Adobo Yarn
The podcast is about navigating the migrant life as Filipinos in Australia, discussing culture, food, experiences and adventures. "Adobo" represents the rich and layered nature of the human experience. Just like adobo can be adapted with different ingredients and methods, our lives are a blend of diverse influences made rich through the stories and culture that we bring and the new traditions that we create.
"Yarn" symbolises the sharing of stories and experiences. We are weaving a narrative together, connecting with each other through the threads of our personal histories and perspectives.”
Adobo Yarn
Ep 35: The Migrant Mirror: Looking Back at Our Quirks
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What happens to our deepest cultural habits when we pack up our lives and cross the ocean?
In this episode, Anna and Razel hold up a mirror to the Filipino diaspora in Australia to look at the traits we grew up with and the ones we’ve had to intentionally unlearn. From hilarious cultural adjustments to the deeper, more systemic behaviours that just don't fly "down under". It’s time for an honest, funny, and deeply relatable cultural inventory.
In this conversation, we dive into:
'Filipino Time': How the reality of Aussie transit schedules, workplace and community culture beat the habit of being chronically late right out of us.
Toxic Positivity vs. Real Boundaries: Unpacking the pressure to always put on a smiling face, even when things are genuinely tough.
Crab Mentality & Chismis Culture: Moving away from the local "Marites" syndrome and gossip, and learning to embrace a "live and let live" mindset.
From Manila Chaos to Aussie Roads: A look at how our driving habits completely transformed from lawless lane-weaving back home to becoming model, law-abiding Filipino-Australian drivers (thanks to those strict highway patrol cameras!).
Whether you’ve been in Australia for a decade or you’re fresh off the plane, this episode is a funny, reflective therapy session about building a hybrid identity. What did you leave at the boarding gate, and what are you still trying to unlearn?
Join the Conversation: Have you completely broken your "Filipino Time" habit, or are you still working on it? What’s the hardest trait you’ve had to unlearn since moving to Australia? Slide into our DMs or leave a comment on our Spotify episode. We want to hear your stories!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on the personal experiences, observations, and cultural reflections of the hosts. This conversation is intended for entertainment, storytelling, and community engagement purposes only. We love our heritage and our community; our goal is simply to hold space for open, humorous, and constructive dialogue about the migrant experience!
Adobo Yarn is our story as Filipinos, navigating the migrant life in Australia. Here, we share stories that resonate. Middle-age (Gen X) wisdom, meno episodes, parenting hacks, unfiltered conversations, hilarious experiences, anecdotes and recipes that brought us comfort when we needed it. From raising babies to now young adults, and navigating the labyrinth that is Australia. Join the conversation!
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Music: Bass and Claps by Anastacia Chubarova from Pixabay