Ryan Murphy's latest entry on Netflix is Nurse Ratched, an origin series inspired from "One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest."  In keeping with Murphy's stylish sensibilities, he not only explores Nurse Ratched's beginnings, but has a coordinated all-star cast to boot.  Without a Filipina nurse in site, this stylish yet sometimes oddly-paced series reveals the grotesque treatment of mental health in the late 1940s.  Later, Sigi and Jezzie discuss why the profession of nursing is  popular among Filipinos and what this reflects about the Philippines in general.  This episode is dedicated to all health-care workers who deserve much respect and recognition in the caring labour they provide the world.  Much gratitude.

In the Mix this week:

IMdB's "Archer",

BBC's "Best Home Cook",

Vox's "Why the US has so many Filipina Nurses?",

Filipinos, Nursing, and How This Century-Long Relationship Began

On this Taste Test episode, Sigi samples Michelle Buteau's Netflix standup show, "Welcome to Buteaupia" and relates to her parenting style, fatigue in raising kids and navigating cultural differences with a Dutch partner.  Spicy, sumptuous and filled with tang and heat, Sigi likens this piece of pop culture to a juicy piece of a buffalo chicken wing.  In the vein of Margaret Cho, Wanda Sykes, and Ali Wong, this energetic comedy special is sure to please!

Mabuhay!  On this warmup, Sigi leads Jezzie and our special guest for this past week Joanna, from Tagalog with Kirby, on sharing what each of their favourite Tagalog words are.  Find out which word could be used to make a drunken toast, and which word describes a feeling of being uncomfortable going to the washroom at someone else's house.  We had a blast with Joanna on this warmup, we hope you do too!

Your co-hosts, this week, review the growing FilipinX selection of films on Netflix and share their thoughts on "Lingua Franca," and "Born Beautiful" with their special guest, Joanna Kirby, from Tagalog with Kirby.  Later in the podcast, we learn of Joanna's immigration story, teaching as well as learning Tagalog, and why learning Tagalog, through fearless trying, can be a story of loss regained, and sacrifice renewed. 

In the Mix this week:

'GLOW' cancelled,

"Monsoon" Trailer,

"Crying Ladies" Trailer,

How Americans Preserved British English

On this Meryenda episode, Sigi and Jezzie inhale Alexandra Cuerdo's documentary, "Ulam: Main Dish, The Movie" and savour every minute of it!  Your co-hosts agree with the documentary's thesis of how Filipino food is about to take the spotlight on the North American foodie scene, and also why it took so long to take its rightful place on the world's food stage.  

In the Mix this week:

Netflix's "Emily in Paris",

"David Tennant does a Podcast with...",

"Discovering Routes" Trailer,

"#GayaSaPelikula (Like in the Movies)" Playlist,

Eggslut Food Concept,

Lola's Kitchen,

Amy Besa's "Memories of Filipino Kitchens",

Junior,

The Crane Express

On this Taste Test episode, Jezzie takes in Matt Ortile's "The Groom Will Keep His Name and Other Vows I've Made About Race, Resistance and Romance."  Jezzie compares this decadent book to a brunch menu item from Mildred's Temple Kitchen, and serves us an analysis of a tell-all book that all the while serves the reader with a decadent analysis on oppressive structures that Filipino gay men try to out navigate every day.  This is a great book to savour for gay Filipino men and their allies.

On this warmup, Sigi explores what romantic scenes and songs gives them the tingles!  Discover who can't resist a Chanel suit, and who swoons when you surrender to love.  Along the way, your co-hosts get sidetracked by the Hours and 112's "Only You" but end it off on a sumptuous note!

"Hello Stranger" is Black Sheep Productions' response to the BL (Boys Love) TV series genre and craze!  Your co-hosts review this classic story with a twist while lamenting over its ending.  Told in this time of quarantine and social distancing, it follows the unlikely pairing of J.C. Alcantara's Mico, and Tony Labrusca's Xavier on a school project where we find out if these opposites will attract.  Later, Sigi and Jezzie discuss BL series generally and how they promote kilig, or romantic excitement in others.  Finally, your co-hosts discuss grand romantic gestures and feeling excited for others.

In the Mix this week:

On this taste test, Sigi reviews Melissa Dela Cruz's young adult novel, "Something in Between" and likens it to a creamy and yet familiar dessert at an Asian Western buffet where, you can add speckles of familiar Filipino flavours.  Sigi recounts how the main character Jasmine de los Santos, an academically driven student, soon discovers that her family's legal status in the United States is undocumented.  Sigi delights in how this novel fills in the gaps in the young adult novel landscape where there lies a dearth in young adult novels reflecting the Filipinx experience.  Recommended for our teen listeners, it's worth a read and a great introduction to the work of Melissa Dela Cruz!

On this first warmup of Season three, Sigi poses the question, in honour of Chadwick Boseman's passing, which heroines/heroes do we look up to on the pop culture landscape.  Find out who can do a soliloquy on the spot, and which of your co-hosts admires the everyday working heroine.  Which hero/heroine do you look up to in the pop culture universe?