In this episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Chef Rey and Cyra sit down with close friends J. Paul Magalona and James Patton to talk about one powerful theme: Transitions.

From starting out as OFWs to becoming a businessman, and from growing up Filipino to fully adapting to life as a Singaporean, the conversation explores how identity, mindset, and purpose evolve over time. Through honest stories, shared struggles, and practical insights, the episode highlights the realities behind migration, adaptation, and taking risks for family and personal growth. 

The conversation also dives into:

• How family becomes the biggest motivation behind major life decisions

• The mental and emotional preparation needed before leaving OFW life

• Why “worth it” doesn’t always mean “easy”

• The importance of aligned mindset when transitioning careers, countries, or identities

• Burnout, rest, and knowing when to pause or reset

• Redefining success beyond salary and job titles

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In Part 2 of Episode 7, Chef Martin and Cyra continue their conversation with OFW couple Catherine and Gilbert Salonga as they share deeper lessons from building a business and life in Singapore. The episode explores the realities behind OFW success stories, balancing family responsibilities, financial security, and the hard truths of entrepreneurship abroad.

✨ The conversation also dives into:

• Supporting family back home while setting healthy boundaries
• Financial readiness, insurance, and long-term planning
• The risks of starting a business without proper preparation
• Running a business in Singapore as an OFW
• The importance of spousal partnership and communication
• Learning from failed investments and business setbacks

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In Part 1 of Episode 6, Chef Martin and Cyra sit down with OFW couple Catherine and Gilbert Salonga to share how they transitioned from corporate IT jobs in Malaysia and Singapore to building their own business. What began as a small jersey side hustle for Filipino sports leagues grew into merchandise, thrift retail (ukay), food and drinks, and a physical presence at Lucky Plaza. They unpack the Filipino “employee mindset,” OFW burnout, and the risks of entrepreneurship, offering an honest conversation about faith, community, timing, and redefining success abroad.

✨ The conversation also dives into:

• Growing up with the “stable job first” mentality
• Life as OFWs in Malaysia and Singapore
• Burnout, midlife reflection, and career dissatisfaction
• Why salary alone isn’t enough without long-term planning
• How a small jersey side hustle turned into a business
• Building through Filipino sports and community networks
• Early challenges of retail and running a business in Singapore

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#FilipinoPodcast #HoyAbaTeka #podcast

In this episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Chef Rey and Cyra dive deep into the very real and often unspoken experience of parent guilt, that nagging feeling of not doing enough, not being present enough, or not being the “perfect” parent while trying to juggle work, long hours, and life. They share their own stories of late nights, long-distance work trips, and the emotional tug-of-war between providing for the family and wanting to spend more time with their kids. From OFW experiences and the struggles of modern parenting, to the difference between “mom guilt” and “dad guilt,” the couple opens up about how guilt shows up differently for each parent, and how communication, support systems, and realistic expectations keep them grounded. Joined by a sweet cameo from little Anuenue, the episode is a raw, funny, and relatable look at how parents carry love, responsibility, and guilt all at once.

The conversation also dives into:

• Mom guilt vs. Dad guilt: why they feel guilt differently, and how roles shape emotional responses.

• Work-life imbalance: long F&B hours, back-to-back business trips, and the heartbreak of missing daily moments.

• OFW realities: the guilt of raising kids from afar and the loneliness of long-distance parenting.

• Support systems: the importance of helpers, grandparents, and open communication so children feel safe and heard.

• Managing expectations: teaching kids honesty, resilience, and that disappointment is part of life.

• Mental health for parents: how guilt can motivate but becomes harmful when it turns chronic or unspoken.

• Building trust at home: why parents should talk about emotions, admit exhaustion, and keep conversations open.

• Treating helpers with respect: because fear leads to silence—and silence leads to bigger problems.

• Parenting mindset: you can’t be everywhere, but intention, presence, and communication make all the difference.

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In this funny and heartfelt episode, Chef Martin and Cyra sit down with two special guests, Nanay Gemma and Mamala Amy, to talk about raising kids “noon at ngayon.” We compare old-school parenting to today’s gentler style, dive into how social media and modern life shape kids now, and share real stories about discipline, love, and family dynamics across generations. A light but meaningful conversation on what’s changed, what stayed the same, and how we can guide kids with more patience and intention.

The conversation also dives into:

• Social Media + Modern Environment
• Parenting Styles Are Inherited
• Career vs. Housewife Stories
• Discipline Today: Palo or No Palo?
• The Hardest Stage of Raising a Child
• That Lolas Wish Parents Today Would Remember

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In this heartfelt episode, hosts Cyra and Chef Martin—Overseas Filipino Parents—share how they keep Filipino and Asian values alive while raising their kids abroad. From teaching respect through po and opo, to embracing traditions like pagmamano, nightly prayers, language preservation, and even building new family customs like annual family photos and community celebrations, this episode highlights the importance of living by example. They also discuss the challenges of raising bilingual kids, the role of gratitude, and the timeless Filipino trait of giving back.The conversation also dives into:- How children learn traditions best by watching their parents.- Preserving Tagalog and mother tongues at home while living overseas.- The role of faith, family prayers, and daily routines in raising children.- Creating new family traditions such as Halloween, Christmas, and yearly family photos.- Instilling gratitude and empathy through outreach and gift-giving.- Teaching fairness: treating everyone equally regardless of status or position.

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In this episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Cyra and Chef Martin share candidly about the big and small changes that come with becoming parents, especially as overseas Filipino workers raising kids away from extended family.

They talk about the shift from chef-life hours to parenting “shifts,” the struggles of caring for a newborn during the pandemic without extra help, and how they learned to balance work, sleepless nights, and new routines together.

Amid the laughter, personal anecdotes, and honest reflections, Cyra and Martin remind listeners that while no one is ever fully prepared for parenthood, love, teamwork, and trust in each other make the journey possible.

The conversation also dives into:

• The importance of teamwork in parenting (a.k.a. the “new job: shifting schedule”)

• Coping with fears like SIDS and adjusting sleep patterns

• Why both moms and dads need emotional support postpartum

• Discovering matrescence (the transition to motherhood)

In this pilot episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Martin and Cyra Capanzanas share the journey that brought them from the Philippines to Singapore, navigating career shifts, building a family, and rediscovering themselves as overseas Filipino parents.

They open up about the experiences that shaped their lives: from finding communities online and offline, to balancing demanding careers with family time, to turning loss and healing into meaningful projects. Most importantly, they reveal why they started this podcast, not just as a space to share their story, but as a living diary for their children, Avana and Yosef, to one day listen back to.

Along the way, Martin and Cyra talk about their love story, friends, career journey, side hustles, grief, resilience, and the importance of carving joy and connection while abroad.