Shows
Bisaya Banter09. Storytelling from the West Philippine Sea with Filipino filmmaker Baby Ruth VillaramaWhat would you do if your film, made for your own people, was banned in your own country?In this special episode of Bisaya Banter, Vivien sat down with award-winning Filipino filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, best known for Sunday Beauty Queen, to talk about her latest documentary Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea.This film, told through human stories, everyday resilience, and even touches of Bisaya language, was made for the Filipino people. But just two days before its premiere, it was pulled due to “external forces.” Baby Ruth shares how that felt, the...2025-07-0640 minBisaya Banter08. What we wish we knew before moving to New ZealandIn this episode, we’re unpacking all the things we really wish we knew before moving to New Zealand — the funny, the awkward, and the downright emotional.Culture shocks:Why are people barefoot in the streets?!“Bring a plate” doesn’t mean… bring a plate“Sweet as”, “arvo”, and other confusing Kiwi slangWhat the heck is a vivid?Missing Jollibee, and spoon-and-fork mealsThe deeper stuff:The quiet loneliness no one talks about2025-06-0746 minBisaya Banter07. Tiyanak, exorcisms, Minda Mora: The Filipino ghost stories we grew up withToday (November 2) is All Souls Day, a Philippine public holiday when we remember our loved ones who have passed away. We eat, pray, and play together with our extended families at the cemetery, and we sometimes camp there overnight.It’s actually not as scary as it sounds. It’s one of Vivien’s best and funnest childhood memories, the highlight being the scary stories being told at night. Something Keziah wishes she experienced growing up.It’s only fitting to share some of our scary stories, with tons of laughter in between to soften the mood...2024-11-021h 00Bisaya Banter06. Why hypersexualising Asian bodies is harmful with health psychologist Nicole SchoombieContent warning: This episode discusses mental health issues and themes of assault.
In this deeply personal episode, Vivien and Keziah open up about their own experiences of being fetishised as Asian women in the dating scene. They reflect on how these harmful stereotypes have shaped their relationships and self-perceptions.
Supporting us through this is Filipina-American health psychologist Nicole Schoombie, who unpacks the psychological and physical harm caused by the hypersexualisation and fetishisation of Asian bodies. We explore how fetishisation is rooted in colonialism and racism, and the lasting impact...2024-09-291h 08Bisaya Banter05. Pre-colonial BIsaya culture isn’t dead with artist Marc ConacoThis is a special video episode with the bubbly Marc Conaco, a queer Bisaya artist whose journey in the creative industry is deeply influenced by his supportive Bisaya parents and the rich cultural tapestry of Māori traditions. Marc shares how his parents' encouragement has fuelled his passion to become a full-time freelance artist and how his experiences in Aotearoa have led him to reconnect with his pre-colonial Bisaya roots.
Marc Conaco, known as @marcconaco on Instagram, is not only a talented graphic designer and zine-maker but also an amateur farmer. Hailing from Daanbantayan, Cebu, Marc graduated w...2024-07-2846 minBisaya Banter04. Championing Indigenous Filipino Culture with visual artist Jas SabrineIn this episode, we explore the work of Jas Sabrine, a Filipino artist in New Zealand. They were inspired by Māori culture in their journey to reconnect with their Filipino heritage. Jas discusses how indigenous practices influence their art and the importance of cultural representation for Filipino artists in Aotearoa New Zealand. We highlight the blending of traditions and the role of art in reclaiming and celebrating identity.
You can find her work on Massive Magazine here: https://issuu.com/massivemagazine/docs/immigrant_refugee
Her instagram handle is @babeyb0i
2024-07-1841 minBisaya Banter03. Unpacking Education Systems, Māori Cultural Preservation and Filipino Workplace Challenges**TRIGGER WARNING: MENTION OF RAPE**
We explore the stark differences between the education systems of New Zealand and the Philippines. We talk about how the Māori community preserving their culture and language is an inspiration, and we highlight the need for a more inclusive New Zealand histories curriculum from the Māori perspective.
We also discuss the discrimination faced by highly qualified Filipino professionals in New Zealand, who often find themselves working in jobs unrelated to their degrees or working for free to gain local experience.
Join us in an eye-opening conversation ab...2024-06-3036 minBisaya Banter02. In Honour of Philippine Independence DayIn this special episode, we commemorate Philippine Independence Day by delving into our complex colonial history. Join us as we reflect on a poignant quote by national hero Jose Rizal about losing our culture during Spanish colonisation. We also take you to the Philippine Independence Day event in Auckland, where we conducted a lively vox pop. Listen in as attendees share what this celebration means to them and test their knowledge with some fun questions about Philippine history. Celebrate with us, in hopes this helps deepen your understanding of this significant day in Filipino heritage.
2024-06-1233 minBisaya Banter01. The Bisaya Girlies behind Bisaya BanterGet to know your hosts, Vivien and Keziah, better.2024-05-2631 min
Bisaya BanterS1E5: On Toxic Filipino Culture, Boundaries and Rest with KasamahanCo Founder, Chachie AbaraChachie Abara, founder of KasamahanCo community, talks about her journey of decolonization. We also talk more about toxic Filipino culture, setting boundaries and rest.2022-04-3059 min
Bisaya BanterS1E4: Your Brownness is a Superpower with Hera NalamI had such a great conversation with my friend, Hera Nalam. She is an interdisciplinary artist based in Canada. This means she writes music, sings and dance, and acts in theatre in film. We talk about her own journey of decolonization and what it's like to navigate Filipino representation in a mostly-white media industry. If there's one common denominator in all my private and podcast conversations about decolonizing, it's about how white beauty is upheld in mainstream media. This has influenced our desires to attain and adhere to white beauty. The lack of BIPOC representation meant that we have always...2021-11-271h 05
Bisaya BanterS1E3: Embracing my Ilokano, Indigenous Igorot and Kiwi Identity with Esther MartinezEsther is Ilokano on her father's side and Igorot on her mother's side. Her family moved to Aotearoa (New Zealand) when she was only 11 years old. She talks about her first racist memory in Year (Grade) 7. That moment started her cultural identity crisis. How she wished she was born White Kiwi, and not Filipino. We talked about the sacrifices of immigrant parents, her rich Igorot (Indigenous) Ancestry, how the Maori culture has helped us journey our own cultural identity and how fully embracing being Filipino helped her embrace being Kiwi, too.2021-10-171h 14
Bisaya BanterS1E2: There is No New South Africa with Marc Alexander, Part IIMarc shares his story about growing up in the apartheid regime in South Africa, his own experience in racism and his thoughts on how we can all move forward.2021-09-121h 03
Bisaya BanterS1E2: There is No New South Africa with Marc Alexander, Part IMarc shares his story about growing up in the apartheid regime in South Africa, his own experience in racism and his thoughts on how we can all move forward.2021-09-1253 min
Bisaya BanterPilotHow Chats with Project came to be and what it's all about. I'll be sharing a glimpse of my heart behind this passion project. Disclaimer: When I say it seems simple in New Zealand, I only specifically meant that for access to education. I am not overlooking the struggles of the Maoris and the Pacific Islander community.2021-09-0916 min