This Filipino American Life

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 its early stages.  In 2018, over 3.5 BILLION people watched the World Cup. And in 2022, the World Cup is estimated to have an audience of 5 billion people worldwide (that’s over HALF of the world’s population). So why don’t more Filipinos and Filipino Americans play it? Today, we talk to Anton del Rosario, an American-born Filipino footballer who plays for Maharlika Manila, of which he is also a co-founder and co-owner. He represented the Philippines national team from 2004 to 2014.  We talk about the life of a professional athlete, how soccer played a major role in his life, and his desire to use the “Beautiful Game” as a vehicle to create more opportunities for Filipino Americans and Filipinos across the world. 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. Do you play football/soccer?  What are your opinions on more Filipinos playing it? Leave us a voicemail and let us know 805.394.TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

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, what we thought wasn’t so great, the nitpicks we had, and the film’s impact on future Filipino American movies. And of course, listen to Producer Mike in his film school beret scoff at all of us for watching a film that will never live up to his standards. Easter Sunday comes out in theaters nationwide on August 5. Listen or download the episode on our website, find us on Mixcloud or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to us podcasts. What are your thoughts on ‘Easter Sunday’? Leave us a voicemail and let us know 805.394.TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.   About the film: Joe Valencia (Jo Koy) is a struggling actor and single father to his teenage son, Junior (Brandon Wardell). For Easter Sunday, Joe and Junior attend a family celebration with their extended Filipino American family. With a feud developing between his mother (Lydia Gaston) and his Tita Theresa (Tia Carrere), Joe must manage his dysfunctional family’s antics in order to ensure the success of the family’s holiday.

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 tops for himself and Elaine, but he was also able to snag an interview with the artist himself!     Hailing from a serene sleepy beach town just north of Santa Barbara, DJ is maybe one of two Filipinos he knew of outside of his family.  But it’s through through his graphic design work and collaborations that he really gets to immerse himself and others in his heritage. From his creative studio Bayan Surf Club and through his online storefront Canto Vision , DJ has already unleashed an incredible body of work that pays homage to his Santa Barbara skate and surf roots, with the influences of the motherland sprinkled throughout.  But how did he end up partnering with Vans, and what’s next for this amazing artist from the 805?  And when are those Vans Slides getting released?! Well you’ll just have to listen to this episode to find out!     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. Want to shout out your favorite Filipino designers? Leave us a voicemail and let us know 805.394.TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com. First image by Producer Mike, all other images provided by DJ Javier.

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 “independence,” the pageantry of cultural celebrations in our community, and the unique Filipino American identity that emerges from “Kalayaan.” As a bonus, you’ll get to learn all about the official hymn of Miagao, Iloilo. 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. Got any opinions on Philippine Independence Day and how we should acknowledge it in the diaspora? Leave us a voicemail and let us know 805.394.TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

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 copy and are local to the Southern California area, signed copies are available at Belcanto Books! You can also purchase copies directly from Kenneth’s site: The Lola x Kenneth Collaboration. Daghang Salamat to Kenneth and Jhoanna Belfer of Belcanto Books for the opportunity to talk about this lovely memoir and for the audience who joined us for the book talk. 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.   Bel Canto owner Jhoanna Belfer and CRESCENCIANA author Kenneth Tan  

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, Chicago, IL 60625   The second interview in this episode is with Jeff Masangcay, founder of the non-profit Bata Sole. Bata Sole aims to collect & distribute new & used athletic shoes to impoverished communities. This journey originated from a trip Jeff took with his family to the Philippines. The trip sparked the idea for the non-profit and later Camp Sole, a youth basketball camp that also instills values of caring for your community. This conversation may lead to a few controversial basketball opinions (please note these are the sole opinions of Joe Bernardo and Joe Bernardo alone).    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.   Many thanks to the Filipino American community in the Chicago area. The team only scratched the surface on what Chicago has to offer. Where should the TFAL crew travel to next? Leave us a voicemail and let us know 805.394.TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.    

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 about the organization Circa Pintig, their work, and how art challenges community thought as well as gathers community together. Check out Circa Pintig’s YouTube channel here In the second part of the episode, we got to talk to longtime listener and supporter of TFAL, Mark Calaguas, Board President of Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) and active member of Filipino American Lawyers Association in Chicago (FALA Chicago) and NFALA, it’s National parent organization.  Mark explains his path from his hometown of Detroit to fighting for marginalized groups and advocacy for Filipino Americans in Chicago. Through these conversations we see similar issues that Filipino Americans face across the United States, and also some of the nuanced experiences of Filipino Americans in the Chicago/Midwest area. What was not in the episode – Ginger and Mark brought us some presents and goodies.  Bottom line, a good time was had by all as we continue to realize…we’re all in this together. 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.

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 meet-up.  And of course we discuss Joe’s LOVE of Michael Jordan and the ongoing G.O.A.T. debate. (Joe’s commentary: Fuck that.  There is no love there.  Michael Jordan is the most overrated athlete in history.  His mystique is fueled by corporate interests – Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, etc. – that emphatically clouded the minds of the populace and elides any rational thought of how basketball actually operates.  Michael Jordan is the ultimate epitome of false idolatry.  If you want to read the conclusive article about the MJ sham, here is a piece I wrote a few years ago!) Uh…OK.  Thanks, Joe.  On to the show? 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’s your experience in Chicago?  Have you traveled since the Pandemic?  Let us know by leaving a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or emailing us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com! This episode is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services.  Go to vaccines.gov for further vaccine info and find a vaccine near you.

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 people running for president, but these two stand above the rest.  Marcos is the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who during his martial law regime tortured and murdered thousands of Filipinos. Critics accuse candidate Marcos of using social media and misinformation to target young voters, many of whom have no memory of life under his father’s rule. While Robredo is riding a recent wave of popularity. In this episode, we talk to Rappler journalist Michelle Abad about the elections, the current candidates and issues, as well as why Bong Bong Marcos continues to be popular despite the horrific acts in the hands of his family.  We also discuss why this election is so important to Filipino Americans and why we need to pay attention to it. 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. Who is your family supporting?  Who would you support?  Let us know by leaving a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or emailing us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com!

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 Melissa’s, now Melissa Beck, journey from reality tv to stay at home mom. The discussion ranges from learning about Melissa’s Florida roots (shoutout to the 813) to her memorable entrance into the Real World New Orleans house with her Calrose bag of rice. Real World New Orleans Homecoming drops on Wednesday, April 20th on Paramount +. Make sure to follow Melissa on Twitter @MelissaBeckRWNO and Instagram @MelissaBeckRWNO for more gems that she will probably give to followers of the show!   Want your own Belligerence Has Arrived tote? Head to Melissa’s online store to pick up this tote and even a “I’m Not Trying To Mess With That Lady” t-shirt! 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 reality tv shows do you watch? What would your idea for a Filipino American reality tv show be? Should we do a Real World NOLA Homecoming IG Live watch party? Let us know by leaving a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or emailing us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com!