Interview with Tiffany Rossdale

Born and raised in Manila, Tiffany Rossdale has called Tokyo home for over 25 years. A true renaissance woman, she has lived many lives, first as a celebrated figure in Japan’s vibrant VIP nightlife scene, and now as a transformational lifestyle coach and LGBTQ+ wellness advocate. After arriving in Tokyo in the late 1990s, Tiffany quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable socialites, curating dazzling fashion events and luxury parties under her brand Tokyo Fashionista for five-star hotels, top fashion labels, and mega-clubs. She has worked alongside international talents including Kat DeLuna, Vita Chambers, and Lavelle Smith Jr., famed choreographer to Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Beyoncé.

 

In 2010, Tiffany turned her passion for music into a DJ career, spinning at exclusive parties in Tokyo, Beverly Hills, and Miami. But her path took a deeply personal turn when the pandemic prompted her to launch Breakfast With Tiffany Show, a podcast focused on LGBTQ+ wellbeing, spirituality, and personal growth. Tiffany’s own story of transformation is nothing short of remarkable. Assigned male at birth, she transitioned after arriving in Japan, following her heart from a job in an electronics factory to dancing in a transgender cabaret. Her journey included modeling, heartbreak, substance abuse, and ultimately, a spiritual awakening. After a painful breakup and a series of personal struggles, Tiffany chose to leave her nightlife persona behind, embrace sobriety, and rediscover herself through meditation, personal development, and a silent retreat in Bali. That pivotal time led her to a new purpose: helping others find peace, purpose, and self-love. 

Interview with Revnika

Monika: Today I am chatting with Revnika, a Filipino lady living in the USA who chronicles her transition on social media. Hello Revnika! Thank you for accepting my invitation. 

Revnika: It’s an honor, Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Revnika: I’m from Pangasinan Philippines, and have traveled around since my father was in the Navy. I have lived in some countries and the US. Currently living in Oregon, and finally working on my goals to be the better person I was meant to be, my true self.

Monika: What inspired you to share your intimate life moments on social media?

Revnika: I didn’t realize there were people like me who felt out of place so young, trying to find answers, and continuously finding my true self. Somehow just browsing the web and watching videos I came across stories and timelines that I relate with. My depression was getting worse, that it got out of hand, and I needed to find help. 39 years of my life I was not happy, and I needed to do something about it. I’m 42 now, and I wanted to be as inspiring as others who have helped me through the hardest times in my life, no one should ever feel lost, or alone. 

Interview with Linda Montana

Monika: Linda Montana, an Australian transgender activist, beauty pageant queen, stage artist, tennis player, and the star of the 'Les Girls' cabaret, one of Sydney’s original and most famous cabaret shows, is my guest today. Linda arrived in Sydney’s western suburbs from the Philippines in the late eighties and since then she has been an active member of the vibrant trans community in Sydney. Hello Linda!

Linda: Hi Monika! Greetings from down under. I just want to thank you for this opportunity.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Linda: Gosh, where does it start? Lol Besides what was mentioned above, I also compete in tennis tournaments, which include global sporting events and straight tournaments. I'm off to Hong Kong in November to compete at the Gay Games. I guess my most successful event was the World Masters Games 2010 - the silver medal in Women’s Doubles and bronze for Mixed Doubles.

Monika: Woow! I am impressed! When did you start playing tennis? Is it fair to say that you are a semi-professional player?

Linda: No, I wouldn't say that! Lol. I competed at both “straight” and LGBTQIplus tennis tournaments both local and international. Renée Richards was the pioneer in this field and is my inspiration.

Interview with Pia Notoriyas

Monika: Today we are going on a journey to the United Kingdom where we are going to meet a talented female artist. Pia Notoriyas is a Filipino-born singer and songwriter, model, YouTube vlogger, social media influencer, and transgender activist. Pia is known for The Euphoria Song Project, a song about the discrimination and the empowerment of trans lives, which in 2020 became the transgender anthem of the year. Hello Pia, I am so happy that you have accepted my invitation!

Pia: Hello Monika! Hello everyone!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Pia: My name is Pia Notoriyas. I’m a transgender singer-songwriter and producer, Filipino, and based in the United Kingdom. 

Monika: Why did you choose Pia for your name?

Pia: Choosing your name is probably one of the most important stages in our transition, I wanted something that meant something to me and a name that embodied femininity and my culture, Miss Universe is a beauty pageant competition that celebrates femininity and countries from all around the world compete for the crown, in 2015 the Philippines won miss universe and she happens to be called Pia, and at that moment I knew that as the name I wanted, it represented strong femininity and my culture.

Interview with Antin Belizar

Monika: Today I am meeting Antin Belizar, a Filipino make-up and hairstylist, and YouTube vlogger. It has been 10 years since she launched her Antin Belizar vlog where she shares her beauty tips and transition story. Hello Antin!

Antin: Hi Monika! I'm really glad to answer your questions and thank you for this opportunity.️

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Antin: My name is Antin. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I am proud to say that I am a transgender woman. I work as a call center agent in the BPO industry as my main source of income. Sometimes I like to indulge in little activities to help me escape from reality. That's how my YouTube channel was created. In my channel, you will see me create different makeup Inspirations and most importantly some videos I have shared about my true Identity. I'm just a normal person; I'm far from being perfect. I'm just me.️

Interview with Destiny Maylas

Monika: Destiny Maylas is an Australian transgender advocate and vlogger of Filipino origin. Her Destiny Maylas vlog on YouTube can boast over 25 thousand subscribers that follow Destiny's recommendations about HRT, MTF transition, transgender life, surgeries, and everything related to being Transgender. Hello Destiny!

Destiny: Hello Monika. Thanks for having me.

Monika: How are you holding up in the crazy pandemic times?

Destiny: Thank you for asking. I am doing okay but I'd say things can be better, you know. I hope you're doing well too.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Destiny: I am a curly Filipina transgender woman of color who is very passionate about my advocacy of safe HRT for Trans Pinays, which is the main focus of my YouTube Channel, where transwomen all around the world who have no choice but to do DIY-HRT can benefit from.

Interview with Rica Salomon

Rica Salomon is a young and inspiring voice from Manila, Philippines, whose journey as a video blogger has touched many lives. At only 24, she has already carved out a space where she openly documents her transition on YouTube, using her platform not just to share personal milestones but also to encourage others who may be facing similar struggles. A graduate of a Jesuit university, where she studied Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on communications and psychology, Rica combines academic insight with personal experience to create thoughtful, relatable content. Her channel, which began as a small experiment, has since grown into a meaningful commitment, supported by viewers from different walks of life and by her boyfriend, who has been her strongest motivator and cheerleader. Beyond her online presence, Rica is also exploring entrepreneurial dreams. With a creative spirit and a determination to build something of her own, she is weighing the possibilities of franchising her father’s restaurant or starting a beauty salon, reflecting her passion for both family and self-expression.

Interview with Sass Rogando Sasot

Sass Rogando Sasot is a remarkable transpinay whose voice has long resonated across activism, academia, and international dialogue. Known for her steadfast commitment to dignity and visibility for trans people, Sass has spent years reflecting on what it means to live authentically while engaging with some of the most complex questions of humanity. Her journey has taken her from co-founding one of the first transgender advocacy groups in the Philippines to standing in the ECOSOC Chamber at the United Nations, where she delivered a deeply moving speech that echoed far beyond the room. With a passion for international relations and diplomacy, she is now pursuing the path of becoming both a scholar and a practitioner, intent on ensuring that trans people are not only part of political conversations but present within the very institutions shaping the world. It is an honor to speak with her today.

 

Sass’s story is one of perseverance shaped by intellect, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of possibility. Her academic achievements, including graduating magna cum laude from Leiden University, reflect the same dedication she brings to her advocacy and public work. Whether she is navigating the challenges of funding her postgraduate studies or engaging in thoughtful conversations about law, equality, and identity, she approaches each step with a sense of purpose that is both inspiring and deeply grounded. In her reflections on activism, representation, and the lived realities of transpinays, she reminds us that visibility carries meaning only when it is paired with dignity, opportunity, and genuine inclusion. Speaking with her offers not just insight into trans politics but also a glimpse into the heart and mind of someone committed to transforming the spaces she enters.

Interview with Veejay Floresca

Veejay Floresca is a Filipino fashion designer who was born and raised in the Philippines. She pursued her early education in fashion with distinction, earning a full scholarship to study fashion design and marketing at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde in Manila. She graduated cum laude in 2006, demonstrating both academic excellence and creative promise. After completing her undergraduate studies, Floresca emigrated to the United States, where she continued to develop her skills in the fashion industry. She obtained a master’s degree in fashion from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Seeking further specialization, she later studied haute couture at Central Saint Martins, the renowned art and design school in London.

 

In 2008, Floresca gained national attention in the Philippines by competing in the first season of Project Runway Philippines, where she placed third. Her appearance on the show helped establish her as a recognizable figure in the Filipino fashion scene. In 2010, she became widely known beyond fashion circles after appearing in a viral video alongside three friends, celebrating the fourth-place finish of Filipino beauty queen Venus Raj in the Miss Universe pageant. The video resonated strongly with audiences and became a cultural moment in the Philippines, highlighting Floresca’s visibility and personality in popular media. By the early 2010s, Veejay Floresca was recognized as an internationally trained fashion designer with experience spanning the Philippines, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as a visible figure in both fashion and popular culture.

Interview with Naomi Fontanos

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honour to interview Naomi Fontanos, a Filipino trans rights advocate, one of the founders and current Executive Director of the transgender rights group GANDA (Gender and Development Advocates) Filipinas in the Philippines, and blogger. Hello Naomi!

Naomi: Hello Monika. The pleasure and honor are all mine. How lovely indeed to finally have a conversation with you.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Naomi: I grew up in a small town in the Philippines where the country’s superstar also comes from. I was a straight-A student from grade to high school. In high school, I graduated on top of my class and went on to attend the Philippines national university, which is like the Harvard of the Philippines, the University of the Philippines Diliman.

There, I earned a degree in education. I am a licensed teacher and currently work as an education consultant. I love languages, fashion, music, art, and travel. I love to write, read and watch movies in my spare time. Best of all, I love to sing. I love doing karaoke and love spending time with friends this way.

Interview with Maki Gingoyon

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Maki Gingoyon, aka Maki Eve Mercedes, a Filipino trans woman beauty queen, most well known for winning Queen of Cebu 2010, and being one of the Queens for Super Sireyna 2013. Hello Maki!

Maki: Hey Monika! Thanks for having me on your blog. And it is nice to meet someone like you, a fellow transgender woman making a difference in promoting a good image among trans women.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Maki: I am 24, turning 25 this year, and I am a transgender woman from the Philippines. I studied BS Psychology, unfortunately, I was not able to finish it due to some family issues, which challenged me to be independent and work my a** out by applying for a call center job. This is a very common job opportunity in the Philippines, especially for 2nd-year college students who want to work. That actually helped me to support myself and my transitioning.
And currently, I work as a digital online marketing director for a transgender dating site together with my boyfriend.

Interview with Nicole TS

Nicole TS is a vibrant and inspiring video blogger who has been documenting her transition on YouTube. Through her channel, she shares not only her personal journey but also words of encouragement and support for others in the transgender community. Nicole’s story is one of resilience, passion, and breaking barriers, not just in her transition but also in her professional and athletic pursuits. Born in the Philippines, Nicole moved to the UK in 2010 with dreams of building a new life. With a background as a registered nurse, she has been working toward gaining her professional credentials to practice in the UK. Outside of her career aspirations, she is an accomplished badminton player, competing at the county level in Dorset. In fact, she holds the distinction of being only the second transgender woman to be officially allowed to compete as a female player under England’s governing sports body. Nicole’s openness about her transition and her willingness to share both the joys and struggles of her journey have made her a beloved figure among her followers. Her YouTube videos, which started as a simple way to document her transformation, have since evolved into a source of inspiration for many.

Interview with Fiona Solis

Fiona Solis is a stunning model, dynamic businesswoman, and proud transgender woman currently based in Cebu City, Philippines. Born and raised in Ormoc City, Fiona always knew she was different, and beautifully so. Today, she's living her truth with grace and glamour, juggling commercial shoots, pageant preparations, and real estate ventures with her fabulous friends and fellow models, Angel Montero and Eriką Fox. From starring in comedy films and travel shows to confidently walking the runway, Fiona embodies strength, authenticity, and a fierce sense of self. Her transition journey was met with love and support from her family and friends, helping her embrace womanhood with pride. For Fiona, being transgender isn't just about physical changes, it's about fulfillment, joy, and honoring the woman she always was inside. With her poise, positivity, and resilience, Fiona continues to inspire others to embrace who they are and chase their dreams, no matter where they come from or how they identify.