Pilipinx in Wellness

For our second episode of Season 4, we talk with Founder & CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc., Brainspotting Therapist and Bay Area Chapter Lead of Therapin*y, Christine R. Melendres, LCSW.

Christine R. Melendres is the Founder & CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc., a psychotherapy practice dedicated to serving the Filipina/x/o and AAPI community. Her roots trace back to Iba, Zambales—recognized as the home of the world’s sweetest mangoes, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. She is a descendant of the Kapampangan and Sambal people, and her ancestral ties extend to Bacolor, Pampanga, and Botolan. Having immigrated to the US at 3, Christine became the first licensed therapist in her family.

Specializing in helping high-achieving BIPOC women, particularly Filipina/x/o and AAPI, Christine addresses issues like burnout, anxiety, depression, and trauma using somatic approaches like Brainspotting. With a culturally responsive, person-centered approach, she draws from over 10 years of experience.

Beyond her practice, Christine is active in community work and serves on the board of directors for FYLPRO, a network of high-performing, next-generation leaders dedicated to advancing the Philippines and the global Filipino community through advocacy, expertise, and collaborative multinational relationships. Additionally, Christine holds the role of Co-Coordinator of Mentorship for the Asian American Psychological Association Division on Filipinx Americans. She is also the Bay Area Chapter lead for Therapin*y. Therapin*y s a space where ancestral healing and mental health services intersect. Their mission is to build Filipino resiliency through collective care, kapwa, and liberation.

This episode was edited by our Social Media Strategist & Grant Writer, Kathleen Torio (IG: @itskathleenkristine). Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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For our initial episode of Season 4, we talk with Rawthentic Therapist of Set Free Marriage and Family Therapy, Emerald Rubio.

Before watching, a note on our content: This episode is created for mature audiences only. We advise our viewers and listeners to exercise discretion as we discuss trauma, sexual abuse and assault. It might be a lot to take in, so if you need a breather— take a break or pause the episode before continuing further in order to apply healthy boundaries. Please feel free to check the Time Frames on our YouTube channel's episode description to avoid sections that may be triggering. Please take care of yourself, and if you need to, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. We have resources in our Instagram highlights and hopefully you will find what you need there.

As mentioned in previous episodes, all views discussed are for informational and educational purposes only. It's not meant to be medical advice. Always consult with your health care practitioner for your particular condition, especially before starting any exercise or new health program.

Emerald is your RAWTHENTIC therapist (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, if we’re using Westernized titles), collectivist healer, speaker, community leader, and hope dealer. As a second generation Filipina, she comes from a strong bloodline of perseverance. Being raised by parents and grandparents who immigrated from the Philippines to the Bay Area, Emerald has lived through the hustle and grind culture of family members relentlessly fighting for the American Dream. As a resilient survivor of decades of physical, emotional, and sexual trauma from childhood to early adulthood, she has become a bold advocate to address these issues that impact marginalized people of color. Coming from lived experience of breaking generational patterns of abuse, addictions, and victim mindsets, she loves helping clients explore their past traumas and generational patterns in their bloodline to allow for them to build their dreamed legacy in their family trees. As one who’s lived through abusive romantic relationships and built safety & love in all areas of her life, it brings her gratitude to help couples with high conflict that have a history of infidelity, domestic violence, addiction, cultural differences, and unaddressed traumas build a healthier relationship.

As a neurodivergent therapist, Emerald incorporates somatic practices, movement, dance, art, writing, and authentic processing to accommodate the different learning styles that people embody. As a survivor of sexual traumas (molestation, rapes, drug-induced assaults, coercion), it has been a beautiful part of her journey to be able to create solidarity and hold healing circles for fellow survivors. She embodies such gratitude in her lived experiences as it has led her to her purpose in helping others heal on their journey.

In the words of Mother Teresa, “Spread love wherever you go”. Love is a core value that fuels Emerald everyday. She finds joy in being interconnected in her various roles as a wife, mother of 2 teenagers, eldest sister, community leader, collectivist healer, activist for social justice issues, and so on. Emerald is a believer in Jesus Christ who loves everyone and finds honor in serving others on their path towards empowerment and healing.

This episode was edited by Cheryl Samson Ramirez. Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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For our final episode of Season 3, we talk with Vice-Chair of the California State Independent Living Council, Peer Specialist & Disability Advocate for Painted Brain, Roque Alas Bucton.

Roque Alas Bucton is Indo-Pacific Islander American, emanated on the land of the Tongva. Roque identifies as a person who lives with visual, hearing, and mobility impairment. Currently, Roque is a Peer Specialist and Disability Advocate for the peer run non-profit Painted Brain. He is a California governor appointee, serving as Vice-Chair on the Executive Committee of the State Independent Living Council, since 2022.

Roque was the Co-Chair of the Access For All, Disability Advisory Committee, for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. He also serves as Vice-Chair on California's Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness, SAMHSA's federal oversight committee. On behalf of the California Arts Council Arts Infrastructure Groups Initiative, Roque was the former Director of the statewide Pilipino Artists Network (PAN), a division of the non-profit, FilAm ARTS. He is also one of the founders of the Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC).

Roque Alas Bucton holds a World Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the California Institute of the Arts. He also holds an Advanced Assistive Technology Training certification. Further, Mr. Bucton is a certified Disability Peer Specialist.

Roque is a holder of several Srivijaya spiritual, music, and martial arts lineages. He believes that advocating for people living with disabilities is a spiritual act of healing.

This episode was edited by Cheryl Samson Ramirez. Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track was the "Instinctual Time Travels" by Gingee released in 2011 (IG/YouTube: @Gingeeworld ).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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In our 11th episode of Season 3, we talk with Wellness Consultant, Author, and Professor, Janet Stickmon.

Janet Stickmon is a professor, author, educator trainer, and wellness consultant who has been teaching for over 25 years. Stickmon has been a professor of Humanities and Ethnic Studies at Napa Valley College (NVC) since 2006. Throughout her career at NVC, Stickmon was the Program Coordinator of Humanities and Philosophy, expanded the Ethnic Studies curriculum, worked with the Associated Students of Napa Valley College (ASNVC) and created The Cultural Center, and in collaboration with a team of talented Humanities and Ethnic Studies faculty, Stickmon established the Ethnic Studies Department. Stickmon was also part of the founding team of facilitators of the NVC Instructional Design Institute: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy workshop series. Prior to her career as a professor, she was a high school math, social justice, Ethnic Studies, and spoken word teacher at Salesian High School in Richmond. Janet Stickmon is the founder of CenterJoyPWR®: Strategies for Healing Racial Battle Fatigue—an online experience for professionals of color who want to center joy in their lives and does talks across the country on reconnecting with joy.

Stickmon is the author of Crushing Soft Rubies—A Memoir, Midnight Peaches, Two O’clock Patience—A Collection of Essays, Poems, and Short Stories on Womanhood and the Spirit, and To Black Parents Visiting Earth: Raising Black Children in the 21st Century. Stickmon’s essays are featured in The Huffington Post, Mutha Magazine, Read to Write Stories, Positively Filipino, Red and Yellow, Black and Brown: Decentering Whiteness in Mixed Race Studies, and The Sage Encyclopedia of Filipina/x/o American Studies. She also has 25 years experience practicing meditation and integrating mindfulness practices throughout all her courses.

Janet Stickmon holds a Master’s Degree in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University, a Master’s Degree in Religion and Society from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from U.C. Irvine and a Life Visioning Mastery Certificate with Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith. Currently, she is working toward becoming a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer.

This episode was edited by our very own Social Media Strategist, Kathleen Torio. Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track was the "Hear It From You" (Instrumental) by Freddie Joachim released in 2018 (IG/YouTube:  @freddiejoachim  ).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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In our 10th episode of Season 3, we talk with Astrologer and Self-Care Practitioner, Marsha Pacificar.

Meet Marsha Pacificar, a co-visionary behind RESTPLAY.TODAY, where transformative experiences seamlessly blend warmth, refinement, and style. As a devoted Mindful Wellness Practitioner, Marsha collaborates with renowned brands such as Lululemon, Google, and Netflix, leaving her indelible mark on esteemed spaces like Hilton of Americas, Marriott, and The Peninsula.

Marsha's expertise revolves around curating deeply personal self-care practices, from the soothing realms of Sound Meditation to the illuminating insights of self-care astrology, tailored for individuals, teams, and retreats. Beyond services, her mission is to foster self-awareness, cultivate genuine connections, and facilitate flawless communication, inspiring tangible day-to-day growth.

With an unwavering commitment to infusing well-being worldwide, Marsha ignites a ripple effect of positive change. Her unique emphasis on self-care astrology adds a celestial touch to her transformative work, leaving an enduring impact on individuals, communities, and the global stage.

Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track was "Good Vibes Only" by the late and great, Ethnic Descent released in 2022 (IG/YouTube: @ethnicdescentmusic / @ethnicdescent ).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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In our 9th episode of Season 3, we talk with MS Warrior, Former Dancer, and Hopeful DJ, Diane "DJ Danga Dang" Palaganas.

DJ Danga Dang is a DJ from Long Beach, California. Her love for hip hop and dance stem from years as a Dancer/Director on Culture Shock LA and Versa-Style Dance Company. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2016. In 2018, she decided to retire her dancing shoes and venture out into djing. In April 2019, she graduated from Scratch Dj Academy, Los Angeles. She currently represents a hip hop/breaking crew called Underground Flow. She loves all music, especially hip hop, r&b, funk, and disco. She hopes to inspire, spread love and good vibes everywhere she spins.

Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track was the first part of "A Thousand Cuts (feat. Ann One)" a single by Ruby Ibarra released in 2020 (IG/YouTube: @rubyibarra).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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In our 8th episode of Season 3, we talk with Owner & Co-Founder of Psychiatric Supportive Living & Athena House, Colleen Capistrano, Business Development Liaison for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, Cheryl Cambay and State OA PrEP Navigator for Tarzana Treatment Center's PrEP for the Future, Russell Ramirez.

Colleen Capistrano is a Co-founder and Owner for Psychiatric Supportive Living and Athena House. She has an extensive background in the Behavioral Healthcare industry for over 20 years. Her experience includes working in treatment programs for substance use disorders, process addictions, complex trauma & PTSD, eating disorders, and chronic mental illness. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Psychology from Mount St Mary’s University. Colleen has worked in multiple levels of care such inpatient settings, residential programs, partial hospitalizations and intensive outpatient programs. Currently, Colleen currently serves on the board for the Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment which has chapters across the United States.

Cheryl Cambay has worked in the addiction and behavioral healthcare field for over 25 years in a variety of capacities. She has extensive experience in effectively building relationships with clinical providers who specialize in the areas of addiction, mental health, eating disorders, sex/intimacy issues, and trauma in order to collaborate and assist clients in need with treatment and recovery options. She has worked for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, a leading national treatment center, for almost 10 years.

Russell Ramirez has been working for 5 years in a recovery space. He is currently working as a PrEP Navigator for Tarzana Treatment Center's PrEP for the Future, a State OA program to promote HIV/STI testing and PrEP.

Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break tracks were "Make Change" and "Spare Change" by Bambu off of his 2011 album, "...Exact Change...Reloaded" (IG/YouTube: @BambuDePistola .

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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In our 7th episode of Season 3, a collaboration with the podcast @ThisFilipinoAmericanLife hosts, Elaine Dolalas & Joe Bernardo, we talk with Founder of MMZ Law, Marivel M. Zialcita.

MARIVEL M. ZIALCITA, Attorney at Law has been an attorney for over 20 years. Since her appointment, Marivel has demonstrated a devotion to her clients. First, by becoming a Senior Advocacy Specialist while working for a reputable estate planning firm, where she prepared hundreds of Estate Planning Portfolios across Southern California. Then in 2009, after coming into a boutique firm she cultivated and expanded her Estate Planning practice and gained an extensive Probate court presence. She is a well-recognized figure by her colleagues and Judicial Officers who have come to know her as an attorney who is humbled by her desire to grow, learn, and serve. A continued call to action brought Ms. Zialcita to seek her growing role as Court Appointed Counsel and Guardian ad Litem in Conservatorship Matters for San Bernardino Superior Court, representing individuals diagnosed with cognitive disabilities. As the founder of an all female firm MMZ LAW, A Professional Corporation, she practices in generational trust and estate planning, elder law, Medi-Cal asset protection planning, veterans’ affairs benefits, conservatorship, special needs, trust administration, and probate.

This episode was edited by our very own Social Media Strategist, Kathleen Torio. Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). There was no break track used for this episode, as we are exploring additional ways to evolve. Feel free to enjoy it in its entirety =)

Hosts: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga), Elaine Dolalas (IG: @obliviousnerdgrl) & Joe Bernardo (IG: joeber9)

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This Filipino American Life Podcast

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In our 6th episode of Season 3, your very own Pilipinx in Wellness team, Kathleen Torio & Cheryl Samson Ramirez share with you the purpose behind our podcast, our origin story, who we are, our inspirations and highlights.

Kathleen Kristine Torio (she/her) is from Temecula, California. She is a grant writer for non-profit organizations, an active volunteer and organizer for Filipino/AAPI communities in the Inland Empire. She is an aspiring author and poet hoping to one day make it as a best-selling author.

Cheryl Samson Ramirez, M.A.Ed., LCSW (she/her/siya) is a proud Chinese-Bisayan American with Subanon and Ilonggo roots. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California on the traditional land of the Tongva and Kizh people. She is an educational social worker who currently provides coaching and training to adults around building stronger, more positive connections with students in K-12 public schools.

This episode was edited by our very own Social Media Strategist, Kathleen Torio. Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track is "Good Music (feat. Jazz Mafia)" by Rocky Rivera of Beatrock Music (IG/YouTube: @rockyrivera).

Co-hosts: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga) & Kathleen Torio @itskathleenkristine

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In our 5th episode of Season 3, we talk with House Dance Instructor, Jardy Santiago.

Jardy Santiago has been teaching house dance since 2001 and has performed and taught in the U.S., Russia, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Mexico, and Brazil.

Our in-house designer is Ritchie (IG: @ritchramirezart). Our break track is the Jojo Flores edit of "The Depth of the Source (feat. Yuba)" by Boddhi Satva (IG/YouTube: @djjojoflores, @BoddhiSatva ).

Host: Cheryl Samson Ramirez (IG: @angelspointyoga)

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