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.