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Episode 257 – Random Filipino Food Questions
Is hopia a dessert? What started out as a random argument Elaine and Producer Mike had snowballed into a whole TFAL mini-episode about random Filipino food questions. Listen as...
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Episode 256 – Hot Tropiking with Angelo Mendez
If you are into comic books, then you must absolutely know Hot Tropiks, the leading distributor of Filipino comics and children’s literature in the United States. The owner and...
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Episode 255 – Combo on the Run – Exploring the Enduring Legacy of Eraserheads with Diane Ventura and Ely Buendia
April 24, 2026 thisfilipinoamericanlife FILIPINO, FILIPINO AMERICAN, podcast, Podcasts, TFAL 0:48:28 0 CommentsToday’s the day! “Eraserheads: Combo on the Run” is releasing throughout North America across over 60 screens, one of the biggest and widest releases of a Filipino documentary ever. And...
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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 249 – The Fil Am Celebrity Draft
Have you ever dreamed about a TV show with an all-Filipino American cast? What kind of show it would be? Who would star in it? In this TFAL episode, Elaine, Joe, and Producer Mike dream up their ideal TV...
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Episode 248 – Community Care with Kalaya’an Mendoza
In this episode of the podcast, Kalaya’an Mendoza returns to talk with the crew about community care. This episode is dedicated to the folks in Minnesota and beyond who are grieving, protesting, and resisting ICE kidnappings and intimidation. The...
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Episode 247 – Seafood City Late Night Analysis
Over the last few months, the hottest night out can be had at a Filipino supermarket. If you’re lucky enough to live near a Seafood City, you might have seen or experienced the multi-generational viral dance party conceptualized by...
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Episode 246 – Scientific Dragons | Flowers for Dom Magwili
Dom Magwili is a prolific actor, writer, and educator who has graced his presence on stage and screen for years. Most importantly Dom has played a role in our lives when he guided Kat as she was PCN coordinator...
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Episode 245 – Filipino American Anthems
What is the Filipino American anthem? Is it Bebot by the Black Eyed Peas? P.T.I. by Carl Angelo? Lemonade by Jeremy Passion? Us by Ruby Ibarra? Do You Miss Me? by Jocelyn Enriquez? Todo Todo by Daniela Romo (you...
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Episode 244 – F*ck Cancer with Arthur Yu
In this episode the TFAL crew has a conversation with Arthur Yu. Arthur Yu was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2023. Arthur did all the things you needed to do like rounds of chemo and looking for bone...
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recent articles
Enjoy all our latest written articles here!
OMENG SATANASIA
What film has a satanic dance number, singing angels, perilous escapes, bawdy humour, and a rough and tumble fight scene? The visual mind trip of a film OMENG SATANASIA,...
JOURNEY TO IFUGAO
JOURNEY TO IFUGAO follows five Filipino artists and healers as they travel from Los Angeles to the Philippines on a spiritual quest for their identities and indigenous roots....
I Gotchu Fam, Always
I Gotchu Fam, Always is a shorts program where folks will see the likes of Tess Paras make her directorial debut in THE PATIENTS, the Academy award nominated...
NO DATA PLAN
NO DATA PLAN by Mike Revereza makes its west coast premiere at LAAPFF. Named as one of 2018’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film to Watch,” Revereza challenges formal...
Counterflow: Currents in New Filipina/o Music
Check out this visual mixtape curated by former TFALpodcast guest Joel Quizon! Counterflow is an experience that features shorts from Philippine artists redefining and reworking the contemporary Filipina/o...
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...
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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!