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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Filipino Immigrant Oral History Project
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies
Description
An account of the resource
<strong><br />Note: Collection upload in process</strong>
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview.
Kimiko Masaki
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed.
Novey Masaki
Transcription
Any written text transcribed from a sound.
[Session 1, May 27, 2019]<br />[Begin Audio File]<br />K. MASAKI: It’s May 27, 2019 at 3:21 [pm]. It’s Kimiko Masaki interviewing:<br />N. MASAKI: Novey Masaki.<br />K. MASAKI: And I have a few questions about your immigration history so here it is. First question is where and when were you born?<br />N. MASAKI: October 25, 1973. Manilla, Philippines<br />K. MASAKI: And where were your parents born?<br />N. MASAKI: Oh. My parents were born in the Philippines. My mom was born in San Juan, La Union, I think. My dad was born in Pangasinan, Philippines.<br />K. MASAKI: What jobs did your parents do?<br />N. MASAKI: My dad was an oversea worker, and my mom was a stay at home.<br />K. MASAKI: Did your dad say where he worked specifically?<br />N. MASAKI: Not specific. But I think he first started working at Trinidad and Tobago.<br />K. MASAKI: Oh, where’s that?<br />N. MASAKI: I don’t know Trinidad and Tobago. That’s why Phet Phet is named Phetrina. Philippines and Trinidad. [PAUSE] What did I say?<br />K. MASAKI: Trinidad and Tobago.<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah where’s Trinidad?<br />K. MASAKI: I think that’s Central. Do you know what kind of work he did?<br />N. MASAKI: Uh, something about the telephone line. Here Trinidad and Tobago. [SHOWS PHONE]<br />K. MASAKI: Oh it’s one country?<br />N. MASAKI: Caribbean? Ooh it’s a Caribbean Nation. Are you done looking at it?<br />K. MASAKI: Yeah.<br />N. MASAKI: That was nice.<br />K. MASAKI: So he was never in the U.S?<br />N. MASAKI: Well before, yeah. And then he crossed to the U.S.<br />K. MASAKI: Around, like, what time?<br />N. MASAKI: 1980’s.<br />K. MASAKI: Did any of your family members move to America before you?<br />N. MASAKI: No only my dad.<br />K. MASAKI: In the 1980’s?<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah only my dad was here in the 1980’s and then he petitioned me and my two brothers.<br />K. MASAKI: When was that?<br />N. MASAKI: 1992.<br />K. MASAKI: What was your academic experience in the Philippines?<br />N. MASAKI: My academic experience?<br />K. MASAKI: Yeah.<br />N. MASAKI: Well I had to learn the same as in here [U.S] we have English, Math, and Science with the exception of going to church every Friday because I went to a Catholic school.<br />K. MASAKI: Were you taught in English?<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah, at kindergarden.<br />K. MASAKI: That’s weird because you’re in the Philippines.<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah.<br />K. MASAKI: And then you said you went up to nursing school before you moved?<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah.<br />K. MASAKI: How close were you to finishing?<br />N. MASAKI: I was in third- second year in college so I had three semesters.<br />K. MASAKI: Did you know you were going to move to the U.S when you were younger?<br />N. MASAKI: No, not so soon. We know my dad was working on it but we didn’t- I did not know I had to leave until I was told I had to leave when I was- before I was 18.<br />K. MASAKI: So that’s why you went to nursing school?<br />N. MASAKI: I went to nursing school and then stopped because if I pass 18-year-old then my petition VISA would be obsolete. You have to be dependent, I guess, because it’s my dad petitioning.<br />[5:08]<br />K. MASAKI: Why did your dad petition you to move out of the Philippines?<br />N. MASAKI: Well, the mind of being in America is to have a better life and better opportunities. Which I think so.<br />K. MASAKI: So, your thoughts about American before moving here was- You thought it was like-<br />N. MASAKI: Disneyland!<br />K. MASAKI: Like Disneyland.<br />N. MASAKI: And chocolate.<br />K. MASAKI: You didn’t have chocolate over there?<br />N. MASAKI: Not as extravagant of chocolate here. The closest chocolate you would get is coconut sugar.<br />K. MASAKI: Ah, and Sticko.<br />N. MASAKI: And sticko.<br />K. MASAKI: We learned in class that in the Philippines its common for like, instead of the kids saying what they want to be when they grow up they say where do you want to be. Because moving out of the Philippines is a common thing. So was that a thing for you when you were a little kid?<br />N. MASAKI: No, it was still a question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is what I hear a lot. I guess it has changed because we are so global now and everybody can easily work outside the Philippines. So I guess it has changed from the time I was a kid to now.<br />K. MASAKI: Oh I forgot to ask- Oh wait never mind you already answered that; about your thoughts about America then and now. Is that- Do you still think it’s a land of opportunity?<br />N. MASAKI: Oh yes! for sure.<br />K. MASAKI: Where did you first live in the United States?<br />N. MASAKI: In Santa Clara, California. [In] 1992. In October, right before my birthday.<br />K. MASAKI: So you were close?<br />N. MASAKI: I had my 18th birthday here in the U.S<br />K. MASAKI: That’s nice.<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah and it was sad at the same time. It was exciting and sad. Bittersweet, because I had to leave my family behind, my friends. The culture. It was a shock because when I look out the window, in the Philippines you’ll see faces and dogs and crowded streets and alley. In here, I’m always looking for people. Where are they? I always wonder, “Where does everyone go?”<br />K. MASAKI: Did you ever find out where they go?<br />N. MASAKI: Not until I started working. Everybody is at work or at school. The good thing about here is that everybody has something to do.<br />K. MASAKI: You said your first job when you came to America was McDonald’s.<br />N. MASAKI: Yup, I worked at McDonald’s.<br />K. MASAKI: How did you get that job?<br />N. MASAKI: A neighbor of us was moving away from California. So she gave me- asked me if I wanted her job at McDonalds. And so she backed me up to her boss and gave me the job.<br />K. MASAKI: What were you doing before then?<br />N. MASAKI: Before?<br />K. MASAKI: Before you got the job at McDonalds?<br />N. MASAKI: Nothing. I got the job right away. After just a few weeks.<br />K. MASAKI: How long were you there?<br />N. MASAKI: I don’t know. I can’t remember. I would say at least a good year.<br />K. MASAKI: Before you went to dad’s job?<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah. [Talking to other family members eating in the room]<br />[10:05]<br />K. MASAKI: Did your professional or academic experience help you get your jobs?<br />N. MASAKI: I think so. I think mainly being able to speak English. That’s a big plus. Professionally, I don’t know. Its just more of, I’m not afraid to work in the kitchen because I’ve always worked in the kitchen ever since I was a kid.<br />K. MASAKI: How about your job at UL? What kind of work did you do?<br />N. MASAKI: I was an engineering aid. So I assist the engineer with their needs for electrical chord measurements.<br />K. MASAKI: What does that mean?<br />N. MASAKI: It means I have to measure the requirements that the engineers ask me to see whether the material pass or not pass based on the specification.<br />K. MASAKI: Did you go back to school here in America?<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah I tried.<br />K. MASAKI: How far did you get?<br />N. MASAKI: Not much.<br />K. MASAKI: What kind of schooling did you do?<br />N. MASAKI: Dianza Junior college. Dianza Junior College.<br />K. MASAKI: How long were you there?<br />N. MASAKI: Well, before I had kids I tried to go for two semesters.<br />K. MASAKI: How about after you had us?<br />N. MASAKI: When I had you guys?<br />K. MASAKI: Yeah, cause I remember going to your school one time.<br />N. MASAKI: I tried to go for two semesters? Or three semesters? Yeah Las Positas. I tried to go for maybe three semester.<br />K. MASAKI: Were you trying to be a nurse? Or complete your nursing?<br />N. MASAKI: I was trying. But I could never finish. It was hard, I feel like the little train that could, but could not get there. Because I had other priorities. My kids. My family.<br />K. MASAKI: Did you notice anything different between the 1st generation immigrants and the Filipino America community? So like you and then your kids.<br />N. MASAKI: Oh yeah! Big difference.<br />K. MASAKI: Like what?<br />N. MASAKI: Well for one, if you’re born here already your adjustment is easier because this is where you already feel you belong right? This is where you build your identity. As compared to being born like me. I was born somewhere else. Having friends there until I was 18 and then moving here was very difficult because by that age, I think its harder. For me it was harder for me to start all over again. Although you can do it, it just took a long time of adjustment. Until now, I’m still adjusting with my diction. My pronunciation. One day I can work on that.<br />K. MASAKI: Do you think there is a difference in culture and upbringing.<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah. There is a big difference. There’s good and bad on each side of the country. I like how the parents bring up closeness in the Philippines. I like how the family look out for each other. But I don’t like how strict the parenting is in the Philippines. But in here- [Interrupted by Lexi] It’s also good in here. There’s good and bad. The bad thing is parents here are just too too loose. Too, too- how would I say it? I don’t think they know how to discipline very well. I still have my ways about how I was brought up but not as bad as how my dad and my parents were. To teach us they always whack our butts with sticks if we make mistakes.<br />[15:15]<br />K. MASAKI: Mistakes like what?<br />N. MASAKI: I don’t know. A lot of things. Even if it’s a little mistake like maybe your grades aren’t good enough. Or you didn’t cook when you’re supposed to cook. To do your chores when you’re suppose to do your chore and you don’t do your chores. You get to meet stick.<br />K. MASAKI: That’s strict.<br />N. MASAKI: It’s very hard and strict. And if you’re not suppose to go outside because you have to do your chores and they find you outside. You disobeyed you’re in big trouble. You get to meet stick again. Stick and belt.<br />K. MASAKI: Do you know what your brothers did when they came here?<br />N. MASAKI: What do you mean, ‘what they did?’<br />K. MASAKI: Like the jobs they had?<br />N. MASAKI: They went to school first. They tried to finish high school.<br />K. MASAKI: Oh yeah because they were 16.<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah so they were trying to finish High School.<br />K. MASAKI: Did you ever felt any kind of oppression for being Filipino in America?<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah, I think. I felt a little bit. How do you explain oppression? Like discriminated?<br />K. MASAKI: Yeah. Or people thinking a certain way because of where you came from.<br />N. MASAKI: Yeah, I had experiences. I couldn’t remember but I did have experiences. I think everyone gets that experience whether you’re from the Philippines or from other countries or not. But I did get. I don’t know if it’s because I’m from the Philippines or maybe because of my<br />accent or maybe the way I think sometimes. [PAUSE] I remember Ate Jocelyn was telling me a story when she was working at SM. So there was a foreigner who came up to her and goes, “Do you have bleck?” and she kept asking, “What’s ‘bleck’?” “Bleck”. And so she had to call another person and ask, “He wants ‘bleck’.” And then the co-worker goes, “What’s ‘bleck’?” So then the foreigner got even more upset so they called the manager, that’s a third person. It ended up that ‘bleck’ was black shoes. So its better to ask, to avoid frustration, just to ask how to spell it or to elaborate because the accent, sometimes, is hard to understand. Like you have a good, better accent. My accent is different, but it just means the same way. But people do get frustration.<br />K. MASAKI: Like the ‘bic mac’. [Referring to a story when she was working at McDonalds with poor English and struggling to communicate to a customer who also had imperfect English]<br />[19:43]<br />N. MASAKI: And spaghetti at McDonalds. I was really expecting spaghetti at McDonalds because we have it in the Philippines. Oh! McDonalds McDonalds! After a long day of driving with my Dad. I was so mad. I said, “No! you have to have spaghetti we have it in the Philippines!” Well you’re not in the Philippines. [Talks to other family members in the room] Ok, what else Kimiko?<br />K. MASAKI: I can’t find any other questions that are relevant. Most of what we learn is about migrant workers and different visas for like agriculture work and care giving work.<br />N. MASAKI: Oh yeah. A lot of Filipinos want to be in the medical field. Nurses. Because you know why? It’s the easier ticket to get out of the Philippines.<br />K. MASAKI: Oh yeah we learned that too. Because then they can become professionals in the U.S.<br />N. MASAKI: Even doctors are giving up their license just to get out of the Philippines because the pay is three times as much. So you’ll meet quite a few doctors in the Philippines who are nurses here [U.S]<br />K. MASAKI: Because it’s better?<br />N. MASAKI: Well for one it’s a better life for their children. Right? It may not be for them anymore because they give up their- they went to school to become a doctor for many, many years. And then in here, they become nurses. But, it’s a sacrifice they make to give their kids a better future.
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Oral History Interview with Novey Masaki
Subject
The topic of the resource
Philippines -- Manila., San Juan, La Union., Pangasinan, Phiilippines., Migrant Labor -- Philippines., Immigrant Families -- United States., U.S. Citizenship., Philippines -- Social Conditions., Santa Clara, California., Immigrants -- Cultural Assimilation., Continuing Education -- United States., Family & Relationships -- Parenting -- Child Rearing., Immigrants -- Social Conditions.,
Description
An account of the resource
Oral history interview with Novey Masaki, interviewed by Kimiko Masaki
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
27-May-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies and the UC Davis Asian American Studies department holds intellectual control of these recordings. Usage is restricted for educational, non-commercial purposes only. For other uses, please contact archivist Jason Sarmiento at ajsarmiento@ucdavis.edu
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Audio Recording and Transcript
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
ucdw_wa014_s001_0029
California.
Continuing Education -- United States.
Family & Relationships -- Parenting -- Child Rearing.
Immigrant Families -- United States.
Immigrants -- Cultural Assimilation.
Immigrants -- Social Conditions.
La Union.
Migrant Labor -- Philippines.
Pangasinan
Phiilippines.
Philippines -- Manila.
Philippines -- Social Conditions.
San Juan
Santa Clara
U.S. Citizenship.
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Filipino Immigrant Oral History Project
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies
Description
An account of the resource
<strong><br />Note: Collection upload in process</strong>
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview.
Fatima Marin
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed.
Nancy Gabriel
Transcription
Any written text transcribed from a sound.
Marin: Hello. My name is Fatima Marin. It is June 3rd, 2019 and it is 8:52 AM and I am doing the<br />oral history project for ASA 150 and I am interviewing Nancy Gabriel.<br />Marin: Where and when were you born?<br />Gabriel: I was born in a province in the Philippines. The name of the province is [Batac] Ilocos<br />Norte.<br />Marin: And were you an only child?<br />Gabriel: No. I have one brother and two sisters. So, including me there’s four of us.<br />Marin: And you’re the oldest?<br />Gabriel: No. I’m the second oldest.<br />Marin: So, did your parents work? What did they work as?<br />Gabriel: Oh yeah. Luckily, my dad was the only one working because back home we have a<br />tradition that the mom always stays home and on top of that we have maids too because we do<br />everything. We don’t have luxuries like we have here in the U.S. like washing machines,<br />dishwashers… so we have maids that help the moms to raise the kids.<br />Marin: What did your dad works as?<br />Gabriel: He got a Bachelor of Science in agriculture, so he was teaching in the city.<br />Marin: So how was your childhood like growing up in the Philippines?<br />Gabriel: I had a good childhood. My mom was very calm. She really raised us well, to be nice,<br />forgiving, to help other people you know? Things like that.<br />Marin: And did you go to school in your same province?<br />Gabriel: Oh yeah, I went to school there.<br />Marin: What did you think of the United States when you were little?<br />Gabriel: You know, I see Disneyland I thought this is like heaven but when I migrated here<br />whatever I was thinking then is totally different.<br />Marin: So, on that when did you decide to move here?<br />Gabriel: Well my dad applied to come here as an immigrant. During that time if you have a<br />bachelor’s degree you can apply to come here as a… I don’t know but he migrated here, he<br />applied for a job here and they hired him. So, when he was able to get everything settled here<br />then he moved us here. So, we joined him.<br />Marin: How old were you when you moved here?<br />Gabriel: I was sixteen when I moved here<br />Marin: So, did you finish high school over there?<br />Gabriel: I finished high school there. But we don’t have grade seven and grade eight [there] so<br />when I migrated to the U.S. they tried to hold me back, they wanted me to go back to eleventh<br />grade but I didn’t want to, I refused to go back to junior [year]. So, they told me to take a test.<br />So, I took the test and I passed, and they just put me to twelfth grade right away. I skipped<br />eleventh grade.<br />Marin: What state was the first state you moved to here in the U.S.?<br />Gabriel: Here. California. Ever since then, I never moved. Because my dad bought a house here<br />and he said it’s hard to move from one place to another and it’s expensive, so we just moved to<br />one area and we stayed there until now.<br />Marin: How did you feel when he told you “We’re moving to America.”?<br />Gabriel: Well, at first, I didn’t want to come here because I already have my friends there and I<br />wanted to study there but [it was] his choice. He said it’s very hard to be away from each other<br />so we need to be together, so I was forced to move here.<br />Marin: So, you were a bit sad maybe?<br />Gabriel: Uh yeah. It was a big transition for me I had to adjust. What can I say, you know? I’m<br />already here.<br />Marin: Growing up what was the language you spoke?<br />Gabriel: Well, I studied in a catholic school so English was not really difficult for me because we<br />were talking in English already back home. So, just to get the accent from here, adjust the<br />accent but English wasn’t really hard for me to learn because I was already talking in English at<br />school.<br />Marin: Okay. Do you also speak Tagalog or any other language?<br />Gabriel: Yeah! I speak two dialects actually my mom is from a different province and my dad is<br />from a different province, so my mom has her own dialect and my dad has his own dialect and<br />then we have the national language which is Tagalog.<br />Marin: So, you speak all three of those?<br />[4:50]<br />Gabriel: Yeah!<br />Marin: What are the names of the other two?<br />Gabriel: One is Visaya and then [the other one is] Ilocano.<br />Marin: Wow, so you speak a lot of languages.<br />Gabriel: No, no. They’re dialects. I only speak one [language] just Tagalog. So, Ilocano is a<br />different dialect and Visaya is a different dialect, but the national language is Tagalog. So, if you<br />talk Tagalog back home everybody can understand you.<br />Marin: Oh, so that’s how you communicate with everybody around you.<br />Gabriel: Just like Sacramento you speak same dialect and then Fresno different dialect,<br />something like that.<br />Marin: Kind of like accents, in a way?<br />Gabriel: No, it’s totally different. You know, when you don’t speak the national language, like if<br />you’re from Fresno and I’m from Sacramento we won’t be able to talk. That’s how it is we have<br />to speak the national language so we can communicate with each other. Otherwise, even<br />though were both Filipinos we cannot understand each other. That’s how it is.<br />Marin: Oh, okay. Did you ever visit Manila?<br />Gabriel: Oh, yeah.<br />Marin: How far away was it?<br />Gabriel: It’s like equivalent from Elk Grove to Los Angeles.<br />Marin: Oh, so it’s a bit far away?<br />Gabriel: Eh, it’s like a six to seven hour drive.<br />Marin: So, you came here, graduated from high school. Then after that did you go right away to<br />college?<br />Gabriel: Oh yeah, I went to college. I took my pre-nursing and then I got my associate’s in two<br />years and then after that I went on and I didn’t know what I wanted to do but then I was always<br />sick as a child, so I decided to go to nursing.<br />Marin: So, where did you get your nursing degree from?<br />Gabriel: San Joaquin Delta College.<br />Marin: Where is that?<br />Gabriel: It’s in Stockton.<br />Marin: Did you notice any differences when you first moved here? Between the Philippines and<br />the United States?<br />Gabriel: Oh yeah. I’m more independent now. I have my own thing. So, it’s just like… you know<br />back home we support each other. Even though you’re old you can still depend on your mom<br />but over here I noticed once you turn eighteen or nineteen most likely you are independent<br />already. So that’s what I noticed. Totally different from back there.<br />Marin: It’s very “independent” here.<br />Gabriel: Very independent.<br />Marin: [It seems] back there, it’s more family-oriented.<br />Gabriel: Yeah. Even though you are married, you still get support from your parents. They can<br />support you financially but not here.<br />Marin: Have you ever visited back?<br />Gabriel: Mm-hmm. Yeah.<br />Marin: And how is it when you go back?<br />Gabriel: It’s different! I see the difference. It was a situation for me because back then when I<br />went there, I basically do everything on my own and we had maids there. The maids would say<br />“What’s wrong with you? You’re cooking your own food?” [I would say] “Yeah! I want to cook<br />my food and do all my stuff on my own.”<br />Marin: It’s very different. Back then you had maids and helpers.<br />Gabriel: Yeah. They used to cook for me. [When I visited] I usually get up before them and I’d<br />be cooking already and they’d ask, “Who cooked breakfast?” I said, “I did!” and they say “Oh<br />my god! You’re so early! I was supposed to do that.” And I said “No, it’s okay.” They said, “Oh<br />my god! You are so different than when you left.”<br />Marin: How do you feel when you go and then you have to come back here?<br />Gabriel: Well, I feel very fortunate because I see most of the people there even though they<br />have a good job they cannot buy whatever they want. Not like here, you know. We just have a<br />regular job but most likely we can probably do everything, you know. So, I feel blessed because<br />at least you can go to school. Not like back home where you really have to strive and do<br />everything you know. You have to struggle real hard to get everything you want.<br />Marin: Yeah, It’s very different here.<br />Gabriel: Here we have scholarships. Back there, even though you do it’s still hard to do.<br />Marin: It’s hard to move forward?<br />Gabriel: Yeah.<br />Marin: Why do you think that is?<br />Gabriel: I just think it’s the way. It’s a third world country you know. It’s just the way it’s set up<br />financially, I think. A job is very hard to get. Even though you have a bachelor’s degree. That’s<br />why my dad migrated here because of that. He was in a higher position, but he wasn’t making<br />enough to support four of us. So, he was forced to migrate to the U.S.<br />Marin: So, in the end you feel grateful that you’re here?<br />Gabriel: Yeah, grateful.<br />Marin: What’s one difference you can say about the people in your country in comparison to<br />the people here?<br />[9:52]<br />Gabriel: They are more family-oriented back home. Even though we are having hardships back<br />there we’re just together as a family. Breakfast you eat as a family, lunch you eat as a family. All<br />the problems [you face] as a family. Here, you have your own thing. You wake up and eat by<br />yourself, everybody’s like gone because they have to work. Over there, no. Before we leave the<br />house, we have to eat as a family and then we talk about issues and help each other solve<br />problems. We have family time. Always family, family, family. Here, you only see your family on<br />special occasions like thanksgiving or Christmas you know.<br />Marin: So, do you have kids?<br />Gabriel: Yeah! I have three kids.<br />Marin: And they’re from here?<br />Gabriel: Yeah, they were all born here. I have a twenty-seven-year-old. He’s in med school and<br />he’s graduating next year. Then I have a twenty-two-year-old and she goes to Sac State to study<br />biology. Then, I have a young one. He’s fourteen. He’s graduating on Wednesday. He’s going to<br />high school.<br />I took them back home so they can see the life that we have so they can appreciate more. So, I<br />took them there when they were teenagers and they really appreciated the life that we had,<br />and it was a challenge for them to strive harder here. I’m a nurse, I don’t make good money,<br />but I make a decent amount. I didn’t give them what they asked for when they were little. I let<br />them work on their own like I did. So, now they’re very hardworking kids. My eldest one, I<br />spoiled him with my love but not material things. I let him work for whatever he wants to get.<br />Because I told him that a love that a parent gives is not all material things, it’s love, guidance<br />everything like that and he appreciated it. That’s why he’s going to be a doctor next year. I<br />really taught them well you know.<br />I told them I’m taking you back home, you need to see the life that we had. I want you to see<br />and experience it all at least a month. How life is in a third world country you know. [The<br />people] are very happy, they don’t have all the material things but they’re very happy people<br />because they’re surrounded with family, the aunties, the uncles, the grandparents. Everybody’s<br />there to support each other. So, they appreciated it.<br />I took them to the city. There’s a lot of homeless people there. Kids as early as seven years old<br />making their own living like selling flowers along the road. They’re selling a lot of stuff on the<br />sidewalks<br />Marin: You see a lot of things that you probably wouldn’t see here.<br />Gabriel: Yeah. So, I told them look at the kids. They’re striving and you guys when you have leftovers<br />here you just throw them away. Them, no they don’t. They have to put away their leftover<br />and eat it the next day. For you guys, you just want three bites of your cheeseburger and<br />then don’t want it anymore. That’s not how it works in the Philippines. So, they appreciated it.<br />When we came back here, I saw a big change. They were saving their left-overs. I mean, they<br />are nice. I taught them to be nice, but they were nicer.<br />Not to look down on the people back there but I wanted them to experience it and see how<br />they’re going through life over there.<br />Marin: It’s very different. And you experienced that because you grew up back there, but they<br />didn’t.<br />Gabriel: Yeah. They didn’t.<br />Marin: It’s good that you let them see that.<br />Gabriel: Oh yeah.<br />Marin: To finish off, what is something you would say to people like who are moving here at a<br />young age? What is a word of advice you would give them based on your experience?<br />Gabriel: I would say, listen to your parent’s advice and learn as you go. Take advantage of<br />whatever your parents have, if they help you. Take advantage of that. Because they are here to<br />support you and advice from them, take it. Because, they are more experienced than you. Every<br />lesson learned you have to appreciate it and thank God for everything, always and everyday<br />thank God for everything, bad or good. Always call for help. Don’t start your day without<br />praying. I was brought up as catholic so bad or good always thank God. Don’t start the day<br />without calling him because that’s your guidance all the time. He gives you wisdom and then as<br />you go you will see the difference.<br />Marin: Alright, well thank you so much for the interview!<br />Gabriel: Yeah. Thank you!<br />[end 16:18]
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Title
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Oral History Interview with Nancy Gabriel
Subject
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Batac, Ilocs Norte, Immigrant Families -- United States -- Social Conditions., Philippines -- Social Conditions., San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, California, Family & Relationships -- Parenting -- Child Rearing., Tagalog Language., Ilocano, Visaya, Dialect., U.S. Citizenship., Immigrants -- Cultural Assimilation., Continuing Education -- United States.,
Description
An account of the resource
Oral history interview with Nancy Gabriel, interviewed by Fatima Marin
Date
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3-Jun-19
Rights
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The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies and the UC Davis Asian American Studies department holds intellectual control of these recordings. Usage is restricted for educational, non-commercial purposes only. For other uses, please contact archivist Jason Sarmiento at ajsarmiento@ucdavis.edu
Format
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Audio Recording and Transcript
Identifier
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ucdw_wa014_s001_0028
Batac
California
Continuing Education -- United States.
Dialect.
Family & Relationships -- Parenting -- Child Rearing.
Ilocano
Ilocs Norte
Immigrant Families -- United States -- Social Conditions.
Immigrants -- Cultural Assimilation.
Philippines -- Social Conditions.
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton
Tagalog Language.
U.S. Citizenship.
Visaya