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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. ...
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Episode 197 – Filipino American History, Settler Colonialism, and Jeremy Passion’s “Lemonade” with Adrian De Leon
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...
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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...
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recent Episodes
This Filipino American Life is a podcast that explores the nuanced experiences of Filipinos in the United States, atbp. We release new episodes every other week. Enjoy all our latest episodes here!
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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?...
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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...
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recent articles
Enjoy all our latest written articles here!
TFAL Holiday 2019
This holiday season we’ve been highlighting Filipino American businesses on Instagram. Are you following This Filipino American Life on instagram? Head to @tfalpodcast and give us a follow. Looking...
Sneak Preview Screening of ‘Quezon’s Game’ coming to LA on December 16
ABS-CBN International will be hosting a “special sneak peek” opening of Quezon’s Game in Los Angeles at the Downtown Independent Theater, December 16-22. In a time when the government...
“Joy is Here”: A Review of Hello, Love, Goodbye
Hello, Love, Goodbye is breaking box office records in the Philippines, and now it’s making waves throughout the diaspora. The film centers on Joy (Kathryn Bernardo), a domestic helper...
TFAL at San Diego Comic Con 2019
TFAL is going to San Diego Comic Con this week, and to celebrate, we’ll have these exclusive #SDCC2019 Sticker Packs! So how do you get your hands on one...
EMPTY BY DESIGN
EMPTY BY DESIGN is Andrea Walter’s feature debut and will have its world premiere as the Closing Night film for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Walter’s film...
PARENTALS & #LIFE
PARENTALS highlights how parents and children take on the complexities of today’s world. This shorts program features MANILA IS FULL OF MEN NAMED BOY by Andrew Stephen Lee. In...
meet the Hosts & crew
We started the TFAL podcast in 2016 as friends who loved sharing perspectives on our personal Filipino American experiences. Get to know more about us and our other projects.

Joseph Bernardo
Joe is a 2nd generation Filipino American born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He currently works at a local university in LA and is involved with various organizations & campaigns that support...
More about Joseph >

Ryan Carpio
Ryan was born in Manila, Philippines and immigrated to the United States when he was 7 years old. He grew up in Los Angeles and currently works for the City of LA. He’s a Loyola High School and UC Berkeley alum. In his free time, he likes to sing, teach, play cards, and laugh.
More about Ryan >

Elaine Dolalas
Elaine is a Historic Filipinotown-based writer, podcaster, and independent curator. She curates Color Your Troubles Away, a monthly arts event that offers stress relief, healing, and meditation through coloring.
More about Elaine >

Michael Nailat
Michael, aka waxstyles, is definitely 100% Filipino American, although his facial hair tends to confuse folks for some reason. Born and raised in Oxnard, educated at UC Irvine and USC, it’s no wonder he ended up becoming a DJ...
More about Michael >
Subscribe To TFAL
Listen to TFAL and access all former episodes on your favorite player. This Filipino American Life is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, Mixcloud, or where ever you get your podcasts.
Featured episodes
Here is a selection of our most popular TFAL episodes. Whether it features a special guest or topic close to our hearts, we know you’ll love these episodes. First time listeners start here!