4 Million Filipinos - Filipino-American Origin Stories

The one where the guys unpack all the reasons for negative reviews from the Fil-Am community for Jo Koy's recent movie Easter Sunday. where Jo Koy stars as a man returning home for an Easter celebration with his riotous, bickering, eating, drinking, laughing, loving family, in this love letter to his Filipino-American community.

Special Episode: A Discussion with Fay Darmawi, Producer on the upcoming Film "Sa-Amin: Our Place" A documentary about the untold story of Filipinos in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, the cultural heart of the Filipino-American community. It's the story of how Filipino activists, artists and intergenerational families are claiming a right to the city, battling against displacement caused by urban renewal, real estate speculation, and tech booms. It features powerful interviews of current residents and community leaders covering decades of organizing, including Teresa Dulalas who challenged eviction after eviction; teacher and parent, Tina Alejo, who fought to keep open the Filipino bilingual program; and Janine Lacap, part of the next generation of leaders. https://sfurbanfilmfest.com/https://saaminfilm.com/Help Support the Film- https://www.supportourstory.com/sa-amin-our-place

A young filipino woman's account of faith, courage, and survival during and after World War II. In this multi-episode series, we'll hear the story of Marion Ghent (as told by her Daughter, Cindy Scott) In this episode, we learn about how Marion finds her father's American family, migrates to the USA and eventually graduates from College - and return to the Philippines. Get the book on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Forsaken-gripping-account-survival-ebook/dp/B08MQVZPD1

A young filipino woman's account of faith, courage, and survival during and after World War II. In this multi-episode series, we'll hear the story of Marion Ghent (as told by her Daughter, Cindy Scott) In this episode, she shares the story of how her mom survived in the rainforest on-the run from the Japanese invaders, learn the miraculous story of how she reconnects with her father's American family, then migrates to the USA to live among the family and complete her education. Get the book on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Forsaken-gripping-account-survival-ebook/dp/B08MQVZPD1

A young filipino woman's account of faith, courage, and survival during and after World War II. In this multi-episode series, we'll hear the story of Marion Ghent (as told by her Daughter, Cindy Scott) In this episode talks about what it was like hiding among the Muslims on Mindanao, becoming a POW, and escaping the Japanese. Learn the miraculous story of how she reconnects with her father's American family, then migrates to the USA to live among the family and complete her education https://www.facebook.com/Never-Forsaken-105544414659721/

A young filipino woman's account of faith, courage, and survival during and after World War II. In this multi-episode series, we'll hear the story of Marion Ghent (as told by her Daughter, Cindy Scott) as she experiences the death of her father, Japanese attacks during WW II, hiding among the feared Moros on Mindanao Island, becoming a Japanese POW, escaping and how she survived the war. Learn the miraculous story of how she reconnects with her father's American family, then migrates to the USA to live among the family and complete her education https://www.facebook.com/Never-Forsaken-105544414659721/

This week, we have a very special episode just for Valentine's Day. Our Fil-Am friend Ricky Baizas returns to the show, and shares his past experiences navigating the brave new world of dating americans and tips for using dating apps in the US.

Jade + Dave, a young Fil-Am couple raising their kids in Connecticut, share their inspirational origin story - Jade talks about her experiences coming to the US on the 90 day Fiancé visa, Dave shares his secret to making long distance relationships work, what its like to plan a wedding in 90 days and what happened to them during the Sept 11 2001 attacks.

Dr. Racquel Zapanta LeGeros, professor + associate chair of the Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics and the Linkow Professor of Implant Dentistry at NYU, Dr. LeGeros came to the US in the early sixties as the first of her 8 siblings to immigrate to the US. She became one of the leading pioneers in the field of calcium phosphate research in teeth and bones (Dental Implants + Prosthetics) A truly remarkable Fil-Am, who helped other Filipinos whenever she could. Her life story as told by her daughters Katherine LeGeros Bajuk and Alessandra LeGeros.

Andrew Zapanta, is a musician, artist and photographer from Brooklyn, NY. (https://www.zapmurals.com) Born to a Jewish-American mother from Brooklyn and a Filipino Father, thus began his life as he was destined to live it, going in several directions at once. This is a "choose your own adventure" story. Listen in as Andrew talks about his new found interest in cooking Filipino food and his pilgrimage to the Philippines to seek out what being Filipino was all about.

"Made in the USA" is a unique origin story about Fil-Am, Neil Torrefiel. Born in California to undocumented parents, living in the Philippines during his formative years and returning to San Francisco to restart his life. In this episode, Neil shares experiences of how searching for his identity as a Filipino American in the East Bay and traveling the world helped him find his passion projects - founding a design agency who's mission is to further social equity and justice through digital experiences. (https://summerdesign.co) and taking on the role of Executive Dir at the non-profit media organization: Filipino Arts & Cinema Int'l (https://www.facine.org)

In the final episode of Jojo's story, we get a little personal, he talks about his relationship, how he shares his filipino culture with non-filipino friends and we learn about his latest passion project in AI and healthcare, and how it will enable a brighter future for a whole new generation of filipinos

Part 2 of 3, Jojo chronicles the events following his father's terminal diagnosis. Leaving his successful career in Chicago, Jojo moves back to home to spend time with his dad, helps bring the social network "Multiply" to the Philippines as part of his long career as the VP of Global Marketing at ABS/CBN International (The Disney+ and Netflix of the Philippines) In this episode, Jojo shares many interesting insights and consumer research relating to Filipino-American behaviors.

"Just When Everything Was Going So Well" In part 1 of this 3 part story, Jojo Ines shares his experiences from the early days of his origin story, moving to the US in the early 90's, getting his MBA from Harvard Business School but struggling to find a job due to his immigration status, finding a once in a lifetime opportunity at a tech start-up in Chicago - and just when things are looking up for him, he gets the heartbreaking news that his father is diagnosed with late stage lung cancer and only has 6 months to live.

In part two of the Ricky Baizas story, we learn about his long road to redemption and how he finally gets his US citizenship. He also shares a bit more on why he feels so passionate in helping other Filipino Americans find their way to the "American Dream"

Ricky Baizas was a true believer in the "American Dream" - that if you come to US and work hard enough, your fate can be one of prosperity. But this story is not filled with success stories or inheritances handed down from wealthy grandparents; instead it's about what happened when his dream turned into nightmare? In part 1, Ricky talks about what happens when you lose it all, your family, your job and worst of all - you lose all hope.