Banana Q: a Filipino-Flavored Podcast

We talk about our personal highlights of 2023 which include a lot of revenge travel and new roles and hobbies. We also share the results of Banana Q podcasts's Spotify Wrapped and then talk about our favorite TV shows and movies discovered during the year. Show Notes: Oxford Word of the Year 2023

We share money-saving tips (pagtitipid tips) that Filipinos do and discuss the line between frugal and cheap. Notes: Walang sayang pag Filipina ang asawa mo Tipid Tips: 100+ Ways to Save Thousands of Pesos Every Month

We finally have our first reunion since we started this podcast... in Hong Kong. We give tips on what to do when traveling to Hong Kong, tackling different spots such as Wan Chai, Stanley, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Mongkok, Tung Chung, and Lamma Island. We discussed Hotels.com, Klook, Jollibee, The Peak, Big Bus Tours, Symphony of Lights, Avenue of Stars, K11 Musea Mall, Bakehouse, Flash Coffee, Eggettes, Tim Ho Wan, cha chaan teng, Ladies Market, Lee Tung Avenue, City Gate Outlet, Rainbow Seafood Restaurant, and Aqua.

We talk about our favorite toys while growing up as '90s kids in the Philippines - Barbie dolls, action figures, jackstones, pick up sticks, marbles, fighting spiders and sea shells and pogs and teks and trading cards, Monopoly, Gameboy, brick game, Tamagotchi, family computer, and arcade. Realizations: it was simultaneously more dangerous yet healthier to be a child back then? Also mentioned: the urban myth about how putting kisses in cotton would make them give birth. You might also like: Ep 77: Philippine Squid Games

We talk about the cons of being an Overseas Filipino Worker, including experiencing being stereotyped and feeling like a second class citizen abroad, missing food and events back home, and being confused about what “home” means now.

We explain what's a balikbayan box and pasalubong, and give tips from ourselves and Qties (our listeners) on the best gifts that you can get from different countries - Canada, Italy, Finland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Philippines. Show Notes: What is a Balikbayan Box? We Tried What Ex-OFWs Miss in Singapore (Rey & Dee guest on YouTube) Balikbayan Box from Singapore to Philippines

We discuss the most popular social media platforms and their differences - Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Tiktok, YouTube. We delve into a bit of nostalgia talking about the first popular Social media platforms in the Philippines back in the day - Friendster and Multiply. We share the social media etiquette rules you need to stop breaking. Show Notes: Understanding the Difference in Social Media Platforms 13 Social Media Etiquette Rules You Really Need to Stop Breaking Timeline: James Gunn’s long and winding road from Troma to the top of DC Studios

We talk about Asian representation in Hollywood, from Bruce Lee to Crazy Rich Asians to Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. We also discuss Filipino representation, from Jacob Batalon to Vanessa Hudgens to... Lumpia with a Vengeance. Show Notes: What Michelle Yeoh's win really says about Hollywood Uncovering The Complex History of Asian Representation in Hollywood How Crazy Rich Asians Changed Hollywood And No One Noticed Only 44 top ranking movies featured Asian American leads in the past decade Why 'Indiana Jones' and 'The Goonies' Kid Star Ke Huy Quan Quit Acting for 20 Years 10 Hollywood celebrities you might not know have Filipino Blood How Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Gets Filipino Culture Right 10 Films with Asian American Representation Lumpia with a Vengeance For Filipino Americans, seeing ourselves in a summer movie is a wonder

We answer these questions: Why is Accountancy a popular course choice in the Philippines? What do accountants actually do? We share our real life experiences in Finance-related roles in Philippines, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong, which include: assistant accountant, IRM auditor, business process owner, accounts payable analyst, hedge fund accountant, private equity and real estate accountant, projects and reporting coordinator, product controller, financial planning & analysis manager, finance business partner, and CFO (chief financial officer). We give tips on how to thrive in corporate life and how to turn fund accounting into FUN accounting. Show Notes: 3 Reasons Accounting Job is the Top Choice in the Philippines Why the Philippines is a Top Choice for Offshore Accounting

We share some outdated laws that Filipinos still have to live with, which include not offending religious feelings, owning a deadly pana, or being merely annoying. Show Notes: 15 Weird Laws Filipinos Still Have To Live With Offending Religion: The Case of Carlos Celdran

We interview Cate, an accountant in Australia, about her heartbreaking struggle of trying to have a baby. She talks about her endometriosis and multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Show Notes: Why Michelle Obama’s revelation that she had a miscarriage and did IVF matters

We talk about possible side hustles that you can do to supplement your income. We also discuss how Filipinos are very entrepreneurial and the culture shock that came from moving abroad and discovering it wasn't the norm there. Show Notes: 44 Profitable Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money

Rey explains what inflation is for the average Juan, and includes discussion on the heavily memed phenomenon of the huge increase in price of onions in the Philippines.

We review the Philippine national symbols and think about what we would choose to update them to be more representative of Filipinos in the modern times.

We learn about Chinese New Year history and traditions in China, Philippines, and other places. Show Notes: Chinese New Year Wikipedia How The Philippines Celebrates Lunar New Year

We talk about our favorite travel destinations within the Philippines and around the world. We also share our most disappointing experiences and funniest bloopers. Finally, we discuss why we love to travel. Listen to Dee’s other travel bloopers on: Read about Dee’s travels on http://adeecodedlife.com/travelogues

We talk about our personal highlights of 2022 which include big milestones. In relation to these, we end up sharing life and career advice including how to stay young and how to be Sir Chief. We also share the results of Banana Q podcasts's Spotify Wrapped and then talk about our favorite TV shows and movies discovered during the year. Dee picks After Life, Mythic Quest, The Afterparty, and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once while Rey goes for National Treasure, Wednesday, Boba Fett, and Top Gun: Maverick. Other Banana Q podcast episodes mentioned:

We give tips on how to give thoughtful gifts for Christmas and other occasions, and give examples of good presents that we gave or received. Show Notes: How to Give Thoughtful Gifts (Plus 10 Thoughtful Gift Ideas)

We discuss common toxic misconceptions that people have about Filipinas who date foreigners (usually Westerners) with the aid of Kach Umandap's article on her blog. Show Notes: Truth and Lies About Filipinas Dating Foreigners

Rey finally gets to visit the home country and be a balikbayan again after 3 years, and talks about changes he noticed in post-Pandemic Philippines.