Formosa Dream Chasers

Mary Anne Sioco,Rti
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Formosa Dream Chasers! Please join Mary Anne as she explores the journeys amazing people take in pursuit of their dreams and get insights from their experiences. Let’s hit the road and get started! Please feel free to get in touch as well through our google form here and tell us your thoughts on the program or if you want to share  a favorite song or poem that inspires you to chase after your dreams!

  1. 2d ago

    Far from home: The Filipino dream in Taiwan feat. Philippine Labor Director David Des Dicang

    What makes Taiwan one of the most popular destinations for Filipino migrant workers? And what can other countries learn from its approach to migrant welfare? In Part 2 of our conversation with Philippine Labor Director David Des T. Dicang, we move beyond his personal journey and take a closer look at the realities of life and work for nearly 200,000 Filipinos living in Taiwan. Drawing from more than three decades of experience serving overseas workers across Asia and the Middle East, Director Des offers a unique perspective on why Taiwan stands out when it comes to migrant worker protections, support systems, and quality of life. As Director Dicang shares what makes Taiwan an attractive destination for many Filipino workers, he also speaks candidly about the challenges migrants continue to face—from family separation, falling victim to scams, to the pressure of building a better future far from home. He also reflects on the dreams that drive Filipinos to work overseas, the qualities that make Filipino workers highly valued around the world, and the programs helping migrants prepare not just for their jobs abroad, but for life after migration. Whether you're a migrant worker, an employer, or simply curious about the people who help power Taiwan's industries and communities, join us for this episode as we have a thoughtful and eye-opening look at migration, opportunity, and the pursuit of a better life.

  2. May 23

    Caring for Filipino workers abroad: Conversations with the Philippine Labor Director David Des Dicang

    From the cool mountain city of Baguio to diplomatic missions across Korea, the Middle East, and Taiwan, Philippine Labor Director David Des T. Dicang has spent more than three decades standing at the frontlines of migrant worker welfare. But beyond the title and government post is a man whose journey has been shaped by public service and a passion for helping people. In this episode of Formosa Dream Chasers, Director Dicang opens up about the twists and turns that led him from student leadership and law school dreams to becoming one of the Philippines’ key advocates for overseas workers. Through stories of working in conflict zones, supporting hundreds of thousands of Filipino migrants abroad, and navigating the realities behind labor diplomacy, he offers a deeply personal glimpse into a career shaped by public service, compassion, and meaningful human connection. What does it take to protect workers far from home? How do relationships, empathy, and community shape migrant welfare across borders? And after years in some of the world’s most challenging labor posts, why does Taiwan feel like a breath of fresh air? Join Formosa Dream Chasers as we sit down with Director Des Dicang for a thoughtful and eye-opening conversation about leadership, migration, and the quiet impact of dedicating your life to others.

  3. May 16

    Finding meaning beyond achievement

    Over the last two episodes, we looked at the emotional realities of pursuing dreams — from the uncertainty and comparison that come with feeling “stuck in the middle” of the journey, to the hidden costs of ambition, burnout, and overwork. But in this third part of the conversation, the focus shifts toward something quieter and perhaps something even more difficult to confront: what happens when achievement itself stops feeling meaningful? In this deeply personal episode, Mary Anne reflects on how modern life constantly pushes us toward productivity, optimization, and the pressure to keep chasing the next milestone. From family expectations and social media to hustle culture and the endless pursuit of self-improvement, it becomes really easy to tie our self-worth entirely to what we accomplish. This episode asks an important question many people quietly struggle with: in the middle of trying to build the life of our dreams, are we forgetting to actually live it? Blending personal reflections with honest observations, this episode explores the difference between performance and meaning... and why some of life’s most important moments are often the smallest and least productive ones. If Episodes 1 and 2 explored the pressure and sacrifice that come with chasing dreams, Episode 3 is about learning how to stay connected to yourself, to others, and to life itself while pursuing them so don't forget to tune in!

  4. May 9

    Burnout, pressure, and the pursuit of "more"

    Last week host Mary Anne Sioco reflected on the uncertainty, pressure, and emotional weight that often came with chasing our dreams. This is especially true when life does not unfold according to the timelines we imagined for ourselves. But what happens when the pursuit of our goals slowly begins to consume us? Continuing the conversation, Mary Anne takes a deeper look at the hidden costs that can come with chasing success. From burnout and overwork to the pressure of needing to achieve more, this episode explores how easily productivity can become tied to our sense of self-worth and how dangerous it can be when we begin sacrificing our health, relationships, peace of mind, and identity in the process. Drawing from her own experiences, Mary Anne reflects on the realities many people quietly live through: functioning while emotionally exhausted, postponing rest in the hope that life will slow down later, and carrying the invisible pressure to always keep going. This episode asks an important question: at what point does hard work stop being dedication and start becoming self-neglect? If last week’s episode was about learning to trust the journey, tune in today so as not to lose yourself along the way.

  5. May 2

    Living in the "in-between" moments of chasing dreams

    If you’ve ever questioned where you are in life, wondered whether you’re falling behind, or felt uncertain about the path you’re on, then this episode is for you. In this special solo episode of Formosa Dream Chasers, host Mary Anne Sioco steps away from interviews and reflects on the quieter, often unspoken side of pursuing dreams and building a meaningful life. Beyond the polished success stories we often see, this episode explores the reality many people experience in the middle of their journey — the uncertainty, the self-doubt, the pressure, and the exhaustion that can come with trying to build something meaningful. Mary Anne also opens up about her own path, including the difficult decision to pursue communications despite her family’s expectations, the years spent searching for the right opportunities, and how that journey eventually led her to Radio Taiwan International. At its core, this episode is a reflection on progress — and how it often looks very different from what we imagined when we first started chasing our dreams. Sometimes progress is not a major breakthrough or achievement. Sometimes it simply looks like continuing, showing up, and finding meaning in the small moments along the way. Because dreams are rarely built in straight lines — and neither are the people chasing them.

  6. Apr 25

    Finding purpose through pain: My mission to help other women feat. Michelle Capistrano

    After years of struggling with her health symptoms, Michelle Capistrano finally found the right treatment and support that helped her better understand her body. Today, Michelle talks about how her experience pushed her to create an online platform focused on hormonal health and why representation matters — especially for Asian women navigating perimenopause and menopause. She also reflects on what it means to start over after 40, the importance of holistic health, and why aging should not be seen as the end, but the beginning of a new phase of growth. In this final part of our conversation, Michelle brings together the lessons, reflections, and purpose that emerged from her journey — and why she hopes sharing her story will help other women feel less alone. For more thoughtful conversations with Michelle about women's midlife health, you can find her on: Youtube: @Hormone Harmony After 40 Instagram: hormoneharmonyafter40

  7. Apr 18

    The silent struggle: How perimenopause impact women’s lives feat. Michelle Capistrano

    Perimenopause affects far more than hormones - from sleep and mental health to relationships, intimacy, work performance, and family dynamics, all of these can be affected by the lack of hormones as women age. In Part 3 of our conversation, Michelle Capistrano shares about the wider impact this stage of life can have as she reflects on the larger systemic issues surrounding women’s healthcare, including why so many women leave consultations feeling dismissed or misdiagnosed. As Michelle explains, the lack of awareness around perimenopause doesn’t just affect women physically — it can also affect how they show up in their careers, marriages, and everyday lives. Asking how women's lives can be changed for the better if only they were properly informed and supported during this stage of life, this episode takes a deeper look at the emotional and social realities many women may quietly suffer through as they enter midlife so tune in to find out more.

  8. Apr 11

    The hormone health gap: "Just suck it up" feat. Michelle Capistrano

    How can anyone pursue their dreams without good health? That is the question at the heart of this conversation. Despite finally learning that perimenopause was the root cause of her medical issues, Michelle Capistrano found herself frustrated and hopeless, as she tried to find answers to health issues while navigating through a medical system that minimized her experiences.  She thought finding support would be easier, but instead she faced medical “specialists” who were cavalier and dismissive of her concerns, telling her to simply “suck it up.” Tune in to this episode as we learn about the stigma surrounding hormone replacement therapy, the lack of updated information available to women, and why so many continue suffering silently during perimenopause. By speaking openly about her experience, Michelle hopes more women will feel empowered to advocate for their health — and reclaim the energy, confidence, and quality of life needed to pursue their dreams.

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About

Welcome to Formosa Dream Chasers! Please join Mary Anne as she explores the journeys amazing people take in pursuit of their dreams and get insights from their experiences. Let’s hit the road and get started! Please feel free to get in touch as well through our google form here and tell us your thoughts on the program or if you want to share  a favorite song or poem that inspires you to chase after your dreams!

Information

  • Creator
    Mary Anne Sioco,Rti
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2026 Rti - For Personal Use Only
  • Show Website
    Formosa Dream Chasers

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