This Filipino American Life

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 about former Philippine “actor” David Bunevacz who took advantage of investors in a fake weed business. Find out who the crew thinks would be the best scammer? Can you take a guess who we thought it would be? Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here. And for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. What are your experiences with scams? Have you ever gotten hooked into one? Have you committed one? Let us know (anonymously of course!) Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at  thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

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 through comedy?In this TFAL episode, we discuss comedy as both a genre and a career with Joy Regullano. Joy has had a long career as a performance artist, writer, and comedian. Listen as we talk about her journey disappointing her parents, how ethnic studies and PCNs helped shape her career, and the triumphs and challenges in the entertainment industry. We also talk about her amazing community productions Filipino AF and her upcoming Supportive White Parents album. Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on this page, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts here. And for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. What are your thoughts about comedy?  Having supportive parents?  Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.  Maybe tell us a joke that we’ll read on our next episode?!?

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 us on Apple Podcasts here. And for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. Do you have any hilaw pa ideas that you would like to share? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

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. And for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tfal-episode180.mp3

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 here. And for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here.    

“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, Josh!  Now new generations of children are growing up with a Filipino helping them figure out clues, learning and laughing along the way. In this TFAL episode, we speak to the one and only, Josh Dela Cruz, the host of the children’s show, Blues Clues and You.  We discuss his journey through musical theater, his rise in Broadway and Nickelodeon, and his passion to change the normative narratives that so many of us have grown up believing. Also, make sure to check out the new movie Blue’s Big City Adventure streaming on Paramount+ beginning on November 18! 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 for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. What were your favorite children’s shows?  If you have kids, what shows do they watch? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com …

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 designation of this month.  When it was fist declared in a resolution by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FAHNS) in 1992, it was specifically proposed to be ” a significant time to study the advancement of Filipino Americans in the history of the United States,” a somewhat different proposition from the cultural dances and ube colored foods that tend to dominate social media feeds. At the same time, the history that is often highlighted during this time can feel somewhat incomplete.  For example, October was chosen by FAHNS for Filipino American History Month as a way to commemorate the date of the first recorded presence of Filipinos within the borders of what was to eventually become the United States.  But what else do we know about that landing?  Why were the “Luzones Indios” even there on that ship, what happened when they stepped foot in what is now Morro Bay, California, and is that worth celebrating?  What defines a celebratory moment in our history?  And what are we missing by not digging deeper? 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 for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. And what should be on our future Filipino American History Month Advent Calendar? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com

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.  It is still here and it’s affecting all of us.  Make sure to get boosted and continue to stay safe. 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 for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. Got an life update you’d like to share? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com

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 for folks on Spotify, you can take a listen to us here. What is your experience with holistic nutrition? Have you tried adaptogens? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com Follow Droplet @drinkdroplet on Instagram and Twitter Want to try Droplet? Get the 3 pack sampler and try all three flavors (Pretty Balanced, Pretty Happy, and Pretty Bright) Purchase Droplet here: https://shop.drinkdroplet.com/

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 Department at City College of San Francisco.  In our discussion, we talk about the value of community colleges, the large stigma of this branch of education in the Filipino American community, the unique student life of community college students, and how the City College of San Francisco has provided Philippine Studies course to its students for more than 50 years.  In addition, the TFAL crew discusses what our impressions of community college growing up and how we all need to check our perspectives and biases during the intro. 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 for folks on Spotify, you can listen to us here. What is your experience as a community college student? Leave us a voicemail and let us know 805.394.TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.