Once and Always a Fanboy

Hello everyone, my name is Chris Cantada and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

Today’s episode is a special one for me. Before the interviews, before the podcast, before the spandex even, I was part of a band that would go on to become one of the most enduring names in Filipino music. For more than two decades, this band has created songs that many of you grew up with and continue to discover even today.

This conversation is unique because I’m not just speaking to any artist or band. I’m speaking to people I once shared a stage with, a rehearsal room at Future Star in Katipunan, and a very meaningful chapter of my life.

Fangirls and fanboys, Sponge Cola.00:00 Preview

00:54 Intro

02:34 Improvements throughout the years

07:45 What you guys do to discover new things about each other

11:13 Ted joining Sponge Cola

16:04 Staying true to your sound

20:12 What success looks like

21:43 New album feels like the first album

24:45 Super power

28:40 Longevity

31:38 Creative differences

35:06 Fanboying over

36:54 Did the band almost break up

39:38 Sponge Cola song that defines the band

47:16 Challenges

55:53 Final words

Hello everyone, my name is Chris and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

My guest today is an actress a lot of people are talking about right now because of her performance as Eunice in Beef Season 2. What I really loved is how much she’s able to communicate in such subtle and controlled ways, and it makes her such an interesting character to watch throughout the season. I'm so happy that she said yes to be on the show today, and I'm really excited to dive into Beef, her acting journey, and some thoughtful conversations about performance, creativity, and everything in between.

Fangirls and fanboys, Seoyeon Jang.

00:00 Preview

00:38 Intro

01:14 Something that deepened your understanding of Eunice

02:20 Switch Places

03:27 Different Genre

04:25 K-Pop Discipline

07:14 Hidden Panic

08:42 Fangirling Over

09:57 Blocking The Noise

10:51 Relationship with Fear

12:02 Being Underestimated

13:05 Collaborators

14:41 Fulfillment and Success

16:08 What comes naturally now

17:51 Final Words

For me as a 90s kid, Mortal Kombat was one of those games that just stuck with you. I remember playing it on my cousin's Sega, trying to memorize all the Fatalities, figuring things out with friends, and just being completely pulled into that world.So seeing it now, years later, still evolving into something bigger, makes me a proud fan. I enjoyed the first movie, but this sequel really expands everything, the scale, the characters, and the emotion behind the fights. My mind was blown in the best way, and I think fans, especially those who grew up with it, are going to be very happy with what they’ve done here.I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Global Tour stop in Jakarta, where I got to sit down with the cast and talk to them face to face. And what stood out to me wasn’t just the action or the scale of the film, but how much thought and intention they brought into these characters, beyond just the fights.Fanboys and fangirls, Joe Taslim, Tadanobu Asano, Ludi Lin, and Max Huang.00:00 Preview

00:53 Indonesian Facet of Sub-Zero

03:15 Human Quality of Lord Raiden

03:49 What Makes a Good Collaborator

05:43 What Strength Looks Like During Uncertainty

06:45 (SPOILER) What Has Stayed The Same with Kung Lao

07:51 Fight Choreography Shouldn't Be Like Dancing

10:11 The Core of Mortal Kombat

Hello everyone, my name is Chris Cantada and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

Today is a special one for me because I’m joined by two actors whose work I’ve followed and admired for years. Both are known for bringing incredible depth, commitment, and transformation to their roles, and one of them has even been part of a film that meant so much to me personally growing up (That Thing You Do). Today they star in APEX, a tense and immersive story about survival and instincts.

Fangirls and Fanboys, Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton!

00:00 Preview

00:37 Charlize Theron Changing The Narrative

02:05 Taron Egerton On Finding Truth

03:49 What Quality The Other Brought That Helped The Film?

05:42 My Full Circle Moment With Charlize

Hello everyone, my name is Chris Cantada and welcome to a new episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

Today’s guest is part of a new generation of Asian artists redefining what it means to be global. She began her journey at a young age, training in South Korea before emerging as one of Thailand’s most exciting pop voices. Over the years, she has expanded beyond music into acting, while also continuing to evolve her artistry through collaborations across borders and cultures.

Now, at just 22, she’s stepping into a new chapter with her latest English single “but you”. Her visit to Manila marks the first stop in her international push, and I’m so honored that she’s on the show today.

Fangirls and fanboys, Achiraya "ALLY" Nitibhon!

00:00 Preview00:31 Intro01:23 Manila02:08 Going Global03:01 "but you"04:57 Interpreting Songs06:32 Holding On To Your Own Voice08:11 Training In Korea10:52 Fangirling Over12:07 Fangirl Energy13:19 Being A Fangirl As An Artist14:40 Prim And Proper16:00 Berklee School Of Music19:40 Mental Health22:05 Acting24:33 "Perfect Girl"27:10 Meaning Of Success28:58 50 People In A Room31:31 Final Words

Hello everyone, my name is Chris and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

My guests today are part of a band that has quietly built one of the most passionate online fanbases in indie rock. Blending high energy melodies with thoughtful songwriting, their music has found its way through gaming communities, streaming culture, and live stages around the world.

Today I’m joined by two of the guitarists behind that sound.Fangirls and fanboys, Jacob Tsafatinos and David Wood of Good Kid!

00:00 Preview

00:33 Intro

01:09 Analytical vs. Emotional

03:33 Discovery Through Gaming

05:54 Instincts

08:51 Can We Hang Out Sometime?

11:02 Super Power

13:27 Guitars

16:42 Fanboying Over

17:44 Misconceptions

19:29 A Song's Final Form

Hello everyone! My name is Chris Cantada and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy!

Today’s guest is a singer songwriter whose music has been making waves in the indie pop world. Her sound blends emotion, experimentation, and storytelling in a way that really stands out. With her new EP Ore just released, it felt like the perfect time to sit down and talk about her journey, her creative process, and everything that’s led her here.

Fangirl and Fanboys, Ena Mori!

00:00 Preview

00:45 Intro

02:37 What are listeners hearing for the first time from Ore?

05:49 Balancing Uniqueness and Connecting to a Wider Audience

08:40 Super Power

11:42 What you decided to let go of

14:23 Fangirling Over

17:15 What do you listen to?

20:02 When do you know when a song is finished?

22:40 Misconceptions

24:01 What can you handle now?

25:58 Quiet Pivotal Moment

28:11 Final Words

Hello everyone, my name is Chris Cantada and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

Today we are jumping back into the world of XO, Kitty, a show that has given us romance, chaos, and plenty of moments that make us reflect on love and growing up. Over the past two seasons, fans have really connected with these characters and the journey they have been on, and this new chapter continues to explore all the messy and meaningful parts of relationships and self discovery. I am excited to be joined today by two of the stars of the series.

Fangirls and fanboys, Anna Cathcart and Sang Heon Lee.

00:00 Preview

00:38 Intro

01:22 Coming Into Season 3

03:36 Celebrating Each Other's Performances

05:09 What Genre Would Their Characters Thrive In?

07:35 Grand Gesture or Quiet Moments

08:27 Checklist for 2026

Hello everyone! My name is Chris Cantada and here’s another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.

Today I’m joined by two of the creative minds behind Daredevil: Born Again.He is the showrunner and executive producer of the series, and previously worked on The Punisher, bringing a grounded, character-driven approach to this new chapter of Matt Murdock’s story.

The other is an executive producer at Marvel Studios and former Marvel Comics editor who helped shape the modern Marvel universe and co-created Ms. Marvel.

We talk about storytelling, character, and what makes this chapter of Daredevil something that fans haven’t seen before.

Fangirls and fanboys, Dario Scardapane and Sana Amanat.

00:00 Preview

00:33 Intro

00:46 The characters surrounding Matt Murdock

02:14 Visual Storytelling

04:55 The 12 Hour Flight Scenario

06:00 Cracked Blueprint

07:46 What fans would be surprised about Matt Murdock

09:03 Storytelling Responsibility

Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy!

My guests today are two incredible actors joining the chaotic and twisted world of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Genre fans will definitely recognize her from films like Freaky and Abigail, where she brings such a great mix of intensity and humor to every role she takes on. And his career has spanned decades across film and television, from The Faculty and In & Out to The Pitt. Fangirls and fanboys, Kathryn Newton and Shawn Hatosy!

00:00 Preview

00:49 Kathryn Intro

01:00 Survival Gameplay

02:42 Fear

03:35 Le Bail family

04:20 Expanding the world

05:48 Shawn Intro

05:57 Titus' arc

07:14 Le Bail family

07:56 Titus played by the system

08:54 Family tradition