In this week’s episode, we’re honored to sit down with special co-host, Luna Salaver and the King of Latin Soul, Joe Bataan!  As the first recording artist to create Latin Soul music, Joe has made a lasting impact through his innovative combination of genres, including Boogaloo, Salsa, and Disco, leading to hits like “Gypsy Woman” and “Young Gifted & Brown.”Joe Bataan’s stories beautifully illustrate lessons that tie right into the 2024 Filipino American History Month theme of “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience.” His origins of growing up in Spanish Harlem, New York amidst crime and incarceration shows that resilience is about continually adapting and finding ways to stay true to your path, no matter the obstacles. In embracing his identity as an Afro-Filipino musician, singer, songwriter, and producer, Joe shares his journey of peddling his music from coast to coast, gaining a grassroots following of not only Filipinos, but people of color from all walks of life. With the gift of his life experience and wisdom, Joe also built a career counseling at risk youth in correctional facilities. His ability to evolve, whether through genres like Disco and Rap, or through his role as a mentor, is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength that the Filipino American History Month theme celebrates.Stay tuned to find out the secrets behind Joe’s success: spirit, health and knowledge!  You can find Joe Bataan at https://www.joebataanmusic.com/ and preorder his book “Streetology” at mahalpublishing.comWe’d love it if you could take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey. Your feedback is essential—not only does it help us improve, but it also strengthens our efforts to secure the funding needed to keep this platform alive. As a thank you, we’re offering some awesome Kultivate Labs swag for folks that participate and leave their email!https://forms.gle/TAw7aRupB4DWpBAE9 Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means everything to Cultural Kultivators and the Filipino American community we celebrate in every episode. WHAT IS BALAY KREATIVE?BALAY KREATIVE is a pop-up Filipino-American arts hub in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, California. EXPLORE BALAY KREATIVEWebsite: www.balaykreative.com  Instagram: @balaykreative   Facebook.com/balaykreative Kumu: @balaykreative