Bernadette Ocampo is a 62-year-old woman who was born in Mariveles, Bataan Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 1989. She is currently residing in Daly City, California. Ocampo vividly discusses and explains her life in terms of immigration, materialism, family obligation, and religion.
VIDEO#1 SECTIONS:
I. Life in the Philippines II. Immigration to the U.S. III. Life in the U.S. IV. Definition of America
VIDEO#2 SECTIONS:
I. Comparison between living in the U.S. and in the Philippines
I, Ezekiel Saldajeno, interviewed my mother, Maria Saldajeno. I chose my mother because she has answers or information that may differ from other people. But it is also an interview that emphasize Filipinos believing the idea that United States is somewhat superior to the Philippines. I attempted to create the video to make it seem "fun" so it must be watched as a whole, not in segments. But if one is to look at it in segments, I divided it below.
Self and Family Background (00:53-2:48)
This first segment talks about Maria Saldajeno's basic information on her life during the Philippines. She attempts to describe what her life was like growing up in the Philippines, what she hoped for as she was attending school.
Life in America (03:15-04:30)
Second segment is about Maria Saldajeno's experiences living in the United States, involving who petitioned her and why she was petitioned. This segment also involves her expectations, and difficulty (difference between America and Philippines) of living in the area.
Children in America (04:34-06:13)
The third segment talks about what Maria Saldajeno did to maintain the language and Filipino culture intact with her children. She also explains why moving the the United States is beneficial for her children.
Reflection (06:20-06:54)
The Fourth and final segment is to sum up the whole interview. I ask her if she regrets immigrating to the United States and if she believes in the "American Dream."
Lydia E. Calaunan ~ "Ang Mga Anak Ko Ang Buhay Ko!"
INTRODUCTION
For the Digital Oral History Project, I chose to interview my grandmother, Lydia E. Calaunan. Throughout the entire interview, she told me stories about her struggles and sacrifices for our family. I heard some very interesting stories and learned so much about our family history. I have always been thankful for all the sacrifices she made. Without those sacrifices, my father, Arnulfo E. Calaunan, would not be able to provide us, me and my siblings, the opportunities to live and have a better life and future. I'm grateful towards my grandmother, as well as to my whole family, for all the sacrifices and struggles they had to go through because it opened up a new door, a new chapter, and new opportunities for us to live a better life.
During the interview, she discusses her family background, life in the Philippines and in the United States, as well as her reflection of all her experiences.
Family Background
Mrs. Calaunan talked about her family background, such as herself, her siblings, her parents, and their living conditions. She also talked about her experiences while living during the Marcos Regime.
Mrs. Calaunan talked about how she and her husband was able to migrate to the United States, and her emotions throughout the moving process. She also talked about the sacrifices she made in order to live in the U.S.
Mrs. Calaunan talked about her current lifestyle in the U.S., and the difference between her lifestyle back in the Philippines to the lifestyle she has now.
Mrs. Calaunan talked about whether she would stay and live in the United States for the rest of her life or go back home in the Philippines and be with the rest of her family/children forever.
Evelyn Fowlis, or as I like to call her, grandma, is my grandmother on my step mothers side. I was blessed to have a touch of Filipino culture when my father remarried. Growing up as a kid, I never really knew any history about the Philippines, the only thing that I did know was that I was in love with the food. Family gatherings were the highlights of my childhood, and they still are.
The reason why I chose to interview my grandmother was because she is the only member alive in my family tree that has spent years in the Philippines and in the United States. This is her story.
Video Segments
1. Family Background
A brief description of who Evelyn grew up with in the Philippines.
2. Living in the Philippines
Evelyn explains what day to day life was like during her life in the Philippines (schooling, free time, etc…) with a brief mention of the impact of the Marcos Regime.
3. Leaving the Philippines
Evelyn goes into detail on why she had to leave the Philippines and what she had to take with her.
4. Coming/Settling in the United States
The precautions that Evelyn had to take when she arrived in the U.S. are mentioned along with her day to day life in San Francisco, CA.
A nice side story from back in the day.
Life in San Francisco continued. With some brief input from my Auntie Bobbie and my stepmother Kathy. (off screen)
A story about a women who lived in the Philippines her whole life and lived through many struggles such as migrating to the US and living through WW2
Video Segments
1. Life In the Philippines
Stella gives a little insight on how it was for her in the Philippines and how times were living in World War 2.
2. Life in the US & Homesickness
Living life in the US to someone that was not born there is another persons American dream. After Grandma Stella was around her 50-60s she was already retired and a full citizen of the US.
When moving to the US from your hometown that you were born and raised in, after a while you experience something called homesickness. Grandma Stella answers questions about homesickness and how she visits the PI once every year.
3. Careers and Education
Grandma Stellas does not recollect much from her education, but talks about the things she remembered such as her majors and etc.
4. Identity Crisis
Because many Filipinos are born in the US, most of them don't know their own background between themselves Grandma Stella gives her own opinion on how she feels about the topic.
This is Michael Cedric Vicencio! He has been in the states for more than 10 years and is a first generation Filipino American.
Table Of Contents
1. Introduction and Background
2. Migrating to the U.S. 3. Life in the U.S. 4. Being a Filipino In The U.S.
5. Reflections
1. Introduction and Background
Michael talks about who he is and gives some information about some basic background about himself.
2. Migrating to the U.S.
Michael tells us about his immigration process and his family reasons for migrating to the United State.
3. Life in the U.S.
In this Segment, Michael tells us about his life in the U.S. and how he adapted living here in the states.
4. Being a Filipino in the U.S.
He talks about the obstacle he faced as a Filipino Immigrant and if he would identify himself as a true American. He also mentioned whether or not he maintained his Filipino Identity.
5. Reflections
Michael reflected about his life in this segment and whether or not he regret his family's decision to come to the states.
