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New TFALEpisode 73 (31.5) – Reflections on Beauty Pageants and Miss Universe Catriona Gray
Though beauty pageants in the Philippines can be traced back to the celebration of Santacruzan and other religious festivals, modern beauty pageants, emerged out of the Manila Carnival, an...
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New TFAL
Episode 31 – TFAL Goes to SD: Community Organizing w/ DJ Kuttin Kandi, Kirin Macapugay, and Ree Obana; Filipino American Apparel w/ Zar Javier of Kampeon Co.
We conclude our San Diego interviews with community organizers DJ Kuttin Kandi, Kirin Macapugay, and Ree Obana. In this discussion we highlight the issues that these womxn currently...
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New TFAL
Episode 30.5 – TFAL Goes to SD: Filipino American Politics with SD Councilmember Chris Cate; Broadcast Journalism with KGTV Newscaster Melissa Mecija
“Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale’s vagina.” – Ron Burgundy Anchorman jokes aside, San Diego has...
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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 28.5 – Stockton’s Little Manila, Journey for Justice, and the Legacy of Dawn Mabalon
Stockton, California, an agricultural city in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, was the center of Filipino life in the United States for much of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1920s, thousands of Filipinos called Stockton home. ...
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Episode 28 – TFAL talks Voice Acting (and Secrets & Fears)
On this episode of TFAL the crew shares their memories about their favorite cartoons and imagine what a Filipino American cartoon show would look like! We then geek out with Eric Bauza (voice of Marvin the Martian and countless other characters that he will recount in the episode) and three time return guest Earl Baylon, […]
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Episode 27.5 – The TFAL Game Show!!
Hey there TPals! In this episode, we change things up a bit and host our first ever TFAL Game Show! Listen as Elaine, Ryan, and special guest Berto battle it out over Filipino and Filipino American-related trivia questions. Earl...
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Episode 27 – TFAL goes to DC
Lincoln Memorial at night. According to 2016 Census estimates, there are over 87,000 Filipino Americans in the Washington DC Metro area, and over 175,000 when you include all of Virginia and Maryland. But as an LA-based podcast, we only...
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Bonus Episode – TFAL talks Crazy Rich Asians
On this bonus episode the TFAL crew talks about the recent phenomenon that is Crazy Rich Asians. The popular novel by Kevin Kwan debuted in 2013. The film premieres this month with high expectations. Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle...
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Episode 26.5 – Filipino American Weddings
(Photo Credit: In The Clouds Events) The union of two people is a very momentous occasion and the catalyst for much celebration throughout human history. Weddings signify many things from the love of two people, the alliance of two...
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recent articles
Enjoy all our latest written articles here!
Spotlight on Taiwan
The 34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) shines a light on the country of Taiwan, highlighting the best in Taiwanese cinema and the country’s rich culture and history that have shaped the island nation into one of the most dynamic countries in the Asia-Pacific Rim. This year, LAAPFF is honored to present two...
The No Spin Zone
This Filipino American Life shorts program recommendations! The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival continues to highlight talented short filmmakers and storytellers. A few short films that shouldn’t be missed are Just A Kid From Seattle, Fakeapino, Limboland, and Aswang Next Door. If you are looking for one shorts program to check out, TFAL recommends...
The Cleaners + Call Her Ganda
This Filipino American Life Documentary Recommendations! THE CLEANERS and CALL HER GANDA are two films in the documentary competition for Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Under the International Documentary Feature Competition there is THE CLEANERS highlights who’s job is it to Olivia Pope/fix your online profiles. CALL HER GANDA makes it’s west coast premiere...
The Fever and the Fret + Neomanila
This Filipino American Life Features Recommendations! The Fever and The Fret and Neomanila are two films that are in the features competition for Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. The Fever and The Fret is in the Narrative Feature Competition, while Neomanila is in the International Feature Competition. Neomanila also happens to be by Mikhail...
PRISON FOOD
This Filipino American Life is thrilled to be a community sponsor for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival premier of PRISON FOOD, a docu-series directed by Aditya Thayi and hosted by The Park’s Finest owner Chef Johneric Concordia. Throughout the docu-series Chef Johneric learns how inmates prepare meals for each other under the circumstances...
Volunteer at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival!
Why volunteer at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival? For perks like free movies! You also will get this awesome free shirt! Volunteer Benefits Also Include: Meeting film industry professionals and artists, Asian Pacific American community members, and fellow film enthusiasts An official festival volunteer shirt Vouchers for Festival screenings (1 voucher every shift)...
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 iTunes, Google Play and Mixcloud.
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 eps. First time listeners start here!
