E18 Irene Sarmiento | Writer & Occupational Therapist | Providing care, stories, and food for thought

How does one continue to provide care when no one is taking care of you?

Irene Sarmiento is a multi-awarded writer, former college instructor, and occupational therapist based in the US whose work raises thought-provoking questions like the one above, giving voice to a community of healthcare and migrant workers.

After graduating cum laude from the University of the Philippines Manila with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and topping the Philippine Occupational Therapy board exams, Irene worked in academia, long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and several pediatric outpatient clinics in both the Philippines and the States. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas.

On this episode, we talk about her experiences as a healthcare worker, battling the specter of Asian hate and sexual harassment at work, but also contemplating the postcolonial/imperialist structures that pervade healthcare systems and drive labor migration.

On the lighter side, we also discuss her meditation and mindfulness practices, as well as her writing – including one memorable dinner with Neil Gaiman, which resulted in a collaboration for one of her children’s books.

This episode is dedicated to those who welcome “outsiders” (to cliques, crews, and countries) with open arms and open minds.

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Selected Rappler pieces:

https://www.rappler.com/voices/ispeak/opinion-paper-real-tiger-asian-hate

https://www.rappler.com/voices/ispeak/opinion-your-call-to-arms-for-filipino-healthcare-worker

https://www.rappler.com/voices/ispeak/opinion-first-world-envy

https://www.rappler.com/voices/ispeak/opinion-locusts-entrapment-migration-violent-misogyny

Read her book "Tabon Girl" at https://www.anvilpublishing.com/ebooks/tabon-girl/

Also available in print via Lazada (https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/tabon-girl-by-irene-carolina-a-sarmiento-i1269132342-s4587146048.html) and Shopee (https://shopee.ph/Tabon-Girl-by-Irene-Carolina-A.-Sarmiento-i.125283795.7055579072)

All book proceeds from 2020 onward will go to AHA Learning Center www.ahalearningcenter.com

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On the dropout rate:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1129909

https://www.deped.gov.ph/2021/01/28/on-claims-of-massive-dropout-in-basic-education/

https://www.bworldonline.com/half-of-phl-students-consider-putting-off-school-amid-pandemic/
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Music: “Neon Laser Horizon” by Kevin MacLeod (imcompetech.com) licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Sound Editing by franticsong

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xoxo Jo