Dr. Kevin Nadal on identity, healing, and legacy.

A distinguished professor at John Jay College and the CUNY Graduate Center, Dr. Nadal has spent his career exploring identity, mental health, intersectionality, and Filipino American psychology. From being the first openly gay president of the Asian American Psychological Association to co-founding the LGBTQ Scholars of Color Network, his work has helped generations heal from colonial trauma and reclaim pride in who we are.

In this conversation, Dr. Nadal opens up about his family's migration story, what it means to decolonize the mind, and how Filipinos have always been warriors for justice, even when history tried to erase us. He shares the importance of representation, community healing, and the spiritual connection to our ancestors that continues to guide his purpose.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Filipino American Psychology & Generational Healing

• Queer Identity & Representation

• Decolonization & Mental Health

• Community, Kapwa, and Liberation Work

• Parenting, Legacy, and Future Ancestors

If you've ever wondered how our personal healing ties into the collective liberation of our people, this episode will remind you that we are our ancestors' wildest dreams.

If this conversation inspired you, please share it with a friend: pass the episode on. Don't forget to subscribe, like & follow us wherever you're tuning in from, and leave us a review on Apple/Spotify, and connect with us on Instagram @futureancestors.tv or at www.FutureAncestors.tv

Follow Kevin Nadal on Instagram to follow his journey: @kevinnadal

How does a New York nurse go from cardiothoracic recovery and ambulatory care to leading a nursing department, hosting a health podcast, and advocating for AAPI representation, all while still making time for skincare education?

You can find out with our next guest, Christian "Chris" Franz. Chris shares what it was like to be a brand-new RN on the COVID-19 frontlines, the moral injury of losing patients, and how that experience fueled his mission to fight medical misinformation with his show, Friends of Franz.

We unpack Chris's Filipino American identity, the pride (and stereotypes) around Filipinos in healthcare, building compassionate clinical teams, and why representation in media literally saves lives. Chris also opens up about severe acne, confidence, and practical skincare for men, plus the "local Hannah Montana" life of swapping scrubs for events between shifts.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Becoming an RN in cardiothoracic surgery and ambulatory care

• A raw look at early ICU COVID nights and moral injury

• Starting Friends of Franz to counter health misinformation

• Filipino culture, caregiving, and AAPI healthcare leadership

• Confidence, vulnerability, and real-world skincare insights for men

Press play to hear Chris Franz turn courage into care from ICU nights to fighting misinformation and leave inspired.

If this conversation inspired you, please share it with a friend: pass the episode on. Don't forget to subscribe, like & follow us wherever you're tuning in from, and leave us a review on Apple/Spotify, and connect with us on Instagram @futureancestors.tv or at www.FutureAncestors.tv

Follow Chris Franz on Instagram to follow his journey: @chrsfranz

Public health advocate and AAPI community leader Rachelle Perez-Ocampo (President, NAFFAA New York, co-host of Makilala TV) joins Future Ancestors to discuss caring for a community, navigating burnout, bureaucracy, and achieving big wins. From navigating pandemic motherhood to securing a federal grant to establish a Filipino community center in Little Manila, Woodside (Queens).

• Growing up Filipina in a majority-white neighborhood and finding identity through campus organizations

• Why community work can be toxic and draining, and how Rochelle protects her peace

• The inside story of winning New York State's largest grant for a Filipino group and what the center will offer

• Pandemic parenting, pods, and rebuilding support systems

• Grassroots vs. policy work, and why empathy + optimism are Rachelle's superpowers

• Makilala TV: a decade of Filipina voices on air and why representation still matters

Listen now to see how optimism + organizing can change a community.

If this conversation inspired you, please share it with a friend: pass the episode on. Don't forget to subscribe, like & follow us wherever you're tuning in from, and leave us a review on Apple/Spotify, and connect with us on Instagram @futureancestors.tv or at www.FutureAncestors.tv

Follow Rachelle Ocampo on Instagram to follow his journey: @rockyrach16

From church performances in the Philippines to headlining in New York City, Hillari Alison is living proof that faith, family, and fearless creativity can take you anywhere.

In this Future Ancestors Podcast episode, hosts Jason "Encite" and Kat Serrano sit down with the 20-year-old Filipino-Norwegian singer-songwriter who's redefining R&B and soul for a new generation. Hillari shares her inspiring journey from Negros Occidental to Oslo, her viral breakout with "Desperate Soul," and her award-winning rise, earning two Norwegian Grammys and international recognition from Billboard and Complex.

In this episode:

• Hillari on growing up Filipino-Norwegian and finding her sound between cultures

• How "Desperate Soul" changed everything at just 17

• Her journaling-to-songwriting process and the power of reflection

• The story behind her sophomore EP, New Beginnings, and the mantra "I'll bloom wherever I'm planted"

• Staying grounded through family, faith, and gratitude

• Her dream of becoming a household name was built on authenticity and soul

Hillari's message is simple: music for the soul. Her voice, wisdom, and vulnerability remind us that every chapter, no matter how uncertain, is a new beginning.

If this conversation inspired you, please share it with a friend: pass the episode on. Don't forget to subscribe, like & follow us wherever you're tuning in from, and leave us a review on Apple/Spotify, and connect with us on Instagram @futureancestors.tv or at www.FutureAncestors.tv

Follow Hillari Alison's journey on Instagram @hillarialison

In this special Future Ancestors episode, we're in Kay's dressing room for SIX the Musical as she's getting ready to play Catherine Howard. Sharing the heart, humor, and hustle behind the crown.

Kay opens up about the unusual timing of auditioning for The Voice and SIX in the same week, why Catherine Howard's story matters, and how she brings her Filipina identity to the stage, from a shimmering high pony to a hand-painted sampaguita eye look. We also celebrate a historic 2025 for Filipinos on Broadway (hello, Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss), trace the path paved by icons like Lea Salonga and Eva Noblezada, and talk comfort food (arroz caldo!), family roots in Manila and Tarlac, and using your voice, loudly and lovingly.

What you'll hear:

• Backstage prep with a Broadway queen

• The Voice vs. SIX and the confidence that changed everything

• Filipina representation, legacy, and speaking up

• Cooking, culture, and staying grounded on an eight-show week

Watch the dressing room tour on our Instagram @futureancestors.tv or on our YouTube @FutureAncestorsTV

If this conversation inspired you, please share it with a friend: pass the episode on. Don't forget to subscribe, like & follow us wherever you're tuning in from, and leave us a review on Apple/Spotify, and connect with us on Instagram @futureancestors.tv or at www.FutureAncestors.tv

Follow KaySibil's journey here:

Instagram: @kaysibil

From mixtapes to motels, hip hop history to poetry slams, here's part two of Brian Acosta's story. Known online as the "Motel Guy," Brian sits down with hosts Kat Serrano and Jason "Encite" on the Future Ancestors Podcast to talk about his journey from rapping at 15 to meeting Jay-Z at his family's New Jersey motel, to navigating Hollywood, TikTok, and the poetry scene in New York City.

We Talk About:

• Growing up in a motel that became part of hip hop history

• His early rap persona "Eilis" and the influence of MTV culture

• Lessons in rejection, resilience, and finding peace in solitude

• Hosting at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café and building community through art

• Why he gives back freely without chasing brand deals or merch

• What it means to leave a blueprint as a future ancestor

Brian's story is raw, funny, and deeply human, a reminder that legacy isn't built by perfection, but by showing up with honesty, care, and love. Listen in and discover how Brian is his blueprint for the next generation.

If this conversation inspired you, please pass it on: share the episode with a friend. Don't forget to subscribe, like & follow us wherever you're tuning in from, and leave us a review on Apple/Spotify, and connect with us on Instagram @futureancestors.tv or at www.FutureAncestors.tv

Stay connected to Brian Acosta Arya here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianacostaarya/#