Kiss My Mike

Check out this new 'Kiss My Mike' podcast episode featuring ACHIM MENDOZA.

Achim is queer ex-Filipino-soap-opera-translator-turned-filmmaker, Achim’s passion for film started in his teens, when Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a renown Filipino director and National Artist, offered to mentor him. As a teenager, Achim would fly back and forth between his hometown of Davao and Manila to attend her classes. Back in the Philippines, he helped create “Stages Sessions,” a YouTube channel that focuses on indie Filipino musicians and poets. His 2021 musical short “Connection” was screened at the 38th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short at the 2023 FilAm Creative Film Festival. 

His next short “A Karaoke Space Odyssey” is a sci-fi rom-com karaoke musical that recently had its world premiere at the LA Shorts International Film Fest. He is also the editor of “ALOK,” a short documentary on queer and gender- nonconforming artist Alok Vaid-Menon, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2024. 

Achim’s works focus on the radical power of joy to change the world, especially the joy experienced by his fellow Filipinos and queer persons of color. In his spare time, Achim likes to perfect his family’s longsilog recipe.

Only on Kiss My Mike!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Check out this latest podcast episode to kickoff Season 5. In this episode, I share my thoughts on what's in and what's out in 2024!

Hope you all enjoy it!

Check out this brand new podcast episode featuring CARLIN JAMES.

Carlin is an LA-based, Filipino-American actor who has appeared in shows like Better Call Saul, American Crime Story, and It's always sunny in Philadelphia.

Carlin's new short film "A Sweet Tooth" will have its premiere at FilmQuest on November 3rd and FilAm Creative Film Festival on November 4th.

About A Sweet Tooth
Logline: An overachieving Analyst will do whatever it takes to win a coveted promotion until he's confronted by a hammer-wielding assailant.

CAST: Carlin James, Lee Donoghue, Ashley Undercuffler, Frankie D'Alessandro, RD Mower, Laura Dromerick, Kevin Caliber, Mike Talplacido, and James Lontayao.

Executive Producer: Mike Talplacido & Joe Daly
Director/DP: Presley Paras
Editor: Jason Daly
Writers: Presley Paras & Jason Daly
Producer: Russell Whaley and AJ Calomay

For more info, check out IG @asweettoothfilm or www.filmquestfest.com

Check out my latest podcast episode with the Executive Producer of the movie 1521, FRANCIS B. LARA HO.

Francis is born in the Philippines famous City of Love, Iloilo City. His father, Anotnio L. Ho was both a businessman and a statesman. His mother, Nenita L. Balaran was a teacher. Francis was raised and trained in a Filipino-Chinese family of entrepreneurs, military, educators, and politicians. He first ventured as an entrepreneur in the United States in 2011 and was honored as one of the top entrepreneurs in Forbes Magazine (Nov 2013) and in Fortune Magazine (July 2016).

In 2018, Francis pioneered Inspire Studios in California, USA with the compelling vision of winning the first Oscars for the Philippines. His ultimate mission is to uplift and transform the international image of the Filipino by producing history-in-the-making Hollywood-Philippines global-audience, worldwide-release movies based on incredibly inspiring true to life stories of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives.

About 1521

"1521,” a global feature film that showcases Filipino-American talent, is finally premiering across the United States on Oct. 2.

Shot completely in the Philippines with a predominantly Filipino production team, “1521” brings the history and heritage of the Philippines to life on the big screen. 

The Philippines’ Bea Alonzo stars as princess-seer Diwata alongside Hollywood legend Danny Trejo (Ferdinand Magellan), Filipino-American actor Michael Copon (who you may remember from “One Tree Hill” and “Power Rangers Time Force”), and Hector David Jr. (who also actually starred in a couple “Power Rangers” TV series).

The film will premiere in nearly 700 theaters across the United States, making it the most distributed Fil-Am-produced film in the US. That said, it’s not without its fair share of criticisms when its trailer dropped in June, prompting netizens to point out “historical inaccuracies” and concerns over “casting decisions.”

Check out my interview with the lead cast of "Asian Persuasion," DANTE BASCO and KC CONCEPCION at the movie's WORLD PREMIERE at Soho International Film Festival in New York City.

About Asian Persuasion
Written by Mike Ang and Directed by Jhett Tolentino, the film tells the story of a down-on-his-luck Chef, Mickey de Los Santos, who cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife, Avery Chua, by creating a fake online dating profile for her, to avoid his substantial alimony obligations.

Dante Basco plays the role of Mickey de Los Santos while KC Concepcion plays the role of Avery Chua. 

For more info about the movie, please check out their IG page @asianpersuasionfilm.

Check out this latest podcast episode featuring Filmmaker JUSTIN QUIZON.

Justin is a FilAm Writer and Director based in LA. HE's the host of "Nothing New Podcast" with co-host Andrew Linde where they talk about their thoughts and opinions on film remakes. Justin's also a Writer and Associate Producer for "LUMPIA with a VENGEANCE," a film about a LUMPIA-armed superhero that reappears in Fogtown and teams up with high school student Rachel to prevent a mysterious crime syndicate from destroying their town.

Check out Justin's IG page @justinquiz

Check out this latest podcast episode featuring FilAm actor, JULIAN BATACLAN.

Julian is a jack of all trades who is just beginning to emerge in the Entertainment scene as an actor. Already equipped with an engineering degree from USC, he has most recently cultivated and developed his craft under the direction of renowned acting coach John Kirby in Hollywood. Among Julian's recent credits include: The Perfect Couple (lead), Good Filipino Kids (supporting) and #DONT on stage (supporting).

Check out Julian's IG page @julbata

Here's a quick excerpt (audio) recording from my book, Kiss My Mike!

I made this podcast recording since it's summertime here in the US right now!  
The excerpt appears in Chapter 3 of my memoir where I wrote about my summer memories as a "promdi kid" in the 90s. 

Back then, I used to spend my summer vacationing at my cousins' house in Manila.  I always enjoyed staying at their house because they had so much stuff that we didn't have in the province-- things like a family computer, airconditioned rooms, a VHS player, and others.  Later in the book's chapter, I talked specifically about one summer experience that completely changed the trajectory of my life.  Hint: it was about an experience that catapulted my sexual awakening and had marked the beginning of my journey towards finding my sexual identity.

If you would like to get a copy of my book, go to Amazon and search for "Kiss My Mike book" - it's available in both print and ebook formats!

Welcome to another episode of KISS MY MIKE and HAPPY 125th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Check out this new podcast episode featuring Therese Miu!

Therese is a FIERCE leader in the AAPI community. She is the founder and leader of RISING FILIPINAS, an organization that aims to equip the next generation leaders by providing educational, relational, and financial resources to members of the community. She's a champion of women and mothers, a community cultivator, an entrepreneur.

In this episode, I talked to Therese about how she founded Rising Filipiinas, as well as FireDash media, a company that she founded. Learn about what made her start these organizations, what was her mission, and how she thinks we can develop more Filipino leaders!

This is a perfect episode to commemorate the Philippines Independence from Spain. 

#risingfilipinas #philippines #independenceday #philippinesindependenceday #kissmymike #podcast

Check out this brand new podcast episode featuring ACTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER and PODCAST HOST: Alejandro Valtierra.

Alejandro is the host of "DAMSELS in the DMS" podcast with Aash Patel and Lauren Harris.  He plays the role of "NICO" in the upcoming short film "To Ken With LOVE" Directed by yours truly, premiering at the New Filmmakers LA Festival in JUNE 2023.

In addition, Alejandro also appeared in the series "UnDocumented Tales" which premiered at Outfest Fusion in 2023,  ARENA House Musical (stage production) at the LA LGBT Center, and Defining Dodo.

Follow Alejandro on IG @alejandro.valtierraaa

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#lgbtpride #actor #podcast #kissmymike #damselsintheDMs