S5 Ep. 5: Breaking Generational Poverty with PAGA & The Filipino Amerasian Story

The CEO Who Rebuilt Her Brain: Monique Ong on Surviving a TBI and Founding MindNation

In this deeply inspiring episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, Tita Loida is joined by Monique Ong, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivor, author, and the founder of MindNation. After surviving a 21-day coma in 2017, Monique had to relearn how to walk, talk, and eat. Despite being diagnosed with aphasia and facing immense hurdles returning to the corporate world, she turned her pain into a global purpose. Today, she is a leading voice in making mental health care accessible to employees worldwide. Tune in to hear Monique’s miraculous story of grit, her journey to founding MindNation, and how she is helping children navigate big emotions through her new book, Snowballs. 🌐 Explore Monique’s Work: Website: www.moniqueong.com | IG: @moanongMindNation: www.mindnation.com HeyBlu: www.heyblu.co | HERmones: hermones.com Read Snowballs: https://books.google.com/books/about/Snowballs.html?id=_I7F0QEACAAJ 🤝 Connect 1-on-1 with Tita Loida! Seeking mentorship, business advice, or life guidance? Schedule a private video consultation with Loida Lewis today: https://intro.co/loidalewis 📚 Empower yourself with books by Tita Loida and Tito Reggie: HTGAGC: https://amzn.to/4vuXzrw #ad WSGHATF: https://amzn.to/4xbKx3B #ad WSWGHATF: https://amzn.to/4oaaRao #ad 📺 Follow us: YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod 💌 Questions for Mrs. Loida? askloidalewis@gmail.com #LoidaLewis #MoniqueOng #MindNation #MentalHealth #TBISurvivor #FilipinoPodcast #GlobalFilipino #TLLP

A Modern-Day Mother Teresa: Dr. Rick Hodes on Faith, Healing, and Adopting 5 Children

How far would you go to save a stranger's life? For Dr. Rick Hodes, the answer was adopting them. In this powerful episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, Tita Loida speaks with Dr. Rick Hodes, the Medical Director for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in Ethiopia. Listen as Dr. Rick recounts his 40-year journey treating impoverished children with life-threatening spinal deformities. From legally adopting five orphans to secure them health insurance, to experiencing unexplainable "divine interventions" that cured the incurable, Dr. Rick’s story is a profound testament to faith, human connection, and boundless love. If you’ve ever wondered how to find your life’s purpose, this episode will show you that sometimes, it's about helping the person standing right in front of you. 🌐 Support Dr. Rick Hodes: www.rickhodes.org 📺 Watch the video version: YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast 📚 Empower yourself with books by Tita Loida and Tito Reggie: How to Get a Green Card (HTGAGC): https://amzn.to/4vuXzrw #ad Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? (WSGHATF): https://amzn.to/4xbKx3B #ad Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? (WSWGHATF): https://amzn.to/4oaaRao #ad 💌 Ask Mrs. Loida: askloidalewis@gmail.com #LoidaLewis #DrRickHodes #Podcast #Inspiration #Healing #MedicalMiracles #Faith #GlobalFilipino #TLLP

From the Philippines to Manhattan: The Master Weavers of YAMAN NYC

In this culturally rich episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, Tita Loida is joined by indigenous master weavers who traveled to New York City for the YAMAN NYC exhibition. Listen in as we explore the centuries-old traditions, spiritual rituals, and painstaking dedication behind the Philippines' most exquisite textiles. Tita Loida speaks with: Maria Elena Balbas & Maria Elaine Balbas: Sharing the symbolic designs and spiritual weaving practices of Abra. Raquel Eliserio & Carlo Eliserio: Detailing the years-long process of creating delicate Piña cloth in Aklan. Estrelita Godwino & Michael Angelo Yambok: Discussing the sacred T'nalak dream weaving of the T'boli tribe in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Discover how these artisans are fighting to preserve their heritage and passing their skills to the next generation! 🌐 Learn more about YAMAN NYC: Website: yamannyc.org | Facebook: facebook.com/YAMANnyc 🎬 Credits & Mentions: Special Thanks to: Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue for bringing these master weavers to the USA. Filmed and edited raw by: Don Tagala Finishing touches by: JV 📚 Empower yourself with books by Tita Loida and Tito Reggie: How to Get a Green Card (HTGAGC): https://amzn.to/4vuXzrw #ad Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? (WSGHATF): https://amzn.to/4xbKx3B #ad Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? (WSWGHATF): https://amzn.to/4oaaRao #ad 📺 Follow & Subscribe: YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod 💌 Ask Mrs. Loida: askloidalewis@gmail.com #LoidaLewis #YamanNYC #PhilippineWeavers #Tboli #PinaWeaving #FilipinoCulture #TLLP

S5 E6: Sisterhood, Defiance, and Democracy with Imelda "Mely" Nicolas

In this deeply moving sister-to-sister conversation, Tita Loida sits down with her only sister, Imelda "Mely" Nicolas. A celebrated public servant, publisher, and women's rights advocate, Mely takes us through her fearless life journey. Listen in as Mely shares raw, untold stories of running an underground newspaper, her time as a political detainee in Camp Bonifacio, and the shocking secret their father kept to protect her life. She also recounts the incredible moments of standing beside Cory Aquino on the historic campaign trail, her involvement in the EDSA Revolution, and taking a bold stand for good governance with the "Hyatt 10." Beyond politics, Mely gets personal about love, the fulfilling power of living a single life, and why she published her bestselling book, Her Story. 📖 Get a copy of Mely Nicolas’s best-selling book: https://sananselmopress.gumroad.com/l/herstory 📚 Empower yourself with books by Tita Loida and Tito Reggie: How to Get a Green Card (HTGAGC): https://amzn.to/4vuXzrw #ad Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? (WSGHATF): https://amzn.to/4xbKx3B #ad Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? (WSWGHATF): https://amzn.to/4oaaRao #ad 📺 Watch or listen now: YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod 💌 Send your questions for Mrs. Loida: askloidalewis@gmail.com #LoidaLewis #MelyNicolas #GlobalFilipino #HerStory #PhilippineHistory #WomenWhoLead #PodcastPH

S5 Ep. 5: Breaking Generational Poverty with PAGA & The Filipino Amerasian Story

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 5 of The Loida Lewis Podcast! Today, we uncover a vital, deeply emotional piece of US-Philippine history: the reality of Filipino Amerasians. Tita Loida welcomes the leadership and beneficiaries of the Philippine American Guardian Association (PAGA), an organization founded in 1921 to support the children of US military personnel left behind in the Philippines. Alongside PAGA Chair Lisa Kircher and Executive Director Jill Cortes, we hear real, raw stories of hope and survival from scholars who are breaking the cycle of generational poverty. From young students navigating life without their parents, to former Executive Director Deanna Bajar using DNA testing at 80 years old to finally locate her American family, these stories will stay with you forever. We also dive into PAGA’s 2026 goals, the structural impact of EDCA, and the crucial push for the US government to provide justice and humanitarian aid to the Amerasian community. ✨ What we discuss in this episode: A Century-Old Mission for Filipino Amerasians Stories of Resilience from PAGA Beneficiaries and Staff Breaking Generational Poverty Through Education The Power of DNA Testing: Finding Family After 50+ Years The Impact of EDCA and the Search for Recognition 📚 Empower yourself with books by Tita Loida and Tito Reggie: How to Get a Green Card (HTGAGC): https://amzn.to/4vuXzrw #ad Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? (WSGHATF): https://amzn.to/4xbKx3B #ad Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? (WSWGHATF): https://amzn.to/4oaaRao #ad Rate and review us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for a chance to be featured on a future episode! Email your questions to askloidalewis@gmail.com. Let’s live, love, laugh, and learn together.