We talk about our personal highlights of 2023 which include a lot of revenge travel and new roles and hobbies. We also share the results of Banana Q podcasts's Spotify Wrapped and then talk about our favorite TV shows and movies discovered during the year.    Show Notes: Oxford Word of the Year 2023

We share money-saving tips (pagtitipid tips) that Filipinos do and discuss the line between frugal and cheap.   Notes: Walang sayang pag Filipina ang asawa mo Tipid Tips: 100+ Ways to Save Thousands of Pesos Every Month

We finally have our first reunion since we started this podcast... in Hong Kong. We give tips on what to do when traveling to Hong Kong, tackling different spots such as Wan Chai, Stanley, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Mongkok, Tung Chung, and Lamma Island. We discussed Hotels.com, Klook, Jollibee, The Peak, Big Bus Tours, Symphony of Lights, Avenue of Stars, K11 Musea Mall, Bakehouse, Flash Coffee, Eggettes, Tim Ho Wan, cha chaan teng, Ladies Market, Lee Tung Avenue, City Gate Outlet, Rainbow Seafood Restaurant, and Aqua.

We talk about our favorite toys while growing up as '90s kids in the Philippines - Barbie dolls, action figures, jackstones, pick up sticks, marbles, fighting spiders and sea shells and pogs and teks and trading cards, Monopoly, Gameboy, brick game, Tamagotchi, family computer, and arcade. Realizations: it was simultaneously more dangerous yet healthier to be a child back then? Also mentioned: the urban myth about how putting kisses in cotton would make them give birth.   You might also like: Ep 77: Philippine Squid Games  

We talk about the cons of being an Overseas Filipino Worker, including experiencing being stereotyped and feeling like a second class citizen abroad, missing food and events back home, and being confused about what “home” means now.

We explain what's a balikbayan box and pasalubong, and give tips from ourselves and Qties (our listeners) on the best gifts that you can get from different countries - Canada, Italy, Finland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Philippines.   Show Notes: What is a Balikbayan Box? We Tried What Ex-OFWs Miss in Singapore (Rey & Dee guest on YouTube) Balikbayan Box from Singapore to Philippines  

We discuss the most popular social media platforms and their differences - Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Tiktok, YouTube. We delve into a bit of nostalgia talking about the first popular Social media platforms in the Philippines back in the day - Friendster and Multiply. We share the social media etiquette rules you need to stop breaking.   Show Notes: Understanding the Difference in Social Media Platforms 13 Social Media Etiquette Rules You Really Need to Stop Breaking Timeline: James Gunn’s long and winding road from Troma to the top of DC Studios  

We talk about Asian representation in Hollywood, from Bruce Lee to Crazy Rich Asians to Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. We also discuss Filipino representation, from Jacob Batalon to Vanessa Hudgens to... Lumpia with a Vengeance.   Show Notes: What Michelle Yeoh's win really says about Hollywood Uncovering The Complex History of Asian Representation in Hollywood How Crazy Rich Asians Changed Hollywood And No One Noticed Only 44 top ranking movies featured Asian American leads in the past decade Why 'Indiana Jones' and 'The Goonies' Kid Star Ke Huy Quan Quit Acting for 20 Years 10 Hollywood celebrities you might not know have Filipino Blood How Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Gets Filipino Culture Right 10 Films with Asian American Representation Lumpia with a Vengeance For Filipino Americans, seeing ourselves in a summer movie is a wonder  

We answer these questions: Why is Accountancy a popular course choice in the Philippines? What do accountants actually do? We share our real life experiences in Finance-related roles in Philippines, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong, which include: assistant accountant, IRM auditor, business process owner, accounts payable analyst, hedge fund accountant, private equity and real estate accountant, projects and reporting coordinator, product controller, financial planning & analysis manager, finance business partner, and CFO (chief financial officer). We give tips on how to thrive in corporate life and how to turn fund accounting into FUN accounting.   Show Notes: 3 Reasons Accounting Job is the Top Choice in the Philippines Why the Philippines is a Top Choice for Offshore Accounting

We share some outdated laws that Filipinos still have to live with, which include not offending religious feelings, owning a deadly pana, or being merely annoying.   Show Notes: 15 Weird Laws Filipinos Still Have To Live With Offending Religion: The Case of Carlos Celdran

We interview Cate, an accountant in Australia, about her heartbreaking struggle of trying to have a baby. She talks about her endometriosis and multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF).   Episode Notes: Why Michelle Obama’s revelation that she had a miscarriage and did IVF matters

We talk about possible side hustles that you can do to supplement your income. We also discuss how Filipinos are very entrepreneurial and the culture shock that came from moving abroad and discovering it wasn't the norm there.   Show Notes: 44 Profitable Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money

Rey explains what inflation is for the average Juan, and includes discussion on the heavily memed phenomenon of the huge increase in price of onions in the Philippines. 

We review the Philippine national symbols and think about what we would choose to update them to be more representative of Filipinos in the modern times.

We learn about Chinese New Year history and traditions in China, Philippines, and other places.

We talk about our favorite travel destinations within the Philippines and around the world. We also share our most disappointing experiences and funniest bloopers. Finally, we discuss why we love to travel. Listen to Dee’s other travel bloopers on: Ep 86: Pinoy Travel Problems Ep 47: What are True Petty Crimes in the Philippines? Read about Dee’s travels on http://adeecodedlife.com/travelogues

We talk about our personal highlights of 2022 which include big milestones. In relation to these, we end up sharing life and career advice including how to stay young and how to be Sir Chief. We also share the results of Banana Q podcasts's Spotify Wrapped and then talk about our favorite TV shows and movies discovered during the year. Dee picks After Life, Mythic Quest, The Afterparty, and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once while Rey goes for National Treasure, Wednesday, Boba Fett, and Top Gun: Maverick. Other Banana Q podcast episodes mentioned: Ep 97: Buying vs Renting a Home Ep 98: This is 40 - Expectations vs Reality Ep 66: What Career Advice Would You Give to Gen Z? Ep 16: What Shows Did You Find Binge-worthy in 2020? Ep 69: The Highlights of Our 2021

We give tips on how to give thoughtful gifts for Christmas and other occasions, and give examples of good presents that we gave or received.

We discuss common toxic misconceptions that people have about Filipinas who date foreigners (usually Westerners) with the aid of Kach Umandap's article on her blog.   Show Notes: Truth and Lies About Filipinas Dating Foreigners

Rey finally gets to visit the home country and be a balikbayan again after 3 years, and talks about changes he noticed in post-Pandemic Philippines.

We talk about royals that exist in modern times. We discuss Philippine monarchy in the past and touch on a bit of history, finally tackling the last unanswered question from our trailer. We lay out the pros and cons of monarchy and share whether or not we wanna be royals.

We have reached 3 digit number of episodes so we talk about Top 3: Most downloaded episodes Audience demographics and what music they listen to Most memorable quotes Words most used in our comments  Commenters Realizations  Things we look forward to The most memorable quotes are from the episodes below: Ep 84: Climate Crisis Ep 22: How Did Filipino Chinese Tycoons Build Their Empires? Ep 48: Why Do (Most) Cebuanos Hate to Speak in Tagalog?

We talk about the afterlife and learn the beliefs of different religions - Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Norse, Catholic, Islam, Buddhist, and Hindu. We also talk about mediums, near death experiences, and the possibility of uploading your consciousness to a virtual reality as portrayed in the shows Upload and Black Mirror (San Junipero). Finally, we talk about our ideal afterlife and bring up The Good Place.

Dee turns 40 and interviews same aged Filipino friends based all over the world about what life is like for them. Did reality meet their expectations?  Chi, corporate lawyer, talks about the good and bad things about being 40 and childfree by choice. Cate, accountant, shares her heartbreaking struggle of trying to have a child. Flisha, IT manager, talks about her "geriatric pregnancy" and having a baby at 40. Elma, process engineer, confesses about not feeling mature enough and how her career priorities changed as a mother. Tyne, former director in fund accounting, talks about paradigm shift in career and peer/personal pressure. Jefrey, nomad chef, shares his journey of quitting his job as a vice president in Finance to start a new career as a chef.

We talk about the pros and cons of buying vs renting a home. Pros: Building wealth through equity Low mortgage interest rates Freedom to renovate and modify your house as you see fit No surprises in rent prices Cons: Less flexibility to move Significant asking price Home expenses like repairs, maintenance fees, and insurance Owning your home used to be the practical choice, but this is no longer the case. What changed?

We interview Reuben, who talks about the methods he used to learn more about our national language, Tagalog, and shares the deeper words and interesting tidbits of history that he came across while doing his research.

Why do we want to be attractive? What is considered attractive in the Philippines and why is it not what the average Filipino looks like? What is colonial mentality? And on a related note, what is the criteria for picking the most beautiful woman in the universe?

What are some faux pas (embarrassing acts) that you can commit in the Philippines? How can you recover from them?

How do you know if you're having a job burnout? What are its possible causes and consequences? How do you handle it?

What usually happens in Pinoy parties? How early should you show up? What should you bring? What food and activities can you expect? What should you do so as not to be branded as a killjoy and never be invited again?

Change is coming... we have an important announcement to make. But before that, we discuss the most common types of change we encounter and give tips on how to deal with them.

How did Marimar change Philippine TV history? Did you fall for Angelo or Eduardo on Pangako Sayo? How did John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo become a love team? Ride on the nostalgia train along da riles as we discuss TV tropes of popular comedy, love, action, drama, and fantasy shows with matching sing-along theme songs. TV shows mentioned: Marimar, Mara Clara, Home Along da Riles, Palibhasa Lalake, Ober da Bakod, Mula sa Puso, Pangako Sayo, Ang Probinsyano, Tayong Dalawa, Natutulog ba ang Diyos, Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, Imortal, Mulawin, Darna.

What Pinoy expressions can you teach non Filipinos? Mabuhay? Kamusta? Nah, too boring! We share unusual ones like 'ay kabayo!' and 'bahala na si Batman' then explain how to use them and dig into their origins.

We interview Arlo (host of Typitalks with Arlo podcast) about what life is like as an overseas Filipino worker in Switzerland. He talks about how he landed a job as an architect in Basel, and refutes rumors about Swiss people, Swiss life, and certain Swiss scenes from the Kdrama Crash Landing On You. Check out Arlo's podcast: https://anchor.fm/typitalkswitharlo

We discuss what elections in the Philippines is like, including political parties, campaign strategies, and election day unscrupulous practices. We share some of the most bizarre nuisance candidates and end on what we would do if we were president of the Philippines.

We share problems that Filipinos face when traveling due to our weak spending power and passport. We also talk about what to expect when traveling with Filipinos such as kuripot habits, hospitable OFW hosts everywhere in the world, and culture shock.

We talk about things we wished we knew before we left the Philippines in our 20s with a time travel twist. We discuss lessons we learned and how we would have lived things differently had we known then what we know now.

We share facts about climate change including causes and actions being done, as well as what we can personally do to help.

We give tips on how to survive a zombie apocalypse based on zombie shows and movies.

We talk about why we think most Filipinos don't like to read books. We share how we fell in love with reading, what are its benefits, why it's so difficult to read now, and how to get into the habit of reading books.

We interview Eliza Victoria, a Filipino author who wrote Wounded Little Gods and After Lambana. She talks about her writing process from how she comes up with her ideas to how to get published. She answers the question on whether you earn a lot from being an author in the Philippines. https://elizavictoria.com/

We talk about the history of the bucket list and go through popular items that people have on theirs. We share what we have achieved ourselves, as well as what activities would actually make us kick the bucket while trying to do it.

We talk about notorious real life swindlers on these shows - Tinder Swindler, Inventing Anna, Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, The Dropout, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Catch Me If You Can.

We discuss the famous people we idolized, why we adored them, and how we expressed our admiration in the past versus the present. We also talk about celebrity encounters.

If the show Squid Game was set in the Philippines, what would the games be? We talk about traditional childhood games that we played while growing up. Note: there are spoilers for the Netflix show.

Divorce is not allowed in the Philippines but there is currently a bill proposing its legalization, so we thought it would be interesting to debate its merits. We take opposing sides and present our arguments which include domestic violence, religion, and effects on children.

We talk about what goes on in traditional Roman Catholic weddings in the Philippines and compare them to those of other religions and cultures. Dee gives tips on how to write a maid of honor speech.

We chat with Franck and Kring, a French and Filipino couple who met through online dating in New Zealand. We discuss cultural differences in dating between the French and Filipinos and whether online dating is considered taboo in each culture before diving into its perks and pitfalls. We discuss: serial killers, gold diggers, catfishers and scammers.   Links: The Greener Side Podcast | Instagram | Facebook Francky YouTube channel | Instagram  

We talk about why a lot of Filipinos are bad at saving. Rey explains investing basics (long term deposits, bonds, stocks) in layman's terms that can be understood by the average Juan, sharing what works for him personally with no agenda except to answer a listener's question. COLFinancial is our broker. This episode is not sponsored by them nor Jollibee.

We interview Penny, a US-based Filipino mother of three. She talks about childcare, school, after-school activities, forms of discipline, and whether her kids know how to speak Tagalog. We compare American parenting style to what we experienced from our own parents while growing up in the Philippines. Also discussed: the challenges of pandemic home-schooling.

What are the most common New Year's resolutions and how do you make them stick? We share tips on how to do that by stacking habits, removing friction, and rewarding yourself, among other things.

We talk about Filipino superstitious beliefs. How do you attract prosperity on New Year's Eve? What shouldn't you do before going to bed if you don't want to be blind or not wake up at all? What number is often associated with death? We bust a few beliefs and theorize why some of them could have been started.

We recap our predictions for 2021 (from episode 17) and review if any of them came true. We talk about our personal highlights of 2021 which include new accomplishments, milestones, and interesting travel experiences within our respective countries. We also talk about our top 3 favorite TV shows discovered during the year. Rey picks Lupin, What If, and Arcane while Dee goes for Ted Lasso, Loki, and Only Murders in the Building. We surprisingly have the same favorite movie for the year - Free Guy.

We interview JP Rances, a Filipino nurse who has traveled and worked in several countries around the world. He started as a volunteer nurse in the Philippines before finding employment in Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Sint Maarten, Belize and eventually in England. We get to know how it is like to be a nurse abroad and understand why despite the long hours and risks involved, Nursing is still one of the most fulfilling professions. Check out JP’s Instagram  (@jpcation)

For this Paskong Pinoy Podcaster special, eight Filipinos living all over the world talk about how Christmas is celebrated in Japan, Hong Kong, London, Dubai, New Zealand, Singapore, Germany, and Australia. They also talk about what they miss about Christmases back home in the Philippines. Featuring Christine (Lagim), Jeric (Langga Speaks), Ray (The Nerdy Fans), Roma (Empowered Talks), Lawin (Pop Your Cultural Cherry) and Glee (Gleeful Talk Show). Links: 8 Fun Facts about Christmas Around the World | EF Abroad https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/ https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/african-christmas-traditions/

We share our career tips including how to: make a good first impression at work build relationships with stakeholders handle mistakes get a promotion negotiate your salary Also discussed: the great resignation, Harvey Specter, what The Devil Wears Prada and auditing firms have in common, and the funniest promotion announcement Dee has been a part of.

We interview two Filipinos who moved to the US through two of the most common routes: Angelli Angara - moved to Phoenix through sponsorship from her employer Cydric Macapagal - got his green card through a US Citizen Petition from his parents living in California We talk about their experience in transitioning to the US and whether Hollywood portrayal of American life is close to reality.  Angelli co-hosts The Retrospectives: A Nostalgia Podcast Cydric hosts Journey To The Eats Channel

A listener requests if we can talk about midlife crisis, so we do just that. We read the history as well as some symptoms of midlife crisis. We share our thoughts and own experiences on the matter. Note that we’re only in our thirties and not experts on this subject! Links: The Invention of Midlife Crisis Signs You've Hit Your Midlife Crisis Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

We talk about why hobbies are good for you. We share what hobbies we had as kids compared to our teens, twenties and thirties. We end with tips on how to find a hobby. Source: How To Find a Hobby via NYTimes

We interview Ray, a co-host of The Nerdy Fans podcast, about what it's like to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. He talks about why felt compelled to leave the Philippines, and walks us through the path that made him an Overseas Filipino Worker in Auckland, New Zealand, where he is at his happiest. Check out: The Nerdy Fans Podcast

We talk about the price of a Philippine college diploma - not just the peso amount but the blood and sweat and tears that accompany it. We read a letter from our listener Diane Peralta, who shared the inspiring story of her friend Kuya B who could not afford college and what she sacrificed to help him pay for it. We share the experiences of our own friends who had similar circumstances and also talk about our own scholarship stories. Dee opens up about her college friends’ plan to pay it forward through a memorial scholarship.

On All Souls Day in a parallel universe we visit the grave of a friend who died in an unfortunate habal-habal accident. With our returning guest, Jeric of Langga Speaks Podcast, we story-tell three ghost encounters that will give you the chills for Halloween: A teacher at the University of the Philippines in a storm A nurse at an old hospital A student at the University of Santo Tomas We also discuss the difference between All Souls Day in the Philippines and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico and share which horror films we find the scariest. Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

We talk about why we humans need friends and how we usually make them through the different stages of life. We talk about how some friends become family, and share the seven traits of true friends who ascend to that level. Dee would like to dedicate this episode to her friend Ronald Roz, who passed away a few days after this episode was recorded. He was her college classmate and later on housemate for 4 years in Makati. He was truly like family to her.

In this sequel to episode 4, we talk about why we left Singapore and why a lot of Filipinos consider it to be a transit place. We share where we wanted to go and how we ended up in Japan and Hong Kong instead. We make a "pros and cons list" as we compare cost of living, food, weather, safety, cleanliness, language barriers, and culture of our new country against the ones we previously lived in. We end on what we miss and if we have any regrets about moving.  

We interview social and emotional intelligence coaches Carelle and RR Herrera about anxiety. They talk about what anxiety looks like and what causes it. They also give tips on how to manage anxiety and over-thinking.  Carelle and RR are the founders of Trainstation, a motivational training company that educates through seminars, workshops, public programs, and corporate trainings to address the belief and behavioral change needed by their partners. https://www.trainstation.com.ph/ Cold open source: That Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief

It’s Banana Q’s first anniversary! We talk about why and how we started a podcast. We go into a detailed explanation of our workflow and name all the equipment and resources we use for each phase. It’s an informative episode for curious listeners and includes valuable tips for wannabe podcasters. Monday Blogs Singapore Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

Dee and Rey slip into a parallel universe where Banana Q Rock is a radio station instead of a podcast. They get their listeners to share their favorite songs and end up discussing a wide variety of music genres loved by Filipinos. They also talk about why Filipinos love singing and some of the reasons why we love certain songs. Spotify Playlist Rate us on Podchaser

We interview Roy Kristoffer Sumang, the International Business Development Manager of Tanduay, about the rich history of Tanduay and how it became the iconic brand of today. We explore the rum making process and how the Filipino culture has been embedded in the brand. Roy also shares what we can expect from Tanduay in the future.

It is the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, so we talk about terrorist groups and acts in the Philippines. Dee talks about what it was like to grow up in Zamboanga City where there were terrorist attacks and shares how she still got affected long after she left. You will laugh, then you will cry. Don’t miss this unique episode.

It’s almost Dee’s birthday, so we discuss how we celebrated birthdays in the Philippines compared to other countries and wonder why Filipinos have to treat people when it’s their birthday. We share the most memorable birthday surprises we received and threw and spell out our ideal birthdays.

We talk about globally famous conspiracy theories and their Philippine counterparts. Global conspiracies mentioned: moon landing, flat earth, Princess Diana’s accident, 9/11, Elvis Presley’s death, and D.B. Cooper. Philippine theories discussed: Typhoon Yolanda, Paul Walker’s death, USA’s secret underground base in Mindanao, Ninoy Aquino’s assassination, Ferdinand Marcos’s death, and multiple Jose Rizal theories. Bonus: we discuss Filipino-baiting during the Qtie minute segment. Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

Dee and guest host Glee of Gleeful Talk Show discuss some toxic comments or questions that are common with Filipinos: fat-shaming, discriminating against dark skin, asking why someone is still single, asking couples when they are having kids, gatekeeping what is wife material, speculating on whether someone is gay, and asking OFWs how much they earn. Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

We talk about Philippine legends, fables, and folk tales. Dee and Rey get lost in a forest and meet an engkanto played by the talented Jeric Defante of Langga Speaks Podcast. Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

We talk about the history of how Tagalog became the national language. Rey provides context on why most Cebuanos like him hate speaking in Tagalog. We discuss pros and cons of having a national language which includes discrimination felt by many Bisaya-speaking people. Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser Jekert's blog post about this topic

We tackle true petty crimes and discuss Philippine scams - Tasaday, laglag bala, massage, sex, ATM skimming, investment, text message, online, and Budol-budol gang. Dee also talks about a time she got scammed and how it kicked off a series of crazy events. Notes Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

In this bonus episode, we talk about Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal. We discuss her inspiring background, from her humble beginnings in Zamboanga City to how she got stuck in Malaysia for over a year because of the pandemic, where she was forced to be resourceful in making her own equipment and finding money due to lack of government funding. We imagine what a movie about her would entail and somehow turn what was supposed to be a short bonus episode into another rabbit hole full of our signature laughter and singing.

In this explicit episode, we interview Frances, a Filipino love, sex and relationship coach based in Canada. She talks about the differences in sex education between the Philippines and Canada, and how this affects a Filipino woman's sexuality. Liberating Me podcast Buy us coffee Rate us on Podchaser

We talk about the many ways we gamble in the Philippines - cockfighting, funeral games, Jueteng, Masiao, Lotto, Casino, and online. We discuss why it's dangerous to win the lottery and give tips on what not to do in case you do. We also consider the cultural impact of gambling - addiction, money laundering, and false hope. Notes. Buy us coffee.

We interview Chris Soriano, the Filipino writer, director and actor behind the movie "Zeus." He explains how the rise of Asian hate crimes pulled him to create this movie. He also shares the inspiring story of how he got boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao to be the executive producer. Watch the movie trailer here: Zeusthemovie.com Buy us coffee.

For our Philippine-American Friendship Day episode, we talk about American influences on Philippine language, entertainment, names, pop culture, fashion, beauty standards, food, spending habits, and personality. Buy us coffee!

We interview Roma Miclat, the host of That Broke Pinay Podcast, and uncover typical Filipino behavior towards personal finance. We attempt to answer why we hate being called kuripot (stingy) and why we avoid sound financial advice. Roma shares her personal journey towards financial awakening and highlights some of the bad money decisions we keep making.  That Broke Pinay Podcast

We chat with Erick Eterosa, the host of Our Own Opinion Podcast, and deep dive on our fascination with anime. We cover our favorites and explain some of the life lessons we get from watching them. Animes mentioned: Dragon Ball Z Naruto Samurai X Ghost Fighter Hunter X Hunter Bleach One Piece Attack on Titans Gundam Wing Check out Erick's Podcast: https://ourownopinion.podbean.com/  

We consider changing Philippine history such that we never became independent. What would this timeline look like? Would the Philippines have been a state of America? How would that have changed Filipino lives? Notes: http://www.bananaqpodcast.com/post/ep-40

We talk about Philippine mythology and why they were never discussed in our classes. We discuss the deities Bathala, Apolaki, Sitan, Mansisilat, Ribung Linti, Kaptan, Magwayen, Mebuyan, Lumabat, Tuglay, and Tuglibon. We notice plot holes in their stories, sing random tunes, and suggest how we can introduce these deities to new generations.   Show Notes: An Ultimate Guide To Philippine Mythology’s Legendary Deities

We interview Christine Abrigana, host of Lagim, a Filipino true crime podcast. We talk about known serial killers in the Philippines and possible reasons for why we don't have any in recent times. Bonus: find out if you're a psychopath by answering a simple question. Netflix shows mentioned: Three Identical Strangers, Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez Check out Lagim Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1722832

We interview Rachael Tambis (aka TamTam), an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the UK, and cover the things you can expect working in a corporate office in London, inside scoop on the royal family, the significance of small talk and socials at work, how you make tea, the importance of saying no, and on how Filipinos get together. She also offers tips for anyone considering a career in London.

Rey interviews Dee about her experience on getting the BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine in Hong Kong. She talks about her whole experience from booking the slot, getting the jab, the surprising side effects afterwards, and tips on what to do when it’s your turn. Also in this episode: comparing mRNA vaccine to a scene from The Matrix, a cursed travel bubble, a surprise lockdown, and lots of laughs (as always). Disclaimer: we are not experts, so please refer to official websites for information about Covid-19 vaccines.

We compare Filipino parents to American parents as portrayed in Hollywood. We talk about lies our parents told us, corporal punishments we endured, and awkward discussions on the birds and the bees that we avoided. We tackle toxic traits like parents insisting they are always right, not allowing their kids to have any agency on their career choices, and treating them as their retirement plans.

We interview Stanley (gamer id: aardlak), a passionate online gamer, who at the peak of his career was within the Top 20 Dota 2 players of Southeast Asia. We talk about his fascination towards computer games, his response to pundits who claim e-sports is not a real sport and his advice to people considering a career in competitive gaming. List of computer games mentioned in this episode: Dota, Dota 2, Diablo, StarCraft, WarCraft, Heroes of the Storm, OverWatch, League of Legends, Fortnite Link to Dota: Dragon's Blood (Netflix TV Series): https://www.netflix.com/title/80994336 Link to Carlo "Kuku" Palad Dota 2 career: https://liquipedia.net/dota2/Kuku

We try to explain why Filipinos are afraid to speak in English even though most of our subjects in school are taught in English and we should be well versed in it. We confess that we came to this conclusion due to a lot of potential podcast guests backing off because they are not comfortable speaking in English. We also give tips on how Filipinos can improve their English speaking skills.

We interview Lawin, a podcaster who became an Overseas Filipino Worker by first studying for an MBA in Netherlands before finding a job in Germany. He talks about his interesting journey from Asia to Europe and shares the culture differences he noticed. He ends by giving a lot of helpful tips on how to follow his path. Lawin's podcast: https://popyourculturalcherry.buzzsprout.com/

Juan and Antonio Luna were two Philippine heroes from the era of the Philippine revolution. We research and recreate their interesting lives through imagined letters between the two brothers, and learn a lot of juicy tidbits which we don't remember learning in Civics and Culture classes before. Also featuring the voice of Jeric from Langga Speaks podcast. Our sources: http://www.bananaqpodcast.com/post/ep-31

For our April Fool's Day episode, we talk about memorable pranks we witnessed in real life and on television shows like Punk’d, Wow Mali, and Just For Laughs. We also ponder on what's the line between funny and tasteless pranks.

We interview Kevin and Prichie, Singapore-based OFWs who create content for A Table for Two Please, a YouTube channel that covers food reviews and anything relatable for Filipinos. They share the stories of how they ended up in Singapore, how they produce their YouTube content, and tips for aspiring YouTubers. Check out this A Table for Two Please episode which features us talking about what we miss in Singapore: https://youtu.be/Ioc2QIgVYLo  

We talk about the most memorable moments of our college days in the Philippines. We list the types of college students we encountered and which ones we were. We discuss the types of teachers we loved and hated. We talk about the extracurricular activities we participated in and end with graduation. Q of the episode: if you were back in college again, what would you do differently? #collegeqtie

For our St Patrick’s Day episode, we talk about all things alcohol while drinking it. We discuss laws related to alcohol and how loose they were in the Philippines while we were growing up. We share popular alcoholic drinks in the Philippines and why people drink. We list the types of drunk we’ve encountered and confess which ones we are and share real life anecdotes as examples. We end on hangover tips. Q of the episode: what’s the funniest thing you did while drunk? #drunkQtie

For our International Women's Day episode, Dee and guest host Tyne talk about challenges that women face: lack of confidence, fewer seats at the table, microaggression, and likability dilemma. We share our own personal experiences with sexism and suggest how women can be empowered to overcome them.

We interview 3 Overseas Filipino Workers and their partners of a different race. Tyne, Mildred, and Lawin are Filipinos while Rob, William, and Jen are Nicaraguan, Canadian, and German, respectively. They share eye-opening stories about their cultural differences, similarities, struggles, and fears, and we weigh in with our thoughts on their answers. They discuss what is unique about their situation and if it's worth it. Lawin's podcast: https://popyourculturalcherry.buzzsprout.com/

We interview Earl, an inspiring speaker and influential leader who moved to China as an Overseas Filipino Worker. He started off on a long term assignment in China and eventually got offered a permanent role as Head of Travel Management, but discovered that China work visas are complicated. He talks about his culture shocks and shares very useful tips about moving to China.   Check Earl’s profile: Earl Ermita (@earlermita) • Instagram photos and videos

In our Valentine's Day episode, we talk about Romantic Comedies. We break down the parts of a Rom Com, cite some famous movie scenes for each part, share our verdict of whether each one could happen in real life, and specify real life equivalents of those that do. We also talk a bit about courtship rituals in the Philippines. Notes: http://www.bananaqpodcast.com/post/ep-23

Our Chinese New Year episode is a narrative about the inspiring rags-to-riches life stories of two of the richest Filipino-Chinese tycoons in Philippine history: John Gokongwei and Henry Sy. These men built massive business empires which included Robinsons, Cebu Pacific, SM, and Banco de Oro... but how did they get there? Listen and get motivated to follow their paths, while laughing at Dee and Rey's version of a song that is very familiar to a lot of Pinoys. Link: our sources for additional reading

We talk about the cultural differences in the offices of the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong. We start with being new hires and discuss how we got to know our colleagues over lunch or through team outings and work events, and end on how we bid farewell. We offer tips on how to make friends at work using our own experiences as an example. Link: Pictures and videos of stuff we mention

We cover Filipino culture tidbits which could be helpful for foreigners visiting or moving to the Philippines. We talk about what to do and not do from the moment you arrive at the airport until you mingle with the locals. We give tips on these and more: how to avoid getting ripped off, when not to get a haircut, what not to sing at karaoke so you don't get killed, and generally how to act so you don't get banned from the country as a persona non grata. We end by teaching Tagalog words that could win you points with the locals. If you like this episode, please rate it on Podchaser.

We interview Tyne and Zenie on their inspiring stories about how they became Overseas Filipino Workers in order to help their families financially. After encountering bloopers and culture shock, they are now citizens of Canada and Jersey Channel Islands, UK. Listen as they share their OFW journeys and tips on how to follow their paths. Link: Dee's Jersey Channel Islands visit

We talk about Artificial Intelligence and interview an AI apprentice on this matter. We delve into how AI is used in social media, which has caused damage to society, citing information we learned from The Social Dilemma documentary. We talk about problems caused by social media - addiction, depression, tribalism, misinformation, and manipulation. We end with suggestions on how to reduce these issues.

We talk about predictions for 2021 and 2030. Madam Dee puts on a turban and we literally use tarot cards to try and see what's in store for these years. We also read out speculations from our listeners and discuss forecasts that were wrong and eerily spot on in entertainment and real life. Link: Behind the scenes photos

In this bonus episode, we categorize COVID-19 impact into three buckets: health, financial, and social, and share our own and other people's experiences. Dee goes into detail about her quarantine experience after moving from Singapore to Hong Kong in the middle of a pandemic.

We list TV shows, movies, and podcasts that we found binge-worthy this year. We split our TV shows into these categories: comedy/light, heist/mystery, drama, sci fi/fantasy, Asian, and reality/documentary. We reveal what we consider our movie of the year. We talk about how we first discovered podcasts and what we enjoy in them. We end on the pros and cons of the binge life. And here is a list of all other TV shows, movies, and podcasts we enjoy: Comedy/Light TV The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Parks and Recreation Brooklyn Nine Nine The Good Place Emily in Paris Community (S2 Ep22: A Fist Full of Paintballs) The Big Bang Theory Friends Lucifer Doc Martin Cobra Kai How I Met Your Mother (S8 Ep22: The Bro Mitzvah) Heist/Mystery TV Leverage Castle House M.D. The Mentalist White Collar Sherlock Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries The Good Cop Drama TV The Crown Suits Sci Fi/Fantasy TV Snowpiercer Stranger Things The Witcher Black Mirror (do not watch S1 Ep1!) The Boys (#1 on IMDB’s 2020 Top TV Shows) Asian TV Crash Landing On You Reply 1988 Midnight Diner Sword Art Online Detective Conan Hunter X Hunter Haikyuu! Reality TV/Documentary Terrace House Storage Wars The Men Who Built America Tidying Up with Marie Kondo The Home Edit Tiny House Nation Queer Eye Movies Jojo Rabbit Parasite Podcasts Serial Masters in Business by Bloomberg Langga Speaks Sustainarumble Digestibles Abroad in Japan Learn Japanese Pod No Dumb Questions No Stupid Questions This American Life You’re Wrong About Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

We talk about Filipino food. We wonder why Filipino food is not that popular globally and mention dishes which we think have a chance of getting there. We also bring up some favorite Christmas food and regional dishes in Visayas and Mindanao. This episode is chock full of trivia and realizations.

We interview three Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in the Middle East. Myren and Glee are accountants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while Cris is an engineer in Oman. They share the stories of how they became OFWs and share a glimpse of their lives as white collar workers in the Middle East.

We interview Na Rae, a Korean, and Max, a K-pop addicted Filipino. We talk about Korean food, K-pop, K-fashion, and K-beauty. We discuss the fascinating journey that K-pop stars undergo before they succeed. Max tells the unusual story of how she was inspired to become part of the BTS army. We express our admiration for how Koreans take good care of their skin.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Marvel and Pinoy superheroes got into a fight? We took our fan fiction pens and wrote down the action-packed scenarios with comedic moments. Just like in a typical superhero film, you need to stay until after the credits have rolled.

We interview two guests on the importance of language and cultural context when living in a country far away from home. Edmund gives helpful tips on how to survive as a non-Japanese speaking expat in Japan. Shayne talks about her interesting experiences as a full time missionary in different countries. Links: Edmund's YouTube page | Shayne's YouTube page

We reveal how we came up with our podcast name. We talk about Filipino name and nickname practices which confuse people of other nationalities. We discuss strange names and its possible impact on a person's life. 

If a Shopee genie gave you 3 wishes, what would you put in your online shopping cart? We talk about Singles Day trivia and interview Pinoys from all over the world to get insights on their shopaholic tendencies and gather tips on impulse-buying.

This bonus episode is about Filipina director Antoinette Jadaone’s film Fan Girl which premiered at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival on 31st October 2020.  Fan Girl follows the story of an overzealous fan (portrayed by newcomer Charlie Dizon), who somehow ends up in the same mansion as her celebrity crush, Paulo Avelino – who portrays himself in the film.  Rey, Kathleen, and MonMon share their spoiler-free review.  Link: More information and tickets  

It's all about '90s nostalgia as we build a list that only '90s Filipino kids will remember. We reminisce about sari-sari store snacks, neighborhood games, tree-climbing, pogs, MIRC, Backstreet Boys, cartoons, cassette and VHS tapes, landline phone pranks, and how precious camera pictures used to be when we were growing up in the Philippines.

For Halloween and All Souls Day, we take a page from Magandang Gabi Bayan and talk about creepy creatures from the Philippines - aswang, mangkukulam, tiktik, manananggal, tikbalang, sigbin, tiyanak and white lady. We raise weird questions and share an epic ghost story experienced by a friend.

Jollibee is the #1 fast food in the Philippines. Is it just because of panlasang Pinoy? But it's also making waves in other countries like Singapore. We interview several people of different nationalities in a quest to find answers. We discover patterns and form a conclusion. For the finale, we feature a special podcast episode, so don't miss it!

We hash out the pros and cons of being in our thirties. We commiserate about tiredness, back pain, and slower ability to learn new skills or make new friends. We celebrate being able to afford quality things and possessing more wisdom. We discuss whether it's really so bad to no longer be in the calendar.

It's our origin story: how I met my co-podcaster. Dee tells two amusingly similar tales about risk and reward. She details how she almost didn't even get into Singapore if not for luck and how her luck ran out when she became a recession victim. Rey also shares his own journey to becoming an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). We talk about life as OFWs in Singapore and share insights on expenses, flatmates, locals, and work.

We wax nostalgic over the stuff we love about Christmas - childhood carolling, movies, decorations, parties, food, and gifts. We talk about how we celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan, and laugh over memorable moments from Christmases past.

We interview a COVID-19 survivor who was hospitalized for 22 days in Metro Manila, Philippines. What were his symptoms? How did they treat his virus? How much was his hospital bill?

We share our hilarious personal experiences of the many instances that cause confusion: Bisaya words that have different meaning in Tagalog, hard to understand accents, and missing cultural context.

Hi! Welcome to Banana Q Podcast!