The Filipino American Woman Project

Happy Filipino American History Month (FAHM)!!! 💙❤️💛

This month is dedicated to engaging with YOU!

If you have any FAHM-related recommendations (e.g., books, articles, your favorite influencers addressing FAHM, events, etc.), simply REPLY to any of our newsletters for a chance to be featured in our weekly newsletter! 💌

And who knows, you might get something special for sharing! 🎁

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This Week’s Recommendations 💙❤️💛

Activity —

Filipino American History Month Coloring Sheet

Celebrate Filipino American heritage through creativity and learning. Download this free coloring sheet and enjoy a meaningful activity with your family at home.

Entertainment —

Forgotten Island (Movie)

Two best friends become stranded on the mystical world of Nakali, where their only escape might cost them their shared lifetime of memories.

“…as a Filipino film, I really appreciated how the culture was represented without making it overly explicit or relying on stereotypical clothing, customs, or mannerisms. Everything was handled with so much care.” — IMDb.com Reviewer

Events —

Events by LEAD Filipino

LEAD Filipino is a national nonprofit organization focused on advancing the civic engagement, health equity, and grassroots action of Filipina/x/o and broader AAPI communities.

History —

The Filipino Story Animated Series

This six-part animated series carries the unifying story of the Filipino people.

In just thirty minutes, be reminded of who you are, and discover the hope of a global Filipino community united by one story.

Through history, culture, and language, come and see the beauty of the Motherland. Feel the heartbeat of our people. And know the story meant for every Filipino, wherever you may be.

October is also LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender Icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images, and other resources.

Have you come to accept that your unconditional love has limits? And if so, how do you love anyway?

For our 200th episode, Jen writes to her senior dog, Stuggi, after a late-night shriek jolts her awake. For the next 48 hours, she grapples with how to care for him as he paces around, night and day, afraid to lie down without hurting himself.

If you’re a dog parent who loves your fur baby with all your heart, this letter is for you.

Letter 200 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations…

…and this concludes our Summer Edition! Thanks for listening! ☀️

As a reminder: I will be taking a break from publishing letters for Filipino American History Month (FAHM) to engage with YOU! 💙❤️💛

Filipino American History Month will be dedicated to curating FAHM-related content from our community.

So if you have any recommendations (e.g., books, articles, your favorite influencers addressing FAHM, events, etc.), simply REPLY to any of our newsletters!

And if you’re not yet a subscriber, subscribe for FREE now! 💌

P.S. Be sure to save [email protected] as a trusted contact.

P.S.S. Depending on the number of replies, please note that I may not reply to everyone’s messages (thank you in advance for respecting my boundaries — mainly a one-woman band over here 🙋🏻‍♀️). Pay attention to our newsletters in October to see if your recommendation made it in!

Our final letters for 2026 will resume for the Holiday Edition in November. 🎁

Here’s a recap of our Summer Edition letters:

Who have you treated like an emergency contact, but can’t anymore?

Sorry, Emmy can’t make it to the phone right now. But if you leave a very detailed, mutually beneficial message, she will get back to you at her convenience. But rest assured, it’ll be worth the wait.

If you’ve ever been afraid to set boundaries with loved ones, this letter is for you.

Letter 199 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition.

Who is that one person you could absolutely see a future with, and yet still say no?

Mic writes to Ian, a dear friend who’s been part of her friend group since middle school, after he unexpectedly asks her out on a date. She thinks through everything that makes him the obvious choice: their blended community of Filipino family and friends, her parents’ unsolicited approval, the ease, and the entire future she can already picture in vivid detail. It just makes sense. But why can’t she say yes?

If you struggle to move past the friend zone with a childhood friend, this letter is for you.

Letter 198 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition.

Who do you dare to be outside of people needing you?

Dani has finally accomplished the impossible: making friends who don’t need saving. It should feel like winning. But after one ordinary dance class, she experiences uncomfortable feelings as a regular member she’s grown to like starts hanging out with the new girl. She navigates her feelings as she searches for new leggings on the clearance rack.

If you’re no longer saving your friends and you feel weird about it, this letter is for you.

Letter 197 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition.

Who do you love without question, and can’t wait to welcome home, no matter how long it’s been?

Mamma Maria replies to her daughter Ren (Episode 187) with pride and adoration, and reminds Ren to check her messages to stay up to date with her life. She can’t wait for her daughter to return home so they can be the dynamic duo once again.

If your daughter is your best friend, this letter is for you.

Letter 196 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition.

What do you really mean when you say “I love you”?

In this letter, Wanda (aka “Woke Woe”) replies to Nance (Episode 193). She acknowledges their fast friendship, activism, and the busyness that ultimately took Nance away, leaving Wanda with many unanswered questions.

If someone saying ‘I love you’ still left you feeling unloved, this letter is for you.

Letter 195 is part of The Filipino American Woman Project’s letters series, inspired by real conversations. This is our Summer Edition.

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.

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.

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.