I talk with a former member I cherish so much! Erica boasts a diverse professional background. She is currently working in communications and engagement for the Governor of Hawaii in the state's Office of Wellness and Resilience, focusing on mental health and well-being. An advocate and activist at heart, Erika is the state co-lead for Moms Demand Action in Hawaii and is actively involved in advocacy work for working families and children in the Hawaiian Islands. As a mother of two young girls, she also explores her heritage, embarking on a personal journey towards reconnecting with her Filipina roots and obtaining dual citizenship.

Erika describes her multifaceted life in Hawaii, from her advocacy work for mental health and gun violence prevention to her dedicated role as a mother. She recalls the turning point in her life when she joined the sisterhood, driven by a longing to deepen her connection to her Filipina identity. Erika details how the community guided her to explore her heritage further, leading to meaningful conversations with her family and propelling her toward dual citizenship—a journey that brought her and her daughters closer to their cultural origins.

Key Takeaways:

• Community and shared experiences play a crucial role in personal identity formation and confidence building, particularly among women of Filipina heritage.
• Spaces like the Filipina Soul Sisterhood offer women a platform for soul-filling discussions, support, and self-reflection that catalyze personal growth and stronger cultural ties.
• The sisterhood empowers members to embrace their multiracial identities, providing a sense of belonging and validation regardless of their cultural background.
• Involvement in a collective like the Filipina Soul Sisterhood can inspire individuals to take concrete actions towards embracing their heritage, such as pursuing dual citizenship.
• For mothers, the journey toward exploring and accepting their identity holds significant importance for the cultural legacy they pass on to their children.

Notable Quotes:

• "Joining the sisterhood was such a lifeline for me."
• "I would love to journal every day, but like, again, just knowing that I had that space to do that and, like, take that time really intentionally just really gave me such groundedness that I really appreciated."
• "Anytime that you're in that kind of community with other really strong women, it does really build your confidence and just makes you see possibility and opportunity everywhere."
• "Make sure you have a strong sisterhood. Make sure that you have those strong female friendships around you because I really believe that they're going to take you through life and grow and evolve with you in ways that you can't grow just by yourself."

Hang out with me, Erika and other sisters weekly!

Ready to be uplifted by a community of like-minded Filipinas who are seeking the same growth and reconnection as you? Join the Filipina Soul Sisterhood. Use code LISTEN for 15% off! Doors close soon and we hope to to see you there!

Gina Mariko Rosales is the founder of Make it Mariko and Pinayista, as well as the Co-founder of UNDISCOVERED SF and Balay Kreative. As a Filipino Japanese American entrepreneur, events enthusiast, efficiency nerd, dancer and nonprofit advocate, Gina is looking to create magical, meaningful moments that help remind us of the beauty and interconnectedness of life. In this episode Gina challenges the idea of “doing it all” as a business leader. The episode gives insight into the very real struggles of POC entrepreneurship, burnout, and the obstacles faced when scaling a company. Gina talks about accepting success and the mindset surrounding money. Exploring the thought provoking idea of finances in an echo-chamber of scarcity. Through Make It Mariko, Gina is curating an event that encourages Communities of Color to recognize that a beautifully curated event is inherently deserved.

Find out what Gina’s plans are for the future! Don’t miss out on the POC Food & Wine Festival presented by Make It Mariko! Use code FOTRFAM for 20% off tickets. The Filipina on the Rise Team looks forward to seeing you there!

In this episode, we cover:

• Gina’s personal journey of embracing her Filipino identity and leveraging it to create empowering and uniting multicultural event spaces, like the Undiscovered SF Night Market and initiatives supporting Filipino women and entrepreneurs.
• Gina’s approach to event planning that balances community needs with business viability, promoting a ‘profit first’ model for sustainability.
• Gina’s philosophy on embracing opportunities, the value of a diverse skill set and her experiences at Google X, stressing authenticity and the importance of bringing one’s whole self to work.
• Challenges of scaling a business as a person of color and a woman
• The strategies for overcoming burnout, nurturing growth and setting realistic goals for success in entrepreneurship.
• Gina’s commitment to building a multicultural community, her involvement in the POC Food and Wine Festival, strategies for longevity through real estate and empowering Filipino women to pursue their passions authentically.

Sponsors: Passion Planner. Passion Planner helps you identify your dreams and build toward them every day. Find Passion Planner on Instagram or the Passion Planner website and discover the right planner for you.

Elaine Dizon is a mindset and life coach, writer, and recipient of AT&T's highest DEI award at a corporate level -- the Spark Award. She leverages her experience in conscious parenting, performance management coaching, and neuroleadership science to support continuous learning towards outcomes and results.

It's back and better than ever! Filipino Soul Sisterhood is our community of like-minded Filipino women looking to reconnect with their roots and support one another's growth. I share the origins of this community, born out of a shared desire for meaningful conversations and authentic connections, and what you can expect!

Episode Summary:

• How did this start and what are 5 things I learned from this
• Upcoming workshops and discussion topics
• Members share knowledge, mentorship, and resources, fostering a supportive network that propels professional and personal development.
• Healing and cultural reclamation are core themes, with members collectively navigating the complexities of their Filipino identity and narratives.
• The sisterhood includes regular virtual and in-person events designed to foster meaningful connections, facilitating friendship and collaboration among its members.

Notable Quotes:

• "And a lot of us are uncovering our identities as part of the diaspora and, you know, decolonizing our minds and our narratives."
• "There's something that is necessary in order for people to… level up is that we're pulling each other up and we're opening doors for each other."
• "It's so imperative and a core of who we are to navigate our lives with each other and through each other, through talk story, through sitting around the campfire, a virtual campfire, and telling stories."

Resources:

• Hang out with me and other like-minde Filipinas every Thursday at the Filipina Soul Sisterhood! Together we reconnect with our roots and help each other rise.
• Expand your network at the Filipina Speed Networking Party!