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SBS Australia
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Badong on becoming James Roque
James Roque's family call him 'Badong' His family migrated to New Zealand when he was eight years old. He talks about growing up in a Filipino household living in New Zealand and how his parents embraced his career as a comedian. James Roque's 'Champorado' is touring Australia. LISTEN TO SBS Filipino 04/07/2025 14:13 Filipino For my parents now, they realize that the definition ng happiness nila is to have a roof over your head. To be able to support your family if you have a family. Your set. My generation yung definition nila is to be able to be independent, express yourself, have a personality, because they don't need to worry about that, because their parents already did the hard yards for them. James Roque on how his parents embraced his career as a comedian They gave me the privilege to be able to choose kung anong career ang gusto ko and I think by not exercising that privilege, that is actually throwing it away. By not exercising and expressing who I really am, that's the true waste. That's why everything I do, whether social media or stand up I gotta give this a 100%. My parents gave up so much when I was a kid, I gotta make it worth it. James Roque on paying tribute to his parents 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino 📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit or stream on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , Youtube Podcasts , and SBS Audio app.
Forbes
29-06-2025
- Forbes
Top Retirement Havens In The Philippines From Just $1,000 A Month
Hidden beach in Matinloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines getty With its low-key lifestyle, exotic culture, and natural beauty, it's easy to see why the Philippines is a popular retirement destination for many. Retirees on a budget also benefit from the low cost of living you can enjoy there. In fact, a couple could live comfortably in the Philippines from as little as $1,000 a month. For $2,300 per month, you could enjoy a lux lifestyle. Plus, if you don't want the hassle of learning a new language, the Philippines truly is a great option–English is widely spoken making daily life easy to navigate. The Filipino culture is social and family oriented. If you're looking to be well-received among a community that is warm, welcoming, and respectful, the Philippines meets the bill. In terms of residency, the Philippines offers specific, easy to attain programs to incentivize expats to move. One such option is the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), a non-immigrant visa that allows multiple-entry and indefinite stay in the Philippines. The SRRV offers other special benefits, which allows you to work, study, or invest in the country, and also grants you discounts from the Philippine Retirement Authority partners. The government has also introduced a new digital nomad visa for non-immigrant foreigners who want to stay in the country for a temporary maximum period of one year, and holders may renew the visa for an additional year. The Philippines offers a wide variety of lifestyle options, too, from laid back coastal towns to buzzing city centers. Here are three of the best places to retire to in the country. Manila Eleveted, night view of Makati, the business district of Metro Manila. getty The capital of the Philippines, Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on the island of Luzon. You can travel to Manila from the United States on direct flights from major hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Retirees choose it because it provides easy access to top hospitals, embassies, shopping malls, and international restaurants. For leisure, Manila offers a mix of cultural, historical, and gastronomic experiences that are highly appealing to retirees. Intramuros, the walled city of Manila, is the oldest district in the city. Here you can explore Fort Santiago and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Agustin Church. There's also the National Museum Complex, home to the museums of Fine Arts, Anthropology, and Natural History. In the Cultural Center of the Philippines, you'll enjoy regular performances of ballet, classical concerts, and traditional Filipino shows. If you're looking to connect with other expats, the American Association of the Philippines and other social clubs host events, talks, and mixers throughout the city. In terms of health care, Manila has some fantastic options. You'll find English-speaking doctors, many who have trained in the U.S. Out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits and procedures can be much lower than in North America and Europe, with specialist consultations priced at about $20 to $50. The St. Luke's Medical Center is considered a world-class hospital and has international accreditation. Overall monthly expenses for a couple are from $1,400 to $2,300—that's for a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle. Cebu Kawasan Falls in Cebu Island, Philippines getty About 350 miles southeast of Manila, the city of Cebu is located in central Philippines, on the eastern coast of Cebu Island. There's an international airport, and although no direct flights are available from the U.S., you can easily get here from a stop in any major Asian or Middle Eastern hub. Retirees are drawn to Cebu for its coastal lifestyle, strong expat community, good health care, urban conveniences, and beach escapes. This city is more laid back than Manila but remains vibrant, with surrounding areas offering plenty of natural beauty. For cultural and historical attractions, explore the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, the oldest Catholic church in the country or the Casa Gorordo Museum, located in a well-preserved colonial mansion. In expat and retirement communities, senior-friendly yoga and tai chi classes are commonly available. From Cebu you can island hop to nearby Pandanon or Nalusuan, and also take easy nature trips and day tours. Health care access in Cebu is great for retirees. It's not as extensive as in Manila, but this city has several high-quality hospitals, modern clinics, and English-speaking health professionals. The Chong Hua Hospital is one of the top private hospitals in the area with modern equipment and international standards. Out-of-pocket fees for consultations usually range between $15 and $30. A couple can live a comfortable lifestyle in Cebu City for about $1,300 to $2,200 per month. Dumaguete Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete, Philippines getty Dumaguete is on Negros Island, south of Cebu Island, which you can see across the water. It has its own airport, and you can get here through a connection from Manila or Cebu City. This area is known as a retirement haven because of its affordability, walkability, laid back environment, and a growing expat population. Retirees seeking a low-stress life will thrive in Dumaguete. If you're looking for a slower pace, friendly locals, and low costs without choosing a completely rural location, this could be your idyll. It's a perfect blend of seaside living and small-town charm with plenty of access to nature. Rizal Boulevard is a popular spot for walks. It's a seaside boardwalk with views of Siquijor Island and the best place to watch Dumaguete's sunsets. It's lined with cafés, bakeries, and plenty of benches to enjoy the view. Silliman University has an anthropology museum and historic building for those looking to learn about the area, and it also offers cultural events, exhibits, and classes. For those seeking outdoor peaceful adventures, you can find lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs to spend the day in. Island hopping is also fun, easy and affordable. The expat community of Dumaguete has weekly meetups and clubs for activities like chess, reading, and volunteering, making it easier to make new connections. You can start talking with your new community even before arriving by joining online groups like the Foreigners And Expat Families Living In Dumaguete Facebook group. Because the Philippines has designated Dumaguete as one of the top five areas in the country that are retirement hubs, medical care here is excellent. Silliman Medical Center is considered one of the most modern in the country and offers emergency services and modern diagnostic units. A consultation here costs only about $9. Various private clinics in the fields of surgery, dentistry, cardiology, and geriatrics are available, as well as senior-friendly services. A couple can live comfortably in Dumaguete for about $1,000 to $1,800 a month. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Everything To Know About Retiring In Italy By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Retiring In The Philippines? Here's What You Need To Know By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Escape The Crowds: The Best Portuguese Beaches Only The Locals Know By Kathleen Peddicord
SBS Australia
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
'I just ignore the bashing': How young Filipina content creator Mary Jasmine stays positive amidst socmed negativities
Social media personality Mary Jasmine loves creating content for her followers, with focus on her everyday activities, modelling and acting journey and the Filipino culture. The young content creator, Mary Jasmine, is visiting Australia this winter, exploring the beautiful places Downunder. After travelling to several countries, including the US, Canada, and various countries in Asia, the young actress is considering the possibility of permanently settling in Australia. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST SBS Filipino 29/06/2025 36:17 Filipino 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
Globe and Mail
26-06-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
How can we find genuine cultural understanding in our supposedly multicultural country?
First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at The year was 1989. I was in sixth grade, and we had just been assigned a project called 'Share Your Culture.' As part of the project, we were all assigned to bring in food from our culture to share. Little Joycelyn was so excited to bring in one of her absolute favorite things: the Filipino version of bubble tea – called 'sago.' Now, in 1989, bubble tea had not been commercialized. It was not found on every street corner of every major city like it is today. So, when I brought in this brown sugar syrup with these little gelatinous eyeball-like blobs floating in it, all the other kids were grossed out and would not even take a sip. I was so upset by their lack of acceptance that I ran out of the classroom crying, and the teacher had to school the class on being respectful of other peoples' cultures. But the impact of this moment lingered. I stopped drinking sago. I was so ashamed of my culture after hearing my classmates laugh at me that I deprived myself of this thing I loved – until finally, when I was in college, I saw lots of people walking around with another Asian version of sago now called bubble tea. I remember the first moment I saw this: non-Asian students casually sipping on gelatinous bubbles. 'Wow,' I thought. 'It took 25 years for this food culture to be accepted in the mainstream. How can I make this acceptance happen more quickly?' That question became my life's work. In many ways, I'm still asking a version of that same question. Not just about food or surface-level cultural expressions but about genuine cultural understanding in our supposedly multicultural country. The data from a 2024 national study by my company, AV Communications, and Ipsos sits heavily on my desk. Not because the findings surprise me, but because they mirror what I've experienced firsthand. While 84 per cent of Canadians claim comfort expressing their cultural identity alongside their Canadian one, I find myself wondering: Are we embracing the depth of what this means, or are we comfortable with shallow celebrations? I'm constantly code-switching between worlds. In Canadian boardrooms, I watch executives nod enthusiastically about diversity while butchering the pronunciation of their team members' names. Meanwhile, my American clients are walking on eggshells around DEI, terrified of saying the wrong thing. The difference is night and day – Canadians wrap multiculturalism into our national identity like a cozy tuque, while Americans treat it like a compliance checklist or political hot potato. This dual perspective has shown me how we often mistake tokenism for inclusion. Yes, the numbers from our study are encouraging – 77 per cent of Canadians view cultural diversity as core to our national identity. But viewing diversity as fundamental isn't the same as understanding how to navigate the complex layers of cultural experience that shape modern Canadian life. Recently, I sat in a meeting where a marketing team was high-fiving over their 'diverse' campaign. They had the perfect rainbow of faces, but the messaging was so painfully Western it hurt. When I suggested they might want to incorporate actual cultural perspectives into the strategy – not just the photos – they stared at me like I'd sprouted a second head. That gap between intention and understanding? That's where we're dropping the ball. Every year when Canadian Multiculturalism Day rolls around on June 27, I think about how in 1971, Pierre Trudeau made us the first country to adopt multiculturalism as official policy. But 53 years later, I wonder if we're actually living that policy or just trotting it out for heritage minutes and political speeches. The numbers tell the real story: 54 per cent of Gen Z Canadians aren't white, compared to just 22 per cent of boomers. This isn't just a demographic footnote, it's a fundamental shift that requires us to rethink everything about how we connect with each other. What really jumps out from our research is that second-generation Canadians have the highest rates (46 per cent) of cross-cultural relationships. My friends in this category weren't interested in staying in the cultural lanes our parents set up. They're the ones creating a roadmap for what genuine cultural bridges look like. Our kids are light-years ahead of us. My teenage niece bounces between K-pop, British slang and Brazilian creators without thinking twice. She's not trying to be worldly, this is just her normal, and she's probably rolling her eyes at how the rest of us make such a big deal about it. Too often Canadians treat diversity like a marketing checkbox instead of something that fundamentally changes how we operate. I wrote a book titled The Multicultural Mindset to call out this one-dimensional approach. As I reflect on that sixth-grade classroom all those years ago, I realize we're still in that same room on a national scale. Some eagerly share their cultural treasures while others stand back, uncertain or unwilling to truly engage. The teacher — our national policies and institutions — occasionally steps in to remind us to be respectful, but true acceptance requires more than polite tolerance. The food I brought to my sixth grade 'Share Your Culture' project that made me feel like an outsider now sells for $7 at trendy cafés nationwide. Sago, anyone? Joycelyn David lives in Etobicoke, Ont.
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Regina's Filipino community's Pinoy Fiesta celebrates culture and religion
The Pinoy Fiesta, organized by the Jesus Is Lord Church, celebrates the culture of the Philippines through music, dance and traditional foods. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, people were outside singing and dancing in celebration of the culture of the Philippines. Through music, dance, and traditional foods, over 200 people participated in The Pinoy Fiesta for a second consecutive year. 'This is our way of highlighting [our culture]. Because we want to show, especially here in this community, that we have a Filipino church, but not only that, we want to show them our culture,' shared Pastor Emmanuel 'Bong' Palon of the Jesus Is Lord Church. Expand Autoplay 1 of 5 Pinoy community The Pinoy Fiesta, organized by the Jesus Is Lord Church, celebrates the culture of the Philippines through music, dance and traditional foods. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Pinoy community Youth from The Pinoy Fiesta selling traditional Filipino foods including bilo-bilo, puto, and kutsinta. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Pinoy community The Pinoy Fiesta, organized by the Jesus Is Lord Church, celebrates the culture of the Philippines through music, dance and traditional foods. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Pinoy community The Pinoy Fiesta, organized by the Jesus Is Lord Church, celebrates the culture of the Philippines through music, dance and traditional foods. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Pinoy community The Pinoy Fiesta, organized by the Jesus Is Lord Church, celebrates the culture of the Philippines through music, dance and traditional foods. (Damian Smith/CTV News) Aside from dance presentations performed by youth in the community, families took part in karaoke as well. Various booths also showcased traditional dishes including Halo-Halo, lumpia, pancit, and more. 'We hope that people will have fun, taste our food and of course, it's also an invitation to our worship service happening every Sunday at 10 a.m.,' Palon said. 'It's not only the food, we want to share the love of God. This is the essence of it, not just to showcase food and our culture, but behind it we want to say that there is a God that we worship.'
