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.
Introduction of Auntie Josie having a Family Obligation towards her Family In the Philippines
During this interview, I found a lot of information that I did not know about my family members. I'm found some things that made me realize that if you make a sacrifice you towards your family and just to make their life better but i think you don't have to regret it. because it will help your other relatives even do you'll sacrifice your own family just to help your other siblings to have a better life.
Table of contents
Intro
1. Family Background
2. Leaving the Philippines
3. Settling / Life in the U.S.
4. Being Filipino in the U.S
5. Reflections
Introduction ~ My Auntie Josie Twyman did some sacrifice to give a better life or future for her siblings in the Philippines even do she sacrifice her own family just to help her siblings.
Segment One ( Family Back Ground)
In this video auntie Josie talks about how her life in the Philippines was fun and memorable experience when she was growing up in the Philippines
Segment Two ( Leaving the Philippines)
In this video she talks about why she must leave the Philippines so that she can help her siblings to have a better future even do she must leave her own family just to help her siblings.
Segment Three ( Settling/Life in U.S.)
In this video she talks about how she settle her life in the United States with her other siblings even do she not with her own Family in the Philippines because she needs to help her Siblings to have a better life without anyone holding them back " Getting married and afternoon is not the most important thing in my life".
Segment Four ( Being Filipino In the U.S)
In this video She talk about how she being a Filipino in the United States or U.S because she thinks that she's different from other people or other ethnic groups but she's a friendly and helpful person towards other people or ethnic groups
Segment Five (Reflection)
In This video She talks about how she reach her american dreams and goals in life just to help her family in the Philippines and sometimes she visit her other siblings and niece, nephews in the Philippines
Claire migrated in the United States in 1981 when she was seven years old from the United States.
LIST OF VIDEO SEGMENTS:
SEGMENT 1: Coming to the United States.
Claire Cruz explains how she came to America. She was only seven years old. Her father started the chain to come to America. He was a sailor and he petitioned his wife and four children to the United States. Her Mother waited five years to become an american citizen. She is the youngest among the four children.
Claire's sister Connie's Pre-school graduation.
Typical Family photo, but missing dad.
SEGMENT 2:
Claire explains the difference of respect of Filipino Americans and Filipinos that are born in the Philippines.
SEGMENT 3:
Claire Cruz explaining her experience on bullying in schools as a child.
My Uncle Francisco Solis was an immigrant who moved to the U.S. during the 1970s and is now a proud U.S. Citizen.Just like most Filipinos who moved to the U.S. during that time, he wanted to escape the chaos that was happening back in the Philippines. Through hard work and determination, he was able to provide a stable and happy life for his wife and kids, and guarantee a bright future for them.
Video Segment:
I. Childhood and Life in the Philippines
II. Family
III. Life in the U.S.
IV. Reflection
I. Childhood and Life in the Philippines:
In this video, He talks about his life back at home and the type of environment he lived in as a child. He also mentions about former President Ferdinand Marcos and his opinion that slightly differs from others.
II. Family:
He talks about how he raised his kids in America and compared to how he was raised back in the Philippines and decides to mix both American Culture and Filipino culture into one.
III. Life in the U.S.:
He talks about his life in the U.S. prior to moving. His business and the type of jobs he had when he first moved here.
IV. Reflection:
His advice to future Filipino Americans who want to learn more about the culture and background as Filipinos.
The person I chose to interview was my uncle, Alfonso Leyson jr. Through out the interview I was able to revisit his past as he explained his life in the Philippines to here in California. We broke down how the transition was from moving from the Philippines to California, such as culture within the community, finding a job and how both places differed economically. In the end we talked about his views on where he finds himself at home.
Table Of Content
Background Information and a Comparison of the Philippines and California
Family Background, the Immigration Process and Looking Back Now
Comparing Filipino-American communities in northern California and southern California and Find a Place in the Work Place
Looking back at the Motherland and Finding a New Home
1, In this segment we get background information on Alfonso's life currently as well as his past 2. In this segment he talks about his family background and what his immigration story was.
3. We look back at how the Filipino community differs from the United States and the Philippines as well as different regions of California
4. Finally we close off the interview with looking back on the Philippines and what he views as his home
For my oral history project, I decided to interview Benedicto Tiquia, who is my friend Josh Tiquas dad. Ben, as he likes to be called, Grew up in the Philippines in Pampanga. Where he went to school and got a degree. He enjoyed his child hood as he explained to me in the interview. He described his neighborhood as a strong community where everyone knew everyone.
Work Force:
Ben talks about his experience in working in the Philippines. Explaining his jobs and eventually comparing the workforce in the U.S. and the Philippines. Sharing the differences and the similarities of the two workforce's.
City Life:
Ben talks about the city life in the Philippines where he grew up and the city life over here in the bay area. Explaining the way the people in the Philippines are very similar to each other and not feeling very different. Also explaining the diversity of the cities in America.
Reminders of Home:
Ben tells me about the reminders of home he has over here and the connections he has back home with old friends.
Conclusion:
The interview in this blog was not the original interview that I had, which sorta ruins the emotion and the stories from the original interview i had with Ben. But even after a second go around he still managed to give me interesting stories of his life back in the Philippines and here in America. From the diversity in the city to the differences in workforce between his two homes. He is a family man before anything else. It's clear to me that he does what he does for his family. Giving me an insight into his life in the Philippines and here was such an insightful experience because I get to see two different lives from one man. I learned a lot form him about the life style he grew up in and was able to make connections to Pinoy Capital. His story is very similar to many of the interviewees in the book; but also very unique at the same time.
I will be doing my oral history project on my auntie, Soledad Vasayllaje. Like many it was not her choice going to United States, but she learns how to adapt quickly and make the best of her situation.
Table of content
1) Childhood 2) Leaving the Philippines 3)Settling in the U.s 4)Reflection
Childhood
Here is Soledad Vasayllaje Briefly describing how her childhood was like in the Philippines,while also comparing it to kids childhoods today
Here is Soledad with her two of her three kids and her husband.
Leaving the Philippines
Here is Soledad describing how she felt about leaving the Philippines and explaining why and how she migrated to the United States.
Here is a picture of Soledad with all of her brothers and sisters
Settling in the U.s
Here is Soledad Vasayllaje describing how the transition of leaving the Philippines for the United States was while also describing the differences from the U.s and the Philippines
Reflection
In this video, Soledad will reflect upon her whole life in America
