From Escaping Martial Law to Building Legacies with Mona Lisa Yuchengco | Kumusta Mars

What would you do if you had to leave everything you knew behind—and build a new life from scratch? For Mona Lisa Yuchengco, that question became the beginning of an extraordinary life in America. In this episode of Kumusta Mars, we sit down with the publisher, filmmaker, philanthropist, and community leader whose journey from the Philippines to America is a story of courage, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to others. Mona Lisa shares what it was like to escape the Philippines during Martial Law and arrive in America as a single mother with two young children. She began a new chapter through publishing, eventually founding and publishing Filipinas Magazine and Positively Filipino, two influential platforms dedicated to telling stories of the Filipino American experience. Her legacy extends far beyond publishing. Through Philippine International Aid, Mona Lisa has helped fund education for more than 70,000 children over four decades, beginning in 1986. Her lifelong commitment to education, community, and giving back has earned her a special place in the Filipino American community—and the affectionate title of its “godmother.” And then there is the artist. Trained in film by acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Mona Lisa has always understood the power of storytelling. Her love of film, writing, journalism, and the arts runs through everything she has built—from creating platforms for Filipino voices to using philanthropy as a way to create opportunity for the next generation. In this deeply personal conversation, Mona Lisa talks about leaving home, motherhood, reinvention, creativity, community, and what it means to build a life that becomes a legacy. One woman. Many chapters. A lifetime of opening doors for others. 🎙️ Kumusta Mars is hosted by Emmy Award-winning Filipino American media personalities and longtime friends Henni Espinosa and Keesa Ocampo, bringing candid conversations about culture, careers, identity, friendship, and the stories worth remembering. Kumusta Mars is the conversation starter that invites you to spend more time with friends that lift you up and bring out your best. Welcome to the Filipina American girlie group chat. 🎧 Watch the full episode and listen on Spotify. Instagram: @KumustaMars