This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers (https://www.optinizers.com/) — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

Erika Casupanan made history as the first Canadian — and first Filipina — to win American Survivor, breaking a seven-season streak of male winners with her quiet, strategic game. A proud Filipina Canadian with roots in Manila and a background in tech and communications, Erika turned a lifetime of being underestimated into her greatest competitive advantage. In this episode, she shows us how the skills many Filipinas develop just to survive and succeed in Western systems are the same skills that can make us powerful leaders, strategists, and game-changers.

In this episode we’ll cover…

- Growing up in a multigenerational Filipino household in Canada and watching her parents navigate “survival mode”

- How being the child of immigrants shaped Erika’s resourcefulness, ambition, and belief that she could “figure it out” no matter the hand she was dealt

- The story of how Survivor became her childhood dream after the loss of her grandfather — and why representation and resilience were at the heart of it

- The real skills that helped her win Survivor: emotional intelligence, reading people, communications savvy, and navigating male-dominated spaces like tech

- How Erika strategically leveraged being underestimated — her size, her identity, her persona — into a winning advantage

- What it means to step into your power as a Filipina, own your story, and see that you already have what it takes to “win” in your own life

🧭 Timestamps:

00:00:00 Breaking Survivor history & Erika’s many “firsts”

00:03:12 From tech & comms to the Survivor island

00:04:53 Growing up Filipina Canadian in survival mode

00:07:41 Discovering Survivor at 11 & dreaming of winning

00:10:07 Noticing privilege, power & being “different”

00:10:36 The high school TV show story & losing an opportunity

00:18:24 Invisible strings, bias & trusting your gut

00:21:26 Overachieving, people-pleasing & career beginnings

00:30:00 Turning being underestimated into a winning Survivor strategy

00:42:00 Emotional intelligence, alliances & making bold moves

00:54:00 Life after Survivor: speaking, media & owning your identity

01:04:00 Creating “Happy to See Me” + advice for underestimated Filipinas

✨ CONNECT WITH ERIKA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas

Website: https://www.erikacasupanan.com/

Podcast: “Happy to See Me!” (available on all major podcast platforms)

📣 Follow Filipina on the Rise

Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise

Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com

This podcast episode is brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.

👉 Book a free call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

https://www.optinizers.com/contact

This episode features Dr. Khristine Gloria, a cognitive scientist and AI ethics expert, discussing the importance of diversity, representation, and ethical considerations in AI development. We explore how biases in AI reflect societal stereotypes, the role of community input, and strategies for responsible AI use, especially for marginalized communities.

keywords

AI ethics, diversity in AI, representation, biases, responsible AI, Filipino community, media representation, technology for good

key topics

• AI biases and stereotypes
• Representation of marginalized communities in AI
• Ethical data collection and consent
• Diversity in AI development teams
• Community engagement in AI design

titles

• AI and Cultural Representation: Addressing Biases and Stereotypes
• The Future of AI: Diversity, Ethics, and Community Impact

Sound Bites

• "Bias is exponential in AI decision making"
• "Humans have qualities AI cannot replicate"
• "Diverse teams create better AI products"

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Dr. Christine Gloria and AI ethics

01:14
The Filipino Barbie AI-generated controversy

02:59
Media representation and stereotypes in AI

07:55
Critical thinking about AI and cultural biases

11:23
Human bias in AI training data

12:58
Ethical data collection and regulation

15:24
Diversity in AI teams and decision-making

18:33
Approaching AI with curiosity and responsibility

20:06
Common misconceptions about AI and fears

23:38
Humans' unique qualities in the age of AI

25:04
Connecting with community and upskilling in AI

27:05
The art of articulating AI prompts

27:52
Learning Filipino history through innovative courses

29:54
Cultural adoption of technology in the Philippines

30:36
Diversity and representation in AI development

32:58
Final thoughts and resources for further learning

33:43
Fun with AI: Creating song lyrics

Resources

• Dr. Christine Gloria on LinkedIn
• AI Bias and Fairness - MIT Technology Review

Many of us grow up learning to take care of everyone else first.

For many women — especially Filipina women navigating family expectations, cultural values, and relationships — that can show up as over-functioning, suppressing our needs, and staying in patterns that don’t truly support us.

In this episode, therapist and social worker Lia Mancao joins us to talk about the relationship patterns many people don’t realize they’re carrying — and how to start building self-trust, healthier boundaries, and more balanced partnerships.

Lia shares insights from her work helping people understand how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, why people often forgive quickly to avoid abandonment, and how we can begin reconnecting with our own needs.

This conversation is honest, reflective, and ultimately hopeful — especially if you’ve ever felt responsible for holding everything together.

• how Filipino culture and family dynamics can shape the way many women show up in relationships
• the difference between a “proximityship” and a true partnership, and what self-abandonment actually looks like
• why many women over-function in relationships and struggle to name their needs
• how to start rebuilding self-trust, boundaries, and healthier relationship patterns

Have you ever noticed yourself doing more than your share in relationships — just to keep things working?

What might change if you trusted yourself enough to name your needs?

00:00 Intro & meet therapist Lia Mancao
02:20 Lia’s background and path into therapy and social work
05:00 Why understanding childhood experiences matters in adult life
09:00 Social justice, advocacy, and mental health work
12:05 The difference between functional rest vs restorative rest
13:55 Why some people struggle to truly relax
23:50 Finding micro-moments of rest in busy lives
24:55 Relationship patterns many Filipina clients experience
26:10 How childhood needs affect adult relationships
27:10 Why some people struggle to even identify their needs
28:10 Forgiving quickly because of fear of abandonment
30:20 How to rebuild self-trust through small actions
32:30 Inner child work and what we needed to hear growing up
34:00 Giving yourself the apology you never received
34:45 The concept of a “proximityship” vs partnership
36:30 What self-abandonment actually looks like
37:55 Understanding social currency and external validation
40:00 The pressure to perform on social media
42:00 Adapting without losing authenticity
44:00 Knowing when to step back from productivity
46:15 Navigating seasons of uncertainty
47:10 An inner child reflection practice

Follow Lia and her work:

Instagram
@alyssamariewellness

Website
https://www.alyssamariewellness.com/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/filipinaontherise

Website
https://www.filipinaontherise.com

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider giving to Filipina on the Rise here: https://www.filipinaontherise.com/donate or leaving a 5-star written review on Apple Podcasts.

It helps the show get discovered, allows us to bring on incredible guests, and supports the mission of uplifting Filipina voices and stories.

Thank you and Stay Rising!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers (https://www.optinizers.com/) — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

Filipina martial artist, wellness entrepreneur, and digital creator Nelita Villezon has spent her life becoming a “human weapon” — and now she’s using that power to help women feel safer, stronger, and more rooted in who they are. From growing up under the wing of her world-champion martial artist father to navigating health challenges, grief, motherhood, and reinvention, Nelita’s journey is a masterclass in embodied confidence and redefining power as a Filipina. This conversation is for anyone who wants to feel more secure in her body, more honest about her struggles, and more intentional about how she rises.

In this episode we’ll cover…
- How Nelita’s Filipina upbringing and her dad’s legacy in martial arts shaped her identity, confidence, and career path
- What it really means to be a “human weapon” — and how awareness, boundaries, and simple tools (yes, even an umbrella) can radically increase your safety
- The behind-the-scenes reality of being a creator, mom, and entrepreneur in her late 30s/40s — and why she’s done performing perfection online
- Why she felt called to create women-only self-defense spaces and the emotional shift she witnesses when fear turns into power in her students
- How grief, health scares, and life transitions led her to focus on longevity, wellness, and sustainable strength instead of hustle and burnout
- Practical ways Filipinas can reclaim power in everyday life: from how you walk into a room to how you advocate for your body, time, and energy

⏱ Timestamps

00:00:00 Welcome, Filipina on the Rise & Nelita’s intro
00:01:21 “Frazzled but here”: real-life chaos & showing up anyway
00:03:06 What it means to be a “human weapon” & her dad’s legacy
00:04:49 Lifelong martial arts, survival, and doors it opened
00:05:56 Situational awareness, travel safety & everyday “weapons”
00:06:52 Why she felt called to train women specifically
00:07:58 The switch that flips when women find their power
00:09:40 Representation, fierceness & being who you never saw growing up
00:11:04 Growing up Black and Filipina, moving from North Carolina to California
00:13:35 “What are you?”: forms, race boxes & early identity confusion
00:18:30 Claiming both cultures & healing the inner child
00:25:10 Entering male-dominated spaces in martial arts and film
00:33:45 Grief, health challenges & rebuilding from rock bottom
00:42:20 Redefining strength: longevity, nervous system & sustainable power
00:51:00 Motherhood, boundaries & designing a values-led career
00:58:30 Practical self-defense tips & how to start training today
01:03:00 Final words for the woman learning to take up space

✨ Connect with Nelita
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nelita_v
Programs & Offerings: https://stan.store/nelita_v

📣 Follow Filipina on the Rise
Instagram: https://instagram.com/filipinaontherise
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filipinaontherise
Website & newsletter: https://filipinaontherise.com

This podcast episode is brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.

As a business owner, podcaster, and multi-business owner, I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from building the right partnerships. OptiNizers matches you with carefully vetted, continuousl

This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Optinizers — helping entrepreneurs scale smarter with world-class virtual support.

Hillary Soriano is a Filipina-American actress and executive producer creating independent films centered on Filipino and immigrant stories. From co-producing their very first film with Manny Pacquiao to releasing their latest project theatrically through Regal Cinemas, Hillary and her husband Chris have built a filmmaking career outside the traditional studio system — on their own terms.

What if our cultural traits — our care, service, and resourcefulness — are actually our greatest advantage?

Hillary shares what it was like feeling replaceable in LA and the moment she and Chris stopped waiting for permission and built their own projects. We talk about her new film, Red Light Teachers, following a Filipina immigrant forced to make difficult choices to survive — and unpack a familiar tension: being pushed toward “safe” careers, yet discovering that the same caregiving instinct can become real leadership power.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + Why Filipina Care Is Power
03:16 – Feeding a 15-Hour Film Set & Leadership Through Care
06:58 – Co-Producing Their First Film with Manny Pacquiao
10:32 – Feeling Replaceable in LA & Creating Their Own Opportunities
15:19 – How to Start Producing a Film: Script, Team, Budget
22:16 – The Story Behind Red Light Teachers
26:07 – Immigrant Survival & The Choices We Don’t Talk About
42:17 – Relationships, Business & Why Being Nice Wins
49:54 – “Your Time Will Come”

This podcast episode is brought to you by OptiNizers, a remote talent agency that connects businesses with highly skilled Filipino remote professionals who help entrepreneurs delegate smarter, reclaim time, and stay focused on what truly drives growth.

As a business owner, podcaster, and multi-business owner, I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from building the right partnerships. OptiNizers matches you with carefully vetted, continuously trained remote talent aligned with your goals, so you can scale with confidence.

👉 Free up time to focus on the BIG PICTURE, book a complimentary call with OptiNizers and mention KRYSTL

In this solo episode of Filipina on the Rise, Krystl Fabella returns after a year-long pause to share the behind-the-scenes story of burnout, misalignment, and the unexpected season that nearly led her to walk away from everything she built.

Krystl reflects on what it looked like to step away from social media, slow down after years of nonstop momentum, and listen to the signals coming from her body, spirit, and intuition. Through deeply personal storytelling—from a car accident and health wake-up calls to returning home and rebuilding real-life community—she unpacks why presence, proximity, and healing became the foundation for the next chapter of Filipina on the Rise.

This episode is an honest reframe on growth, leadership, and sustainability for anyone navigating burnout, questioning their path, or feeling called to pause before moving forward again.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back & why this episode matters
Krystl shares why she took a break from podcasting and what prompted her return.

03:45 – The origin of Filipina on the Rise
From recording in a closet to building a global community—and the identity journey that started it all.

07:30 – When momentum stops feeling aligned
What it looked like to keep producing externally while burning out internally.

12:40 – Stepping away from social media & visibility
Why unplugging felt risky—and what clarity came from the silence.

17:50 – The wake-up calls: burnout, a car accident, and health signals
How the body forces pauses the mind tries to avoid.

23:30 – Returning home & getting “rooted in good soil”
Why going back to her hometown became a season of healing and rerouting.

30:10 – Presence over performance
Letting go of constant productivity and redefining what growth actually means.

36:45 – Rebuilding real-life community
The difference between online connection and proximity-based sisterhood.

43:20 – Healing, intuition, and reconnecting with the body
Why women’s health, cycles, and intuition are essential to sustainable leadership.

50:10 – The question of walking away
Why Krystl considered ending Filipina on the Rise—and what ultimately pulled her back.

55:40 – A new vision for community-led growth
How listening to the needs of the audience sparked a reimagined model for sisterhood.

1:01:30 – Closing reflections & what’s next
An invitation to honor the unseen seasons that shape who we become.

What does it take to go from near-constant rejection to becoming the lead actress in rom-coms — in an industry where Filipina faces are still rare?

In this inspiring and deeply real episode, Filipina-American actress and comedian Nikki McKenzie joins Filipina on the Rise to share her story of perseverance, identity, and choosing joy in the face of “almosts.” Nikki opens up about the emotional toll of rejection in the acting world, how she found confidence in her voice and culture, and what it meant to finally land a role that was literally rewritten for her as a Filipina lead.

This conversation is a masterclass in trusting divine timing, letting go of outcomes, and staying true to who you are — even in industries that try to shape you otherwise.

Whether you're chasing a dream, reinventing yourself, or simply want to feel seen — this one is for you.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it's really like to break into Hollywood as a Filipina actress
• The emotional journey of handling rejection and redefining success
• Why representation in romantic films matters more than we realize
• How Nikki built her career by showing up as her true self
• Lessons on identity, belonging, and letting go of being “picked”
• What it means when a role gets rewritten for you

🎬 About Nikki McKenzie:

Nikki McKenzie is a Filipina-American actress and comedian known for her blend of comedic charisma and emotional depth. She’s starred in heartfelt TV romances like The Wedding Contest and A Vineyard Christmas, making her one of the few Filipina leads in mainstream romantic film. Her upcoming indie rom-com, A Fantastic Relationship, tells the story of a couple who pretends to be back together at a dinner party — and showcases her signature charm in a refreshingly real story about family, love, and self-respect.

🔗 Connect with Nikki McKenzie

(Insert her correct links once confirmed)

IG / @nikkitabanana17
IMDb / Nikki Mckenzie
Coming soon: A Fantastic Relationship (streaming platform TBA)

✨ Connect with Filipina on the Rise

WEB / www.filipinaontherise.com
IG / @filipinaontherise
YOUTUBE / @filipinaontherise
PODCAST / Apple Podcasts

✨ If this episode resonated with you, share it on Instagram and tag us @filipinaontherise — we love seeing how these stories are lighting you up.
And don’t forget to rate & review the show — your support helps amplify Filipina voices and bring more empowering stories to the forefront.

Until next time, stay rising. 🌿

What if we don’t know how to take up space? Maybe it wasn’t taught to us growing up. Maybe it’s not naturally part of our culture.

On this episode swap, Krystl talks with Erika Casupanan — the first ever Filipino AND Canadian to win Survivor! Erika is a speaker, TV personality, and writer who's built a career on flipping the script on what it means to be underestimated. On Happy to See Me, she interviews guests who were often counted out — and highlights how they broke past the limits placed on them.

In this episode, Erika and Krystl have a vulnerable and empowering conversation around a big question:

They talk about their Filipino upbringing, imposter syndrome, the upper limit problem, and the slow, intentional process of building real self-compassion. You’ll hear stories, reflections, and practical insights that will inspire you to be kind to yourself and step into your power authentically.

✨ This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt small in spaces they were meant to shine in.

Support Filipino BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund https://filipinobc.com/

Follow the Happy to See Me Pod on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/

Listen to the Happy to See Me Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-to-see-me-with-erika-casupanan/id1667189595

Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod

Please rate, review and subscribe!