I'm Filipino as well and have lived in Mid west, So. east coast and travelled a couple of states before settling down.
In my case most of my moves ware job directed but I also considered family, then preference of area.
I loved and hated CA before having lived in SF and LA in early 90's then I moved again to east coast. Now I'm back in a nicer part of LA.
I'm in the healthcare field too btw and also tried IT informatics but it's not a click in so east coast.
Being a FIlipino I prefer warm weather and tropical in nature.
This made me home sick in mid west and northern east coast.
ej