"Blindspotting," back for season 2, sets an example of diverse storytelling

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Filipino American actor Dante Basco, en garde! appears on "Blindspotting."

One of the most innovative and courageous sitcoms is back for Season 2 after a long hiatus due to the pandemic.

Blindspotting is set in Oakland, California but its creators want to spotlight the Bay Area and its diverse communities. The Bay Area is home to a large Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island community.

The premium cable outlet Starz debuted the critically acclaimed series from Starz parent Lionsgate TV and creators Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs and based on their 2018 film of the same title.

Casal also said on the podcast that he sees no limits for how big the world of Blindspotting can grow: “Every character we wrote on the show is worthy of their own show. Every character we hope to write on the show could be that way about a specific region that doesn’t have any TV shows.

This week's episode will feature Filipino American actress April Absynth who plays Jacque, the street-smart best friend Trish, one of the central characters, who is always on the lookout for economic opportunities. 

The plotline allows the episode to bring in new Filipino American characters. One of them is Dante Basco, who grew up in the East Bay.

We don't know much about the episode but an instagram post I couldn't help but smile as we see that Basco using a spatula like a sword, perhaps an homage to his groundbreaking character of Rufio, leader of the Lost Boys in Hook, which starred the late Robin Williams.

"Look at the amount of universes New York has been afforded," says Casal. "Let’s do that with this: a whole show about the Filipino community in Daly City, Latinos in San Jose or Asians in Oakland or any other city.”

Jasmine Cephas Jones reprises her role from the movie as Ashley, who’s trying to keep things together with her racially mixed family while her partner Miles (Casal) serves a jail sentence.

Along with Jones, the Blindspotting cast includes Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Jaylen Barron, Candace Nicholas-Lippman and Helen Hunt.

If you didn't catch the first season when it debuted in 2021, the first season of Blindspotting is available on the Starz streaming network, or you can read the original synopsis:

Blindspotting centers on Ashley, who is nipping at the heels of a middle-class life in Oakland until Miles, her partner of 12 years and father of their son, is suddenly incarcerated, leaving her to navigate a chaotic and humorous existential crisis when she is forced to move in with Miles’ mother and half-sister. The series stars Jasmine Cephas Jones (#freerayshawn) as “Ashley”; Benjamin Turner (recording artist) as “Earl,” who is fresh out of prison, wearing an ankle monitor and just trying to kill time and lay low; Candace Nicholas-Lippman (Good Trouble) as “Janelle,” Ashley’s close friend who’s just returned to the neighborhood after spending many years in Bali; Jaylen Barron (Free Reign) as “Trish,” Miles’ half-sister, who might be wilder than he is; Atticus Woodward (Shameless) as “Sean,” Ashley and Miles’ sweet, smart and energetic son; Helen Hunt (Mad About You) as “Rainey,” Miles’ mother who has strong opinions and holds family above all else; and Rafael Casal who reprises his role as “Miles,” Ashley’s ride-or-die partner of 12 years and father of their son.

Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said, “The series deservedly garnered critical acclaim and is a wonderful example of our programming mandate focused on unique, authentic stories by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.”

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Saweetie's McDonald's meal gives new meaning to "halo-halo"

McDONALD'S

Saweetie creates a new dish using ingredients from her McDonald's meal.

Filipino American rap artist Saweetie's McDonald's meal is a big meal. The idea, the rap star recommends, is to mix it up to create a new dish.

It's kind of like halo-halo, (literally translated: "mix-mix") the Filipino dessert made up of several ingredients like ube ice cream, sweet beans, jello, heart of palm, flan, evaporated milk and crushed ice, then topped with something crunchy like nuts or Rice Krispeys.  To eat it properly, one has to mix all the ingredients together.

RELATED: Saweetie on the cover of 'Cosmopolitan'

The Saweetie Meal, features a Big Mac®, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets®, medium World Famous Fries®, a medium Sprite®, Tangy BBQ Sauce and "Saweetie 'N Sour" sauce – the same Sweet 'N Sour sauce you know and love, re-named in honor of the new meal.

"Hopefully, everyone enjoys the concoction because the point of the meal is to remix it in different ways, whether it’s making a crazy burger or combining the fries [with] the nugget box and creating some type of rendition of nachos, so I’m just really excited to see everyone enjoy their meals," the Filipino American artist told Asian Journal.

The Saweetie meal is the latest promo McDonald's using celebrities. The BTS meal with the superstar K-pop group, was featured during Asian American ,Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month last May.

The culinary offering lasts until Sept. 5. It can be ordered through the McDonald’s App, at participating McDonald’s or through McDelivery. McDonald’s. If you order with the app, you are eligible for more prizes including a trip to Las Vegas to watch a  Saweetie concert.

Saweetie has gained quite a reputation for mixing up foods and posting the concoctions on her social media pages. Anyone for ranch dressing on spaghettie withtomato sauce? How about putting Cheetos atop your pizza? Anyone for Ramen chicken seasoning on oysters?

So her McDonald's meal doesn't so strange now, does it?

The fast food chain and McDonald expanded their collaboration Monday (Aug. 23). Saweetie fans can now pair their curated McDonald’s dining experience with pieces from a newly unveiled merch collection.

The pieces will be available for a limited time, with prices starting at $18. Featured are hoodies, a crewneck, a pair of t-shirt designs, a fanny pack, joggers, shorts, a trucker hat, and more.

“Now ya’ll know I stay dipped in the latest fashion, so it was only right I drop some icy merch to celebrate my McDonald’s collab,” Saweetie said in a press release. “There are so many oversized pieces that I love, like my favorites: the Saweetie ’N Sour Hoodie and Fry Tees.”

See more from the collection below. A special site has also been launched, serving as the lone space for collecting pieces from the collection. Find that here.

Saweeite, was born Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, with a Filipino Chinese mother and a Black father who is also a pastor. Growing up in the Bay Area, she was exposed to a diverse community and their different cuisines.

“The Bay Area is such a melting pot. You have Asian food and off rip, you have Filipino food, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese food. And then you have Spanish food. And then of course you have soul food.”

With her mom and lola's cooking and encouragement, it is not surprise for her love of Filipino food. “I grew up eating tons of Filipino food. I love sinigang, I love adobo, pancit, lumpia,” she lists off. “Even Filipino breakfast. Filipino breakfast is like a sunny side up egg with spam, Vienna sausage, some white rice. Maybe a slice of mango with some mango juice. That shit is so good.”

“Filipino food makes me happy,” Saweetie sighs contentedly. “If it’s good, I’ll just savor in the moment. And if it’s really good, I start dancing. I just can’t help myself!"

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is not an ad for McDonald's nor am I receiving compensation of any sort for this article.