Kiss My Mike

Why is May named after a Roman goddess? What’s the real story behind May Day? And did you know May wasn't always lucky for weddings?

In this episode of Kiss My Mike, we uncover five surprising and fascinating facts about the month of May — plus a bonus fact you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a trivia fan, history lover, or just curious about the calendar, this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play, subscribe, and join me for a fun dive...

In this episode of Kiss My Mike, I dive into why Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has captured my heart and hope as a potential future pope. As a queer Filipino, seeing someone who not only shares my heritage but also speaks with compassion and inclusivity—especially toward the LGBTQ+ community—means the world.

I talk about his powerful sermons where he calls out discriminatory language against LGBTQ people, his alignment with Pope Franc...

As a queer Filipino American who believes in Christ, I’ve had a complicated but deeply personal journey with faith. Today, I want to reflect on Pope Francis — what he’s done, what he represents, and what it all means to people like me.

From his groundbreaking "Who am I to judge?" moment to his inclusive stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals—including trans people and gay priests—Pope Francis has made waves in a Church long resi...

In this episode, I open up about what Easter means to me as an LGBTQ Filipino American and a Christian. 

How does being LGBTQ shape my experience of Christianity? What challenges and joys come with holding these identities together—especially around big holidays like Easter?

I also reflect on the differences in how Easter is celebrated in the Philippines versus the U.S. — from the deeply religious traditions back home to the joyful, ...

Two Filipinos. One lasting friendship.
In this episode, I catch up with my college best friend, Jocy Dollison-Walla. We met as student assistants in College at De La Salle University (Manila) and bonded during our shifts at work (while in school) —now years later, we reflect on how our friendship has stayed strong despite the distance. We talk about growing older, growing wiser, and what it really takes to keep a friendship go...

New Episode of Kiss My Mike: "Art as an Act of Activism" 

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Filipino American filmmaker GIO Espiritu, a groundbreaking storyteller whose creative vision is deeply shaped by her journey as a bisexual, once-undocumented immigrant Filipina mom and survivor of a Biblical doomsday cult.

Her award-winning films like ALLY 3000 and Legacy tackle patriarchy, generational trauma, and societal b...

🔥 New Episode Alert! 🔥

In this powerful episode of Kiss My Mike, I sit down with trans filmmaker and artist, Jade Phoenix to discuss:

✨ The current political climate and how recent executive actions are attacking the trans community.
✨ The history of discrimination and how these tactics have been in place for a long time.
✨ How Jade and the community continue to thrive despite these challenges.
✨ Using art as activism—e...

Best Movies of 2024 

Anora, Wicked, The Substance, Conclave, A Complete Unknown—these are just some of the critically acclaimed films from 2024!

Check out the latest episode of Kiss My Mike, featuring special guest Charles Gray, a FilAm filmmaker based in California. We dive into our favorite movies and performances from last year, breaking down the most memorable cinematic moments—including the stunning cinematography in Conclave, A...

A Call for Advocacy

I’ve always tried to steer clear of politics on my podcast and social media. But you know what? Staying silent isn’t an option anymore—not when policies are being set into motion that directly affect me as an LGBTQ+ Filipino American immigrant (and now, a proud U.S. citizen).

CHECK OUT MY FIRST PODCAST FOR 2025: LGBTQ+ and AAPI ADVOCACIES.

In this episode, I dive into some of the alarming Executive Actions from the...

 2024 Year-End RECAP — Kiss My Mike Podcast!

This year was a whirlwind of pop culture, movies, and major events — and I’m breaking it ALL down in my latest podcast episode!

 Watch the full video on YouTube and the audio on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app!

Here’s what I’m covering:
The impact of AI on entertainment (and beyond!)
The best movies of 2024 — and my personal faves!
The breathtaking Solar Eclipse in Apr...

Check out this new podcast episode featuring Writer/Filmmaker: 
KRISTINE GEROLAGA!

Kristine Gerolaga is a Filipina American filmmaker and actor. Her work has been featured on ATTN:, Amazon Fire TV, ALTER, Shudder, Fangoria, Rappler, and Vulture. Her short films were finalists for the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Fest and Justin Lin's Interpretations 2.0 Asian American Filmmaker Initiative. She is a 2023 grant recipient o...

Check out this new episode with LA-based actor and writer, ROMMEL ROJAS!

Rommel was born and raised in Davao, Philippines. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication and pursued a career in advertising. When the opportunity arose, he moved to the US in 2004. When his corporate stint ended in 2014, he rediscovered his passion in storytelling and attended both UCB and Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio for his training. H...

Check out this new 'Kiss My Mike' podcast episode featuring ACHIM MENDOZA.

Achim is queer ex-Filipino-soap-opera-translator-turned-filmmaker, Achim’s passion for film started in his teens, when Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a renown Filipino director and National Artist, offered to mentor him. As a teenager, Achim would fly back and forth between his hometown of Davao and Manila to attend her classes. Back in the Philippin...

Check out this brand new podcast episode featuring CARLIN JAMES.

Carlin is an LA-based, Filipino-American actor who has appeared in shows like Better Call Saul, American Crime Story, and It's always sunny in Philadelphia.

Carlin's new short film "A Sweet Tooth" will have its premiere at FilmQuest on November 3rd and FilAm Creative Film Festival on November 4th.

About A Sweet Tooth
...

Check out my latest podcast episode with the Executive Producer of the movie 1521, FRANCIS B. LARA HO.

Francis is born in the Philippines famous City of Love, Iloilo City. His father, Anotnio L. Ho was both a businessman and a statesman. His mother, Nenita L. Balaran was a teacher. Francis was raised and trained in a Filipino-Chinese family of entrepreneurs, military, educators, and politicians. He first ventured as an ent...

Check out my interview with the lead cast of "Asian Persuasion," DANTE BASCO and KC CONCEPCION at the movie's WORLD PREMIERE at Soho International Film Festival in New York City.

About Asian Persuasion
Written by Mike Ang and Directed by Jhett Tolentino, the film tells the story of a down-on-his-luck Chef, Mickey de Los Santos, who cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife, Avery Chua, by creating...

Check out this latest podcast episode featuring Filmmaker JUSTIN QUIZON.

Justin is a FilAm Writer and Director based in LA. HE's the host of "Nothing New Podcast" with co-host Andrew Linde where they talk about their thoughts and opinions on film remakes. Justin's also a Writer and Associate Producer for "LUMPIA with a VENGEANCE," a film about a LUMPIA-armed superhero that reappears in Fogtow...