Once and Always a Fanboy

Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy! Today is a special one because this marks my very first official HBO Max junket, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick things off. We're heading back to Westeros as I chat with two of the stars of House of the Dragon. We talk about Daemon and Rhaenyra's evolution over three seasons, the weight of power and identity, and even have some fun imagining what would happen if they traded places with other characters in Westeros. Fangirls and fanboys, Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy!00:00 Preview00:27 Intro00:36 Rhaenyra's Identity01:50 Daemon's Ambition03:14 Westeros Character Swap

Hi everyone, my name is Chris, and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.Not Suitable for Work is a show about ambition, uncertainty, friendship, and trying to figure life out when nobody really knows what they're doing. So today, I'm joined by the incredible cast behind the series.Fangirls and fanboys, please welcome Avantika Vandanapu, Ella Hunt, Jack Martin, Nicholas Duvernay, and Will Angus!00:00 Preview00:40 Avantika and Ella Intro00:53 Abby's Confidence vs Experience02:09 AJ and Embracing the Unexpected03:49 Horror Movie Survival Guide05:25 Nicholas, Jack, and Will Intro05:35 Kel's Fear of Living the Wrong Life06:30 Josh and the Weight of Privilege07:29 Davis and the Effort of Love08:21 Horror Movie Survival Guide08:45 New York as a Character09:23 Modern Ambition10:00 Great Collaborators

Hello everyone, my name is Chris Cantada and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy. Today’s episode is a special one for me. Before the interviews, before the podcast, before the spandex even, I was part of a band that would go on to become one of the most enduring names in Filipino music. For more than two decades, this band has created songs that many of you grew up with and continue to discover even today. This conversation is unique because I’m not just speaking to any artist or band. I’m speaking to people I once shared a stage with, a rehearsal room at Future Star in Katipunan, and a very meaningful chapter of my life.Fangirls and fanboys, Sponge Cola.00:00 Preview00:54 Intro02:34 Improvements throughout the years07:45 What you guys do to discover new things about each other11:13 Ted joining Sponge Cola16:04 Staying true to your sound20:12 What success looks like21:43 New album feels like the first album24:45 Super power28:40 Longevity31:38 Creative differences35:06 Fanboying over36:54 Did the band almost break up39:38 Sponge Cola song that defines the band47:16 Challenges55:53 Final words

For me as a 90s kid, Mortal Kombat was one of those games that just stuck with you. I remember playing it on my cousin's Sega, trying to memorize all the Fatalities, figuring things out with friends, and just being completely pulled into that world.So seeing it now, years later, still evolving into something bigger, makes me a proud fan. I enjoyed the first movie, but this sequel really expands everything, the scale, the characters, and the emotion behind the fights. My mind was blown in the best way, and I think fans, especially those who grew up with it, are going to be very happy with what they’ve done here.I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Global Tour stop in Jakarta, where I got to sit down with the cast and talk to them face to face. And what stood out to me wasn’t just the action or the scale of the film, but how much thought and intention they brought into these characters, beyond just the fights.Fanboys and fangirls, Joe Taslim, Tadanobu Asano, Ludi Lin, and Max Huang.00:00 Preview00:53 Indonesian Facet of Sub-Zero03:15 Human Quality of Lord Raiden03:49 What Makes a Good Collaborator05:43 What Strength Looks Like During Uncertainty06:45 (SPOILER) What Has Stayed The Same with Kung Lao07:51 Fight Choreography Shouldn't Be Like Dancing10:11 The Core of Mortal Kombat

Hello everyone, my name is Chris Cantada and welcome to a new episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.Today’s guest is part of a new generation of Asian artists redefining what it means to be global. She began her journey at a young age, training in South Korea before emerging as one of Thailand’s most exciting pop voices. Over the years, she has expanded beyond music into acting, while also continuing to evolve her artistry through collaborations across borders and cultures.Now, at just 22, she’s stepping into a new chapter with her latest English single “but you”. Her visit to Manila marks the first stop in her international push, and I’m so honored that she’s on the show today.Fangirls and fanboys, Achiraya "ALLY" Nitibhon!00:00 Preview00:31 Intro01:23 Manila02:08 Going Global03:01 "but you"04:57 Interpreting Songs06:32 Holding On To Your Own Voice08:11 Training In Korea10:52 Fangirling Over12:07 Fangirl Energy13:19 Being A Fangirl As An Artist14:40 Prim And Proper16:00 Berklee School Of Music19:40 Mental Health22:05 Acting24:33 "Perfect Girl"27:10 Meaning Of Success28:58 50 People In A Room31:31 Final Words

Hello everyone! My name is Chris Cantada and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy!Today’s guest is a singer songwriter whose music has been making waves in the indie pop world. Her sound blends emotion, experimentation, and storytelling in a way that really stands out. With her new EP Ore just released, it felt like the perfect time to sit down and talk about her journey, her creative process, and everything that’s led her here.Fangirl and Fanboys, Ena Mori!00:00 Preview00:45 Intro02:37 What are listeners hearing for the first time from Ore?05:49 Balancing Uniqueness and Connecting to a Wider Audience08:40 Super Power11:42 What you decided to let go of14:23 Fangirling Over17:15 What do you listen to?20:02 When do you know when a song is finished?22:40 Misconceptions24:01 What can you handle now?25:58 Quiet Pivotal Moment28:11 Final Words

Hello everyone! My name is Chris Cantada and here’s another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.Today I’m joined by two of the creative minds behind Daredevil: Born Again.He is the showrunner and executive producer of the series, and previously worked on The Punisher, bringing a grounded, character-driven approach to this new chapter of Matt Murdock’s story.The other is an executive producer at Marvel Studios and former Marvel Comics editor who helped shape the modern Marvel universe and co-created Ms. Marvel.We talk about storytelling, character, and what makes this chapter of Daredevil something that fans haven’t seen before.Fangirls and fanboys, Dario Scardapane and Sana Amanat.00:00 Preview00:33 Intro00:46 The characters surrounding Matt Murdock02:14 Visual Storytelling04:55 The 12 Hour Flight Scenario06:00 Cracked Blueprint07:46 What fans would be surprised about Matt Murdock09:03 Storytelling Responsibility

Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.Today’s guest is someone whose voice has been part of the soundtrack of the last two decades of OPM. He is one of the most recognizable romantic balladeers in the Philippines and even built a huge following across Southeast Asia.He recently headlined a concert alongside fellow vocalist Mark Bautista, and he’s also released a brand new single called Sa’yo Lamang.So today we’re going to talk about the journey, from those early days on national television to what it means to still be performing, creating, and evolving as an artist more than two decades later.Fangirl and fanboys, Christian Bautista!00:00 Preview00:43 Intro03:50 If music didn't happen04:46 Longevity06:22 Stage Instinct08:14 What you used to obsess over09:52 Sa'yo Lamang10:51 Interpreting music12:25 Fanboying over16:03 Magical era17:29 Music business20:09 Misconceptions21:43 Social Media Persona23:50 Success and Fulfillment24:52 Chapter that surprised you26:24 Nothing like a live audience28:53 Final words

Hello everyone, and welcome to a new episode of Once and Always a Fanboy!Paradise was easily one of my favorite shows last year. So when Season 2 was announced, I was already locked in.This time, we are diving into a brand new chapter with two incredible new cast members. We talk about building characters in a broken world, stepping into an already established universe, and the emotional weight of this season.Fangirl and fanboys, Shailene Woodley and Thomas Doherty. 00:00 Preview00:24 Intro00:35 Shailene Woodley on Annie's Journey01:38 The Physicality of Link02:12 Alternate Paths03:44 Coming into Paradise Season 204:34 Reluctant Leader or Lone Wolf05:01 Apocalype Fashion05:44 Quiet Strength

Hello everyone, my name is Chris, and welcome back to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy.Our guest today played one of the most beloved and emotionally impactful characters in IT: Welcome to Derry. As Rich, he brought so much heart, humor, and bravery to the series. The kind of performance that sneaks up on you and then completely wrecks you when it matters most. His journey this season gave us some of the show’s most unforgettable moments, and it’s a performance that fans are still talking about.Fangirls and Fanboys, Arian S. Cartaya!00:00 Preview00:38 Intro01:29 Drums02:49 Rich's life that you created in your head03:41 The absence of Rich04:45 What if Pennywise didn't come to Derry?05:24 Baseball or Drums05:56 Fanboying over06:45 What Rich gave you07:36 Bond with Matilda Lawler08:26 Music and Acting09:13 Fans of Welcome To Derry10:29 Rich in another universe11:47 Scenes that came naturally13:00 Small scene you'll remember most14:39 Final words

This week on the podcast, we’re diving into the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt world of Marvel Television’s Wonder Man! I had the absolute honor of chatting with Sir Ben Kingsley and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, two incredible actors bringing layers, laughs, and heart to this story about chasing dreams and friendship.Wonder Man now streaming on Disney+! 00:00 Preview00:35 Intro00:48 Showing the nerves01:49 Trevor03:21 Ambition and Dreams04:39 Universal story

Hello everyone, my name is Chris, and welcome to another episode of Once and Always a Fanboy. My guest today is from one of my favorite shows of 2025, IT Welcome to Derry. She plays a character who quietly becomes the emotional backbone of the series. What starts as a story about fitting in turns into something much darker, braver, and way more important to the IT mythology than anyone expected. And she sells every turn with a performance that feels honest and lived in. Fangirls and fanboys, Matilda Lawler!00:00 Preview00:47 Intro02:06 Not in the script04:05 Dark web search history05:16 New skills06:49 Watching yourself on screen08:43 Welcome To Derry secrets10:19 Behind the scenes12:35 Smooth sailing vs. challenging scenes15:09 Fangirling over16:56 Who she trusted the most on set19:10 What surprised you after filming20:47 Unofficial soundtrack of the shoot22:12 Message to young actors25:20 Final words

Hello everyone, and welcome to a special episode of Once and Always a Fanboy. Here's a throwback to my interview with the cast of Stranger Things during Season 3.