Tong Chau: Stories in America

Tong Chau

           For my Oral History Project, I interviewed my dad Tong Chau. The reason why I wanted to interview my dad is because he has a lot of background story of how and why did he moved to America from Vietnam. My dad was born in the island in Vietnam called Phu Quy, he lived there until he was young and moved to America in Illinois, then to California. In Southern California, my dad met my mom and got married in 1993. In 1995, my dad and mom had his first child which is my sister named Vivian, then one year later I was born. My dad goal is for me and my sister to finish school and get a degree because he want us to be successful in our future.

         The community that my dad mentioned is the resident camp. My dad traveled many countries with his younger brother just to go to resident camp just for him to be clear to go to the United States. Resident camp is the camp where my dad has to stay there for at least a year before he get interview by the government. My dad mentioned that the interview is about his personal information and his health, etc. so he can get an insurance for his health and housing. Then, my dad and his younger brother passed the interview the he and his brother took off to the United States.

        While my dad and his younger brother moved to the United States, they moved to the State of Illinois just to them to get their education. My dad had a hard time learning English, so he has to learn the basic Alphabet order. They started of high school because of their teenager ages, but my dad dropped out of high school while his younger brother continued his education. The reason why my dad left high school is because he wants to work and make money just to help his family in Vietnam. It's a struggle for my dad is because he's really in labor and he mostly couldn't afford a house or food. It sadden me is because he gave up his big opportunities just to help his family and he also felt right to just drop out of high school.

       I didn't get that much information about my dad's mentor and expression, but my dad have a mentor but I didn't get enough details for his mentors. His mentors was the White American guy where he use to live in an apartment with in Illinois. My dad told me he normally teach him how to speak English, be an adult, and being responsibility like paying bills and taking care of the kids. My dad's expression is that he should of continue his education and get a college degree, but he said if he get a college degree, I won't even be exist. Also he said having wife, kids, and built a family made him happy and he want me and my sister to get a college degree.

      My dad main support is usually his family in Vietnam and us basically. He mentioned that all the struggle he been through doesn't him at all. With family supporting what he's trying to do, he was glad that he has a family on his side and willing for me and my sister to support my dad by getting a college degree because he doesn't want us to struggle like how my dad been through. He said either way he's still happy and not letting things down.

     My dad was born in Phu Quy Island in Vietnam but he's trying to escape to the United States is because of the government taking over the Island. He escaped Vietnam to moved to Illinois with his younger brother just to get his education which he gave up his education so he moved to California and met my mom, then got married. Couple years later, my sister and I were born and built as a family for my dad. This is important is because my dad can give up big opportunities for his family which we are in labor and this can possibility happen to you.


Here's a video of my interview with my dad:

 

Christian Lacanlalay and Carmina Mendoza

Starting A New Life

 Christian Lacanlalay and Carmina Mendoza

• Introduction
• Life in the Philippines
• Leaving Home

Introduction

For my interview I decided to choose one of my oldest friends, Christian Lacanlalay along with our fellow friend, Carmina Mendoza. I've never really known Christian's history even though we've known each other since middle school. He's never really remembered much of his life in the Philippines. Christian tackles life to support his family at home by working and going to school. 

Though he complains on a daily basis how busy life in America is, he would never go back home for their are many opportunities here. Carmina, on the other hand, is someone who I never really had a conversation with until she came over to accompany Christian. Although we see each other numerous times back in the music department, we've never known each other that well. Doing this interview made me closer to them and made me notice that other people than myself also have a similar but different history.

 

Arturo L. Jusay: Sacrifices for the Love of Family

Arturo L. Jusay: Sacrifices for the Love of Family

interview by Wilson Munar  

For my Digital Oral History project I interviewed my father-in-law. His name is Arturo Jusay, he was born on March 24, 1942 and raised in the Philippines. Arturo worked as a public school teacher and head administrator for 29 years in order to support his wife and four daughters in the Philippines. After waiting 15 years for a U.S. petition to be process, Arturo and his family entered the United States in the early months of 1992.  Arturo is a hardworking man, who loves and cares deeply about his family. In the years he had lived in the Philippines and in the United States, he has experienced hardship, sacrifice, and joy all of which factors that contributed and shaped him into the person he is today. Below are a series of videos that will provide a deeper insight into Arturo's life in regards to his life in both the Philippines and in the United States. 

Table of Content 

1. Introduction and early life in the Philippines (WWII)

2. Education, profession and life in the Philippines

3. Life and family in the United States

4. Meeting life goal in U.S.

5. Conclusion

Introduction and early life in the Philippines:

The segment of the interview Arturo introduces himself and gives a short background of this early life in the Philippines. He was born in the Philippines in 1942. He was raised in a poor family and experienced World War II when he was just three years old. He recalls being carried in a basket by his father as the traveled because they didn't have any transportation methods especially during the war. This proves the economic status of his family during the war and his young life, clearly he did not came from a wealthy family.

Education, profession and life in the Philippines:

Arturo received his technical education in furniture and garment making and later pursued and Bachelor's of Science in industrial education. Due to the economic poverty he was forced to work to support his family (he later mentioned in the interview that his father died and he had to set up and support the family) at the same time he wanted to earn his Bachelor's degree in order to move up in his teacher career. He was a public school teacher for 29 years, the last 10 years he was the head administrator. When he married and began a family life, he realized that life in the Philippines will be full of hardship for his children, like the life he experienced. Life in the Philippines was hard and unstable, Arturo was petitioned by his sister to enter the United States, sacrificing his career, his family, everything in the Philippines for a better life for his family.

Life and family in the United States:

Coming to the United States was a full of mixed emotions. He was excited to start a new life in a new place with new and better opportunities. But at the same time his native land was calling his heart. It took a year for Arturo to adjust to his life in the United States. He arrived with his wife and four daughters, without any big expectations of becoming rich like others who dreamed of having a better life in the United States. Instead Arturo emphasized that he's goal was to give and provide a better opportunity to live a good life, not through luxury. He believed that education can provide such opportunities for his children. Arturo and his wife (Teresita) worked average jobs, sometimes two jobs at a time to provide for his family. Living situations while first entering  the U.S. was difficult sharing rooms with his sister-in-law and her family and as time progressed they were able to get their own apartment. Arturo was prepared for the life he was facing to live in the United States through the experiences of his sister and mother.He know it was going to be hard living in the United States but it was better then having to live a life in the poor economic status of the Philippines back then. He felt let down by other fellow Filipinos already living here, he didn't feel the compassion or brotherly love of fellow Filipinos natives. He's love for his native country will always remain in his heart, but his love for his family (to provide and support) them surpasses other needs.

Meeting Life Goals in the United States:

According to Arturo the life he has lived in the U.S. has being difficult and challenging but in the end he is happy to know that he has met the goals he had come to the U.S. to accomplish: to provide a better education for his children so they will have better and more opportunities in life. Arturo is happy to know that his children didn't have to see or experience the hard life he had experienced in the Philippines.

Conclusion:

As I concluded this interview with Arturo, I realized how a person's hardships and challenges in life can shape and shift the way they live their life. Growing up Arturo struggled to support and provide for his family in the Philippines. He made sacrifice after sacrifice for the hope of others around him i.e. his mother and brothers and sisters as will as his wife and daughters. The poor economic status in the Philippines drove him and he was determined to better his children's lives unlike the one he lived. He didn't have a goal of wealth but made hard decisions and sacrifices for the benefit of his family when he entered the United States. He sacrificed even more in the U.S. Arturo is content with the ups and downs he experienced in his life both in the Philippines and in the United States. Arturo is clearly a man of his words, working hard to provide and support his family out of genuine love and care. He is a selfless man; selflessly is something that most first generation immigrants most possess in order to see pass the hardship that they had experienced to get to where they are as well as the hardships that they will and may face in the future. Arturo's joy and happiness comes from the inflatable hope of a better life for his family and their future to come.

Alfredo Roque " Working is my American Dream"

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

2. Family Background and Life in the Philippines 

3. Leaving the Philippines

4. Life in the U.S. and Reflection 

5. Conclusion 

Introduction

The person I choose to interview was my father Alfredo,  all my life I've only know him as a working dad who I got to see on certain days of the week because he worked double jobs to provide for his family. In these videos I get to learn about a his story life in the Philippines compared to one he lives in US. And get a better understanding of why many filipino immigrants like him, find refuge  working in America. 

Family Background and Life in the Philippines 

Alfredo is from Cebu,  growing up school wasn't his thing  so he looked up to his Uncle who worked on a ship. Eventually becoming a seaman a job he loved and was able to travel.

Leaving the Philippines 

To move out of the Philippines helped cement a future for his family. Alfredo was able to attain a job and move his family over to United States. He was very proud to be united with his family again, but it wouldn't have been possible without the help of his parents.

Life in the US and My Legacy  

Living in the U.S you have to hustle and set goals, especially being a family man Alfredo works double jobs so he can provide for his family needs. His hope is too guide  his kids to a better life than he had. To get an education so they don't have to work like he did. 

Conclusion 

Alfredo is very fortunate to have immigrated to the United States, here he is able to provide for his family. Alfredo's American Dream was to be able to reunite with his family and with hard work he can financially support his kids through college so they can have better careers than he had. 

Kristoffer Guanlao

"Filipino-Immigrant to Filipino-American" Kristoffer Guanlao interviewed by Andre See

Introduction
Kristoffer Guanlao is my best friend and we've known each other since Freshman year of high school. I specifically chose him as my interviewee because of how similar our lives were and that out of everyone else I could relate to him the most. Both our families came here for better opportunities leaving everything behind back home. We both spent our early childhoods in the Philippines but grew up and matured here in America. Here he shares his journey growing up and coming to America as he gets accustomed to his new lifestyle and new beginnings.

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

1. Background Information
2. Life in the Philippines
3. Life in America
4. Citizenship
5. Future Plans

Background Information

In this segment Kristoffer talks about some background information about himself and his life. How he came to America and the reasons behind it.

Life in The Philippines

In this segment Kristoffer discusses certain memories he can recall about his time in the Philippines growing up and going to school. He was part of the middle/upper class and his lifestyle was very comfortable at the time.

Life in America

Here Kristoffer discusses his transitioning from the Philippines to America. He talks about certain changes and how different/similar his life here is compared to the Philippines

Attaining Citizenship

Here in this snippet Kristoffer discusses about the process of gaining his citizenship. He further discuss the benefits and how he felt after the procedure and becoming an American citizen.

Future Plans

Lastly, We talked about his future plans and if he has any plans of returning to the Philippines. Also if he still considers the motherland his homeland. 

Asterio C: "I love Daly City.. It's like Little Manila, Philippines."

Interviewer: Jeric P.
Interviewee: Asterio C.

Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Life In The Philippines
- Leaving The Philippines
- Settling In The US
- Life In The US
- Filipino In The US
- Reflections

Introduction:
For this Oral History Project, I chose to interview my father, Asterio C. My father was able to briefly discuss with me on what it was like living in the Philippines to how he got petitioned to move to America. He then talks about how it was like living in America and what he has learned from his experience such as the differences between the two countries.

Segment 1 - Life In The Philippines:

Asterio was born and raised in San Carlos, Pangasinan. With 8 brothers and 2 sisters, he was the fourth to oldest sibling in the family. My dad was a high school graduate in the Philippines with goals to get a degree to support his family.

Segment 2 - Leaving The Philippines:

Asterio moved to America in 1988 at the age of 22-23 years old through a marriage petition. Unfortunately, he was unable to petition other family members because the process itself was difficult. Asterio says that he has made many sacrifices such as using most of his time finding and working for jobs to support his family. He adds that it's a lot more easier to purchase things in America than it is in the Philippines.

Segment 3 - Settling In The US:

Asterio first lived at his aunt in-law's house around the Daly City and San Francisco area when he moved to America. Coming to America, he knew of a couple friends who were already living here besides his wife and her family. I asked him how Daly City was for him when he first came here and he answered, "I love Daly City.. It's like Little Manila, Philippines."

Segment 4 - Life In The US:

Asterio was able to find his first job through his aunt in-law's husband's help. He started off as a dishwasher then moved up to a pantry man. Now he's been working as a set-up man for 20 years. Thankfully, Asterio did not experience any discrimination while living in America.

Segment 5 - Filipino In The US:

Asterio was able to keep his culture as a Filipino and never lost sight of his identity while living in America. He also admits that he sometimes gets homesick. Asterio says that he misses the food and the bonding times that he had with his family in the Philippines. Asterio says the difference between the Filipinos in the Philippines compared to born Filipinos in America is their attitude.

Segment 6 - Reflections:

Asterio says that he loves staying in America. He says that he is living the "American Dream." Having a better job that pays more than they do in the Philippines and being the family man that he is now, he is living his "American Dream." He says that the biggest thing he's learned overall is that it is sad if a person is unable to find a job in America. Although, if a person does have a job, it's a lot better than having a job in the Philippines because of salary and working conditions.

Don Miralles: Being Filipino in...

Introduction

After a while of going back and forth deciding between people, I chose to interview the very interesting, Don Miralles. With both of his parents having immigrated to America from the Philippines, he grew up in the San Francisco area as a second-generation Filipino American. During the interview, we discussed what life was like for his parents in the Philippines then America, then went on to talk about what being Filipino was like for him in the Bay Area and in the skating community.

Table of Contents

1. Meet Don Miralles

2. Being Filipino in America

3. Connections to Culture

4. Family Life in the Philippines

5. Family Life in America

6. Reflection

1. Meet Don Miralles 

(0:00-1:01)

Don introduces himself in this segment. He mentions that he currently attends San Francisco State University and talks a bit about one of his favorite activities other than playing guitar, drawing or hanging out with friends: skateboarding. It's a huge part of his life, so much so that he's been skating for 8 years now. He never really got into basketball and instead felt more connected to the individual sport of skateboarding because of it's freedom, creativity, and community where he's made many friends.

2. Being Filipino in America

(1:02-6:54)

Born in Saint Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, Don was born a second-generation Filipino American to two parents who came to America from the Philippines. Growing up in the city nicknamed "Little Manila" because of it's abundance of Filipinos, Daly City, he made a lot of connections with various kinds of American-born Filipino youth who brought him closer to his roots. He sees the difference between Fil-Ams and those who immigrated here is perspective and assimilation. Growing up in different environments inevitably makes the other know more about where they grew up in. The difference between Fil-Ams and those who immigrated here become more apparent in terms of discrimination in America. While he just had to face petty name calling, he believes his aunt's heavy Filipino accent prevents her from moving up in her career because of discrimination.

3. Connections to Culture

(6:55-11:07)

Only having been to the Philippines once, Don has had very little exposure to the Filipino culture in the Philippines other than watching or reading Filipino media at home. However, he feels like although there is a bit of personal disconnection from the culture due to Americanization, he's stayed connected through his friends, the skating community, and family. Had it not been for his parents constantly speaking to him in Tagalog, he probably would have never understood as much as he does now, even if very little. Growing up, lot of his friends were Filipino, so through them and their families he was able to learn more about the culture and his heritage as well.

4. Family Life in the Philippines

(11:08-13:57)

Don's parents' experiences of being Filipino in the Philippines was a lot different than him being Filipino in America.  He shares the story of how his father, born in Manila, sold newspapers to make money as kid to help out his parents. His meager earnings seemed to only be enough to share one egg with his brothers per meal. His mother on the other hand, had the duty to go to America to make money for her family in the Philippines and to work to bring them over once she got in. Both dreamed of the life they might have in America, and worked hard to get there.

5. Family Life in America

(13:58-19:33)

Each of his parents had some sort of goal once they arrived in America. For his dad, it was to live a better life than what he had back home. And for his mom, it was to work and make money to bring her family over to America with her. Once she brought them over, she managed to get a job in a Police Department. Back home, however, she was studying premed, but the degree couldn't transfer over here. Don's dad came here without a degree, and because he didn't continue his education like a lot of Filipino parents, he worked jobs like being a janitor or security guard. Life now for them in America is different from theirs in the Philippines in a good way. Although they're still working, they don't have to struggle by working so hard for so little, and they live a comfortable life with a big family.

6. Reflection

(19:33-21:38)

A white picket fence, a nice family, and a golden retriever is what defines the typical image of the American dream that his parents and many others who immigrated here sought for. Even though they don't have that fence or dog, they achieved the dream of having a nice family that they were able to raise with better lives than what they had back home through their hard work. Being Filipino American to Don is about telling the stories of the hard work of generations before and everything that shaped him and their paths. Realizing the core values, virtues and importance of family is something that he feels will stick with him for the rest of his life as a Filipino.

Conclusion

When talking about what being Filipino was like for his parents in the Philippines and for him as a Filipino American in the Bay Area, there's an obvious difference in hardships and struggles. From interviewing Don, I realized the true treasure of the American dream of Filipino immigrants is family. Passing down the knowledge and wealth to future generations and sharing the stories of parents and those before them to benefit their lives is the best thing they could do. The culture that was maybe lost through moving across countries can be found in that sharing and connections with others that aren't family, like the skating community for Don. What "being Filipino" is seems to change for each generation in any environment, but the core values and virtues seem to stay the same. 

Myrna Castaneda ~ Searching for Opportunity

Introduction

For this project I chose to interview my mom, Myrna Castaneda.  Throughout my entire life she has told me stories about her journey to the United States and I have always admired her for all the struggles and sacrifices she has had to go through.  Without those sacrifices I wouldn’t be able to receive the opportunities so many immigrate to America for.  During the interview she discusses her past life in the Philippines, early beginnings in the United States, and plans for the future. 

Table of Contents:

1. Life in the Philippines
2. Leaving the Philippines
3. Settling in America
4. Being Filipino in America & Final Thoughts

1.  Life in the Philippines

My mom was born in Binangonan, Rizal and was one of eleven siblings.  She comes from a poor family in the Philippines and is the first and only in our family to immigrate to the United States.  As a kid her goal was to finish high school in order to help her parents.  My mom always wanted to work in an office because the idea of working in a professional environment and wearing a uniform on the daily was so appealing, it also meant more money to provide for the family.  She stopped her schooling for three years after graduating high school to work in a sewing factory, but would eventually go to Wesleyan University in Cabanatuan City, Philippines.  There she would take secretarial courses, however never got to graduate because the opportunity to work in America came up.

2. Leaving the Philippines

Myrna moved to America in 1989 with the hopes of providing more money for her family back home.  Her first job in America was being a housekeeper to another Filipino family in Hillsborough, California.  This was very different from the job she left in the Philippines, which was a secretary and aid for the Regional Trial Courts.  She went from typing and doing paper work in an office in the Philippines to cleaning houses and taking care of two kids in America.

3. Settling in America

My mom talks about getting off the plane and knowing absolutely no one when she first came here in September of 1989.  Before coming here she expected tall buildings everywhere and that finding a good job would be easier.  However, where she lived had a lot more trees rather than tall buildings, so it reminded her of the provinces back home. She was only in America for barely a month when the Loma Prieta earthquake happened.  It gave her second thoughts about living here, but she decided to stay because there are more opportunities here.  She got really homesick in the beginning because she was used to such a big family, but eventually finds a family to call her own in America.

  4. Being Filipino in America & Final Thoughts

*(This part of the video was lost)

Myrna has been a caregiver since 1993, although different from her original choice of career in the Philippines, she says she loves her job in America more because she gets to help a lot of people, like the elderly.*

My mom says going to church, cooking Filipino food, watching Filipino news and shows, having Filipino coworkers, sending money and calling her sisters back home is how she keeps her Filipino culture in America. Her final answer really surprised me, because I did not expect her to want to live in the Philippines forever.  In previous conversations she said she would only like to visit, but during the interview I found out that she wants to live in her own country when she gets older.  While working in many nursing homes she has seen how miserable it can be to grow old here.  America has opportunities, but the Philippines has family.

Going To America- Judick Almocera

Judick Almocera- Coming to the United States

Intro

I chose to interview my father, Judick Almocera. He was born in Manila Philippines on October 29, 1966. He moved to America because my mother got petitioned by auntie and persuaded him to migrate. The life in America wasn't as hard as the Philippines so he didn't think it was hard adapting to the lifestyle in America. He has been living here for 11 years now and this is his story.

Table Of Contents

1. Background

2. Leaving The Philippines

3.Settling in U.S
4. Life in the U.S
5. His Choice

Background

My Father was born in Manila Philippines on October 2, 1966. He was born into a middle to lower middle class. It was pretty hard for him because the jobs were scarce and his mother(my grandma) was the only one with a stable income.

Leaving the Philippines

My father left the Philippines because my mother was petitioned and wanted to live in the U.S. She believed that we could have a better future over here. My father immigrated to the U.S because he loved my mother and supported her every decision. He also wanted to move here because the economy in the Philippines was bad and jobs were scarce.

Settling in the U.S

My father said it was fairly easy settling in the U.S because he was able to get a home and a stable job. He said he moved over here for us to have better living conditions. There was better medical and better support for families under the poverty line. He wanted all that was better for his family.

Life in the U.S

My father loves the peace and order in America. He said that there is lower crime rates and more opportunities. He moved here so me and my brother can get better education and a chance to be successful. He is an unselfish man who bases his choices on the well being of his wife and children.

His Choice

Although he is content with his life here, he still loves the Philippines. "I am a very patriotic individual, In fact I am thinking about retiring there but having second thoughts because of the peace and order.'- Judick Almocera. 

Cesar Herreria

Introduction

I interviewed my father because he was he had the most experience in America that I knew of in my family. He was there when Manila Town was in San Francisco and he was aware of the politics at the time. He was very influential in my life because he taught me these things. I learned a lot about his experiences and made me appreciate my existence here.

Martial law in the Philippines caused my father to leave the Philippines. The civilian unrest with student protests against Marcos and the military made the Philippines a less safer place. Luckily his mom petitioned him to live in the United States. He visited a bar where he got into a conflict with some soldiers where they threatened to shoot him if he didn’t leave the bar. 

America to my father was a rich country where he learned that he can be successful if he worked hard. He was also aware of the racism here between blacks and whites.

My dad was knowledgeable about some of Philippine history when it was liberated in the US. 

Us military was using military bases in the Philippines to fight Communism in Vietnam.

33 years old when he left the Philippines. He left many of his family and his girlfriend at the time. 

He came here with his two brothers

When he first immigrants he lived in downtown San Francisco near the Castro district. He often visited Manila town where he drinked with friends. He was also aware of Filipinos in Daly City. 

He came here as a legal immigrant by his mom petitioning him. 

He was ok with his english and he was able to talk to people when he immigrated.

Goal was to have a good job and a house.

Found wife in the Philippines but later immigrated to the united states. They had a long distance relationship where he came back for her and helped her come to the US when they married. 

He married her in the Philippines in 1980 and then she immigrated here 1985 with their son. he later had me and my sister in America.

He made friends through work. He had many jobs as a doorman, laboratory tinter for a glass company, and he was bus boy in a restaurant. He made $8 an hour which was a lot compared to the Philippines.

Conclusion
My Dad gave me perspective of our family history and found out things that i never knew about. it made me appreciate him even more. When i tried to think about the Filipino American perspective i can gladly say that i have learned from the best of them.

Emerson Roque: "Family is what makes me a Filipino." interviewed by Princess B. Tuason

"Family is what makes me a Filipino."

I. Introduction

II. All about him and his life in the Philippines

III. Leaving Philippines

IV. Language Struggle

V. Differences in Values and Tradition

V. His definition of success 

I. Introduction


                                  


               I chose to interview my nicest and coolest uncle, Emerson Roque, because he used to tell me stories about himself, how their life was back in the Philippines, and how they settle here in United States. He was born and lived in Pasig City, Philippines, moved to Bicol, Philippines then moved to US when he was around 13 years old. He is currently living in San Bruno, California. This is my first time editing a video and there was a lot of part that I have to cut (I'm sorry!).


II. All about him and his life in the Philippines

               He cannot clearly remember all of his childhood experiences back in the Philippines but he talked about how fun living in the Philippines back then, how he and his friends learn how to jump off the bridge and learn how to swim.


III.  Leaving Philippines

                It was not his choice to leave Philippines but he had to go with his mom and two brothers after their visa got approved. He thought that time that everywhere in the US has snow, but aside from he was in Daly City, they got here around april which was warm. He did not expect that his life was going to be easy because he knows how his relative lives here and they described it to him as a busy life where no one stays at home for 24 hours, either they are working or in school.


IV. Language Struggle

              One of Emerson's biggest struggle was language because he did not know English before aside from yes or no, but living in Daly City made it easier because when he started schooling 95% of his classmates were Filipinos but he was amazed by his first translator who happened to be a full-blooded Chinese that can understand and speak Mandarin, English and Filipino. Unlike any other kids, He did not lose his language while he was learning English.


V. Differences in Values and Tradition

                   As a parent, Emerson believe that Filipino traditions and values can be maintained and passed down from one generation to the next, depending on who and how the children are raised. Although he, himself, is struggling to maintain it because of his schedule and some other circumstances, he is making sure that he is always doing it whenever he have a chance.


VI. Success

              Emerson had an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Heald College. He did not pursue a bachelor degree, but he still considers himself successful because he is happy with his family and he exclaimed "Family is what makes me a Filipino."

Dennis Tanglao

Dennis Tanglao - Journey to America

Table of Contents 

I: Coming to America
II: Childhood
III: Identity
IV: Relationship and Family
V: Filipino Community

Full Video Interview
http://youtu.be/SAt_n7A8nD4

My Dad was born in a small City in the Philippines called Carpas Tarlac. He wanted to come to America to live his dreams and to start, provide for his own Family. And he achieved that dream. His goals were to live this better life, and to be with my mother, Gloria Capil Tanglao, his high school sweet heart. Then three kids came along, Deniel Tanglao, Dennicka Tanglao, and me, Derick Tanglao. I’ve learned so much from my Dad and he has taught valuable lessons in life. He will always be the number one person I look up to and I can’t thank him enough for everything he does his me, and my family.

Elaine Chen~ Hardships To America

                                                                      Introduction

       For this oral history project,  I decided to interview my mother, Elaine Chen who did not want to be video recorded (there's audio version respecting her choice).  She was born and raised in Canton, China.  In her early years, my mother and her family decided to immigrate to the United States because her father had citizenship in the US so everyone can be all together.   

Background~  My mother explains about her hometown back in the days where life was simple. My mother also explains how there was a lot of responsibilities in the household because of her parents trying to support for the family while attending school. Although life was simple, surviving was a difficulty for her family members. 

Leaving China~ In the video below, my mother explains leaving China where the president of China from the 1980s, changed the policy allowing any Chinese to immigrate across to America. My mom explained her reason on why she immigrated was to be reunited with all of her close family members but as well experience the better opportunities America.   

Settling in the US~ Immigrating to the United States, my mother and her family had a difficult transition settling into the San Francisco, Chinatown area. My mother explains the hardships of how difficult it was to have a source of income while being a high school student at Mission High School  with her parents working trying to survive.  

Life in the US~My mother explains how life in the US wasn't as easy. She explains how being a high student at the time after a year of immigrating that she had to get a job in order to support the family. Juggling both a job and school was very difficult because my mom had worked many hours and studying very hard to be very successful. 
Later on, my mother talks about life now and how she feels in a happier place than she was before. Before, she had the hardships but now feels glad to have anything she desires being able to see the world living life happily. 
  

Roots in the US~ My mother explains how she keeps her Chinese culture everyday. She maintains keeping the culture each day by celebrating each of the important Chinese holidays, traditions, cooking Chinese food, and speaking the language. As well, she teaches her kids about her history growing up even visiting her hometown to remember where she came from. 

Reflection~
Leaving China, my mother was very happy to be reconnected with her family members to have a better life. My mother didn't miss anyone but her friends since all of her family are in the United States. Talking about her experiences, she said that she learned a lot coming from a different country having hardships but to remember you have to work hard to be successful and not take things for granted. When asked if she would go back to China, she said no. She wouldn't go back because then she would have to start all over from the beginning and would not like the weather in China. She was very clear on saying San Francisco is the place for me and would never want to move back being adjusted to her lifestyle in San Francisco as her home.  

Ava Ramirez: "Yeah, I am living the American Dream."

Table of Content

i. Introduction

ii. Leaving the Philippines

iii. Settling in the U.S.

iv. Life in the U.S.

v. Being a Filipino in the U.S.

vi. Reflection

Ava Ramirez is my cousin.  Ava was born and raised in Cardona, Rizal, Philippines. She immigrated to the United States on 2005 with her two kids. She started as a nurse in the Philippines, but she moved to the United States to follow her dreams of becoming a successful nurse in America.  I chose to interview her because she came to America through her own power to pursue her dreams, and she worked her way to where she is now.

i. Introduction

Ava Ramirez had been in the United States for ten years. She was born in the province of Rizal, Philippines. She is currently living in South San Francisco, California. She is working as an assistant nurse manager at Kaiser Permanente.

ii. Leaving the Philippines

Ava moved to the United States  at the age of 26 to be a successful nurse in the United States. She expected the life in the United States to be difficult, but she didn't give up to pursue her dreams. 

iii. Settling in the U.S.

Ava was recruited and was placed in New Jersey. It was not easy for not getting any help from her family because they were all in California. She didn't have any difficulties adapting to the language because English is always spoken in the Philippines, but it was difficult for her to adapt to the new culture. 

iv. Life in the U.S.

Ava was recruited and placed in New Jersey, but she didn't get the job until she moved to California. Nursing is a competitive job, so it took her six months to get a job at Kaiser. She compared the difference between the hospitals in America and the Philippines. Work environment in the Philippines is really bad. She doesn't pay attention to racism as she only pays attention to what she does.

v. Being a Filipino in the U.S.

Ava is able to maintain her language, but she learned to adapt the to the new culture since it is hard not change when she's been away from the culture she's used to. She experienced homesickness only at the beginning. She misses her friends, cousins, and the easy lifestyle in the Philippines.

vi. Reflection

Ava's dream has always been to be successful in the United States, so moving back to the Philippines is not an option. She's worked hard to feel that she's living her American Dream. She believes that America has so much to offer, and she's not going to stop going after what America has to offer her.

Fred Buendia Coming To America

Intro

Table Of Contexts

1. Intro 

2. Coming To America

3. School/Lifestyle

Brief Description Of my Interviewee:
Doing this interview I found a lot of information about my mom that I never expected. How growing up she didn't really have much, they were poor they had to work at a very young age, but coming to America really change their life. She found out the hardships they had to go through and over came it with a lot of dedication and hard work.

Before

Segment 1

Segment 2

After

Love Ya Mama

Ruby Xiao : America Is A Lonely Feeling

Ruby Xiao and Her Overcoming The Feeling Of Loneliness:

An Interview By Cristhian Gutierrez

Table Of Content:

Video Segment 1: Introduction Of Self And Family Background.

Video Segment 2: What Brought Me Here, Education And A Family Apart.

Video Segment 3: Adapting To Being Alone And Independent.

Video Segment 4: The TV American Dream, Gossip Girls.

Video Segment 5: The Uncertain Future.

Introduction:

        Ruby Xiao was just a girl that sat in front of me in accounting class this semester, for weeks we would casually exchange smile but I sensed a disconnect. As the weeks went on I slowly began to drag small conversations out of her. After some camaraderie and mutual distress in accounting I asked to interview her. Ruby is a soft spoken 23 years old student who was born in the Hunan Province in central China. Ruby has been studying here in the United States for 2 years, with a goal to eventually graduate but beyond that she's uncertain.




1. Introduction Of Self And Family.

     
               In this segment I introduced Ruby Xiao a recent sojourner who's been in the United States for about two years. Ruby tells me about being from China, from the Hunan province and describes her family life and housing from back home.  She talks about growing up from a middle class family and makes mention of being an only child but having a close cousin she considers like a sister.






2. What Brought Me Here, Education And A Family Apart.

         In the following clip Ruby shares the reason she came to the United States and her mother's support to study abroad. She also shares her living condition that because of legality she's forced to live separate from her mother. Ruby later comments that because of her previous life in China the transition of living alone here in the Unites Sates has been difficult, causing her to miss her friends and family back home. She also comments about having to show appearances to her grandparents how happy she is here so they won't worry.







3. Adapting To Being Alone And Independent.

        In this clip Ruby and I discuss her experience here in the United States in the past two years and her mixed feelings about being here. She goes more into detail about the transition of going from a family reliant upbringing in China to the forced situation of being self reliant. Ruby includes a personal story of the first time she was shocked and realized that she had no one she could depend on. She goes into a explain how she deliberately distance herself and her difficulty making genuine connection with classmates, but ultimately on the positive has taught her independency which she is grateful for.







4. The TV American Dream, Gossip Girls.

        In our fourth clip, I ask Ruby about her original idea of the American dream and what expectations if any did she have. Ruby goes on to comment about how American television and her favorite show "Gossip Girls" gave her a false image of what true life was here. She believed that like the show everyone was so into fashion and spent most of their days shopping, but once here, she realized America was more relaxed. By this she explains that people in the United Sates aren not so caught up on what they dress or follow fashion or what is current as strictly as in China. The notion that Americans wear what makes them comfortable, perhaps more individualism while in China social norms force people to dress a certain way otherwise they are seen as possible outcast.







5. The Uncertain Future.

        In our final clip Ruby and I discuss her short and long term plans, she feels like she's at a crossroad looking at all her options. She talks about possibly going from sojourner to an immigrant because she feels that she has changed so much from being here that she might not fit back home but at the same time she feels some disconnect with her friends back in China that might lead her to build a new life here. In addition she feels she has more opportunity here because China is much more competitive especially with the separation and lost of friends makes going back less viable. Ultimately her short term plan is getting her degree but beyond that she feels uncertain about everything.




Conclusion:



        For Ruby growing up in China where friends and family is a very close knit concept where everyone does things together. The transition to the United States has had its growing pains along with some cold reality. Ruby transition from China in the past two years appears to be a lonely one where she struggles to adapt the style and pace of life here.  The idea that yes we build friendships here but ultimately everyone moves at their own pace and direction unlike China, by Ruby's description everyone runs parallel and at the same pace. Ultimately Ruby's feeling of belonging is uncertain for her because she feels like she doesn't totally fit in here given past attempts but also acknowledges that she has also changed were if she was to go back she's not sure she could fit in back in her country's lifestyle. Even though this is on a larger scale I feel that the feeling of belonging and its uncertainty is one that people feel everywhere in the world. It is a battle that people face daily no matter of race, gender or location. Another theme I noticed was the natural idea of life's uncertainty. People and this false notion of having to have everything planned, I believe that yes long term plans or goals are good but sometimes can be overwhelming depending on when asked. Like Ruby short terms plans are a good way to go because they lead to progress and through these we will find answers to long term goals eventually.