The Filipino American Woman Project

187: I'll Always Want to Save You, Mother — By Ren

18 min · 15. maj 2026
episode 187: I'll Always Want to Save You, Mother — By Ren cover

Description

Who is the one person you will always save, no matter what? This letter is for the Filipino American woman who has spent her whole life showing up for everyone around her, and only recently started to wonder what that has cost her. In this letter, Ren grows up as her mother’s emotional confidant, her younger brother’s stand-in parent, and the steadiest friend and partner anyone around her has ever had. She has always been the one holding everyone else together. And for a long time, she believed that was love. But after one relationship too many ends the same way, what begins to surface in Ren is something painful and wordless that she has been carrying for a very long time. If you have spent your whole life showing up for others and somehow (maybe shamefully) still feel unloved, this letter was written for you. Letter 187 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our AAPI Heritage Month edition. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month 💛 It’s okay to say that you’re not okay. If you think you may need help, check out the Asian Mental Health Collective [https://www.asianmhc.org/]: AMHC was founded in 2020 by community members who have lived with mental illness, therapists, and advocates. It began with a viral Facebook group and in-person meetups for Asians to talk openly about their feelings. We broke barriers by creating the first and largest Asian therapist directory. We also hosted the first online Asian Mental Health Conference. Over the years, we’ve inspired tens of thousands of people to join the conversation. While the organization has evolved, AMHC is still all about community. We build online spaces for folks looking to connect, share, and learn about the intersections of mental health and Asian identity. We also know that, for most of us, Asian identity is complex. Though we’re all Asian in the diaspora, we have varied cultures, languages, backgrounds, and traditions. Our differences interweave to create a strong and diverse community. We want mental health care that acknowledges and understands these identities, rather than erases them. We offer free therapy, support groups, and learning communities that do just that. Whether you’re just beginning your mental health journey, or are well on your way, this space (and community) is for you. — Source, About AMHC This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe [https://www.tfawletters.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

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194 episodes

episode 194: I Don't Miss You, But I Hope You're Doing Well — By Sofie's Ate artwork

194: I Don't Miss You, But I Hope You're Doing Well — By Sofie's Ate

When’s the last time you blew up on your family — and was it really about them? In this letter, an older sister writes to Sofie, her younger sister. Despite the older sister being raised to raise Sofie, they were often mistaken for twins growing up because of how much they enjoyed being sisters. Even as their paths diverged — different colleges, different cities, and a decade apart — they still felt fondly about each other. At least, that’s what the older sister thought. When Sofie returns home, the older sister begins to see who her younger sister has become: a social justice warrior returning to save her oppressed mother. Soon enough, the older sister realizes who Sofie is saving their mother from. If you ever grappled with a family member coming home completely changed from childhood, this letter is for you. Letter 194 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe [https://www.tfawletters.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

17. juli 202625 min
episode 193: I'm So Sorry I Just Got So Busy — By Nance artwork

193: I'm So Sorry I Just Got So Busy — By Nance

Reflect on past relationships that have grown distant, and ask yourself: Did I play a role in this? In this letter, Nance writes to Wanda, the loud-and-proud president of a Filipino student organization who felt like the big sister she never had. Even though she was too nice to say no, Nance found purpose and belonging with Wanda and the organization's members. But when the activism began to feel more than she could keep up with or express, she did what she’s always done when things get overwhelming. If you ever got too busy to say what you really wanted to say, this letter is for you. Letter 193 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe [https://www.tfawletters.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

10. juli 202629 min
episode 192: You Don't Know Me Just Because I'm Filipino, Too — By Claire artwork

192: You Don't Know Me Just Because I'm Filipino, Too — By Claire

Who was the last Filipino person you were excited to meet — and did you ever stop to wonder if they wanted to connect that way? Claire’s new friend invites her to a dinner party, a refreshing change from the Filipino parties she’s used to. That is, until she meets Marco. The moment he finds out she’s Filipino too, the evening takes a sharp turn toward assumptions, unsolicited opinions, and questions she didn’t anticipate having to answer. Claire thinks very carefully about her response the next time her friend invites her to another party. If you’ve ever felt stereotyped by another Filipino, this one’s for you. Letter 192 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe [https://www.tfawletters.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

3. juli 202622 min
episode 191: I Am More Than the Gender I Was Assigned at Birth — By Robin artwork

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How has rejection redirected you to reclaiming and expressing who you really are? In this letter, Robin writes to Lolo G, their late grandfather, who loved them deeply. But his love was expressed with gender expectations about how a girl should move, dress, speak, and carry herself. It was in Robin’s young adult years that they discovered the language and pronouns to voice who they really are, who they’ve always been. Then, before their 30th birthday, they’re ready to come out to their grandpa and family. If you’re finally ready to show and tell everyone who you really are, this letter was written for you. Letter 191 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our PRIDE Month special and Summer edition. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe [https://www.tfawletters.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

26. juni 202631 min