What's the Tsismis

Recent episodes

1. February 22, 2025 · 47 min

   Bonus Ep: Pinoys on Parliament 2024 and 2025

   Pinoys on Parliament is the coolest and largest youth conference for Filipinos across Canada. Here are some snippets from workshop participants and the community symposium!

2. December 16, 2024 · 50 min

   Am I Filipino Enough? Yes Chef!

   Chef Earl Briones wrote "I used to think I wasn't Filipino enough" in an Instagram reel (@chefebriones), and Ryan spontaneously invited him into the studio to chat about it! Listen in as they dig into who Filipinos were before they were forced to be something they're not. They talk about imposter syndrome, why explorers like Christopher Columbus were pieces of ****, why the US isn't benevolent, and what the Philippine people were like and what they believed pre-colonization. This was recorded the day after Chef Earl presented at Litfest for the Polyglot's launch of Issue 13: MANAIG, along side WTT co-producer Ryan Lacanilao (@ooakosiryan). Chef Earl also refers to "the dinners" in this episode, by which he means his "Rice & Mysticism" popups where he explores the rich traditions of Filipino cuisine, all the way back to pre-colonial times.

3. November 18, 2024 · 19 min

   What’s in a Name?

   In this episode of What’s the Tsismis, Rajah and Jocelyn dive into the perplexing world of Filipino names and nicknames. Why does every family seem to have a Baby, a Bong, or a Boy? What’s the story behind blending parents’ names to create something uniquely Filipino? From funny nicknames to cultural traditions, we explore how our names are a reflection of identity, family, and connection. Don’t miss this conversation about the stories behind the names we love (and sometimes hate)

4. October 7, 2024 · 21 min

   The One Where Ryan Gets a Batok Tattoo

   Listen in as Ryan gets a batok tattoo, hand-tapped by by Mayo of Birthmark Tattoos. Mayo recalls how he journeyed into the mountains to meet legendary Apo Whang-Od, the last mambabatok of Kalinga and oldest living tattoo artist at 107 years old. He got her blessing to continue the tradition, and even tattooed her...twice! For Ryan, the process is what makes the tattoo so meaningful. He told Kuya Mayo about where his parents come from in Pampanga, how his dad played in the Pampanga river and his mom played in the rice fields. Then Mayo designed a unique tattoo by hand on the spot to represent Ryan’s story. This episode was recorded at the 2024 Edmonton Filipino Fiesta.

5. September 23, 2024 · 56 min

   Magtanong WTT: It’s the End of a (Student) Era...Now What? Help!

   Listen in while Ryan and Domi overshare for this juicy advice episode! They talk about why they left their careers (and don’t regret it), their journeys to WTT (it's a long story!) the best opening line to meet people (it involves worms), and how to find and connect with your Filipino community (karaoke walk, anyone?) What do you do when your student era is coming to an end and you want to step into a career, but there’s not a lot of Filipino representation in your field? Joshua Bolofer is finishing up a masters in media production and is trying to find Filipino stories to put on a platform. How should he go about finding community and kicking off his ‘career guy’ era?

6. September 16, 2024 · 29 min

   Magmahal at Mahalin / To Love and To Be Loved

   Our childhood and teenage years are incredibly formative parts of our lives. As we age, we move to new places, make new friends, expand our horizons and confront hard life lessons. At the same time, we put up boundaries and shed parts of ourselves that no longer serve us. In this episode, “Magmahal at mahalin / To love and to be loved”, Micah explores the question: what parts of your childhood have you kept with you throughout the years, and how do you honour your inner child now as an adult? Our guests Jessica Somera and Vincent Malazo take us back to Manila, Toronto, Edmonton and to growing up on reserve to explore how individuals shift throughout the eras - for better or for worse. So for you, what does it mean to love your inner child and your younger self? What would your younger self say to you now?

7. September 9, 2024 · 23 min

   Magtanong WTT: Where TF Should I Live? Help!

   What do you do when your job is in one place and your friends & family are in another? Do you start a new era in a place away from home? Or do you go back to where your social networks are already established? In this episode, Arianne Barroma joins Ryan Lacanilao to answer a question from a listener. Zophia Brobio moved around a lot as a kid and has a complicated relationship with place. But she feels like it might be time to decide where to live long term. They’re currently working in a city away from their family and social networks and are finding it hard to rebuild their life. Where TF should Zophia live?

8. September 9, 2024 · 22 min

   Magtanong WTT: Work Life Ain't It...Help!

   What do you do when you’re deep into your ‘working woman’ era and realize it’s not fulfilling you creatively? In this episode, Rajah Maggay joins Ryan Lacanilao to answer a question from a listener. Romilie Calotes achieved the expected trajectory in her education and career, but work doesn’t feel as inspiring as she’d hoped. She’s exploring creative outlets outside the 9-to-5 and is wondering how she can bring this creativity into her work life.

9. February 22, 2023 · 32 min

   Bonus Episode: Pinoys on Parliament 2022

   Arianne, Julia, Ryan and Micah have a conversation about their experiences as facilitators at the Pinoys on Parliament 2022 Conference. They share their thoughts on family expectations and Filipino representation in the media. This episode also features the reflections and messages from Pinoys on Parliament delegates!

10. February 22, 2023 · 58 min

    The Throwback Episode

    Tune in to hear Micah relive her cringe years, including movie theatre makeouts and a day care centre flooding! In this episode, Ryan Lacanilao asks Micah Leonida to throw way back to her junior high years. What did she look like and dress like, and what was her crush situation? What shenanigens did she get up to? Which friends did she lose touch with, and who was her favourite teacher? Ryan then brings Micah’s past to the present by tracking down people from her stories and arranging surprise zoom reunions that you can listen in on! Listen in as she talks to former bestie Natalie Czuczman about a shared crush and some dress drama (#dressgate). And feel all the feels as she talks to her Grade 9 Social Studies teacher, Kendra Van Leeuwen, about the lasting impact she had on her life.