Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Warning: This project contains mature and sensitive themes such as depression and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

8 out of 100,000 Filipinos commit suicide each year.
Every 40 seconds, a person somewhere in the world successfully commits suicide.
Majority of them are aged 15-29 years old.

Despite the playful name, this podcast was borne out of severe depression and previous suicidal ideation. In what is perhaps our most personal episode yet, The Balut Kiki Project confronts the reality of living every day with a diagnosis of severe clinical depression and the thought of suicide looming constantly and persistently overhead.

It is high time we normalized conversations about mental health and removed the stigma.

It is about time we cared.

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Once upon a time…
 Girl meets boy. They bear a love child. Sadly, the love between girl and boy did not last.
 
Girl meets girl. Magic happens.
 
So, anong problema? (Let girl count the ways.)
First relationship niya ito with another girl – love nga ba ito?
Nasa Australia siya while other girl is established in Singapore.
Walang marriage equality sa Australia.
Will love child approve?
And naku, papano kung ang ending ay zero physical attraction pala? Kabog yan!

This is not a lesbian love story. This is just a love story, period. Love is love nga, diba?
Let’s stop with the labels na. It may take some getting used to. But let’s start here.
It’s time the world heard our stories. One story at a time.
 

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Hondami nang letters, diba mga Bes? Mas madami pa sa colors ng rainbow on steroids! Pero keber dahil the more, the merrier! This is a safe space where everybody is welcome and accepted! We don't discriminate - even if you're straight. Promise!

On this project, Brian Barretto of the Loyola Schools' Gender Hub (Ateneo de Manila University) kikis with us on everything to do with the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community and more! He also talks about his volunteer work on Flourish by LoveYourselfPh assisting members of our community (and beyond!) sort out  mental health difficulties, promoting HIV awareness, and other issues. Plus, he shares his work with _SpacesMNL and their Drag Academy, among other things, mentoring blossoming drag royalty. At ang SOGIE Bill, kamusta na? May pag-asa pa ba yan?

Power to the rainbow community! Click play na, Bes! 

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Nurse-educator Ryan Reyes continues his animated discussion with The Balut Kiki Project about the Filipino nurses' plight  amidst a languishing Philippine health care system. Patronage politics versus sound policies? Alin ba ang dapat manaig? Dapat na lamang bang makuntento ang mga Pinoy nurses sa bansag na bayani? Mukhang hindi mawawala sa uso ang salitang "martyr" hangga't may mga nurses! Problema lamang ba ito ng mga nurses or is this a problem that should be addressed by the population as a whole? Kelan tayo magiging mulat sa mga problemang nasa harap na natin?  Wil we survive another wave of this pandemic?
Kaway-kaway sa mga nursing students! Sure na ba kayo maging immortals of the future?

Due to length and breadth, this is the second installment of the discussion on this topic.
Disclaimers: This project was recorded during the 2nd quarter of 2021. All events discussed are limited to cover this time period or before. Also, events and experiences cited are personal in nature, unless otherwise stated, and are limited to the localities mentioned in context.


Sources:
1. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1168031/funds-for-health-cut-by-p10-billion#ixzz6sr3URssK
2. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/24/health/filipino-nurse-deaths/index.html

Visit the LARAWAN Clothing Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/larawanclothing

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

ASL please? 'Curious' here looking for other 'straight' guys. Ehem. 

Those were the days! Panahong pahirapan ang hook-ups dahil wala pang  Grindr.

The project kikis about personal queer experiences using dating apps of a bygone era: MIRC, Friendster, and Yahoo Messenger; plus, we discuss misconceptions and individual confusions about queer dating culture then and now. 

Sino kaya sa mga bessie natin ang nang-tanso at natanso? Sino ang nakahanap ng love-of-their-life o nag-stick to one-night-stands? Sino ang nakipag-hook-up with a celebrity?

Pass muna sa mga serious projects, mga Bes, at magbalik-tanaw muna tayo.

Tara nang mag-Grand EyeBall sa episode na ito!

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Bayani. Hero. Martyr. Immortal. Nurse lang ang sakalam. (Hindi nga?!)

Geoff goes in-depth with former colleague, national nurse licensure reviewer and nurse-educator Ryan Dizon Reyes of Quezon Province about the Filipino's seeming perennial ambivalence towards nurses and the nursing profession. Once regarded as the unsung heroes of an ailing Philippine health care system, nurses have been thrust into the frontlines in the war against an unforeseen pandemic, and now ostensibly forgotten with little help and recognition in sight.
 
Galaw-galaw, mga ka-duty! Kaya pa ba?

 Due to length and breadth, this is the first installment of the discussion on this topic.
Disclaimers: This project was recorded during the 2nd quarter of 2021. All events discussed are limited to cover this time period or before. Also, events and experiences cited are personal in nature, unless otherwise stated, and are limited to the localities mentioned in context.

Sources:
1. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/underpaid-overworked-philippines-nurses-hospitals-shortage-covid-14640028
2.  https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/4/1/nurse-dies-coronavirus.html?fbclid=IwAR2YZ_Krx6avCl01M4lyJT9D81UIDUyIeTkQED18hvxN5oua-97lUk0YbTk
3. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1352136/15-bayaning-nars-we-need-not-die-to-be-heroes#ixzz6sqmjlg5A
4. https://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/ppt.pdf
5. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/stories/unicef-and-philippine-red-cross-step-mental-health-services-during-covid-19-pandemic
6. https://pna-ph.org/
7. https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/ra_18/RA11494.pdf

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

The Balut Kiki Project is a podcast that aims to normalize conversations considered difficult and taboo in Pinoy culture such as mental health, sex and sexuality, non-traditional identities and relationships. We also aim to provide representation for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies in the Philippines.

If you, or anybody you know, are finding life a little tougher than you can handle - know that it's okay to ask for help. Ask a loved one or a friend to talk and listen.

Or call the following PH numbers:
Luzon-wide landline toll-free       1553
Globe/TM                                                 0917-899-USAP
Smart/Sun/TNT                                    0908-639-2672

(Source: www.https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Mainit-init pa, mga mamsh! 

Habang may side effects pa ang lahat sa Miss Universe fever, listen to da feelingerz na commentators Geoff and Nealle at ang legit pageant insider na si CJ while they kiki about the recent Miss U! Kamusta ang awra ni queen Rabiya? May cookfest bang naganap? May kabugan ba sa QnA? Cynthia ang mga kabogera at cynthia ang mga hindi deserving? Pero tandaan, chikahang wanna-be lamang ito at pawang for entertainment purposes only. Pampa-good vibes  at pangtaboy lang ng mga maligno! 

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Anu-ano ang mga pinaghuhuntahan nila sa The Balut Kiki Project podcast?
Eh di everythang, anythang, and nothang!

Saksihan ang kulitan, okrayan, bukuhan, laglagan, pagpapanggap, at aminan ng apat ninyong mga Bessies!

Bumisita sa aming munting website para malaman kung ano ang mga nakaraan at paparating na kaganapan. Pwedeng mag-iwan ng emails or recorded voice message para magtanong o kumustahin ang mga Beslogs. O para makiusyoso lang at kung anik-anik pa.

Nuestra casa es su casa, amigos y amigas! Kaya gora na with matching todo ariba!

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!

Makiki-kiki sa atin si Attorney!

National nurse-lecturer and associate provincial fiscal of the Department of Justice Atty. Deirdree Culhi, RN graces this project and shares how she dealt with the shocking and unexpected death of a spouse while touring the provinces conducting nursing lectures. She shares intimate details about how she faced the prospect of raising two very young children on her own and grappled with the daunting burden of moving on. "I spent one Valentine's Day at the mall looking at couples", she shares at one point. The kiki ends with laughter as she does not back down from Geoff's 'stimulating' rapid-fire questions -  si Ma'am Didi pa ba?  

Did she find love after death?

Support the show

The Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.

Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram .

Advertise with us - Email: [email protected].

*Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide).

It's okay to ask for help.