This Filipino American Life

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This Filipino American Life is a podcast that explores the nuanced experiences of Filipinos in the United States, atbp.

This Filipino American Life


    • May 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 6m AVG DURATION
    • 214 EPISODES

    4.8 from 358 ratings Listeners of This Filipino American Life that love the show mention: filipino american, ams, filipina, air horns, grin, elaine, born and raised, east coast, american life, great discussions, identity, i've always, americans, states, good luck, bring back, cultural, can't wait to hear, basketball, ryan.


    Ivy Insights

    The This Filipino American Life podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to explore and understand the Filipino-American experience. The hosts bring a sense of knowledge, concern, and genuine interest in their community that is evident throughout each episode. It feels like sitting down with your ates and kuyas and having a heartfelt conversation filled with laughter, chisme, and insightful discussions. The podcast captures the vibrant range of the Filipino-American experience and provides a space for healing, understanding, and connection.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to create a family dynamic that resonates with listeners. The Filipino insider jokes and references make it feel like you're part of an inside circle, while also allowing for inclusion and accessibility to those who may not be familiar with certain aspects of Filipino culture. The humor is relatable, the conversations are thought-provoking, and there is always room for self-reflection.

    Another great aspect is how the podcast delves into topics unique to the Filipino-American community. From exploring issues of cultural appropriation in PCNs to discussing the challenges of passing on traditions to future generations, each episode offers valuable insights that help listeners understand their own identities and experiences. The podcast doesn't shy away from addressing serious matters while simultaneously providing entertaining content that keeps listeners engaged.

    However, one potential downside of the podcast could be that some episodes may not resonate as strongly with individuals who are not familiar with or connected to Filipino culture. While the hosts do an excellent job of explaining concepts and providing context, there may still be moments where certain references or discussions feel inaccessible or less relatable for non-Filipino listeners.

    In conclusion, The This Filipino American Life podcast is an essential listen for anyone interested in exploring the diverse experiences of Filipino Americans. It truly captures the essence of what it means to be part of this community - filled with joyous laughter, heartfelt conversations, and deep reflections on identity. Whether you're sitting down for a chisme session with your ates and kuyas or seeking to learn more about Filipino culture, this podcast is a beacon for the Filipino-American community, providing a platform for our stories to be seen, heard, and celebrated.



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    Latest episodes from This Filipino American Life

    Episode 231 – Meeting the Moment: A Conversation with Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 57:08


    On Election Day 2024, while most of the level-headed American public mourned the re-emergence of the far-right orange man, local folks in Los Angeles had a moment of electoral triumph with the victory of Ysabel Jurado to the Los Angeles City Council. Jurado is the first Filipino/a/x American to ever serve on the City Council...

    Episode 230 – TFAL x Dear Flor – A Conversation with Lisa Angulo Reid

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 45:38


    In this episode TFAL’s Elaine and Producer Mike have a conversation with Lisa Angulo Reid, founder of Dear Flor @lovedearflor. Dear Flor’s mission is to bring Filipino culture to the world, one flavor at a time. Lisa shares her journey as an entrepreneur and how she transitioned from advertising to the quickly growing cannabis industry....

    Episode 229 – Filipinx Studies and its Radical Possibilities with Allan Lumba

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 73:20


    In this TFAL episode, Joe talks to Dr. Allan Lumba, writer, researcher, historian, and professor at Concordia University in Montreal, about potential of Filipinx Studies to inspire our community to fight for a better world. Listen how he developed into a brilliant scholar focused on Philippine Studies, the growing number of Filipino and Filipino American...

    Episode 228: TFAL talks Animation with Bobby Pontillas (Rise Up Animation)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 70:24


    The TFAL crew is no stranger to the world of animation. In episode 28 (TFAL talks Voice Acting (and Secrets & Fears)), the crew had a conversation with voice actors Eric Bauza (@bauzilla) and Earl Baylon (@earlybgoode). While Producer Mike and Elaine were on their trip in the Philippines, they were able to connect with...

    Episode 227 – Coming Home for the First Time – Elaine and Producer Mike go to the Philippines

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 64:12


    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...

    Episode 226 – Filipino American Masculinity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 86:54


    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....

    Episode 225 – Sexual Pleasure with Goddess Cecilia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 63:57


    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...

    Episode 224 | Living with the Land – A Conversation with Dennis Arguelles

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 38:24


    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...

    Episode 223 – TFAL x Toronto – Sounds of the 6ix with Pantayo and Ruru

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 72:25


    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...

    Episode 222 – TFAL x Toronto: Politics and Golf with the Honourable Rechie Valdez and Rise Bogey League's Adam Robles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 69:04


    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...

    Episode 221 – TFAL x Toronto: Welcome to “Torono” with Carlo De La Fuente and Alia Rasul / Pinay Collection with Jovie Galit

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 65:22


    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...

    Episode 220 – Island Women Rise – Ask Tita Faith w/Faith Santilla

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 41:22


    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...

    Episode 219: Island Woman Rise – Collective Wisdom w/Kimmortal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 56:38


    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...

    Episode 218 – Island Woman Rise – Keepin It Klassy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 38:40


    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...

    Episode 217 – Island Woman Rise – Words of Wisdom with Rocky Rivera

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 51:51


    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...

    Episode 216 | Island Woman Rise: Rising Up w/ Ruby Ibarra

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 47:05


    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...

    Episode 215 | Island Woman Rise: Connecting with Producer Kat Carrido Bonds

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 44:46


      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...

    Episode 214 – In the Year 3000: Ryan and Joe Predict the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 51:06


    “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...

    Episode 213 – Go for Gold: TFAL Talks Olympics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 43:36


    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...

    Episode 212 – Sauce-Maryosep: Filipino Flavors with Fila Manila

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 75:44


    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...

    Episode 211 – Breaking Bed: Rethinking Sex Education Among Filipino Americans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 91:01


    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.”...

    Episode 210 – Building and Sustaining Healthy Communities in Hawaii

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 43:27


    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...

    Episode 209 – Tagnawa: An Ilocano Response to the Maui Fires

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 63:18


    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...

    Episode 208 – Confessions of a Bad Filipino

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 51:04


    “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...

    Episode 207 – Bayani Komixtape with Bayani Teodosio

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 56:53


    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...

    Episode 206 – Experiences of a Filipino Adoptee with James Beni Wilson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 58:19


    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...

    Episode 205 – Hilaw Pa 6.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 45:33


    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...

    Episode 204 – Filipino Psychology and Spirituality with Carl Lorenz Cervantes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 57:38


    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...

    Episode 203: TFAL talks Palestine w/ Michael Arage & JT | Nevadans for Palestinian Liberation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 57:32


    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...

    Episode 202 – Vision Boarding Abundance

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 57:52


    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...

    Episode 201 – Lost LA: Historic Filipinotown

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 49:01


    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...

    Episode 200 – TFAL 200 Live! Building Community with Faith Santilla and Johneric Concordia

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2023 76:05


    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...

    Bonus Episode: “Filipino Balikbayan is Homecoming in a Box” by Gravy Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 28:55


    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...

    Episode 199 – The First (?) Annual TFAL Awards!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 65:45


    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,...

    Episode 198 – “Save the Last Tinikling For Me”: Philippine Folk Dances with Ray Tadio

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 89:05


    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...

    Episode 197 – Filipino American History, Settler Colonialism, and Jeremy Passion's “Lemonade” with Adrian De Leon

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 83:43


    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. ...

    Episode 196 – Dust Your Shoulders Out: Melissa Magsaysay on Filipino Fashion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 73:26


      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...

    Episode 195 – Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow: Estate Planning and Family Inheritance with Marivel Zialcita

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 82:51


    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 194 – “Our Vibranium is our Culture”: SF's SoMa Pilipinas w/ Desi Danganan

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 52:19


    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...

    Episode 193 – TFAL is feeling Nervous: A Conversation with Jen Soriano

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 62:40


    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...

    Episode 192 – Say My Name, Say My Name: Code Switching and Pronunciation of Filipino Names

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2023 41:05


    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...

    Episode 191 – Wala Ka Lista: You're Not On The List

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 29:41


    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...

    Episode 190 – TFAL Tambayan: Where do Filipino Americans make Tambay?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 56:39


    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...

    Episode 189 – Filipino American Suburbanization with Dr. James Zarsadiaz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 76:54


    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...

    Episode 188 – Money, Money, Money: TFAL talks with Berna Anat, your Financial Hype Woman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 81:46


    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...

    Episode 187 – Baon Bracketology: Filipino Food Face-Off, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 58:59


    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...

    Episode 186 – Baon Bracketology: Filipino Food Face-Off, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 46:17


    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...

    Episode 185 – This Filipino American Academic Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 79:40


    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...

    Episode 184 – Rex in Effect: TFAL laughs with Rex Navarrete

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 84:56


    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...

    Episode 183 – Scam and Jam – TFAL talks about Scams (Allegedly)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2023 59:25


    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...

    Episode 182 – Supportive White Parents: TFAL Talks Comedy with Joy Regullano

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 63:39


    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 –...

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