Josefina “Joey” Veluya Guerrero—later Joey Guerrero Leaumax—was one of the most daring and effective spies in the Pacific War. Armed not with weapons, but with a disease long treated as a curse, this Filipina turned stigma into strategy, saving hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives.

Thank you to Feedspot for naming HERstory Southeast Asia among the Top 4 Asian History Podcasts, alongside History of Southeast Asia, Echoes of War, and Brown History Podcast.

If you’re joining the Akdang Pinoy Readathon, check out At Last She Stood by Erin Entrada Kelly—a nonfiction read for ages 8–12 about Joey Guerrero’s extraordinary story.

Special thanks to our patrons: Nur’ain, Shereen, Geraineon, Xiaomei by Milish, Jennifer, Christina, Raymond, Matt, Ashley, Chanda, Yati, and Christopher.

🎧 Bonus episodes, full scripts, and references on Patreon.📲 Follow us on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram @herstoryseapod.

Music:

• The National WWII Museum. Wainwright Surrenders the Philippines - Radio Broadcast.
• irateradio. World War II Pacific Radio Broadcasts.
• Hello 6am - Mylar Melodies
• Goddess of War - Unicorn Heads
• TRAVELATOR - Density & Time
• MEMORIAL DAY by Alex Productions