UNAWA

It's been a while since the last UNAWA episode hasn't it? Don't worry, we're still here! 👋  These past few months we've been planning something BIG behind the scenes and now we're making it official!   Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: bit.ly/TAYOyeg HOYtalk Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NMjbBsmvsA   Follow Heart of YEG!   Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7JLq4eGf10UnuGLndBxVGw

…at least where we are. Last episode we talked about how much the Filipino language impacts our lives. This episode, we hear the impact earlier Filipino immigrants had as Tita Josie tells how she helped build a province-wide Filipino language curriculum FROM SCRATCH which was eventually certified by the government. Plus, learn about some Filipino language resources you might’ve never heard of. Currently, though, Filipino education is in trouble since many significant obstacles threaten its growth. Despite this, our awesome guests aren't backing down and are looking for more people to rise above the challenge – including, perhaps, you. Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: bit.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Our Guests Dr. Josephine Pallard aka Tita Josie Principal, Filipino Language and Culture School of Edmonton Jay-R DeLara Filipino Teacher, Holy Trinity Instagram: @thatfilipinoteacher Mark Laraya Filipino & Science Teacher, St. Oscar Romero High School Instagram: @mr_laraya Grace Alarcon-Isla Taught for Over 25 Years Across Alberta Contact Ate Grace or Tita Josie here: http://www.filcansaranayassociation.com/ ----------------- Follow Us & Give Feedback! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback/Suggestions Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant  professionals for your specific situation.

Wait, Tagalog and Filipino aren’t the same? Should I learn more even if I already know the language? Inspired by some viewer feedback, we’ve brought in four Filipino teachers (with a touch of banter) to clear things up on this common misconception and discover how much language can influence our broader lives – even our own mental health and wellness. Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: bit.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Our Guests Dr. Josephine Pallard aka Tita Josie Principal, Filipino Language and Culture School of Edmonton Link to her article mentioned in the episode: https://issuu.com/alberta_filipino_journal/docs/alberta_filipino_journal_-_february_2022_issue/10 Jay-R DeLara Filipino Teacher, Holy Trinity Instagram: @thatfilipinoteacher Mark Laraya Filipino & Science Teacher, St. Oscar Romero High School Instagram: @mr_laraya Grace Alarcon-Isla Taught for Over 25 Years Across Alberta ----------------- Follow Us & Give Feedback! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback/Suggestions Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

"The Original Asian" sounds like a cool nickname until you learn about the dark history surrounding it. In this episode of UNAWA, we’re joined by Allia de Grano – current communications & design director of Philsa – who recalls her distressing experiences as she grew up in a small Alberta town. We also talk about the rise of Asian hate crimes that spiked during the pandemic and how we can all #stopasianhate along with ending other racist acts individually and as a community – no matter how small the action is. Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: bit.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Learn more about the University of Alberta Philippine Students' Association (Philsa): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uaphilsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philsa_ualberta Discord: https://discord.com/invite/dfgvzTq ----------------- Follow Us & Give Feedback! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback/Suggestions Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

With students going back to school to in person classes this fall, there still remains the threat of the 4th wave and another lockdown once again. At this point, many of us are wondering, “Are we done yet?” This episode, Kerby Soco — current events director at Philsa — joins us to reflect on the wackiness of quarantine life from the first waves, how his mental health fared, and thoughts on the Delta variant. We’re also coming in clutch with some back to school tips including how to make new friends with people you can FINALLY see in-person! Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: bit.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Learn more about the University of Alberta Philippine Students' Association (Philsa): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uaphilsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philsa_ualberta Discord: https://discord.com/invite/dfgvzTq ----------------- Follow Us & Give Feedback! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback/Suggestions Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

Trigger warning: This episode mentions depression and suicide. With differing views/awareness towards mental health between the current  and older generations, how can we be more comfortable in opening up to  them, especially to our parents? This episode we’re joined by a notable  Filipino mental health advocate, Loizza Aquino. She shares how her  upbringing influenced her journey towards mental health advocacy and how  one phone call changed everything with her parents. We also discuss  common mental health issues faced by young Filipinos, tips on bridging  the gap, and supporting others. Plus, the surprise guest drops some  really useful advice no matter who you are! Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- More about Loizza: loizzaaquino.com Instagram: instagram.com/loizzaaquino Twitter: twitter.com/loizzaaquino ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

Before this, Andrew and Emma didn’t know each other. After getting to know each other and learning new, interesting things about mental health, listen as they react to what they learned. Additional mental health tips are given too including tips for youth in the family and what “filling your bucket” means. CMHA Edmonton: edmonton.cmha.ca or (nationally) cmha.ca Catholic Social Services: cssalberta.ca Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity -----------------  Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals (like CMHA & CSS) for your specific situation.

Going beyond wellness social services that cater to the individual, we zoom out and see what’s out there for whole families especially for immigrant ones. April chats with Andrew Lam from Catholic Social Services (CSS) who’s the program coordinator of their family wellness program. He shares some really interesting insights into the more "hidden" conflicts of immigrant families and how CSS can help. Like with Emma, Andrew also gives some key advice about how to take care of your mental health during these times. Visit their website: cssalberta.ca Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals (like CMHA & CSS) for your specific situation.

The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health: likely for you too. When it comes to getting help, we might not even know where to go. In fact, we might not even know WHEN it’s time to get help. That’s why we’re talking to a couple of organizations to figure all this out. In part one, April chats with Emma Potter from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Edmonton to find out what resources are available – including for Filipinos. Emma talks about who they are, their free services (with some available in other languages), and she offers some key advice for our mental health during these chaotic times. Sidenote: CMHA is a Canada-wide organization so there’s probably a local one near you: cmha.ca/find-your-cmha. Below are some numbers/links that Emma mentioned. Website: edmonton.cmha.ca 24/7 Services Info and referral line: 211 (call or text) Live chat: ab.211.ca Distress Line: 780-482-HELP (4357) Other Services Free learning resource: recoverycollegeedmonton.ca Advocacy & Wayfinding for in-depth mental health navigation: edmonton.cmha.ca/programs-services/advocacy edmonton.cmha.ca/programs-and-services Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg UNAWA Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals (like CMHA or CSS) for your specific situation.

Part 2 was pretty heavy but we’re ending on a good note! In this finale of episode 3, and the last episode for this theme, our guests are given a big challenge and they suggest how we can all improve the Filipino community’s well-being as a whole. Let us know what being Filipino means to you! Want to shop local this holiday season? Check out this Reddit post: reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/jwonm1/redmonton_do_you_want_to_shop_local_for_christmas/ Thank you to the following guests for being a part of this conversation: Lucy Manuntag, President of the Filipino Senior Citizens Association Adriel Edrada, Marketing & Communications of TAYO, Podcast Editor (Kamusta!) Nicole De Grano, Co-President of the University of Alberta Philippine Students' Association Kristina De Guzman, Community Activist, Founder of M Squared Media Panjo De Grano, Vice President of Heart of YEG (Huge thank you goes to them for collabing with us to make UNAWA happen.) Mia DM, President of the United Filipino Youth Council Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg. ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg Discussion Group: facebook.com/groups/2125868337482654/ Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

Culture clash, racism, backstabbing?! In the last two UNAWA episodes, we’ve touched on the challenges Filipinos face living in Canada especially for those growing up in these two, sometimes polar opposite, cultures. In part two, we get some first-hand experiences from our six guests, across different generations, on how it affected their overall mental health and well-being; some even share their own personal insights about the Filipino community. Trust us, things get real. Donate to the Philippine Red Cross for typhoon relief efforts (click the Paypal logo): https://redcross.org.ph/ulyssesph/ Thank you to the following guests for being a part of this conversation: Lucy Manuntag, President of the Filipino Senior Citizens Association Adriel Edrada, Marketing & Communications of TAYO, Podcast Editor (Hi!) Nicole De Grano, Co-President of the University of Alberta Philippine Students' Association Kristina De Guzman, Community Activist, Founder of M Squared Media Panjo De Grano, Vice President of Heart of YEG (Huge thank you goes to them for collabing with us to make UNAWA happen.) Mia DM, President of the United Filipino Youth Council Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg. ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg Discussion Group: facebook.com/groups/2125868337482654/ Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

Episode 3 of UNAWA is our most ambitious episode yet with a total of SIX guests joining the conversation! Who are they and what are they doing in this current situation? In part 1 of this “season finale” of the Filipino Spirit During Hardship theme, get to know our guests and the five Filipino organizations featured in this episode which will be split into three parts to be consistent with our Youtube series (link below). Thank you to the following guests for being a part of this conversation:  Lucy Manuntag, President of the Filipino Senior Citizens Association  Adriel Edrada, Marketing & Communications of TAYO, Podcast Editor (Hello!) Nicole De Grano, Co-President of the University of Alberta Philippine Students' Association Kristina De Guzman, Community Activist, Founder of M Squared Media  Panjo De Grano, Vice President of Heart of YEG (Huge thank you goes to them for collabing with us to make UNAWA happen.)  Mia DM, President of the United Filipino Youth Council Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/jsuafocsSmdWL14F9 Prefer to watch a video? Check out our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg.  ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg Discussion Group: facebook.com/groups/2125868337482654/ Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity

It’s a slightly uncommon perspective on the topic but you’ll see why it’s still worth taking about. This episode, we’re joined by prominent Filipino women in the local community: Beltran-Lucila, head of the Philippine Arts Council and the EPIC initiative, and Dr. Lucenia Ortiz, current Co-Chair in Alberta’s Anti-Racism Advisory Council. From discussing the importance of the arts to the Filipino culture’s effect on mental health, including the struggles of growing up between two cultures, this episode will challenge definitions of the arts and even the Filipino identity itself. Here’s some hope though. We end with how to move forward as one community using bayanihan along with a special challenge from Dr. Ortiz. ----------------- Prefer to watch a video? This episode was originally made for Filipino Heritage Month on our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg. More info on our guests can be found here too. ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg Discussion Group: facebook.com/groups/2125868337482654/ Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.

In this first episode, we start to understand what unique issues Filipinos face with mental health and what we can do about it under the theme of "Filipino Spirit During Hardship". Joy Midori, a registered provisional psychologist, explores the fundamentals of mental health like self-care and reveals barriers that we experience like the effect of growing up in two cultures. Axella Apostol, a recent criminology graduate, also uncovers some eye-opening insights she gained from her research project last year. ----------------- Prefer to watch a video? This episode was originally made for Filipino Heritage Month on our Youtube channel: rebrand.ly/TAYOyeg. ----------------- Follow Us! TAYO Instagram & Facebook: @tayoyeg Discussion Group: facebook.com/groups/2125868337482654/ Our email: [email protected] Heart of YEG Instagram: @heartofyegfilipinocommunity Facebook: @HOYFilipinoCommunity ----------------- Disclaimer: Content in UNAWA is not a substitute for professional advice. When getting help, please reach out to the relevant professionals for your specific situation.