This Filipino American Life Podcast
This Filipino American Life Podcast
Exploring the nuanced experiences of Filipinos in the United States, atbp.
Episode 227 – Coming Home for the First Time – Elaine and Producer Mike go to the Philippines
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Is it truly “More Fun in the Philippines? Well technically not any more, because that marketing campaign ended in 2023. Now it’s “Love the Philippines”, but do we? They say there’s “no place like home” (which is especially fitting, since this is episode “227”… look it up, kids), but for Elaine and Producer Mike, who were both born in the US, going to the Philippines was always
Episode 226 – Filipino American Masculinity
For generations, society has taught Filipinos and Filipino Americans what our specific gender roles should be. For men, masculinity is usually associated with ideas of strength, competition, emotion-less, family responsibilities, and protection. At times, these concepts can create narrow definitions of manhood and can pigeon-hole heterosexual men into certain prescribed racial, classed, and gender identities. How can Filipino men navigate an increasingly isolating, brutal, and hyper-masculine so
Episode 225 – Sexual Pleasure with Goddess Cecilia
Did you know that men from the Philippines prior to colonization wore penis pins and rings in order to pleasure their sexual partner during intercourse? Yes, many of our ancestors had all kinds of sex toys and pleasure enhancers. In many ways, being open to sex and sexual pleasure can be seen as a form of anti-colonialism. Everyday, many Filipinos and Filipino Americans have tried to push for a more sexually liberated society, much to the chagrin of the conservative folks in our community and in
Episode 224 | Living with the Land – A Conversation with Dennis Arguelles
Episode 224 | Living with the Land – A Conversation with Dennis Arguelles
This past fall, TFALpodcast’s Elaine took a California Naturalist Training Institute course with Community Nature Connection (CNC). CNC offers this course to anyone who aspires to be a steward of the land. CNC also offers customized trainings like:
Backpacking 101
Camping
CA Native Plants
Hiking
Indoor plant care
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics
Nature Journaling (for beginners or for interpreters)
Wilderness & Urb
Episode 223 – TFAL x Toronto – Sounds of the 6ix with Pantayo and Ruru
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If it’s a music episode, you know Producer Mike is behind it!
In our 3rd and final episode in our Toronto series, we got to get a hangout with Michelle and Kat, two members of the “queer Filipinx kulintang gong punks” crew Pantayo whose incendiary yet soulful music defies even the sheer idea of a genre. We also got to check in with bedroom pop purveyor Denice Quimbo AKA Ruru, a mo
Episode 222 – TFAL x Toronto: Politics and Golf with the Honourable Rechie Valdez and Rise Bogey League’s Adam Robles
We continue our Toronto series with discussions on two very important issues that affect us – politics and golf. As with every visit to another city, we love to talk about the local political scene. Here to talk to us about Canadian politics is Member of Parliament and Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez. She was elected to the House of Commons in Canada in 2021 representing Mississauga-Streetsville and is the first Filipina Canadian member of Parliament. Listen as she discusses her s
Episode 221 – TFAL x Toronto: Welcome to “Torono” with Carlo De La Fuente and Alia Rasul / Pinay Collection with Jovie Galit
In honor of Filipino American History Month, the TFAL crew goes to Canada!!! A couple of weeks ago, we had the wonderful opportunity of visiting our neighbors FAR north, Toronto!!!
It’s been a while since we’ve traveled to another city, so we made the most of it!
During our short trip, we got to meet some awesome kababayan! For the next few episodes, you’ll get to hear from some of the movers and shakers of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). First, we discuss our initiation to
Episode 220 – Island Women Rise – Ask Tita Faith w/Faith Santilla
Last but most certainly not least in our series of Island Woman Rise episodes, we have returning guest Faith Santilla! This episode is a wee bit different in that we call it “Ask Tita Faith” where Faith answers questions from TFAL listeners. Will this be something we do in the future? ABSOLUTELY! Will we start to have conversations about perimenopause? YES! Because no one told us that this was a thing and some of us seem to be going through it. Will Joe be a part of these convos? Pr
Episode 219: Island Woman Rise – Collective Wisdom w/Kimmortal
Continuing our Island Woman Rise series with a lovely conversation with Filipino-Canadian Kimmortal! The TFAL crew shares how we tried to reach out to Kimmortal in 2019 when we traveled to Vancouver, BC. The interview did not pan out because the universe had other plans for us. They share their journey as an artist with the TFAL crew and we manifest a Filipino North American queer musical!
Check out Kimmortal’s music video Blue and Orange, which we speak highly of in the episode.
Episode 218 – Island Woman Rise – Keepin It Klassy
What what? Another episode of TFALpodcast? Yup. This time the TFAL crew chops it up with Klassy, the youngest artist on the Island Woman Rise line up. Klassy shares her journey as a Historic Filipinotown kid with a talent for drawing and writing lyrics. Find out which TFAL crew member has tattoos done by the talented artist!
Listen to GOOD SEEDS by Klassy here:
You can also check out the music video for REDIRECT here:
ISLAND WOMAN RISE: Ruby Ibarra, Klassy, Rocky Rivera, Faith Sant
Episode 217 – Island Woman Rise – Words of Wisdom with Rocky Rivera
Surprise episode drop! Leading up to Island Woman Rise we’re dropping two episodes this week! In this episode the TFALpodcast crew has a conversation with Rocky Rivera who recently dropped LONG KISS GOODNIGHT. Rocky shares her journey as a Frisco city kid turned journalist turned full time artist. Bay area folks, check out Rocky’s album release party Sunday, September 29th at High Tide in Oakland.
Listen to Rocky’s latest album now! LONG KISS GOODNIGHT
ISLAND WOMAN RISE:
Episode 216 | Island Woman Rise: Rising Up w/ Ruby Ibarra
Continuing our series of Island Woman Rise episodes, the TFAL crew has a conversation with the uber talented multi-hyphenated artist who inspired the theme of the show, Ruby Ibarra. Ruby shares her journey joining the Beatrock Music family, her growth as an artist, and drops surprising news to us in the episode! If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out Ruby’s latest music video Bakunawa featuring Ouida, Han Han, & June Millington.
ISLAND WOMAN RISE: Ruby Ibarra, Klassy, Rocky
Episode 215 | Island Woman Rise: Connecting with Producer Kat Carrido Bonds
In this episode the TFAL crew talks story with Kat Carrido Bonds, our fam and frequent fill in for food appreciator Ryan. Kat shares her journey from music aficionado to college student turned pcn coordinator turned cultural affairs commissioner to Filipino American cultural events producer. Kat and her producing partners with AKB Media are bringing ISLAND WOMAN RISE: Ruby Ibarra, Klassy, Rocky Rivera, Faith Santilla, & Kimmortal to the beautiful Ford LA Theater on Saturday, October
Episode 214 – In the Year 3000: Ryan and Joe Predict the Future
“In the Year 2000…”
If you know that line, you remember it was a bit that Conan O’ Brien did during his late night talk show where he and his co-host Andy Richter comically predicted what the world would be like in the year 2000. (Yes, we’re that old). In this TFAL episode, Ryan and Joe attempt to rehash this bit, but for the Year 3000 and for Filipinos. Yes, Ryan and Joe alone (without Elaine and Producer Mike who were on vacation) steer this episode in what they c
Episode 213 – Go for Gold: TFAL Talks Olympics
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Every four years (two years if you care for winter sports) athletes from around the world come together to compete in sporting events at the Olympic Games. It’s a time when we care about such sports as swimming, track and field, gymnastics, and dressage. (Seriously, how many of us really care about these sports between Olympics??). Think of the Olympics as Friendship Games or Sportsfest but a million times
Episode 212 – Sauce-Maryosep: Filipino Flavors with Fila Manila
Ay SAUCE-MARYOSEP!. Have you ever thought of what kind of Filipino sauces and condiments are in your kitchen? Patis, toyo, suka, bagoong, banana ketchup, sinigang packets, etc. These are essential ingredients to all of our wonderful Filipino dishes. OK, so have you also thought of what kind of preservatives and colorings are in them? Sorbic acid? Sodium benzoate? Titanium dioxide? Red No. 5???
Luckily, Fila Manila is trying to create these sauces and condiments without the added preservatives
Episode 211 – Breaking Bed: Rethinking Sex Education Among Filipino Americans
Who taught you about SEX? Was it through school? Was it through watching porn? Whatever means you learned (or are learning) about the various aspects of sex, we could bet it wasn’t through your parents! With the Catholic Church shaping our Filipino way our being, sex education has been reduced to abstinence and “family life.” In many ways, Filipinos and Filipino Americans are quite prudish (at least outwardly) when it comes to sex. This is a subject we really never talk about i
Episode 210 – Building and Sustaining Healthy Communities in Hawaii
TFAL goes to Hawaii! Well, actually just Joe goes to Hawaii. While attending a conference in Honolulu, Joe took the opportunity to do an additional interview with local Filipino American leader, Chachie Abara. Chachie is an Ilocano language and mental health advocate, runs the podcast and media company KasamahanCo, and is author of a bilingual Ilocano children’s book, Ti Nakakaskasdaaw a Padas ni Nasudi (Nasudi’s Amazing Adventure). Listen as we discuss the some the differences betw
Episode 209 – Tagnawa: An Ilocano Response to the Maui Fires
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On August 8, 2023, Maui experienced the largest wildfire in the “United States” in more than 100 years, killing 101 people and displacing 6,500. National media portrayed the disaster as an unfortunate incident to Maui’s idyllic setting for tourism. However, hidden from this mainstream narrative is the larger context of how the wildfires and its disproportionate affect on Filipinos (who make up 4
Episode 208 – Confessions of a Bad Filipino
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I am a BAD Filipino!”
What makes you a “bad” Filipino? It’s time to confess!! In this TFAL episode, the crew discusses what makes us “bad” Filipinos…or rather Filipinos who buck the proverbial trend. Which one of us doesn’t like Jollibee? Who doesn’t mano po? Who doesn’t ever want to send money back to the Philippines? Which one of us supports a white American culture vulture?? We discus
Episode 207 – Bayani Komixtape with Bayani Teodosio
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In this episode the TFAL crew talk with Bayani Teodosio about Bayani Komixtape, the hip hop mixtape follow up to The Realest Bayani, Teodosio’s graphic novel. The crew shares their experience with comic books, pop culture, and learn about Bayani’s origin story that paved the way for the creation of The Realest Bayani. Looking for a graphic novel to read? Pick up The Realest Bayani at www.savidesigns.
Episode 206 – Experiences of a Filipino Adoptee with James Beni Wilson
Did you know that there are currently over 1.8 million orphaned or abandoned children in the Philippines? While formal adoption rates of these children are comparatively low, a significant number of orphaned Filipino children have been transnationally adopted by families in the United States over the decades. In 2000, for example, there were over 10,000 Filipino adoptees living in U.S. households. Just last year, there were 67 adoptions from the Philippines by American families.
This TFAL episo
Episode 205 – Hilaw Pa 6.0
Here it is again…another edition of Hilaw Pa! For those not in the know, Hilaw Pa is where the TFAL Crew shares our half-baked ideas that should be out there in the world. Of course, we’re not going to do it ourselves – thinking them up is our job. It’s up to someone else to execute our brilliant (or not so brilliant) ideas. Listen as we discuss random ideas we had such as a Filipino mariachi band, karaoke in the park, Filipino churrascarias, and more!
Listen or download
Episode 204 – Filipino Psychology and Spirituality with Carl Lorenz Cervantes
How do Filipinos practice indigenous spirituality through Catholicism? Who are these “spirits” our parents or grandparents keep talking about that are around us? What explains the Filipino psyche and the way we make sense of the world? How many souls do we have? Some of these questions have helped many Filipinos and Filipino Americans in their quest for a cultural identity and spirituality. In this TFAL episode, Joe speaks to the brilliant Carl Lorenz Cervantes of Sikodiwa about coun
Episode 203: TFAL talks Palestine w/ Michael Arage & JT | Nevadans for Palestinian Liberation
In this episode the TFAL crew talks with TFAL alum, Michael Arage, and JT of Nevadans for Palestinian Liberation @npl_palestine. In this episode we have a discussion of our history with the Free Palestine movement, why this issue is important to our community, and how we can show our allyship and be a part of the global movement to end this genocide.
Sidenote: There were technical issues during this episode so there may be a few audio issues in the recording.
Palestinian accounts to fo
Episode 202 – Vision Boarding Abundance
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New year new TFAL? Or are we back to our usual shenanigans? Actually, for the first time in months, and thanks to Ryan’s terrible internet, we met up in person and recorded an episode!
One New Years’ tradition that many of the folks in TFAL (and maybe some of you) partake in is the creation of a vision board, a collage of the things we hope to manifest or bring into our lives in the coming year. And
Episode 201 – Lost LA: Historic Filipinotown
Last year, some of us on the TFAL crew had the opportunity to participate in the creation of a special episode of the PBS Socal/KCET show, Lost LA, which focused on the Filipino American community of Southern California. The episode premiered this week and is available on the PBS website or on YouTube. In this TFAL episode, you can listen to our entire discussion with the Lost LA host, Nathan Masters, about Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles and its history. Listen as we discuss what the Los
Episode 200 – TFAL 200 Live! Building Community with Faith Santilla and Johneric Concordia
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Looks like we made it! TFAL’s 200th episode! (Give or take a few bonus episodes and unreleased things here and there…)
Back in October, we recorded our 200th episode live at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Los Angeles. (Well technically, it was our 195th at the time but who’s really keeping track ). Together with community leaders and artists Faith Santilla and Johneric
Bonus Episode: “Filipino Balikbayan is Homecoming in a Box” by Gravy Podcast
Before we end 2023, we’re sharing a special bonus episode for you from our friends at Gravy, a narrative podcast produced by Southern Foodways Alliance and distributed by APT Podcast Studios. Named the “Publication of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation, the series showcases a South that is constantly evolving, using food as a means to dig into lesser-known corners of the region, to complicate stereotypes, to document new dynamics, and to give voice to the unsung folk who grow, cook, a
Episode 199 – The First (?) Annual TFAL Awards!
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2023 is almost over! And to close things out before we get to our grand finale of the year, we decided to do something… a little different? Or maybe not?
In what is apparently essentially in the grand tradition of our reflections on highlights (Episodes 19.5, 140, 157) and/or airing of grievances (Episodes 4.5, 25.2, 142, 180), and not the amazingly creative new thing Producer Mike had hoped he had come
Episode 198 – “Save the Last Tinikling For Me”: Philippine Folk Dances with Ray Tadio
Rondalla. Kulintang. Bamboo poles. Gangsas. Sway balance. DANCE!
We all are quite familiar with Philippine folk dances such as Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Vinta, Carinosa, Banga, and of course, Tinikling. Whether we learned them through P.E. classes back in the Philippines, church festivals in the U.S., on college campuses at a PCN, or even on viral TikTok videos, Filipino Americans have had some exposure to folk dances. How did these dances become so popular and why do they play such a large part of &#
Episode 197 – Filipino American History, Settler Colonialism, and Jeremy Passion’s “Lemonade” with Adrian De Leon
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When and where does Filipino American history begin? Is it on October 18, 1587 in Morro Bay, California? According to our guest in this TFAL episode, this date and time only reinforces a settler colonialist narrative. Writer and public historian, Adrian De Leon, argues that “Filipino America” actually began in the 1760s in the Philippines. Certainly a highly polemical take in Filipino American his
Episode 196 – Dust Your Shoulders Out: Melissa Magsaysay on Filipino Fashion
Many of us have grown up seeing women in our lives rock the duster around the house. The piece of apparel is synonymous with traditionally women’s work. But what if the duster could be updated? What would that look like? In this episode the TFAL Crew, sans food appreciator Ryan Carpio, have an intimate conversation with author and journalist Melissa Magsaysay about Filipino/Filipino American fashion, her family’s history with the barong, and her new brand Duster @shopduster.
Check out
Episode 195 – Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow: Estate Planning and Family Inheritance with Marivel Zialcita
Have you spoken to your parent(s) about estate planning? What will happen to their financial assets when they will pass away? Have you witnessed your family feud over family inheritance or ancestral land? Have you thought of what legacies you’d like to pass on when you eventually transition to the other side?
In this TFAL episode, we collaborate with Pilipinx in Wellness to interview Marivel Zialcita, an estate planning attorney. Listen as we discuss the hesitancy of many Filipinos and
Episode 194 – “Our Vibranium is our Culture”: SF’s SoMa Pilipinas w/ Desi Danganan
The South of Market, or SoMa neighborhood in San Francisco is a historical place for Filipino Americans for a century. Throughout its history, many Filipinos have called SoMa home with its affordable apartments, neighborhood amenities, and proximity to jobs in downtown San Francisco. Community advocates have been established cultural institutions and social services for its largely working class residents for decades, making SoMa Pilipinas, as its affectionately called, a true epicenter of Fil
Episode 193 – TFAL is feeling Nervous: A Conversation with Jen Soriano
Have you ever been in constant pain and could not figure out why? Have you ever felt a knot in your back and felt like you could never break it? What happens when family trauma transcends generations and physically manifests itself in your body? In this episode of TFAL join Elaine and Producer Mike as they talk with Jen Soriano about her journey with chronic pain. The conversation dives into how somatic symptoms can manifest within our bodies. Jen chronicles her journey in her book “Nervous | E
Episode 192 – Say My Name, Say My Name: Code Switching and Pronunciation of Filipino Names
How do you pronounce your name? How do you pronounce your last name? Do you Anglicize it? Do you pronounce it differently when talking to other Filipinos or when speaking Tagalog? Do you correct people who pronounce it differently? How would you pronounce the name “Roxas”?
In this mini-episode, Ryan, Elaine, and Joe discuss the various ways that we as Filipino Americans pronounce our last names, the act of code-switching in certain contexts, and how shame and power may play a part
Episode 191 – Wala Ka Lista: You’re Not On The List
This past month an overzealous group of fans found their way to Lea Salonga’s dressing room after a performance of Here Lies Love. The interaction was then uploaded to the internet for the world to see.
SORRY, NOT SORRY. Christopher Carpila, who drew backlash for uploading the viral Lea Salonga dressing-room video, remained firm in his stance to not apologize to the Broadway star, stressing that he didn’t do anything wrong.
READ: https://t.co/cSWs4Hm3uh pic.twitter.com/1sf6fW2A6n
Episode 190 – TFAL Tambayan: Where do Filipino Americans make Tambay?
Where do Filipino Americans hang out? Where is the place where they are allowed to tambay (Tagalog slang for loitering from the English “stand by”)? Where are can one find Filipino immigrants and Filipino Americans alike in public places?
According to some sociology scholars, the third place in modern capitalist society refers to spaces that are the home (“first place”) and the workplace (“second place”). Examples of third places include churches, cafes, clu
Episode 189 – Filipino American Suburbanization with Dr. James Zarsadiaz
Most Filipino Americans today live in the suburbs – Daly City, National City, Carson, Jersey City, Skokie, Oxon Hill, and on and on. When you think of the Filipino American community since the 1970s, we are by and large a suburban community. There are reasons for this, of course, many of which we focus on in this TFAL episode.
In the first iteration of “TFAL presents Brown Bag Baon,” Joe has a conversation with Dr. James Zarsadiaz, Associate Professor of History and Director
Episode 188 – Money, Money, Money: TFAL talks with Berna Anat, your Financial Hype Woman
Did you know April is financial awareness month? A perfect time to drop this episode with MONEY OUT LOUD author Berna Anat. Berna is your Financial Hype Woman/Manang/Ate/Tita. The moniker “Financial Hype Woman” is her made up way of saying she creates financial education media that lives at @HeyBerna all over the internet. Listen as the crew talks about their own journeys with financial planning, dealing with money, and how that applies to our Filipino American family dynamics.
Get your copy
Episode 187 – Baon Bracketology: Filipino Food Face-Off, Part 2
We’re back at it again. Part 2 of the ultimate Filipino food tournament! Listen as we decide between Sinigang and Tinola, Pancit Palabok and Pancit Bihon, and many other hard matchups. Laugh as you listen to TFAL Food Appreciator Ryan nearly gets an aneurysm from our food debates. And of course, find out what is the ultimate Filipino food! (According to us anyway).
Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here. And for f
Episode 186 – Baon Bracketology: Filipino Food Face-Off, Part 1
This time of year is one of our favorites. It’s March Madness and April is Filipino Food Month. To celebrate these two occasions, the TFAL developed a Filipino Food Bracket! In this Part 1 episode, we explain the parameters of this tournament and go through the first round of 64 Filipino dishes (ulam-only). Listen as Ryan goes crazy over some of our choices, we get Kat to serve as our tiebreaker, and Producer Mike picking meat-only options. Unfortunately, Joe had babysitting duties so we h
Episode 185 – This Filipino American Academic Life
Pursuing a career in academia can be both rewarding and challenging. It often requires a significant amount of dedication, hard work, and resilience. From navigating graduate school to being on the job market to balancing research, teaching, and service, scholars face a range of unique experiences and pressures. For Filipino Americans, the added layers of being imperial and racialized subjects compound the already challenging experience in this sector.
In this TFAL episode, Joe talks to his old
Episode 184 – Rex in Effect: TFAL laughs with Rex Navarrete
Tell us if you’ve heard this one:
“What size is your panty? You’re not large.. you’re size H… HUSKY”
We can still remember listening to this joke in college (before youtube), in an MP3 file that circulated the dorms. Never had we heard a stand up comic that sounded like our uncle. Listening to Rex Navarrete for the first time had the feel of backyard shenanigans with a relative, telling stories, and laughing hysterically. His Filipino accent hit home for ma
Episode 183 – Scam and Jam – TFAL talks about Scams (Allegedly)
In this episode the TFAL crew talks about make out parties in the 1990s. Just Kidding! In this episode the TFAL crew talks about scams, the criminal kind. The crew talks about their recollection of prominent Filipino American scams that happened in Los Angeles like the infamous Jun Reodica who was the leader of a bank fraud scheme that unfortunately took advantage of Filipino Americans in the process of financing car purchases in the 1980s and 1990s. Then there is the recent LA Times article abo
Episode 182 – Supportive White Parents: TFAL Talks Comedy with Joy Regullano
As Filipinos, comedy is a significant part of our lives. Not only is it a source of entertainment, comedy is a way of survival – a salve during the lowest points of our lives. It’s no wonder why Filipinos find humor in anything. In these modern times, performance comedy can come in many forms – stand-up, written narratives, sketches, improv, etc. Where does Filipino American comedy thrive? How can Filipino Americans challenges conventional understanding of our community thro
Episode 181 – Hilaw Pa 5.0
Hilaw Pa 5.0! Once again it’s a new year. With a new year comes new ideas. In this 5th iteration of Hilaw Pa, the TFAL crew once again come up with new random “half-baked” ideas related to Filipino Americans that should be out there in the world. Listen as we discuss a solution to California’s housing crisis, a new Filipino New Year’s Tradition, a more convenient way to eat Filipino BBQ, and much much more!
Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, or subscribe to
Episode 180 – Festivus, for the TFAL in us
The TFAL Crew comes together for a festivus miracle episode! What is festivus? Take a listen and hear our take on the Seinfeld inspired holiday where we air out our grievances aka give our hot takes for 2022.
Do you need to air out your grievances? What are your hot takes for 2022? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com
Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here. A
Episode 179 – TFAL Gives Thanks
Somehow it’s November and the holidays are upon us. In this episode the TFAL crew has a conversation about our favorite Thanksgiving foods, traditions, etc, etc, etc.
What are you thankful for this year? What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com
Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, find us on Mixcloud or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts her
Episode 178 – Josh’s Big Adventure: TFAL Talks to Josh Dela Cruz of Blue’s Clues & You
“Everybody’s looking for Blue’s Clues (and You!)
Come on in, come on in
It’s Blue’s Clues (and You!)”
Some of us remember growing up watching Blue’s Clues, the show that changed children’s programming in a significant way. Nickelodeon introduced us to Steven and his animated dog, Blue, as they found and followed up on clues. The show delighted children for 10 years. In 2019, the show was brought back with a new host, the young Filipino American,
Episode 177 – Celebrations vs Commemorations vs Complications: How Should We Honor Filipino American History?
Happy Filipino American HISTORY Month! How did you celebrate? Why did you celebrate?
The past month here in Southern California was filled with numerous events and moments where Filipino and Filipino American culture and heritage were celebrated, but only a handful seemed to spotlight and focus on Filipino American History itself. And while it may seem like splitting hairs, there are very specific and deliberate reasons for the word “History” to be included in the official designa
Episode 176 – TFAL Fall Update: Ryan the Former Taba-chelor
It’s been a while since the TFAL crew came together for an episode without a special guest. In this episode, we update each other of what’s going on with our lives. Join Elaine, Kat, Joe, and Producer Mike on this very casual episode. Of course, we can not discuss Ryan’s new status as a married man! No more Taba-chelorhood for him!
Also, on this episode, our special T-Pal is none other than the Department of Health and Human Services. We can’t let up on this pandemic
Episode 175 – A “Pretty Incredible” Conversation with Celeste Perez, Co-founder & CEO of Droplet
In this episode, the TFAL Crew have a conversation with Celeste Perez, Co-Founder and CEO of Droplet, a health and wellness company creating adaptogen infused beverages. The TFAL crew learns what are adaptogens, what it’s like to start a company at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how holistic nutrition can be incorporated into our daily lives.
Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, find us on Mixcloud or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here. And fo
Episode 174 – The Value of Community Colleges with Dr. Lily Ann Villaraza
Community colleges are the biggest bang for our buck, and yet there are so many Filipino Americans out there who do not respect such schools. With the higher education landscape rapidly changing, the notion of what constitutes a “good school” should be reconsidered. Moreover, there are some schools that provide a more relevant education for Filipino Americans than most four-year institutions.
In this TFAL episode, we talk to Dr. Lily Ann Villaraza, Professor and Chair of the Philippine Studies
Episode 173 – Futbol is This Filipino American Life! with Anton del Rosario
FUTBOL IS THIS FILIPINO AMERICAN LIFE!!
What is the most popular sport in the world? You guessed it! It’s football! And no, not that kind of football with the oddly shaped ball that’s thrown around with hands mostly and occasionally kicked. We’re talking about futbol, or more commonly known to TFAL (and maybe you) as soccer. Although the popularity of this sport worldwide is massive, in the United States and Philippines, its popularity, one can arguably consider, is still in
Episode 172 – A TFAL Review of ‘Easter Sunday’
In this TFAL episode, we review the much-anticipated film Easter Sunday, the first Filipino American film produced and distributed by a major movie studio. Three out of the four of us were lucky enough to catch an early screening of the film at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood thanks to Gold House, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), and Tremendous Communications.
Listen as Elaine, Ryan, and Joe discuss what it took to get the film made, what we loved about the film, wh
Episode 171 – Bayan Surf Club – Designing a Lifestyle in Santa Barbara with DJ Javier
If you follow TFAL on IG, a little over a month ago you may have caught a quick story post about Bayan Surf Club / DJ Javier‘s collabo with Vans, and if you were really paying attention, you might have been able to catch the very small window of time where the first fruits of that effort quickly went on sale and then very rapidly sold out. Of course, Producer Mike doesn’t sleep when it comes to these kinds of things, and not only was he able to score a pair of low tops and high top
Episode 170 – Celebrating Philippine Independence Day
What does it mean to celebrate Philippine Independence Day? Why do we Filipino Americans celebrate it? What’s the difference between June 12 and July 4 and do people really understand its history? Is the Philippines really “independent”?
Yes, we know we’re on Filipino time with this one, but on this TFAL episode, we dive into the cultural nuances of celebrating Philippine Independence Day in the United States. Listen as we discuss the history of Philippine “indep
Episode 169 – Love letters to Lola | TFAL talks CRESCENCIANA: A Memoir In Words And Illustrations with Kenneth Tan
In this episode of TFAL, Elaine talks with author and artist Kenneth Tan. This conversation was recorded at a pre-Mother’s Day book event at Belcanto Books in Long Beach, CA. In this conversation we learn about Kenneth’s journey with his Lola and what inspired his beautiful coffee table memoir. Since this conversation was recorded at a public event, please note that there is ambient jazz music in the background during some parts of the recording.
If you’d like to purchase a cop
Episode 168 – TFAL Goes to Chicago: Entrepreneurship, NFTs, and Sneakers with Francis Almeda and Jeff Masangcay
This episode rounds out the TFAL crew’s trip to the midwest. On this episode we talk to Francis Almeda, a Chicago based entrepreneur who owns Side Practice Coffee, Reppin Pins, and Filipinoadz. Francis explains what it was like to open a coffee shop in the middle of a pandemic. He also enlightens the crew on what NFTs are and how they work. Make sure to take note of the special TFAL code word that gets you something special at Side Practice Coffee!
Side Practice Coffee, 5139 N Damen Ave, Chicag
Episode 167 – TFAL Goes to Chicago: Arts, Politics, and Community with Ginger Leopoldo and Mark Calaguas
One of the great things about traveling to a different city like Chicago aside from eating the wonderful food and visiting a Michael Jordan monument, is meeting people who have done tremendous work uplifting the Filipino American community.
First, we got a chance to talk to Ginger Leopoldo to talk about what it’s like to grow up in different Chicago neighborhoods and learn about different cultures and what it’s like to raise a family in the Windy City. She also shares some insight
Episode 166 – TFAL Goes to Chicago: Traveling to Chi-Town
The TFAL Crew is in Chicago! Over the next three episodes, TFAL brings you to the capitol of the Midwest! We will talk to some of the city’s community leaders and small business owners and discuss what the MIdwest Filipino American experience is all about.
In this introductory episode, the TFAL crew discusses traveling for the first time since the pandemic and all of the anxiety that fuels. We also talk about our thoughts about being in Chicago and meeting our Chi-Town TPals during our
Episode 165 – The 2022 Philippine Presidential Election
In less than two weeks, Filipinos across the Philippines and dual citizens around the world will go to the polls to elect a new president. This is a very important election for the Philippines and will affect those of us in the diaspora tremendously. We at TFAL want to make sure you all know the basic information about the election.
Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., aka BBM, remains the front-runner ahead of current Vice President Leni Robredo in national polls. There are many peo
Episode 164 – Belligerence Has Arrived! TFAL gets real with Melissa Beck from Real World NOLA Homecoming
In the year 2000 MTVs Real World took the audience to New Orleans and introduced Filipino Americans to Melissa Howard. Over 20 years later Paramount Plus is giving Gen Xers the opportunity to revisit classic Real World casts. In 2021 Real World New York and Los Angeles opened the door to these Homecoming reunions. These shows did not take place in the vacuum. The casts dealt with the impact of Covid, the Black Lives Matter movement, and LGBTQA+ issues.
In this episode the crew learns about Mel
Episode 163 – Who’s le beouf? TFAL talks food criticism with Annabelle Tometich
Surprise, surprise, TFAL talks about their favorite subject – FOOD – in this episode! Specifically food criticism. The team talks about the rise of Yelp reviews to which one of us wanted to be a food critic? Could you guess who that might be? If you suspect a TFAL food appreciator, you might be correct!
In this episode, the team talks story with Annabelle Tometich, a Florida based writer who revealed that they wrote under the pen name of the long established food critic Jean Le Beouf
Episode 162 – Estatue, Filipino America? A Memorial-able Discussion about Filipino American Monuments
Monuments, statues, street signs, plaques, memorials, murals. Our communities are filled with tributes to the people, places, and things that hold some sort of significance to the people who live there, and this holds true in past and present Filipino Communities throughout America. Jose Rizal Bridge, Larry Itliong Village, and the upcoming gateway arch in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown are all signifiers of the impact of Filipinos here and abroad… and yet, do people outside o
Episode 161 – The Complicated History of SPAM with Gabrielle Berbey
Oh SPAM…the delectable, delicious soft pink slab of pork meat so ubiquitous to Filipino and Filipino American weekend breakfast meals. You love it fried, crispy, maybe with a sprinkle of sugar, served with a warm heap of garlic rice and egg. It tickles our taste buds and tummies with such delight, but also clogs our arteries with fat and cholesterol…one of the sinful contradictions our Filipino American lives deal with constantly. How did this beloved processed part the pig become so
Episode 160: TFAL talks The Girl Who Sees with Pattie Umali
It’s no secret that TFAL Producer Mike and Elaine love a good video game from Animal Crossing to Uncharted to Final Fantasy. Role Playing Games (RPG) are a favorite pastime. If only there was a Filipino inspired one we could explore? Well turns out there is!
In this episode the crew shares their experiences with video games and speaks with Patti Umali, creator of The Girl Who Sees, a video game set in World War II Philippines. The game is a point-and-click adventure and turn-based RPG
Episode 159 – The Secret’s Out: Secretly Filipino
Ever wonder why that peculiar Chinese restaurants have no chopsticks on their table settings? Have you noticed that your finance branch at your work has a lot of Filipinos? Did you ever think, what’s up with basketball leagues that are 6 feet and Under?
These questions are some of the same things we’ve asked. We all know about places, businesses, or things that don’t look or sound Filipino or owned by a Filipino, but are DEFINITELY Filipino. But on this episode we spill the be
Episode 158 – Baybayin atbp. with Kristian Kabuay
Baybayin, the pre-colonial written script of the Philippines, is a major foundation of our cultural heritage. The alphasyllabary script consisting of 17 characters was understood and used by communities throughout much of the archipelago prior to colonization. Spanish missionary Pedro Chirino, who lived and studied Philippine society in the early years of Spanish colonization, documented in 1604 that “there is hardly a man, and much less woman, who does not read or write in the letters.
Episode 157 – A Few of TFAL’s Favorite Things – Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Season
In this episode, we shout out some of the many Filipino Small Businesses that we are personal fans of, ones that you should definitely support this Holiday season! Here is the list of who we mentioned on the show, along with some other ones that are also near and dear to our hearts:
Jewelry
Honey My Heart – honeymyheart.com / @honeymyheart
Maaari – maaari.co / @maaari_co
Cambio & Co. – shopcambio.co / @cambio_co
Clothing
Illa Manila – illamanila
Episode 156 – Freethought, Faith, and Politics with Filipino Freethinkers
Gotta have faith!
Freedom
Like many Filipinos and Filipino Americans, the TFAL crew grew up around Christianity, specifically Catholicism. We speak of our upbringing in our podcast, mainly about how it’s shaped not just our adult selves, but the continued practices and traditions of many family, friends and listeners alike. Although we all look at religion differently today from when we were younger — some practicing religiously and others traditionally — we may be able to agre
Episode 155 – Filipi-mnemonics: Remembering the Tagalog with Geoffrey Ocampo
Oh, the dad joke. We all know it. We all love it. And for Filipinos it gives us life. While Dad jokes can be a myriad of things, dad jokes to Filipinos are especially punny (get it?). For one Filipino American, dad jokes have become a way to learn Tagalog words.
In this mini-episode, the TFAL crew joins forces with Geoffrey Ocampo of the Remembering the Tagalog Podcast. As is the usual set up for his podcast, Geoffrey helps the TFAL crew create funny mnemonics of Tagalog words to help us all rem
Episode 154 – Manifest Technique: Talking Filipino Americans and Hip Hop with Mark Villegas (Social Distance Series)
In this episode the TFAL crew is short one Ryan Carpio but is happily joined by Kat Carrido Bonds on this episode about Filipino Americans in Hip Hop. Mark Villegas shares his wealth of knowledge as an academic scholar in this field bridging his previous collaborative work with DJ Kuttin Kandi and Dr. Roderick N. Labrador, Empire of Funk: Hip Hop and Representation in Filipina/O America, to his latest book Manifest Technique: Hip Hop, Empire, and Visionary Filipino American Culture.
Listen to or
Episode 153 – Kulintang Kultura: A Conversation with Theo Gonzalves and Mary Talusan Lacanlale
Kulintang (literally meaning “golden sound moving” in English), is the gong and drum ensemble indigenous to the Sulu and Mindanao islands in the southern Philippines This classical music genre has resonated across the Philippines and throughout the Filipino diaspora. As a way to honor and archive the rich sounds of kulintang, the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings recently released Kulintang Kultura: Danongan Kalanduyan and Gong Music of the Philippine Diaspora, a two cd-set full of tr
Episode 152 – A Life Well Designed: The Legacy of Pinky Santos and the Influence of Filipino Art on the Lived Environment
“If there was one thing to take away from this story, I would hope that it’s motivation for you to go create something.” -Antonio “Miko” Javiniar
This is a story about chairs.
Whether you knew it or not, the rattan and bamboo hourglass-style peacock chair that has been seen in photos and homes for over a century traces its origins to the Philippines. In fact, the first photo taken in what’s often been referred to as the “photographer’s chair” was taken at Bilibid Prison in Manila. Vox’s
Episode 151 – Filipino American Heritage…er History Month
Happy Filipino American Heritage…er History Month!
It’s hard to believe, but in the five years this podcast has been around, we haven’t dedicated an episode to Filipino American History Month (FAHM). So this episode, the TFAL crew discusses our experiences with October ever since the Filipino American National Historical Society declared the month as FAHM. Listen as we discuss how we first learned about FAHM, what we did and currently do during the month of October, why it
Episode 150 – The Wisdom of Guncles: A Conversation with Michael Dumlao (Social Distance Series)
Are you the black sheep in your family who chafes at traditions and seeks examples of how to redefine them? As Filipino Americans, we are constantly pulled in various directions and navigate multiple spaces in our families and in society, often getting shunned for just being our true selves. The black sheep, however, are in key positions to move our families and communities in a more inclusive and equitable direction.
In this TFAL episode, we speak to LGBTQ+ activist, artist, brand manager, and
Episode 149 – Contested Relations: Fil Am Experiences with Filipinos in and from the Philippines (Social Distance Series)
What are Filipino Americans’ experiences and relationships with Filipino immigrants and Filipinos in the Philippines? Filipino Americans – Filipinos who are born and or raised in the U.S. – often have vastly different experiences from Filipinos in the Philippines and those who recently immigrate to the U.S. Sometimes those differences clash when discussing issues of Filipino identity, culture, and politics. And these tensions have significantly heightened over the last few y
Episode 148 – A Pawsome Episode for Filipino American Pet Owners (Social Distance Series)
Although they provide companionship, emotional support, and stress-relieving, these key “family members” of some Filipino American households may not get talked about very often: OUR PETS! On this TFAL episode, we talk about pet ownership and welfare with two Filipino American veterinarians who are passionate about animals: Dr. Maria Solacito and Dr. Ronaldo “Joey” Vasquez. We discuss how to best care for our pets, what animal welfare practices are specific to Filipinos,
Episode 147 – Family Matters: TFAL Talks Taking Care of Family
“As the days go by…it’s the bigger love the family.”
Growing up in communal households, many Filipino Americans sense the unspoken duty to take care of their families. Whether it’s taking care of one’s own children, or one’s parents, or new, adopted members of one’s family, we all know we have some form of obligation to something outside of ourselves. In this very personal TFAL episode, the crew discusses our roles as caretakers for our families.
Episode 146 – No Crying in Baseball: A Conversation with The Baseballogist L.A. Gamo
Take me out to the ball game
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack
I don’t care if I ever get back
Let me root, root, root for the…
How many of you have had the opportunity to sing this song at a baseball game? Filipino Americans love sports, however our fandoms lean towards basketball, a sport where the average height of an NBA player is above 6 feet. Would it surprise you to know that in Philippine history, baseball was once the most popular sport amongst Fili
Episode 145 – Les is More: Mixing It Up with “Les The DJ” Talusan (Social Distance Series)
https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/tfal-episode145.mp3
Can you believe that, in the five years that we’ve been doing this podcast about Filipino American Life, somehow we have neglected to talk to a DJ about DJing?! Neither can we, especially since Producer Mike is a collector and curator of vinyl himself!
Though DJing may be as old as vinyl records themselves, the artform as we know it today really came together through the efforts of Black and Latinx
Episode 144 – Susus Maryosep: TFAL Talks Recent Filipino Representation (Social Distance Series)
In recent weeks, many Filipinos and Filipino Americans have appeared in mainstream U.S. news and entertainment. Whether it’s the release of the Netflix anime series, TRESE, the long-awaited appearance of a Filipino nurse in Grey’s Anatomy, the recent announcement of a Pinay Captain America, or the heroic acts of Jordan Clarkson after a racist incident befell a Filipino food truck in Utah, Filipinos have been in the mix of American popular culture more than usual.
In this TFAL episod
Episode 143 – Filipino American Community Profile: Data and Statistics with Neil Ruiz (Social Distance Series)
How many Filipinos are in the United States? Where are Filipinos located throughout the nation? How well are we doing socio-economically? What does this data tell us about our community?
Many people have researched answers to these demographic questions using statistical data. One of these important figures is Neil Ruiz, Associate Director of Race and Ethnicity Research at the Pew Research Center. Listen as we discuss Neil’s upbringing in a military family, his career as a researcher,
Episode 142 – The Bakit List 3.0: What Grinds Our Gears Edition (Social Distance Series)
3-2-1 …. 1-2-3. What the heck is bothering me?
It’s been a while since TFAL has asked “Bakit?” “Why o’ why?” For our latest edition of the Bakit List, the TFAL team shares what grinds their gears. We look at the annoying and ever so problematic topics that affect Filipino Americans. Some of the discussions include land inheritance, living and perpetuating the lies our parents told us, and dealing with our familial ties back “home.” We also
Episode 141 – Pinays in Political Organizing: A Conversation with Russellie Bongolan & Lillie Madali (Social Distance Series)
What is something that you thought was politically impossible but happened? This is the question that Elaine, Joe, Producer Mike, and special guest host Kat tackle in this conversation about Pinays in Political Organizing. Community and political organizing is a difficult and important job that allows for the impossible to become a reality in our lifetime.
How do regular folks get involved in politics? In this episode the TFAL crew talks with Russellie Bongolan and Lillie Madali. Two Filipina A
Episode 140 – The Good (Ha) Place – TFAL Thinks Happy Thoughts (Social Distance Series)
So… there’s a lot going on in the world. A lot of it not so great. And while we talk about many of those things on our show and in our social media, we figured we all needed to take a little bit of a break to try and focus on the good things that are happening in our lives, and to think about some of the things that have actually brought smiles to our faces in the past few weeks. And while those things may seem in short supply these days, there’s never a bad time to just stop for at least a m
Episode 139 – Cleaming the Gube: TV Writing with Rene Gube (Social Distance Series)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to write a TV or movie? If you had total creative freedom to pitch a show or movie, what would it be about? Would you center Filipino or Filipino American stories?
In this TFAL episode, we talk TV writing with the one and only Rene Gube, comedian, actor, and writer for such shows like Crazy Ex Girlfriend (he played Father Brah) and Superstore. Listen as he discusses his roots in the Filipino American community, how he got his start in the entertainme
Episode 138 – A Year of COVID 19: A Conversation with Cindy Evangelista (Social Distance Series)
It’s been one year since most of the United States has been under quarantine, significantly changing our lives. In this TFAL episode, we reflect on a year like no other, how COVID has affected our personal lives and the lives of many of our kababayan, and reminders of what we need to continue to do while we’re still in the pandemic. Our special guest is Cindy Evangelista, a Filipino community advocate and Physician Assistant. Listen as she gives us additional tips to prevent the s
Episode 137 – tFalling in Love: TFAL Talks Valentine’s Day (Social Distance Series)
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
These brown hands
Choo choo choose you!
Hello TFAL listeners, join us as the TFAL Crew reflects on love. Well…sort of, through the lens of the commercialized and overpriced holiday of Valentine’s day! All joking aside, we can all agree that we need a little more love in this world, and if Valentine’s Day makes us better and kinder people, even for one day, we’ll take it. Listen to our stories about dating, tips to impress Filipino parent
Episode 136 – A Good Death: A Conversation with Death Doula/Midwife Michelle Mondia (Social Distance Series)
2020 will go down in history as one of the most difficult years for so many of us. At the time of writing, 443,000 people have lost their lives to covid-19. Deaths in 2020 that were not Covid-19 related were still impacted by the virus. In certain situations, they were unable to get care that could save their lives because emergency rooms were turning away ambulances. Family members of non-Covid-19 patients in the hospital must get extremely special permission to visit dying loved ones or in ma
Episode 135 – Purge Towards New Beginnings (Social Distance Series)
New Year.
Covid’s still here.
Let’s start purging and clear…
The energy for 2021.
We all know that 2020 was a roller coaster that we were happy to say so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodnight, and goodbye to that wretched year. Within the first week of 2021, we faced an attempted coup attempt and more Covid deaths, especially in our community. As the new year gets going it feels like it’s time to purge the emotional and physical weight of 2020.
In this episode, the TFAL crew with special gu
Episode 134 – Philippine Archaeology and the Ifugao Rice Terraces with Stephen Acabado (Social Distance Series)
Did you know that the Banaue Rice Terraces are actually only approximately 200-300 years old hundred years old, and not 2,000 years old as many people believe? Did you know that the “Wave Migrations” theory of the people-ing of the Philippines has no archaeological basis and is fundamentally racist? Some of these Philippine nationalist narratives have been passed down for generations, including to many Filipino Americans. However, many of these narratives are myths, clouding our knowledge of o
Episode 133 – TFAL Sweet Talks: Filipino Desserts with Ginger Lim Dimapasok of Café 86 (Social Distance Series)
Filipinos are notorious for their sweet tooth. We put sugar in almost all of our dishes. So much so our spaghetti would be a dessert in Italy. And of course, who can forget our traditional desserts? Bibingka, turon, halo halo, Cebu torta, tupig, puto bumbong, ginataan, buko pie…the list goes on and on. In almost every region in the Philippines, desserts are the sweetest part of our lives (diabetes be damned!).
For this holiday season, the TFAL crew decided to dedicate this episode to
Episode 132 – Bumoto Kami: Filipino American Electoral Politics (Social Distance Series)
Election season in the US has come and not quite gone, and regardless of who you voted for (and how you feel about the results), a noteworthy aspect of this year’s Elections were the sheer number of Filipino Americans running for office throughout the country. From Hawaii to Virginia, California to Georgia, and even Utah and Texas, there were a number of Filipino American candidates running for local and national offices this year.
In fact, Filipino Americans have held public offices in t
Episode 131 – Who Ordered Tax? TFAL Talks Pinoy Humor (Social Distance Series)
Filipino humor. You know what it is. Super corny one-liners your mom or dad, aunt and uncle might have said. It may be a play on words. May include using an accent. On Filipino TV shows, it may include a high-pitched, solo laugh track. Some Filipino Americans might find it hilarious. Some may not. Non-Filipinos may not get the joke. Some may. Whatever the case, Filipino humor is distinct, tickling the funny bone of so many kababayans everywhere.
In this TFAL episode, the crew dissects
Episode 130 – Dance Dance Revelations: Filipinos and Hip Hop Dance with J. Lorenzo Perillo (Social Distance Series)
Dance off! Dance crews and line dancers, dance fanatics, and dance contest watchers – gather around for another episode of TFAL as we discuss hip hop dancing and Filipinos’ proclivity towards the art form. We reminisce about our abilities (or inabilities) to follow a dance routine, our love for dancing, and of course, Pilipino Cultural Nights (PCNs). We also get into the nitty-gritty and take a look at hip hop dance through the lens of race, gender, and immigration.
In this episod
Episode 129 – Digging up the Truth: The Celine Archive with Celine Parreñas Shimizu (Social Distance Series)
In 1932, Celine Navarro, a young Filipina American, was buried alive and murdered by other Filipinos just outside of Stockton, California. The murder of Navarro caught national media attention, sensationalizing the crime and painting Filipinos as savage members of primitive cults. Though mostly forgotten now, this horrific incident reverberated through the Filipino American community during the 1930s.
In this TFAL episode, we spoke with filmmaker and professor Celine Parreñas Shimizu about he
Episode 128 – A Stoner’s Parable: TFAL Talks “Call Out” Culture (Social Distance Series)
“Call out” culture, an inevitable part of online conversations, has become a bigger part of public discourse over the past few years. While critique and criticism have been around forever, social media has perhaps accelerated confrontations and further deepened divisions between people as online identities increasingly coalesce with personal identities. And the Filipino American community is certainly not immune from its ethos. There have been many instances over the past year where
Episode 127: TFAL Live – Do The Hustle
Can you believe it’s been six months of quarantine? The TFAL Crew, including sleep deprived new dad Joe, came together this past Wednesday night for a TFAL Live where we engaged in a lively discussion about hustles. We talk about how quarantine and covid has impacted or inspired side hustles. The conversation also delves into the world of multilevel marketing “luxor shaped” enterprises.
Listen through the embedded player below, download directly here or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here.
Episode 126 – LINGUA FRANCA: A conversation with filmmaker Isabel Sandoval (Social Distance Series)
In this episode the TFAL crew, with Kat Carrido Bonds filling in as a guest host, have a discussion with Isabel Sandoval, the artist behind the lyrical and delicate drama LINGUA FRANCA. LINGUA FRANCA follows Olivia, played by Isabel Sandoval, an undocumented Filipino trans woman, working as a caregiver to Olga, an elderly Russian woman, in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. When Olivia runs out of options to attain legal status in the US, she becomes romantically involved with Alex, Olga’s adult g
Episode 125 – When Nature Calls: TFAL Goes to the Great Outdoors (Social Distance Series)
Trading the city and WiFi for nature and No Service may be the break our overstimulated brains need to recharge. In this episode the TFAL crew talks about their experiences with hiking, fishing, camping, and nature. Find out who grew up camping, how karaoke and mah jong can be a part of these trips, and what can happen when you get elevation sickness. Most of all we answer the question, “Do Filipino Americans and the Great Outdoors mix?”
Listen through the embedded player bel
Episode 124 – A Feminist’s Journey Through Pregnancy with Angela Garbes (Social Distance Series)
TFAL is having a baby! Actually, just Gerlie and Joe are having a baby.
The latest change in their lives prompted a discussion about pregnancy as Filipino Americans. In this episode, the TFAL crew delves into what we know and don’t know about pregnancy. Most of our conversation is around what we don’t know because, let’s be honest, most Filipino families aren’t very open about pregnancy and everything that’s involved. What we did learn from our families came through common phrases like, “Don’t
Episode 123 – Culture Shock: How Filipino Americans deal with Americana (Social Distance Series)
Being raised in the United States, we as Filipino Americans have learned American cultural practices that we’ve grown accustomed to and even embraced – eating hotdogs in a bun, trick or treating, camping, Superbowl parties, calling in sick after Superbowl Parties, weekend BBQs, or even being treated to a meal on your birthday. There are even American cultures that many Filipinos practice in the Philippines as a result of American colonialism/capitalism – playing basketball, speaking English, li
Episode 122 – Hold the Line: Standing Up for Press Freedom with Maria Ressa (Social Distance Series)
Have you ever thought about how do you get your news? Obtaining news has quickly evolved over the years. Just in the TFAL crew’s lifetimes, the ways we have consumed news has transitioned from physical newspapers to local afternoon TV news to news sites then to social media feeds. In this new era of rapid information consumption where facts are outweighed by opinion, who and where we get our news from has detrimental consequences.
In this episode, the TFAL crew has the honor of speaking with
Episode 121 – Urban Gardening and Restorative Justice with Richard Garcia of Alma Backyard Farms (Social Distance Series)
The late Asian American activist Grace Lee Boggs towards the end of her life began to devote her activism to the urban agricultural movement in Detroit. She believed that urban gardening provided nutritious food, beautifies neighborhoods, and creates and sustains neighborhood social capital, More importantly, she believed that urban gardening had the capability to be a “quiet revolution,” a movement that liberates people from the pitfalls of industrialization and corporate agriculture. If thi
Episode 120 – Fil Am Allyship in the Black Lives Matter Movement (Social Distance Series)
The murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others at the hands of the police department has ignited outrage all around the world and once again, exposed the deep wounds of racism and inequality in the United States. While it’s easy to dismiss this unrest as somehow “outside” of the Filipino American community, it is impossible to ignore our role.
As Filipino Americans, we are certainly complicit to racism in the United States. How many folks in our community make s
Episode 119 – The Social Distance Series: Mental Health in times of Quarantine with Alyssa Lia Mancao
Early in the TFAL podcast journey we discussed therapy and mental health in Episode 2. As time has progressed the TFAL community has asked to continue the discussion around mental health. In this episode the TFAL crew has a conversation with Alyssa Lia Mancao, a therapist based out of Sherman Oaks, CA, who also goes by Lia. She specializes in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and Inner Child healing.
When quarantine began the concern over the physical toll of quaran
Episode 118 – The Social Distance Series: Pilipino Graduations
Pilipino Graduation. P-Grad. Fil-Grad. Filipina/o/@/x Grad. Whatever the nomenclature, these ceremonies celebrate the educational accomplishments of Filipino Americans at many universities, colleges, and increasingly high schools. P-Grads are more intimate ceremonies where FilAm graduates personally thank their loved ones, don Filipino regalia, and honor a community whose retention and graduation rates are historically not very high. Unfortunately, many FilAm grads won’t get to celebrate P
Episode 117 – The Social Distance Series: Hilaw Pa 4.0
TFAL is back with yet another edition of Hilaw Pa, the ultimate Filipino American brainstorm where the crew comes up with half-baked ideas related to our experiences. In this episode, we discuss Coronavirus-related ideas. Listen as we come up with ideas to hang out with our pals, respect our elders, and grab our food while still maintaining social distancing. If you love Hilaw Pa, you’ll love Hilaw Pa, COVID edition!
Listen through the embedded player below, download directly here or subscrib
Episode 116 – The Social Distance Series: TFAL talks ECQ in Metro Manila with Isabelle Lacson
As we continue our social distance series, we wanted to know what the Covid-19 experience was like in the Philippines. For that perspective the crew talks to Isabelle Lacson, a Metro Manila resident and friend of Producer Mike and Elaine. Isabelle shares what life is like under Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ. While there are similarities to our experiences (social distancing, working from home, businesses changing to delivery models), there are distinct differences like requiring residents