Real Talk dives deep into discussions about the personal lives of each guest and how their lived experiences have shaped who they are today.
Hosted by Chris Mercado (murkado).
Lost In Translation: Life In Tokyo | Episode Eighteen
On this episode of Real Talk, I recount my personal experiences living in Tokyo for the last few months and discuss the reason why I moved to Japan, transitioning into a daily lifestyle, gaining confidence through photography and fashion, loneliness and making new friends in a foreign country, thoughts on living in Japan long term, and personal recommendations for food and drinks in the city.
3 Nov 2023
How Japanese Are You? | Episode Seventeen
In an office building located in Shinjuku, I connected with graphic designer Yoji Hamada and discussed how we met in Harajuku, navigating his personal identity between being Japanese and New Zealander, the overwhelming amount of food options in Tokyo, recording fashion vlogs, the hype behind visiting Japan, networking opportunities as foreigners in a new country, and comparing unreleased Frank Ocean tracks.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/why.oji/
https://www.youtube.com/@whyoji
18 Oct 2023
A Life Without Regrets | Episode Sixteen
At the DDD Hotel in Tokyo, I had a conversation with my family members Annaliza Toledo and Trevor Peters (a.k.a. Curly) about sleeping in Yoyogi Park, how they got into the graffiti scene, the origin behind their Rust Magic agency and mural festival, my experiences with photography in Japan, the opening night of the "Still Tho" travelling exhibition, and being intentional with your time and energy.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/annaliza_____/
https://www.instagram.com/curly_yia/
https://www.instagram.com/rustmagic/
29 Sept 2023
Welcome To Japan | Episode Fifteen
During our final full day together in Japan, I sat down with my cousin Mark in my sharehouse located in Itabashi City to discuss our experiences travelling around the country from the last two weeks.
30 Aug 2023
I'll See You In Japan | Episode Fourteen
In one of MacEwan's study rooms, my barber Rolando Bautista and I discussed his experiences studying abroad, my decision to move to Japan, getting wasted together at karaoke, trying to break into the modelling industry, visiting South Korea with an online friend, and our favourite areas in Tokyo.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/itsrolandohair/
https://www.instagram.com/erorob_/
24 Aug 2023
The Pampanga Connection | Episode Thirteen
On the upper mezzanine of Double Dragon, I spoke to Anna Lee of Liezl Studio about creating concrete art with her Dad, transitioning into a new career path with no experience, growing up as a minority in the 80’s, recording house parties on stationary camcorders, Filipino superstitions, and the differences between working in the corporate world vs the food industry.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/liezl.studio/
17 Aug 2023
The Mayor of Hamtown | Episode Twelve
After our latest appointment, I spoke to tattoo artist Hammy about the differences between neo-traditional and traditional tattoo styles, growing up and living in a small town, comparing Filipino dialects, becoming a tattoo apprentice, the traits that go into becoming a good artist, and treating themselves with Sosyal Scoops ice cream.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/hamtown.tattoo/
10 Aug 2023
Questions To Pop Before You Shop | Episode Eleven
I had a chance to sit down with Alyssa Lau of New Classics to discuss how she started her business at 22, eating out with family in Malaysia, curating her personal style, meeting her husband on Guild Wars II, the risks of social media, and her experience attending Chanel fashion week events.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/imalyssalau/
https://www.instagram.com/shopnewclassics/
3 Aug 2023
It's Okay To Not Be Okay | Episode Ten
I had a conversation with my friend "Kuya" Mark Pagtakhan about dancing at EDM events, his journey in dealing with severe aplastic anemia, trying to be better at listening and open communication, character flaws in the show BEEF, dealing with divorce at a young age, and the things that make him happy in life.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/its.markpbaby/
https://www.instagram.com/un.remarkable_/
27 Jul 2023
An Introvert's Guide to Extroversion | Episode Nine
I spoke to graphic designer Bridgette Crabbe about her experience in modelling, being exposed to art and design from a young age, feeling disconnected from Filipino culture, participating in MacEwan's Design Student Organization, finding ways of being less introverted, and gorpcore fashion.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/bridgettedawnn/
20 Jul 2023
Paying Attention and Being Present | Episode Eight
Photographer Jordon Hon and I shared a bowl of watermelon in his home as we discussed Noodleholic's laksa bowls, the early days of Instagram, what makes a good photograph, the impact that exploring Chinatown has had on his identity, working together on a KBBQ photoshoot, and understanding the boundaries between his business and personal life.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jordhon/
https://www.instagram.com/joho.photos/
https://www.instagram.com/bemyguest.portraits/
8 Jun 2023
Have You Ever Tried Going Super Saiyan? | Episode Seven
I hung out with tattoo artist Neil Guban at his shop and we spoke about his experience attending a private school in England, tattooing his parents, growing up on anime, the endless possibilities of pasta dishes, the work of Junji Ito, and Filipino Hypebeast memes.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/neil.does.tattoos/ (https://www.instagram.com/neil.does.tattoos/)
1 Jun 2023
The Comfort of Natural Light | Episode Six
I met with portrait photographer Naomi Caufield and spoke to her about making people comfortable in front of the camera, studying for a kinesiology degree, her experience as a ballet dancer, secret flowering tips from Tiktok, becoming a member of Canon Futures, and the joy of baking fresh bread.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/frostymornings/ (https://www.instagram.com/frostymornings/)
https://naomicaufield.myportfolio.com/ (https://naomicaufield.myportfolio.com/)
25 May 2023
That's An Ick... But You Got Rizz? | Episode Five
I sat down with my close friends Patricia and Clarisse to talk about our family histories, putting in the work to be better, seeking out alternative life paths, green flags in relationships, learning new gen slang, and geeking out over tamagotchis.
18 May 2023
The Pain of Losing Film | Episode Four
I spoke to my friend Jessica Wu, a director based in Toronto, about throwing her first house party, reclaiming her culture, the Lovely Souls Club, becoming a director, figure skating to MGMT, and what the idea of legacy means to us.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jessicajmwu/ (https://www.instagram.com/jessicajmwu/)
https://www.jessicajmwu.com/ (https://www.jessicajmwu.com/)
11 May 2023
Bone Broth and Glass Noodles | Episode Three
I sat down with Allen Gao of Kasey Ramen to discuss the origin behind his business, the science behind noodle-making, Humpty's egg sandwiches, the optimal way to eat ramen, finding a good work-life balance, and getting emotional over the Super Mario Bros. movie.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/kaseyramen/ (https://www.instagram.com/kaseyramen/?hl=en)
https://kaseyramen.com/ (https://kaseyramen.com/)
4 May 2023
Playing to the Algorithm | Episode Two
I spoke to visual artists Lex Milo and Vivian Han Tat about their Tumblr days, collaborating with family on projects, community hall parties,
creating Papercut together, dealing with burnout, and appreciating nature.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/lexmilo/ (https://www.instagram.com/lexmilo/)
https://www.instagram.com/thrvht/ (https://www.instagram.com/thrvht/)
https://www.instagram.com/papercutdotclub/ (https://www.instagram.com/papercutdotclub/)
27 Apr 2023
How Filipino Are You? | Episode One
Together with my friends Mark, Rob, and Nigel, we discuss growing up in Canada, dealing with racism, our favourite Filipino foods, drawing inspiration from one another, Burglars Clothing, and our sleeping patterns.
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