🎙️ Season 3, Episode 9 - Sofronio Vasquez III: From Small-Town Dreamer to The Voice Winner

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we’re joined by Sofronio Vasquez III, the groundbreaking Filipino-American artist who won Season 26 of The Voice, making history as the first Filipino and Asian male to win a major American singing competition.

We talk about his journey - from humble beginnings to standing ovations - and how his voice, mentorship with Michael Bublé, and sheer perseverance brought him to the world stage. He opens up about the people who shaped his path, the emotional moments behind the spotlight, and what’s next.

💬 “Every note I sing carries a piece of my story - the struggle, the gratitude, the dream.”

💡 Warning: this one’s a tearjerker. You might want to have some tissues nearby.

🎤 Don’t miss Sofronio live in NYC!

Sat / Jul 19 / 7:30 PM

The Townhall, New York, NY

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast - reserve your seat now!

https://tinyurl.com/Sofronio-TownHall

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #SofronioVasquez #TheVoiceWinner #FilipinoPride #FilAmVoices #MichaelBuble #FilipinoExcellence #NYCConcert #TownhallNYC #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #SingingChampion #TrailblazingVoices #VoiceSeason26

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 8 - Chef Cris Comerford: Inside the White House Kitchen

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we’re joined by Cris Comerford - the first Asian, first woman, and first Filipina to serve as Executive Chef at the White House, from 2005 to 2024.

She shares stories from nearly two decades of cooking for U.S. presidents, including her final state dinner for the Kenyan delegation - where Barack Obama surprised the kitchen staff with a warm hug and words of praise. We talk about preparing soup, short ribs, and lobster for nearly 200 guests, her humble beginnings as an immigrant chef, how her family shaped her culinary journey, and more.

💬 “Food is not just sustenance - it’s storytelling, diplomacy, and celebration.”

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #CrisComerford #FilipinaChef #WhiteHouseChef #PresidentialMeals #FilipinoExcellence #StateDinners #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #TrailblazingWomen #FilAmVoices

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 7 - Ramona Diaz: Telling Truths Through Film

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with Ramona Diaz, the acclaimed Filipino-American documentary filmmaker behind Imelda, Motherland, A Thousand Cuts, and her latest, And So It Begins.

She talks about the power of storytelling in holding truth to power, the making of And So It Begins - the Philippines’ official Oscar entry - and why she focuses on character-driven narratives that elevate underrepresented voices.

We also touch on her earlier work, including A Thousand Cuts, and how she balances being a filmmaker, activist, and truth-seeker in a complicated world.

💬 “Stories have the power to disrupt and to heal. That’s why I tell them.”

Learn more about Ramona Diaz:

@cinediaz

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #RamonaDiaz #AndSoItBegins #FilipinoFilmmaker #DocumentaryDirector #FilAmVoices #AThousandCuts #ImeldaFilm #MotherlandDoc #TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 6 - Sandro Roco: Building Sanzo, the First Asian-Inspired Sparkling Water

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with Sandro Roco, the trailblazing Filipino-American entrepreneur behind Sanzo - the first Asian-inspired sparkling water brand made with real fruit and no added sugar.

Sandro shares how his Filipino heritage, Wall Street background, and a chance trip to H Mart inspired the launch of Sanzo. From lychee to calamansi, he talks about honoring Asian flavors while building a fast-growing beverage brand that’s now stocked at Whole Foods, Target, and even featured on Marvel’s Shang-Chi.

We also explore Sandro’s vision for empowering the AAPI community, the challenges of representation in the beverage industry, and what it means to stay rooted while scaling up.

💬 “Our stories and flavors deserve a seat at the table - and on the shelf.”

Learn more about Sandro Roco and Sanzo:

@drinksanzo | @sandro.roco

drinksanzo.com

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #SandroRoco #DrinkSanzo #FilipinoAmerican #AsianFlavors #Entrepreneurship #AAPIRepresentation #ShangChi #SanzoSparklingWater #TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 5 - Jhett Tolentino: From Iloilo to Broadway and Beyond

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with Jhett Tolentino - a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, Grammy winner, and proud Filipino creative force.

Jhett opens up about his journey from Iloilo to New York, breaking into the high-stakes world of Broadway and earning three Tonys and a Grammy along the way. He shares how he transitioned into film, producing the acclaimed Lingua Franca and directing his debut feature Asian Persuasion starring KC Concepcion. Now, he's setting his sights on launching his own AAPI production company to amplify Asian-American voices on stage and screen.

In a candid moment, Jhett also discusses why he wasn’t involved in the Broadway run of Here Lies Love, and what that reveals about representation, gatekeeping, and moving the Filipino narrative forward.

Learn more about Jhett Tolentino:

@jhett.tolentino

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #JhettTolentino #BroadwayToFilm #TonyWinner #GrammyWinner #AsianPersuasion #LinguaFranca #FilipinoRepresentation #AAPIVoices #HereLiesLove #TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 4 – Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel: Fighting for the Filipino Immigrant Dream

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we welcome Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel - renowned immigration lawyer, host of Citizen Pinoy on TFC, and one of the most trusted voices in U.S. immigration law for over 40 years.

Atty. Gurfinkel breaks down today’s most urgent immigration issues: the looming threat of mass deportations, the revival of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, and what every immigrant family needs to know right now. He also walks us through how Filipinos can petition loved ones from abroad—whether through family sponsorship, fiancé visas, or other legal pathways.

Known as the “Attorney of Last Hope,” Gurfinkel brings decades of experience, heartfelt advocacy, and a deep commitment to reuniting families and helping them live the American Dream.

Learn more about Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel:

https://www.youtube.com/@USImmigrationTV

https://www.gurfinkel.com/michael-j-gurfinkel/

https://www.instagram.com/gurfinkellaw

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #MichaelGurfinkel #CitizenPinoy #USImmigration #FilipinoImmigrants #AmericanDream #PetitionYourFamily #TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 3 - Tessie Tomas: Queen of Comedy, Champion of Reinvention

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with the iconic Tessie Tomas - trailblazing actress, creative powerhouse, and one of the Philippines’ most beloved comedians.

Tessie shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings as a radio voice talent at just 10 years old to becoming the first Filipina creative director of McCann Philippines. She opens up about her rise to fame through unforgettable impersonations and live performances, and her fearless transition to drama in Dirty Linen and FPJ’s Batang Quiapo as Senyora Bettina.

Now living in the Isle of Man with her husband, British marine biologist Roger Pullin, PhD, Tessie reflects on a life well-lived, and the joy of watching her son, Robin, transition from fashion to stand-up comedy in New York City.

With wit, wisdom, and warmth, Tessie reminds us that reinvention has no age limit - and authenticity is always in style.

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: / @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #TessieTomas #DirtyLinen #BatangQuiapo #QueenOfComedy #FilipinoIcon #PhilippineTV #McCannPhilippines #TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 2 - Leila de Lima: A Fight for Justice and Freedom

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with former Senator and former Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima, a human rights champion and staunch advocate for justice. She opens up about her years in detention, the political persecution she endured, and how she maintained her resolve despite adversity.

Leila shares that she communicated with the International Criminal Court (ICC) during her time in the Philippine Senate, shedding light on her role in seeking accountability for human rights abuses. She also recalls a terrifying moment inside Camp Crame, where she was taken hostage by an Abu Sayyaf detainee—a harrowing experience that tested her strength and resilience.

Now, as the lead nominee of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list (#6 on the ballot), Leila de Lima continues her mission to fight for justice, human rights, and democratic freedoms.

Tune in for a powerful conversation with a woman who refused to be silenced.

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: / @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #LeiladeLima #HumanRights #Justice #PoliticalPrisoner #Freedom #MLPartyList #CampCrame #ICC #TheLoidaLewisPodcast