Nov. 20, 2023

33 I Filipinos— The Story of the "Forgotten Asians" (and how did we get SO MANY incredible Filipino nurses in healthcare?) (Devin Cabanilla,)

33 I Filipinos— The Story of the

In this episode, host Raj Sundar explores the history and experiences of Filipino Americans in the healthcare profession with guest Devin Cabanilla. Together, they discuss the complex identities of Filipino Americans shaped by colonization and diaspora and its impact on their contributions to healthcare.

The conversation covers waves of Filipino immigration to the U.S., from early 1900s elite students to post-World War II healthcare professionals and war brides. They delve into the clash between generations within the Filipino-American community and the significant presence of Filipino nurses in the U.S. healthcare system. The episode also focuses on the ongoing culture clash and challenges Filipino Americans face while acknowledging their healthcare contributions.

Guest Devin Cabanilla, an advocate for Filipino identity and representation, draws inspiration from Fred Cordova's "Filipinos Forgotten Asian Americans." Devin actively addresses cultural erasure, challenging stereotypes within the broader Asian American community and reclaiming Filipino identity.


Timestamped overview

  • 01:57: Introduction
  • 05:57: Being forgotten: Filipinos face isolation and stereotypes."
  • 08:49: Complexity of diaspora of Filipinos abroad.
  • 12:56: Brief history of Philippines: US colonialism, Spanish colonialism
  • 20:10: Resuming studies, common stories, limited opportunities.
  • 26:47: Generations define Filipino American history
  • 30:56: Filipino immigrants, culture clash, healthcare professions, US occupation
  • 32:48: Clash of laborers and college-educated immigrants.


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