This Filipino American Life

Joe wrote a book! Well…kinda. After a few years of gathering photos and writing, Joe has published FILIPINOS IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, a pictorial history that traces the historical and cultural shifts of this quintessential suburb through the lens of generations of Filipinos who made the San Fernando Valley their home. This book is the newest edition of “Filipinos in…” books from Arcadia Publishing. In this TFAL episode, Joe talks with the TFAL crew about his book and the process of writing it. Listened as he discusses why he wrote it, his approach to the book (which may differ from previous Filipino Arcadia books), and why the San Fernando Valley is instructive to understand Filipino American history and culture. Also, listen to our bastos, yet hilarious conversation about the Valley’s once booming porn industry. This episode is especially dedicated to the people of the 818, Elaine and Joe’s home. ABOUT THE BOOK The majority of Filipino Americans reside in suburban communities, yet this history has been largely absent from both academic and popular narratives. FILIPINOS IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY offers a visual and narrative glimpse into the lives of Filipino Americans in the place some have dubbed “America’s Suburb,” from early immigrants to the post-1965 wave that helped redefine the suburban experience in Southern California. Many of the photographs and anecdotes spotlight how this community navigated the transformation of the Valley during the economic and demographic shifts of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. This book documents how suburbia shaped Filipinos, and how Filipinos, in turn, shaped suburbia in their own unique way, contradictions and all. Look out for more posts on how to get a copy of FILIPINOS IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY and other book events.

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/tfal-episode236.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/tfal-episode236.mp3]   In this episode the TFAL crew has a conversation with author Randy Ribay. The crew has discussed Patron Saints of Nothing multiple times, so this conversation was long coming. In fact, we thought we had already spoken to Randy Ribay! So glad we got to have this conversation with Randy about his journey as an author. For folks lucky enough to be at San Diego Comic Con, make sure to check out his panel at today at 6pm in Room 25ABC. Also make sure to check out some TFALpodcast fav vendors like @artofpao_official [https://www.instagram.com/artofpao_official/], @lepetitelefant [https://www.instagram.com/lepetitelefant/], @patrickballesteros [https://www.instagram.com/patrickballesteros/], @scottlost [https://www.instagram.com/scottlost/] at @headlockedcomic [https://www.instagram.com/headlockedcomic/], and everything that the @lumpiamovie [https://www.instagram.com/lumpiamovie/] crew is programming! Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. What’s a story that you would love to tell? Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/tfal-episode235.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/tfal-episode235.mp3] In this episode Producer Mike and Elaine have a conversation with TFAL graphic designer Vincent Collyer and his brother Charles Collyer about Charles’ experience with a surprise diagnosis of lung cancer. Charles explains how a post Tough Mudder run lead to a rib injury which the X-rays lead to his lung cancer diagnosis. Post lung cancer surgery, somehow Charles decided to get back into running and began training for races.   O.C. dance crew hopes to make its break on TV – Orange County Register [https://i0.wp.com/www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/kpi/kpik1z-b78394996z.120080829174737000g1udsil8.1.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1] Charles (bottom left) with Sick Step during their run on America’s Got Talent   [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/WhatsApp-Image-2025-07-11-at-10.07.06-AM.jpeg?resize=445%2C668&ssl=1] Vincent & Charles at Producer Mike and Elaine’s wedding Charles Collyer - IMDb [https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYzgzZTc5NzEtODljZS00NTcxLTllMGYtYjFmNTY1MjNkODYzXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg] Emmy award winning visual effects artists Charles Collyer Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. Want to share your experience with cancer? Are you a runner? Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.   This episode is brought to you by Oblivious Nerd Girl Services. If you need a mobile notary in Los Angeles County, you can reach out to Elaine and she can take care of it for you! [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.png?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1] [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/3.png?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1] [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/4.png?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1] [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/5.png?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1] [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/6.png?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1]

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tfal-episode234.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tfal-episode234.mp3]   In this episode the crew has a conversation with author and filmmaker, Jill Damatac, who shares her journey from the Philippines to the States to the UK all through the lens of an undocumented immigrant. Instead of a traditional cookbook, which predominantly focuses on recipes and then sprinkles in family stories, Jill does the opposite and weaves recipes in between Philippine mythology and family history. This timely conversation highlights the perils and resilience of what it means to not have the luck of being born in the States and afforded the luxury of citizenship. Pick up a copy of Dirty Kitchen wherever books are sold like your local independent book store, Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dirty-kitchen-a-memoir-of-food-and-family-jill-damatac/21867902?ean=9781668084632&next=t], or Barnes and Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dirty-kitchen-jill-damatac/1146384413?ean=9781668084632]. Are you or a loved one in need of support? Pilipino Workers Center [https://www.pwcsc.org/] has resources available: * PWC Immigration Related Emergency. 24/7 Hotline. Call 820-777-4102 [tel:(820) 777-4102] * Request a Know Your Rights Card in English and Tagalog: Know Your Rights Card [https://bit.ly/pwcredcard] * Join a PWC’s Community of Care: PWC Membership [https://www.pwcsc.org/pwc-membership-form] Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. Do you have a similar story to Jill’s? Want a place to share your story anonymously?Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

Amidst the chaos, we still have hope. A couple of weeks ago, Ryan and Joe had a conversation about being relatively new dads. With Father’s Day approaching, the two TFAL dads discuss their experiences navigating fatherhood and all that it entails. Listen as they talk about how their identities changed as new responsibilities came, how they unconsciously emulate their own parents while trying to mitigate and stop generational trauma, and above all else, how they try to lead with love as much as possible. Parenting is difficult. Perhaps one of the most difficult responsibilities in life. Ryan and Joe don’t have all of the answers, but they try the best they can…which is all you can ask for. Please take a listen and let us know your thoughts. Do you have any advice for any dads out there? Email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com. This episode is dedicated to all the dads out there. Never stop learning and growing.