Kultivating Kapwa: Episode 3.20

Kultivating Kapwa: Decolonizing Parenthood Episode 3.20

"Moving Away from the ME, Understanding and Growing from the WE"

In this episode, we are joined by Jyn Rose Aguas Romualdez. We discuss her desire to be a grandmother while being a new mother, and her desire for reparenting in order to bring the knowledge back to her child, her journey with co-parenting, how she wants her child to experience the world, how she has changed most as a mother on her decolonial path, and more.

Jyn Rose (she/her/siya) was born in Makati, Philippines and settled in the U.S. with her parents at the tender age of three. She is the daughter of Mercy and Johnny Aguas, sister to Julian and Jamie, life partner to Martin and recent co-guardian/mama to Marcelo, who is her first born and greatest teacher. Her ancestral lineage includes the provinces of Batangas (mom's side) and Pampanga (dad's side). She currently resides on Ohlone land, specifically the unceded Ramaytush Territory, commonly referred to as San Francisco, California. 

One way Jyn is cultivating a healthy, evolving relation to being a new mama, is welcoming the support of her doula, Romina @anakdoula who helps her navigate postpartum life with weekly soul-full connections. Also, with care and guidance from Jen Maramba through womb ceremonies both prenatal and postpartum, alongside sisterhood from all the mamas of the Mother Circles facilitated by JL Umipig and co-faciliated by JL, Jen and guest mothers, Jyn feels seen, heard and held in ways that western modalities cannot offer. Jyn is determined to pass on these teachings to her son and future descendants, trusting this not only will continue generational healing but will grow beyond survival, to thrive. 

Jyn is always a student first. She is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, poet @pinaypoetree, and aspiring (nature) photographer. Jyn currently works as a clinical program assistant in the mental health field, supporting a team of therapists, case managers and consultants to serve children and families within the homeless population. She is committed to and shares the work of decolonization with family and her communities open to listening, as it provides her a sense of healing, expansion and spirituality. Jyn’s kapwa is comprised of her immediate family, extended relatives and chosen kin, human and non-human, as well as known and unknown forces such as her most benevolent ancestors and guides, all who offer direction and protection of her heart, spirit, and whole being.

Jyn is in deep gratitude and inspired by the Love of her kapwa. Giving thanks to Olivia Sawi for introducing her to the Pilipino concept of “kapwa”, which was the beginning of a life transformation, recognizing interconnection with all and the start to embody decolonial practices. She is constantly learning, unlearning and re-membering. 

*Episode Notes: This episode contains brief instances of profanity.*

You can listen to this podcast on the Center for Babaylan Studies website (centerforbabaylanstudies.org/podcast), Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/KultivatingKapwaSpotify), PodBean (centerforbabaylanstudies.podbean.com), Google Podcasts, or Stitcher. 

Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast! If you want to contact us, email kultivatingkapwa@gmail.com, or add us on Instagram at @kultivatingkapwa and send us a DM. If you would like to donate to help us continue this podcast, please do so here: donorbox.org/kultivating-kapwa-podcasts.

Hosted by Jana Lynne Umipig//
Produced by Olivia Sawi//
Co-Produced by Annie Aarons-Sawi//
Music by AstraLogik