Hoy! Aba Teka

In this extra adorable episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Chef Rey & Cyra welcome their cutest special guests yet,  Anuenue and Yosef! From celebrating a magical 5th birthday at Hong Kong Disneyland to sharing their favorite and unforgettable family moments, the kids share their honest, hilarious, and heartwarming thoughts about turning 5, family, sibling life, and growing up Filipino in Singapore.

The conversation also dives into:

• What it feels like to turn 5

• Disneyland adventures, shopping, and Spiderman

• Sibling bonding and “ate responsibilities”

• Missing mommy during business trips

• Yosef’s haircut adventures

• Speaking Tagalog and growing up overseas

• Kids’ simple but honest answers about life and family

  
  

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In this fun and real-talk episode, Chef Martin and Cyra sit down with Rash Remin (Rafael), a Singaporean entrepreneur who built a business centered around one of the most iconic Filipino traditions: the balikbayan box.

From his early days in the hotel industry to becoming a TikTok personality and founder of Rush Box, Rafael shares how simple observation, and genuine empathy for OFWs, sparked a business idea that’s changing lives.

After spending Sundays at Lucky Plaza watching Filipino workers shop, carry heavy goods, and manage tight budgets, Rash realized one thing: the process of sending love back home didn’t have to be this hard.

So he built a one-stop solution, making balikbayan boxes more convenient, accessible, and even payable in installments.

The conversation also dives into:

• How Rash’s TikTok journey as the “Balikbayan Boss” helped him connect deeply with the Filipino community

• His observations of OFW life in Singapore, especially the realities behind sending balikbayan boxes

• The cultural importance of balikbayan boxes as a symbol of love and sacrifice for families back home

• Practical challenges OFWs face: budgeting, storage, and physically transporting goods

• Honest reflections on Filipino traits, including warmth, hospitality, and the “Marites” (chismis) culture

• Rash’s personal admiration for Filipinos and his dream of visiting, and possibly building a future in the Philippines

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➡️ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/hoy-aba-teka/id1847157163

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➡️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hoyabatekapodcast

In this episode of Hoy! Aba Teka, Chef Martin and Cyra talk about work hazards, from the everyday risks that come with certain professions to the unexpected situations overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) face while working abroad.

Chef Martin shares real stories from working in the F&B industry in Singapore, where job hazards can range from burns and sharp kitchen tools to handling intoxicated customers and even breaking up fights outside the bistro. Meanwhile, Cyra reflects on how workplace habits, cultural differences, and strict regulations abroad shape the way Filipinos navigate work and responsibility in other countries.

The conversation highlights how working overseas comes with a different set of rules, risks, and responsibilities, and why it’s important for OFWs to understand the laws, workplace expectations, and cultural norms of the countries they live in.

The conversation also dives into:

• The difference between job hazards in the Philippines vs. working abroad

• Why OFWs need to understand workplace rules and contracts abroad

• The strict regulations in Singapore’s work culture and employment system

• Racism, stereotypes, and the realities many Filipinos face working overseas

• Why respecting local laws and boundaries is essential for living and working abroad

A mix of real-life stories, humor, and honest reflections about work, life abroad, and navigating the realities of being an overseas Filipino.

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➡️ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/hoy-aba-teka/id1847157163

➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gBqnNE5Owibb9Drte1Taw

As 2026 begins, and with Chinese New Year just around the corner, many OFWs find themselves asking familiar questions: How long am I going to be here? What do I want to change this year? In this episode, Chef Martin and Cyra reflect honestly on the idea of “New Year, New Me,” unpacking what truly worked in the past year and what needs more intention moving forward, especially when it comes to family, health, finances, work, and parenting while living overseas.

The conversation also dives into:

• Reflecting on last year before setting new goals

• Prioritizing family while balancing career, health, and finances

• Why “happy projects” matter for personal growth

• The realities of work struggles, job security, and running a business as an OFW

• Health wake-up calls, habits, and becoming more intentional with self-care

• Parenting lessons that worked, and what didn’t

• Teaching kids independence while staying present as parents

• Being intentional with savings, insurance, and long-term financial planning

• The emotional and practical trade-offs of raising a family overseas

  
  

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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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• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/hoy-aba-teka/id1847157163

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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• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/hoy-aba-teka/id1847157163

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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- Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6gBqnNE5Owibb9Drte1Taw

- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/hoy-aba-teka/id1847157163