About this episode
The first episode of The Todd Michael Podcast, and of its series Growing Up Filipina, was recorded over dinner at a busy rooftop restaurant. Host Todd Michael Gori sits down with Merna, who opens by acknowledging that she has been through some very difficult experiences, unrelated to her love life, and that she is glad to still be here and still strong.
When Todd presses for details, Merna politely declines. Talking about what happened, she explains, makes her feel as if she is still carrying it. Todd calls that a smart move and lets it go, and the conversation turns to relationships.
Asked whether she would ever get back together with an ex, Merna's answer is a firm no. In her view, someone who cheats once will do it again, and she has watched friends cry over a man as if he were the only one in the world. Her advice to them is to be wise and use both their mind and their heart. She also says a partner who cheats on her should expect the same treatment, and she would tell him so up front.
There are lighter moments, including a dropped microphone in the middle of the interview and some talk about the evening's 2,000-peso rooftop budget. Merna describes music as her comfort zone and says she cried over the first man who ghosted her, but not since. The episode ends with Todd's hypotheticals: what Merna would do if she were the one who cheated, why so many Filipina women seem to say goodbye with "thank you for everything, I love you," and what a woman really means when she tells a man he will make the right person happy someday.
If you are going through a hard time, you do not have to face it alone. In the Philippines you can call the NCMH Crisis Hotline at 1553; elsewhere, find a local line at findahelpline.com.
Highlights
“I don't want to tell, because if I say it, I feel like I still have it.”
“No more second chances for me. If I give them a second chance, they're going to do it again and again.”
“You have to be wise. Use your mind and your heart.”
“Music is my comfort zone. When I feel broken, I never cry over the guy, because I don't want to waste my tears.”
“Why are all Filipino women saying the same thing? Thank you, I love you.”
From the host’s chair
Todd asks direct questions and keeps them coming. He presses Merna gently on the hard experiences she mentions, but when she says it's private he backs off and agrees that letting go of the past is the smart choice. Most of the conversation tests her views on relationships through specific scenarios: taking back an ex, cheating, and what she would do if she were the one at fault. He also asks about patterns he has noticed as an American living in the Philippines, such as the "thank you, I love you, goodbye" farewell and the "you'll make the right person happy" line. The tone stays light and teasing, which suits the noisy rooftop setting, and the questions show what the series is for: letting Filipina women explain in their own words how they see love and life.
Questions about this episode
- Who is the guest on Season 1, Episode 1 of The Todd Michael Podcast?
- Merna is the first guest of the Growing Up Filipina series. She talks with host Todd Michael Gori about getting through hard times, relationships and second chances.
- Does Merna believe in giving an ex a second chance?
- No. She says that someone who cheats will likely do it again, and she advises women not to cry over a man as if he were the only one in the world.
- How does Merna cope when she feels down?
- She calls music her comfort zone. Instead of crying over a man, she plays upbeat music until she feels better.
Notes written from the episode recording. Quotes are lightly edited for clarity; timestamps link to the moment on YouTube.