RISE Tayo
RISE Tayo: Stories of Filipino Resilience and Calling is a faith-rooted podcast that celebrates the courage, grit, and grace of Filipino immigrants chasing their God-given purpose. Hosted by Blanche DiDomenico, a proud Filipino-American nurse, life coach, and faith-based encourager, this show features heartfelt stories of kababayans who rose from humble beginnings, overcame cultural challenges, and stepped into their calling.
Whether you’re navigating life in a new land, overcoming adversity, or still discovering your purpose, these inspiring testimonies will remind you: You are not alone, and you were born to rise.
Join us every week as we share real stories, powerful reflections, and transformational conversations grounded in faith, Filipino culture, and the RISE framework—Resilience, Impact, Service, and Empowerment.
Episodes
50 episodes
Before the Next Disaster... Return to God | A Message for Every Filipino
The world is shaking. Earthquakes, disasters, political unrest, and increasing darkness remind us that life is fragile. But this episode is not about fear—it is about hope.In this Scripture-filled message, Coach Blanche shares God's lovi...
Tacloban School Tragedy: Where Do We Find Hope? | A Biblical Response
Our hearts are heavy.The heartbreaking school tragedy in Tacloban has left families grieving, students traumatized, and an entire nation searching for answers.In this special episode of Rise Tayo, we don't attempt to...
A Mother's Sacrifice, A Daughter's Triumph | The Filipino Immigrant Dream
What would you sacrifice for your child's future?In this deeply emotional episode of Rise Tayo Podcast, we share the incredible true story of Maria "Che" Ong and her daughter, Arabella—a story of sacrifice, separation, perseverance, fait...
The Philippines Earthquake: Is God Trying to Get Our Attention? | Matthew 24
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake recently struck parts of Mindanao, including General Santos City, Sarangani, and surrounding areas, leaving families grieving, communities shaken, and many asking difficult questions.Where is God in...
What I Wish Someone Had Taught Me About Money, Time, and Legacy
Growing up in the Philippines, nobody taught me about 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, investing, life insurance, or building wealth. Like many immigrant families, we were simply trying to survive and make the most of what we had.Now, as a wife, moth...
To My Kababayan Who Feels Like Giving Up… Please Listen | Mental Health & Hope
This episode is for the Filipino who feels emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, or ready to give up.If you’ve ever whispered, “Pagod na ako…” please listen.In this heartfelt Rise Tayo conversation, Coach B...
Political Chaos in the Philippines: A Christian Response
The Philippines is hurting.Political division, fear, distrust, and recent chaos have left many Filipinos emotionally exhausted and asking: Who can we trust? Is there hope for our nation?In this episode of Rise Tayo...
Healing the Filipino Inner Child | Breaking Free from Childhood Wounds
Trigger Warning/Disclaimer: This episode contains personal discussion around childhood wounds, emotional pain, family dysfunction, and abuse, which may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care, especially if these topics are...
Toxic Filipino Traits… or Generational Patterns We Need to Break?
Filipinos are known for being loving, resilient, and family-oriented.But what if some of the things we normalized growing up are quietly affecting our identity, our relationships, and even our walk with God?Today, we’re having an ...
I Reacted to a Filipino Witchcraft Video… Here’s What the Bible Says
In this first-ever reaction video on the Rise Tayo Podcast and YouTube, I respond to a video discussing Filipino witchcraft, kulam, and spiritual practices—not based on opinion, but grounded in the truth of God’s Word.<...
Are Superstitions (Pamahiin) Harmless? A Biblical Perspective
“Have you ever followed a pamahiin—not because you fully believed it, but just in case it might be true? Or maybe… because it’s what you’ve been taught in your family for generations?” From saying “tabi-t...
Paano Ba Talaga Magdasal? Filipino Traditions vs Biblical Truth
“What if the way we’ve been praying and following tradition… isn’t actually in line with the Word of God?” Did you grow up believing that prayer had to look a certain way—holding a statue, offering something, or rep...
Doctors Said Give Up Our Baby… But We Said NO | A Filipino Family’s Faith Over Fear
In this powerful episode of Rise Tayo, I sit down with my college friend, Cel Ryan—from our days at Andres Bonifacio College in Dipolog City—to share a testimony of faith, resilience, and God’s faithfulness through life’s most difficul...
Not Ashamed: Raising Children Who Stand for the Gospel
In a world where truth is constantly questioned, we are not called to raise silent children—we are called to raise children who are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Part 4 – Final Episode of Building Strong...
Our Children Are Watching: Modeling Faith at Home
(Part 3 of Building Strong Filipino-American Families Rooted in Christ)In Part 3 of our March series, Building Strong Filipino-American Families Rooted in Christ, we talk about one of the most powerful ways parents disc...
Eternity Over Achievement: Success Without Jesus Is Futile
In Part 2 of our March series, Building Strong Filipino-American Families Rooted in Christ, we talk about a truth every parent must wrestle with: our children’s eternity matters more than their achievements.Many children ...
Intentional Parenting: Raising Children Rooted in Christ
(Part 1 of Building Strong Filipino-American Families Rooted in Christ Series)In this opening episode of our March series, we lay the foundation for raising children intentionally in today’s culture.Rooted in Proverbs 22:6 ...
Two Cultures, One Covenant: Biblical Roles, Power, and Expectations
In Episode 4 of our Two Cultures, One Covenant series on the Rise Tayo Podcast, we address one of the most misunderstood—and often debated—topics in marriage: biblical roles, power, and expectations.In intercultural marriages, cultural ...
Two Cultures, One Covenant: Family, In-Laws, and Boundaries
In Episode 3 of our Two Cultures, One Covenant series on the Rise Tayo Podcast, we tackle one of the most sensitive—and often unspoken—sources of conflict in intercultural marriages: family, in-laws, loyalty, and boundaries.In many Fili...
Two Cultures, One Covenant: When Communication Feels Like Conflict
In Episode 2 of our Two Cultures, One Covenant series on the Rise Tayo Podcast, we address one of the most common—and painful—struggles in intercultural marriages: communication.Why does silence feel safe to one sp...
Two Cultures, One Covenant: Why Intercultural Marriages Struggle
In this opening episode of our February series, Two Cultures, One Covenant, we begin an honest and faith-filled conversation about intercultural marriages—especially Filipino-American relationships.Love may bring two peop...
When Tradition Replaces Truth: An Eye-Opening Faith Conversation
In this episode of Rise Tayo, we have a loving yet eye-opening conversation about faith and culture within the Filipino community.For over 300 years, the Philippines was under Spanish rule and access to Scripture was limited. On...
From Lost Heritage to Found Identity in Christ – Mark’s Legacy of Faith
In this deeply moving episode of Rise Tayo, I sit down with my neighbor Mark to talk about identity—both cultural and spiritual—and how God redeems what feels lost.Mark shares his journey as a Filipino American who grew up disco...
From RN to Real Estate : A Pinoy Nurse’s Story of Faith, Grit, and Purpose
In this powerful episode of Rise Tayo, I sit down with my college classmate and dear friend Silica (“Lica”), whose journey reflects the resilience, faith, and perseverance of so many Filipino nurses.A graduate of Sillima...
Reflecting on 2025: Open Doors, Surrender, and Purpose—Trusting God With What’s Next
Welcome back to Rise Tayo. As we step into a new year, I wanted to pause and reflect—not just on what changed in 2025, but on how God met us in the middle of loss, transition, and new beginnings. Last year began with deep grief in our ...