by VFM
October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM)! The month marks the first time Filipinos landed on the Chumash settlement or now known as Morro Bay, California in October 1587. Filipino American History Month dating back to the 14th century reminds us all that American history did not begin when Europeans settled to this country. This country’s history is embedded in the first nations that … Read More 4 Reasons Why FAHM Is Important for Kidss
by VFM
I never thought I’d be able to visit Singapore, much less have my work featured in a workshop at the Multinational Migrations: Onward Migration Patterns and … – (ARI) at the National University of Singapore! In these first few days in SG, I’ve done a great deal of exploring–thanks to my cousin, Jamie and her husband, Jeric, Filipino migrants who have been living in Singapore … Read More Labor of Care across the Pacific
by VFM
I’m on sabbatical this Fall! Almost 2 weeks after the Fall semester started for my university, I’m only realizing what a gift this time is. I’m slowing it down: reading a YA novel, writing new ideas, running, going to the tot gym with 1-year old Cy, working shifts at Aya’s co-op preschool, me and Raul even went on a double date yesterday to see … Read More Labor of Care Fall Book Tour
by VFM
A few Filipina migrants in Kabalikat Domestic Workers Support Network (now MIGRANTE New York) would often joke that they lived in a place called, Queenila. Their feet in Queens, their hearts in Manila. This place in-between, not here, nor there, elsewhere became a sticking point for me in my research for the #LaborofCare. I often wondered what it was like to live in this … Read More Queenila
by VFM
I’ve been on a podcast tip on car rides home with my partner, Raul, and when there’s a lgood point to be made, I’m always like, “PAUSE THAT. Because if that was me…” So, finally, here I am on a podcast talking about all things #LaborofCare. Its origins story, more extra cuts and stories that I didn’t fold into the book, and some ideas … Read More The Labor of Care on the New Books Network Podcast
by VFM
After a long day of work at the care home, Nanay–my paternal grandmother, Remedios, or Reme, for short–would sit in the laundry room with a contraption that looked like it was separating her head from her body. After years of working as a caregiver in a care home (or Residential Care Facility for the Elderly/RCFE), she had hurt her back and her neck. But … Read More A Remedy for Remedios
by VFM
A couple of days ago, President Rodrigo Duterte kisses an overseas foreign worker at a press conference in Korea. His administration’s spin excuses his behavior stating, “Malacañang sees nothing wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte kissing a married overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Seoul, saying it is ‘very [much] accepted in the culture of Filipinos.’” The problem with this statement and Duterte’s action(s) against women … Read More Duterte’s Kiss is a Kiss of Death
by VFM
The Labor of Care is on HELLAPINAY, y’all! In May’s book review roundup from the brilliant Pia Cortez, my book is sandwiched among some pretty awesome titles in their series, #GetLit! I’ve been following hellapinay on Instagram for a while now because its Pinay-centric content gives me my whole life. And when the infamous book-reviewer and homie, Pia Cortez aka the brains and beauty behind Libromance offered … Read More Labor of Care on HellaPinay’s #GetLit
by VFM
Often, when I deliver a talk about The Labor of Care, I can’t help but get choked up about the lives and sacrifices of the women in the book. And during my last stop on this semester’s book tour in Portland, it was no different. More so because I began with the story of my own mother, Mama Irma, and her journey to the … Read More Bridge City
by VFM
On Mother’s Day, I’d like to honor those who are doing the work of mothering: Migrant mother’s caring from afar Mothers who are red fighters Single mothers Queer mothers Nannies, domestic workers, childcare providers Teachers Single fathers Aunties and Titas Ates and older sisters Mothers who have lost a child or children Best friends of mothers Godmothers Mothers-to-be Fictive mothers or Nanay-nanayan Community mothers … Read More Honoring mothering
by VFM
Growing up in the Bay Area, I always fetishized the East Bay, the 510, the nickel and dime (as was referred to in voicemail intros back in the day), as the center of Filipinos in the Bay. In contrast to what was then a very homogenous (read: white) city of Concord, the East Bay was teeming with Filipino culture! My high school friends and … Read More Nickel and Dime
by VFM
CSU East Bay has always had a soft place in my heart, mostly because of my student organizing days with PACE, PASA and Akbayan, and the formation of Tri-Force back in the day. I’ll be back on the CSU East Bay campus after a decade to talk about my journey and how it informed my writing of the Labor of Care!
