New Business Program: Manila Inasal

Join SoCal Filipinos founder Jason Lustina as he talks with Chef Natalia Moran, owner of Manila Inasal, one of LA’s newest Filipino restaurants and a New Business Program awardee.

Open just three months, Manila Inasal offers bold, modern takes on classic Filipino dishes. Chef Natalia shares her inspiration and passion for bringing Filipino flavors to a new generation of food lovers.

Visit Manila Inasal at Silver Lake Plaza, 240 Virgil Ave A, Floor 1, Los Angeles.

Let them know SoCal Filipinos sent you!

Aired: 06.29.2025

BINI

P-Pop sensation BINI is going global with their BINIverse world tour, making two exciting stops in Southern California — Los Angeles on June 14 and Temecula on June 15.

SoCal Filipinos founder Jason Lustina sits down with the members of BINI for an exclusive interview to discuss the tour, their growth as artists, and what fans can expect from this new chapter.

Watch the full conversation and get a behind-the-scenes look into the BINIverse!

Aired: 06.13.2025

My Love Will Make You Disappear

Join SoCal Filipinos founder Jason Lustina and special guest host Ginger Lim-Dimapasok as they sit down with Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu to talk about their new movie My Love Will Make You Disappear.

Get the inside scoop on the film, their characters, and what fans can expect from this heartfelt story.

Aired: 03.07.2025

Hello, Love, Again

SoCal Filipinos founder Jason Lustina sits down with stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards to discuss their film Hello, Love, Again.

Hear insights about the movie, their characters, and what this project means for Filipino cinema and fans everywhere.

Aired: 11.22.2024

2024 Manila International Film Festival

SoCal Filipinos had the honor of covering the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood last week.

Congratulations to the incredible MIFF team — Ruben V. Nepales, Janet Nepales, Lisa Lew, Meriden Angeles, Ebradu Udarbe, and everyone who made this historic event possible.

Check out our exclusive Red Carpet coverage from opening night on Monday, featuring filmmakers, stars, and special guests celebrating Filipino cinema on an international stage.

Reporting for SoCal Filipinos:
Jhenice Garcia Villanueva
Leila Pabo-Chung
Alexander Montes
Allan Francisco
Jucevi Virtudes

Aired: 02.05.2024

Dear Watsonville

Join SoCal Filipinos as we speak with Sondy Lu and Meleia Simon Reynolds about Dear Watsonville, a powerful short documentary honoring the manong generation—the first wave of Filipino migrants to the U.S.

Told through community-sourced oral histories, archival images, and hand-drawn illustrations, the film shares the stories of three Filipino families in Watsonville, CA.

Aired: 08.02.2024

Food Roots with Billy Dec

SoCal Filipinos founder Jason Lustina sits down with Emmy Award–winning TV personality and restaurateur Billy Dec to discuss his powerful new documentary, Food Roots.

In Food Roots, Billy travels to the Philippines after a personal loss to reconnect with his heritage, preserve ancestral recipes, and uncover family stories that forever change his life. Through motorcycles, boats, and backroads, he explores the rich culinary and cultural legacy of his roots.

Learn more about the documentary at foodrootsfilm.com

Aired: 10.13.2023

A Very Good Girl

Check out this exclusive interview with SoCal Filipinos founder Jason Lustina as he sits down with Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly Deleon to talk about the film, their characters, and what it means to bring bold Filipino stories to an international audience.

Aired: 10.11.2023

New Business Program: Purple Yum Bakeshop

Join us as SoCal Filipinos highlights one of our New Business Program recipients, Purple Yum Bakeshop, and chats with the dynamic duo behind the brand — Kelsey and Ryan Caigoy.

In this episode, Kelsey and Ryan share their journey from home bakers to small business owners, how their Filipino roots inspire their ube-forward creations, and what it means to be part of a growing Filipino American food movement in Southern California.

Aired: 10.11.2023

Filipino Film Maker Panel

Join SoCal Filipinos as we sit down with a talented panel of Filipino American filmmakers who are making waves with powerful, personal, and culturally rich stories. In this conversation, we explore their creative journeys, the inspirations behind their latest projects, and what it means to represent the Filipino experience on screen.

Aired: 10.28.2023

Author Herbie De Leon

In this special feature, SoCal Filipinos speaks with Herbie De Leon, the creator of the Alamat Book Series, a modern reimagining of legendary Filipino figures and folklore.

We dive deep into the stories behind Lam-ang, Lumalindaw, Taguwasi, and Urduja—four powerful characters inspired by pre-colonial epics and cultural myths. Herbie shares the inspiration behind each book, his mission to amplify Filipino heritage through storytelling, and why it's so important to preserve and reintroduce these legends for the next generation.

Aired: 09.28.2023

Reimagined Volume II: Mahal

Join us as for a Creative Spotlight as we speak to several of the team behind Reimagined Volume II: Mahal which is making it's wold premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June.

Featuring:

Michaela Ternasky-Holland - Director, Writer & Producer

Anne Yatco - Voice of Hanan

Eileen Descallar - Voice of Catalonan

Travis Atreo - Vocalist

Aired: 05.29.2023

Christine Gambito

We speak with Christine Gambito as being a pioneer on social media and also her current tour HappySlip Live!

Aired: 05.25.2023

Jalysa Leva

Creator of Jelly, Ben and Pogi

Aired: 05.16.2023

Philippines Baseball

SoCal Filipinos speaks to Philippines Baseball and learn about the growing popularity of baseball in the Philippines along with their recent successes in international tournaments.

Aired: 05.10.2023

Kwento Comics

Join us as we meet the team behind Kwento Comics. Kwento Comics is the first all-women, all-Asian comic book company highlighting Filipino and Asian mythology through the medium of graphic novels. Introducing their first series, "The Mask of Haliya," which is a supernatural, multi-perspective saga about a Filipina teen, Marisol Reyes, who discovers a wooden mask at her great-grandmother's wake. Destiny beckons in the form of a giant sea serpent, an ancient battle, and a grim vision of the future.

Aired: 05.05.2023

Nurse Unseen

Join us as we speak with Director/Producer Michele Josue as we speak about the Nurse Unseen Documentary and their LA Premiere at the 2023 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. About Nurse Unseen NURSE UNSEEN, explores the little-known history and humanity of the unsung Filipino nurses risking their lives on the frontlines of a pandemic, thousands of miles from home. The film unearths the colonial ties between the Philippines and the United States that have led to Filipino-American nurses becoming the unknown backbone of the United States health industry. NURSE UNSEEN is directed by Emmy award-winning Filipino-American director, Michele Josue.

Aired: 04.30.2023

Jackie Buntan

Join SoCal Filipinos as we speak with Muay Thai fighter Jackie Buntan and discuss her upcoming match against Australia’s Diandra Martin. About Jackie Buntan Former ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Jackie Buntan won’t only be representing the red, white and blue when she makes her U.S. debut in The Home of Martial Arts – she’ll be bringing some of that Filipino flair with her. The Filipina-American striking sensation returns to action when she takes on Australia’s Diandra Martin in a three-round strawweight Muay Thai bout in the main card of the sold-out ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on 5 May inside 1stBank Center in Colorado.

Aired: 04.27.2023

Dylin Rodrigo

Join us for an Artist Spotlight with Dylin Rodrigo who currently is playing Young Simba on Disney's Lion King on Broadway.

Aired: 04.24.2023

Ca Care Association

Join us for a Community Spotlight as we feature Ca Care Association for our Community Spotlight as well as talk about the upcoming event - Mayfest. About Ca Care Association. Ca Care Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and individualized care training services for assisted living homes and community-based care providers in California. We offer compliance training and resources for care providers to ensure that they are equipped to deal with challenging situations while safeguarding the well-being of their residents. Our aim is to provide the best possible care for our clients so that they can live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. If you are looking for an organization that you can trust to provide quality care for your loved ones, then look no further than Ca Care Association.

Aired: 04.15.2023

Loida Lewis

In partnership with the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - Greater Los Angeles join us as we get to know Loida Lewis and talk about her new book Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? Hosted by Lois P. Klavir - President, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles Jason Lustina - Founder, SoCal Filipinos

Aired: 04.01.2023

Francisco Martin

Join us for this month's Artist Spotlight with American Idol finalist Francisco Martin. Francisco is a first-generation Filipino American from San Francisco. Through his lens we’ve learned much about and been enriched by the Filipino community, and cherish how much you all support and love your culture—especially music. As a college freshman, Francisco left to pursue his dream of music and found himself on the 2020 (COVID-season) of American Idol where he came in 3rd. He was signed after the show and has now released two EPs, allowing him to tour around the US, the Philippines and the world. He’s shared stages with artists like Gary V, Martin Nievera, Regina Velasquez and so on. He’s a multi-instrumentalist writer-producer-artist who came up playing at bar-and-grills like Gerry’s Grill in the Bay area. He also makes a mean adobo!

Aired: 12.12.2022

Team KC

Join us as we learn about KC. Kristen (KC), 22 years old, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia just weeks after starting her nursing career. Her doctors have recommended a bone marrow transplant to cure her. Unfortunately, no one in her family is a match, so her doctors are searching the Be The Match Registry for an unrelated donor.

KC is half Mexican and half Filipina so individuals with a similar background are highly encouraged to register as their odds to match are greater For more info text TEAMKC to 61474 or visit TeamKC.org

Aired: 12.03.2022

Gary Valenciano

Join us as we speak with the one and only Gary Valenciano as we discuss his upcoming tour here in the U.S.

Aired: 09.24.2022

Diwata Komiks

Join us as we get to know the team behind Diwata Komiks featuring Mark Nazal, Joe A Arciaga, Erica Juliet

Aired: 08.17.2022

Carla Ibarra

SoCal Filipinos and Bahaghari celebrates Pride Month. Join us for a special interview with Carla Ibarra as we talk about her recent trip to Washington DC.

Aired: 06.07.2022

Garth Garcia & LJ Moreno

SoCal Filipinos in partnership with Sendwave celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Join us as we feature singing artist Garth Garcia and actress LJ Moreno.

Aired: 05.25.22

#MabuhayNgMgaPilipina2022

Among Asian Americans, Filipinas have the 2nd highest breast cancer rate and the highest breast cancer death rate. Cervical Cancer is more common among Filipinas than Whites, yet more than half self-report being overdue for recommended screening. SoCal Filipinos is proud to support the #MabuhayAngMgaPilipina2022 campaign.

Aired: 05.11.22

Ava Severy | The Garcias | HBO Max

Join SoCal Filipinos as we get to know Fil-Am child actress Ayva Severy from HBO Max - The Garcias. Hosted by Sweeney Mae.

Aired: 05.04.22

Filipino Food Month with Donita Rose | Island Pacific

April is celebrated as Filipino Food Month. Join SoCal Filipinos as we celebrate Filipino Food Month with our final interview highlighting chefs/businesses from our community. Closing out the month for SoCal Filipinos we have Donita Rose - Corporate Chef Research & Development for Island Pacific. Hosted by Jhenice Villanueva.

Aired: 04.26.22

Filipino Food Month with Spencer Hunter | Lia’s Lumpia

Join SoCal Filipinos as we celebrate Filipino Food Month as we highlight chefs/restaurants from our community. Today we speak with creator/owner and contestant from Food Network's Great Food Truck Race - Spencer Hunter of Lia's Lumpia in San Diego. Hosted by Sweeney Mae.

Aired: 04.18.22

The Cleaning Lady

Join SoCal Filipinos for this special panel as we meet and speak to the Power Pinays that are starring in and help produce the hit TV show - The Cleaning Lady.

About the Cleaning Lady: When whip-smart Cambodian doctor Thony De La Rosa comes to the United States from the Philippines for medical treatment to save her half Cambodian/half Filipino ailing son, she soon discovers her path won't be as straightforward as she had hoped. As the system quickly fails her, pushing her into hiding, she resolves not to allow herself to be beaten down and marginalized, and becomes a cleaning lady for organized crime. Using her cunning and intelligence, Thony forges her own path in the criminal underworld, doing whatever she has to to survive.

Aired: 04.09.22

Filipino Food Month with Josh Espinosa | Sampa

April is celebrated as Filipino Food Month. Join SoCal Filipinos as we celebrate Filipino Food Month with a series of interviews highlighting chefs/businesses from our community. Kicking it off we have Josh Espinosa, Creator/Executive Chef from Sampa.

Aired: 04.05.22

Kababayan Spotlight: Romeo Garcia | Romeo Chocolates

In this episode of Kababayan Spotlight join us as we get to know Romeo Garcia from Romeo Chocolates.

Aired: 03.10.22

Kabaabayan Spotlight | Weeee Filipino

Aired: 02.24.22

SoCal Filipinos and Jeppy Paraiso Presents “I LABYU: A TITA CHE VALENTINES SPECIAL”

Join us for an evening of song and laughter with everyone's favorite Tita - Tita Che in honor of Valentine's Day.

Aired: 02.12.22

Kababayan Korner | Episode 3: HOUSE It Going?

Will the real estate market finally crash in 2022? Join us this week as your top SoCal Filipinos real estate agents Leo Bato, Edwin Baloloy, and Janice Jimenez discuss the real estate outlook for 2022. Joining hosts Abby Ronquillo and Jucevi Cares is special guest moderator Joe Pimentel from Spectrum 1 News.

Aired: 01.20.2022

Kababayan Korner | Episode 2: Let's Talk About Tax Baby

In this week's episode join us as we talk about tax changes in 2022, preparing your taxes as a new homeowner, and tax implications of accepting online payments such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal for your business or side hustle with special guest Jennifer J. Sotto, CPA, MST.

Aired: 01.13.2022

Kababayan Korner | Episode 1: Origins

Aired: 01.06.2022

SoCal Filipinos | Island Pacific presents Holiday Cooking Demo with Calajo Catering

SoCal Filipinos in partnership with Island Pacific presents a Holiday Cooking Demo with Chef Carlo from Calajo Catering. Join us live as we make empanadas. Hosted by Hugh Harper

Aired: 12.22.2021

SoCal Filipinos presents Holiday Floral Arrangement Masterclass

Take your next holiday party to the next level and learn the art of floral arrangements your friends would swoon over!

Presented by Kessiah - Founder and Floral Designer of Petals & Prickly's

Hosted by Sweeney Mae

Aired: 12.19.2021

SoCal Filipinos presents Tita Che Holiday

Join us as Tita Che gets us ready for the holidays with an evening of music.

Aired: 12.15.2021

College 101 - What to Consider During the College Exploration and Application Process

EDGEucation and SoCal Filipinos present: College 101 - What to Consider During the College Exploration and Application Process

Aired: 11.03.2021

SoCal Filipinos presents Community Spotlight with FILAM and Filipino American Leadership Foundation

Join us live in SoCal Filipinos for a community spolight featuring FILAM and the Filipino American Leadership Foundation.

Aired: 10.26.2021

SoCal Filipinos presents Velvet Sky

In honor of Filipino American History Month, join us as we chat with the cast and creator of the film, “Velvet Sky”, a Filipino story told by a Filipino American storyteller about a filmmaker who meets his idol but regrets it later as their bond turns toxic. The film deals with the effects of crab mentality, but also highlights ways that we can show up and support the people and community around us.

Hosted by Manny Streetz

Featuring: Charles Gray, Reuben Uy, Jasper Capalad, Darren Lee Campbell, Kelsey Tuma

SoCal Filipinos presents Filipino Folklore & Mythology

Join us as we learn about Filipino Mythology & Folklore presented by Oz Mari Granlund.