Recent rhp items

Red Clay, Blue Hills: An Oral History of Professor John Brown Childs

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Red Clay, Blue Hills: An Oral History of Professor John Brown Childs

Saving the Peregrine: An Oral History of the UCSC Predatory Bird Research Group with Glenn R. Stewart

Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Saving the Peregrine: An Oral History of the UCSC Predatory Bird Research Group with Glenn R. Stewart

Elizabeth "Liz" Tana interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Elizabeth "Liz" Taytayon Tana speaks with Meleia Simon-Reynolds, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Liz shares memories of visiting the Philippines with her family, the various homes and neighborhoods in the Pajaro Valley that she and her family lived in, gatherings with her families' extended kinship network which included the Tejada, Taytayon, and Cawaling families, and Filipino dances organized by the Filipino Women's Club of Watsonville and the Caballeros de Dimas-Alang. She talks about the relationship between father, Clemente Vargas Tana, her mother, Estelita "Lita" Taytayon Tabios, and her step father, Dioscoro Tabios. She also explains their work as strawberry farmers in Watsonville and Lita's job in the...

Fred Tejada interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Fred Tejada speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Meleia Simon-Reynolds. Fred talks about his father, Godofredo "Godo" Tana Tejada, who immigrated from the Philippines to the United States. He discusses how his father worked various jobs in Seattle and California, and he details his father's work as a foreman for the Bracero Program. Fred goes on to explain how his father met his mother, Meady Dalisay Solomeo in the Philippines, and how his parents moved to Watsonville together shortly after marrying. Fred talks about his father's work harvesting strawberry, lettuce, and brussel sprouts, and he discusses his mom's work in the fields during the day and at the pajama factory at night. Fred remembers helping his father in the fields throughout his adolescence, as well as he recalls his family housing many manong while they lived in Watsonville.

Juanita Sulay Wilson interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds Part 2 of 2

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Juanita Sulay Wilson speaks with Meleia Simon-Reynolds, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. This interview is focused on Juanita's mother, Virginia Alice Viner, and her membership and role in the Watsonville Filipino Women's Club, as well as Juanita's own foundational role in the Watsonville High School Filipino Youth Club. Throughout the interview, Juanita describes the events and services the Filipino Women's Club provided to the community in Watsonville. She explains the racial dynamics within the club and community, including how white women like her mother were accepted into the organization. Juanita recalls how her mother saw herself within the community and discusses changing community dynamics when Filipino migrants arrived in Watsonville, especially after 1965. She also details the development of her own identity as a mixed-race person, explaining the ways members of the Filipino Women's club and her mother...

Fred "Freddie" Leo Castillo interviewed by Ian Hunte Doyle

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Freddie Leo Castillo speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Ian Hunte Doyle. Freddie details his father Doroteo Lafer Castillo's immigration to the United States from the Philippines through Hawai'i, where he worked on the sugarcane plantations until eventually moving to the mainland to work seasonal agricultural jobs. Freddie explains how Doroteo settled in Watsonville and worked as a sharecropper. Freddie remembers growing up in Watsonville, where he and his sister were raised by his father, Doroteo Lafer Castillo. Fred recalls joining the Filipino Youth Club with his childhood friend Raymond "Ray" Gonzalez, who he refers to as his brother. He also describes working in the fields with Ray throughout high school. Fred talks about growing up half-Filipino and half-Mexican, and he explains how his father introduced him to Filipino culture, primarily through food and cooking.

Tony Baniaga interviewed by Markus Faye Portacio

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally conducted via Zoom, Tony Baniaga speaks with Markus Faye Portacio, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Tony discusses his father Eusibio "Chevy" Margarin Baniaga's migration history including his experience in Hawai'i working in the sugarcane fields and working in the continental United States as a migrant farm laborer. He explains how Eusibio served in the Filipino Infantry Regiment during World War II. He also discusses his mother, Maxima "Sima" Vea Baniaga's experience working in Pajaro Valley agricultural fields alongside Eusibio and her job at Watsonville Canning Company. Tony describes his experiences growing up in the Pajaro Valley including attending Pajaro Elementary and Watsonville High School and working in agricultural fields throughout his adolescence. Tony also reflects on his time in the navy from 1969 to 1975, his service during the Vietnam War, his experiences while he was stationed in the Philippines and racial...

Raymond Gonzalez interviewed by Una Lynch

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded over Zoom, Raymond "Ray" Gonzalez speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Una Lynch. Ray talks about his mother, Margaret Sanchez, a Mexican woman who moved from Texas around the country to search for work. He explains how she eventually settled in Salinas, working in agriculture and as a cook in the labor camps. Ray goes on to talk about how his mother met his stepfather, Benito Acosta Nerona, while working in the canneries. Benito immigrated to Watsonville from the Philippines to work as an agricultural laborer. Ray speaks about the hardships his stepfather endured while working in the fields, and he describes the union meetings his parents would host at their family home. Though Ray is not ethnically Filipino, he shares his feelings of respect and pride for the Filipino community in Watsonville that his stepfather passed down to him. Ray also reminisces about being involved in the Filipino Youth Club and the tight-knit Filipino...

Lorraine "Rain" Bongolan interviewed by Una Lynch

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Lorraine "Rain" Sipin Bongolan speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Una Lynch. Rain talks about her father, Felix Hidalgo Bongolan's immigration from Santiago, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Oahu, Hawai'i where he worked as a foreman for Dole pineapple plantations during the 1940s. She shares how Felix met Irene "Inning" Sipin. They communicated via letters until Felix was able to travel back to the Philippines to marry Irene in 1951. Rain also talks about her mother, Irene's life growing up in the Philippines during Japanese occupation. Rain explains how her parents eventually settled in Watsonville, where Irene's brothers were already living. She describes Felix's work as a camp cook at a Filipino labor camp on Lee Road in Watsonville and Irene's involvement with Filipino community events. Rain also elaborates on how notions of assimilation and the American nuclear family impacted her experience growing up in Watsonville.

Francine Tabasa Lopes interviewed by Una Lynch, Christina Ayson Plank, and Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person at Paradise Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care in Live Oak, California, Francine Tabasa Lopes speaks with Una Lynch, Christina Ayson Plank, and Meleia Simon-Reynolds, members of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Francine shares stories about her parents, Jesus Torrente Tabasa and Rosita "Rosie" Dionisio Tabasa-Estrada. She explains how her parents migrated to the United States from the Philippines during the 1920s and 1930s and eventually settled in Watsonville. Francine discusses Jesus's agricultural labor and the restaurants and other businesses both of her parents owned and operated in Watsonville. She provides details about Rosie's restaurant business, Philippine Gardens (originally Oriental Cafe). She describes the restaurant's various locations in downtown Watsonville and the gambling operations that existed within the restaurant. Francine also reflects on her experiences growing up under the care of her maternal grandmother,...

Greg Tabasa interviewed by Una Lynch

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded over the phone, Gregorio "Greg" Dionisio Tabasa speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Una Lynch. Greg begins the interview by talking about his father, Jesus Torrente Tabasa, who immigrated from the Aklan Province in the Philippines to Hawai'i and eventually to the Pajaro Valley where he worked as a labor contractor. Gred also discusses his mother, Rosita "Rosie" Dionisio Tabasa-Estrada who also immigrated from Aklan and eventually owned and operated a restaurant in Watsonville. Her restaurant was first called Oriental Cafe and later Philippine Gardens. Greg explains the restaurant's significance to the Watsonville Filipino American community. He describes it as a "gathering place" for the Filipino community to connect and eat together. Greg also discusses his parents' roles as community leaders and their participation in organizations like the Caballeros de Dimas-Alang and the Filipino Women's Club of Watsonville. He also...

Samuel "Sammy" Yoro interviewed by Hana Yamamoto

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Samuel "Sammy" Yoro speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Hana Yamamoto. Sammy begins by discussing how his father, Sabino Ivanos Yoro came to the United States from the Philippines and eventually settled in Watsonville to work in the lettuce fields. Sammy talks about how he began working with his father harvesting produce in high school and he describes how working in the asparagus fields helped him become a better track and field athlete in high school. Sammy goes on to describe how the agriculture industry evolved over the years and notes the influence of Cesar Chavez on farm labor strikes. Sammy discusses his involvement with The Independent Farmworkers Union. Sammy also talks about his mother, Gregor Otero, who came to Watsonville from New Mexico to start a family and work in the canneries. Sammy reflects on how growing up in a multiracial community affected his views on his parents' interracial marriage, and...

Rosario Lopez interviewed by Hana Yamamoto

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally conducted in person, Rosario "Rose" Magdalena Lopez speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Hana Yamamoto. Rose describes how her father, Arsenio "Archie" Soblechero Lopez traveled by ship from the Philippines to California and eventually began working in the fields in Watsonville. She further explains how Archie became sick with tuberculosis from pesticides like DDT that were commonly sprayed in the fields where he worked. His illness led him to quit working in the fields and open a barbershop in Santa Cruz on Mission Street. Rose vividly describes Archie's barbershop, including the smell of Ilokano Food being cooked for lunch and Filipino men gambling, smoking, and even trading produce in the Ace Cardroom that Archie ran in the back. Rose remembers singing Filipino songs at her father's band, Archie and the Islanders. She goes on to speak about her mother, Margaret Yepez Lopez, a Mexican American woman who worked for the canneries and...

John Marquez interviewed by Katrina Pagaduan

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, John Marquez and his mother, Evelyn Marquez talk with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Katrina Pagaduan. John primarily speaks about his grandfather, Leon Custodio Ventura, who served in the U.S. military and then immigrated to the United States. Evelyn describes her experience traveling by boat from the Philippines to California as a young child. John speaks about his grandfather's experiences harvesting apples and strawberries for Jenson & Son Company in Watsonville. He recalls his time working in the fields with his grandfather when he was younger. He talks about his family's experiences within the Watsonville Filipino American community and remembers that his grandparents taught other Filipino migrants how to navigate U.S. processes including citizenship, Social Security, and banking.

Ruby Baniaga Kaldonis interviewed by Markus Faye Portacio

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom Ruby Baniaga Kalidonis speaks with Markus Faye Portacio, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Ruby shares her family's migration experiences in Hawai'i and Watsonville, California. She recalls how her family arrived in the US and explains how her father Romeo Veo Baniaga and her mother Betty Magarin Baniaga, met. She discusses Romeo's and Betty's work in the agricultural, industrial, and domestic sectors. She also discusses Romeo's affinity for gardening and Betty's skills in strawberry picking. Ruby talks about the community networks her family established in Watsonville and her relationships with her relatives that live in the Philippines. Additionally, Ruby reflects on her experience growing-up mixed-race and her "Mexipino" identity.

Ruth Tabancay interviewed by Maia Mislang

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded over Zoom, Ruth Tabancay speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Maia Mislang. Ruth is a Bay Area-based textile and fiber artist. Ruth explains how her mother Esther Galicia immigrated to the United States from the Philippines to attend Hartnell College in Salinas. Esther's immigration to the US was sponsored by her aunt, Paula Galicia. Ruth discusses Esther's twenty-five years of experience working at Green Giant cannery in Watsonville. Ruth also explains that her father Benny Tabancay worked in the dry cleaning business rather than in the agricultural fields like many other men. Throughout the interview Ruth reflects on her time growing up within the Filipino American community in Watsonville, as well as how her identity and experiences impact her current art practice. She fondly recalls participating in Filipino folk dance classes, wearing traditional Filipiniana clothing, playing street games with neighborhood kids, and making...

Daniel "Dan" Kerubin Fallorina interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds Part 3 of 3

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally conducted in-person, Daniel "Dan" Kerubin Fallorina speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team members Meleia Simon-Reynolds and Christina Ayson Plank. Dan reflects on his parents', Mariano Doctor Fallorina Sr. and Angelina Nicolas Fallorina, home gardening practices. He describes the produce Mariano grew at home using the skills he honed as an agricultural laborer and the flower gardens Angelina tended throughout her life. Dan explains that gardening was a way his parents relaxed after long days working in Watsonville agricultural fields and canneries. He also discusses how his parents shared the products of their gardens with friends and members of their community. This interview is part three of a series of three interviews conducted by the Watsonville is in the Heart team with Dan Fallorina.

Maurice Carrillo interviewed by Nicholas Nasser

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Maurice Carrillo speaks with Nicholas Nasser, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Maurice describes his childhood, specifically memories of traveling with his father, Pacifico "Frank" Cabegon Carrillo, as he engaged in seasonal migrant agricultural work, staying in labor camps with his father and other Filipino men, and living with other mixed-race Filipino families while his father was away working. He also discusses the other white women his father had relationships with after separating from Maurice's birth mother, Ethel Patheal. Most notably, he talks about his step mother, Louella Carter, who was the primary caretaker for Maurice, his brother, James, and three other children from mixed-race, Filipino families whose parents had separated. Throughout the interview, Maurice reflects on his mixed-race identity as well as experiences of exclusion from the Filipino Community of Watsonville due to his identity. He also...

Erlinda Taytayon Heebner interviewed by Dr. Steven McKay

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally conducted via Zoom, Erlinda Taytayon Heebner speaks with Dr. Steve McKay, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Erlinda discusses her father, Eliseo Tapia Taytayon, and her mother, Rosalinda Mendoza Taytayon and their experiences migrating to the United States from the Philippines. She shares that Eliseo migrated to the United States alongside his cousin Florencio Cawaling in 1929 and worked as a farm laborer until he retired at age 75. She explains that Eliseo and Rosalinda met and married as a result of an arrangement facilitated by the Cawaling family. After their marriage, Rosalinda migrated to Watsonville where she worked in the canneries. Erlinda discusses her experiences growing up in Watsonville including the class and racial dynamics of the various neighborhoods where her family lived and the schools she attended. Throughout the interview, she also describes the various Taytayon family homes as places where many relatives and...

Anastacio Asunción interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person, Anastacio "Stosh" Asunción speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Meleia Simon-Reynolds. Stosh starts by telling the story of his father, Anastacio Polistico Asunción's life in the Philippines, his migration to the United States through Hawai'i, and his involvement in both World Wars before eventually settling in Watsonville, California where he worked as a sharecropper for Reiter Berry Company. He discusses his father's hobbies of gardening and fishing and remembers his mother, Paula Montelongo Asunción's cooking. Stosh reflects on how growing up within a multiethnic community at a labor camp located on San Andreas Road impacted his early views on his parents' interracial marriage. He describes how he explored his mixed-race identity in college at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He discusses reading Carlos Bulosan's America is in the Heart and his experience writing an undergraduate research paper...

Anthony "Tony" Bernard Tapiz interviewed by Ian Hunte Doyle

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally conducted in-person, Anthony "Tony" Bernard Tapiz, Jr. speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Ian Hunt Doyle. Tony primarily talks about his grandfather, Arsenio "Archie" Soblechero Lopez, who immigrated from Villaris, Pangasinan, Philippines to California in 1929. Tony begins the interview by providing a description of Archie's barbershop, Manila Barbershop that was located on Mission Street in Santa Cruz. He explains that Filipino men would gather in the Ace Cardroom, which Archie operated behind the barbershop, to gamble. He also describes how the barbershop smelled of his grandfather's Ilokano cooking. Tony remembers attending Filipino community dances as a kid, where Archie's band, Archie and the Islanders, would perform. Tony also speaks about his grandmother, Margaret Yepez Lopez, and her involvement in the Filipino Women's Club of Watsonville. He touches on his grandparent's interracial marriage and the obstacles they had...

Estelita Tabios interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person, Estelita Tabios speaks with Joanne de los Reyes-Hilario, a close family friend, and Meleia Simon-Reynolds, a Watsonville is in the Heart team member. Estelita shares memories of her childhood growing up in Makato, Aklan, Philippines; the story of how she met and married her first husband, Clemente Tana; and details of her month-long journey to the United States via steamship in 1956. She discusses settling in Watsonville with Clemente and developing a network of relatives and close friends— including the Cawaling, Taytayon, and Tejada families. Estelita describes her and her family members' labor in agricultural fields; her work on the assembly line at Green Giant from 1962-1966; her job in the laundry department at Dominican Hospital...

Dana Sales interviewed by Nicholas Nasser

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom, Dana Sales speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Nicholas Nasser. Dana discusses his experiences growing-up and working on a rural farm outside of Watsonville as well as the differences between rural and urban areas of the Pajaro Valley in regards to his experiences attending primary and secondary schools in both settings. Dana provides an overview of his father, Florendo Macadangdang Sales' migration and labor histories— these include immigrating from the Philippines in 1929, working as an agricultural laborer, serving in the US Navy, and eventually opening his own barbershop on Main Street in downtown Watsonville. He also speaks about his mother, Dora Esther Tomlinson's work in Watsonville canneries and her family's experiences as migrant laborers during The Great Depression. Throughout the interview, Dana reflects on race and racism including his parents' silences about discrimination they faced and his own experiences...

Modesto Orlando and Rita Louise Tuzon interviewed by Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person, Modesto Orlando Tuzon and Rita Louise Tuzon speak with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez. Modesto Orlando and Rita discuss their father, Modesto Tuzon Sr.; his migration to the United States to pursue music education during 1926; his work as a farm laborer in central California; his experiences playing music at Filipino events, small venues, and for his family; and his marriage to their mother, Linda Ardell Craner in 1954. They provide an overview of their mother's family's migration to central California from Idaho and her career as a reading specialist at Hall School in Las Lomas, California. Modesto Orlando and Rita also speak about their extended family and friend network in Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley and reflect on their differing experiences growing up mixed-race. Finally, Modesto Orlando discusses interviewing his father about the 1930s Watsonville Race Riots and Fermin Tobera...

Bobby Mariano interviewed by Dr. Steven McKay

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom, Bobby Mariano speaks with Dr. Steve McKay, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Bobby describes his father, Marcelino "Bob" Mariano's immigration and labor histories including his migration from the Philippines to Hawai'i then from Hawai'i to California and his lifelong work in agriculture first as a migrant laborer and eventually as a foreman. He also discusses his mother, Hazel Maxine Bickle, whose family immigrated to Watsonville from Oklahoma during the 1920s. Bobby discusses his parents' interracial marriage as well as the other mixed-race families in Watsonville that he knew growing up. He also describes his father's military service during World War II and his own experience enlisting in the Army during the 1960s. Bobby shares memories of going to cockfights with his father and his experiences in school. Throughout the interview, Bobby expresses that his parents shielded him from experiences of racism and economic...

Manuel Bersamin interviewed by Dr. Steven McKay

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded on Zoom, Manuel Bersamin speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Dr. Steve McKay. Manuel discusses his father, Eulalio "Max" Bersamin's migration history— including his early life in Bangued, Philippines and his labor migration to Hawai'i and California. He describes Max's over fifty year career as a migrant farm laborer in Central California. Manuel explains how his father married Victoria Quintero, a Mexican woman who he met in Mexicali. After migrating to Watsonville with Max, Victoria helped many other family members immigrate to the US resulting in a large, mixed-race family unit. Manuel discusses his and his families' mixed-race, "mestizo" identity. He also reflects on the manongs' experiences as they endured racism and poor labor conditions. He discusses their leisure activities including gambling, cock fighting, and cooking. Finally, Manuel speaks about his father's disillusionment from the "American Dream" as well as...

Daniel "Dan" Kerubin Fallorina interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person, Daniel "Dan" Kerubin Fallorina and his wife Anna Kammer Fallorina speak with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Meleia Simon-Reynolds. Dan discusses his father, Mariano Doctor Fallorina Sr.'s early experiences in the Philippines, his migration to the United States in 1927, and his early farm work in Gonzales, Soledad, and other areas in California. He also details Mariano Sr.'s military service in the First Filipino Regiment as well as his mother, Angelina Nicolas Fallorina's experiences of World War II as a teenager in the Philippines. Dan tells the story of how his parents met while Mariano was on leave during the war and how they both migrated back to the US in 1952. Dan also provides vivid memories of his family's life, labor, and leisure while sharecropping for Reiter Berries and living in labor camps off San Andreas Road in Watsonville. He also discusses moving into town, his parents' jobs—Mariano's continued work for...

Loren Cawaling interviewed by Dr. Steven McKay

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In part one of the interview, originally recorded in person, Loren Cawaling speaks with Dr. Steve McKay, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Throughout the interview, Loren and Steve discuss various photographs from the Cawaling Family Collection. In these conversations, Loren shares memories of various members of his family's extended kinship network, including many manong. Loren emphasizes the close, familial relationships he and his family had with many manong. In the interview, Loren also discusses his father and mother, Florencio and Aladina Cawaling's migration from the Philippines as well as their agricultural and cannery labor. He also speaks about his father's and other Filipino men's hobbies including purchasing cars, fishing, cockfighting, cooking, and gardening as well as his family's leisure activities such as going to local beaches, visiting the labor camps, and attending family and social organization gatherings. At the end of the interview, the...

Albert "Bert" Thomas Nabor interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person at University of California, Santa Cruz, Albert "Bert" Thomas Nabor speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Meleia Simon-Reynolds. Bert discusses his father, Alberto Nabor's background in La Union, Philippines; his migration to Hawai'i where he worked in the sugarcane fields and the pineapple plantations; and his migrant farm work throughout California and Arizona. Bert also speaks about vivid childhood memories of his whole family accompanying Alberto on the migrant trail. Additionally, Bert discusses Alberto's and his own participation in a late 1970s strike at Carl Dobler and Sons in the Pajaro Valley as well as Alberto's experiences as a member of the First Filipino Regiment during World War II. Throughout the interview, Bert reflects on his father's work ethnic and the values he passed on especially in regard to struggles with racism and discrimination. Bert goes on to discuss his father, Alberto Nabor's...

Daniel "Dan" Kerubin Fallorina interviewed by Ian Hunte Doyle Part 2 of 3

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in-person, Daniel "Dan Kerubin Fallorina speaks with Ian Hunte Doyle, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. In the interview, Dan describes his mother, Angelina Nicolas Fallorina's career in Watsonville's food processing industry from 1963 through 1987. He explains that Angelina worked for United Foods and in the Green Giant-Pillsbury factory. Dan shares that while working in food processing, Angelina was a member of the Teamsters Local 912 union. In addition, Dan discusses Angelina's work in agriculture. He describes Angelina's work harvesting produce as well as her role overseeing bookkeeping while the Fallorina family sharecropped strawberries with Reiter Berries during the 1960s. Dan also reflects on Angelina's involvement in Watsonville First United Methodist Church and her love for gardening. This interview is part two of a series of three interviews conducted by the Watsonville is in the Heart team with Dan Fallorina.

Lydia Tumbaga Brumblay interviewed by Toby Baylon

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom, Lydia Tumbaga Brumblay speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Toby Baylon. Lydia speaks about her father, Benny Tumbaga's experience migrating to the United States from San Fernando, La Union, Philippines in 1926. She describes Benny's and his relatives' work in restaurants in Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco as well as Benny's experiences as a musician. Lydia also discusses her own experiences growing up and going to school in Watsonville followed by her decision to move to Hawai'i later in life. Throughout the interview, Lydia shares her perspective on the shifting racial dynamics and demographics in Watsonville during the early twentieth century, the 1960s and 1970s, and the 1990s and early 2000s. She also discusses her "colorblind" approach to race which she states was instilled in her through her father and her multicultural upbringing in Watsonville. Lydia's analysis of contemporary migrant communities...

Shirely Ancheta interviewed by Dr. Steven McKay

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally conducted in person, Shirley Ancheta speaks with Dr. Steve McKay, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. Shirley describes her father, Julio Ancheta's immigration from the Philippines to Kauai, HI in 1927 to work on the sugar plantations and his subsequent move to California where he worked as a migrant agricultural laborer. She provides an overview of his military service in the First Filipino Regiment during World War II and discusses how Julio met and married a Filipina named Delfina Rivera. She speaks about her family's small farm in Watsonville, her father's career in construction, and his passionate involvement in the AFLO-CIO union. Shirley also shares memories of manong who she came to know by visiting the labor camps and participating in Filipino dances. Throughout the interview, Shirely also speaks about her relationship with her life long partner, Jeff Tagami. She describes how she and Jeff developed their political and intellectual...

Frank Madalora interviewed by Olivia Sawi

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded over Zoom, Frank Madalora speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Olivia Sawi. Frank discusses his parents, Santiago Madalora and Apolonia Sagaysay and both of their families' origins in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He describes Santiago's immigration to Hawai'i to work in the plantations followed by his migration to Watsonville, California where he worked as a migrant agricultural laborer. Frank discusses how his parents' met while Santiago was serving in the army during World War II. Frank also describes his own experiences as a young child in Bacarra before immigrating to the United States with his mother in 1957. Throughout the interview, Frank provides memories of leisure and labor he and his family participated in while living in Pajaro, CA; his family's dynamic including the challenges that his parents faced in their marriage; and his own experiences navigating class and racial stratification in the Pajaro Valley...

Joanne de los Reyes interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview conducted in person, Joanne de los Reyes Hilario speaks with Meleia Simon-Reynolds, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. De los Reyes details her family history arriving in the United States from the Philippines. In particular, she discusses the relationship between the Ibao and de los Reyes family and the history that led up to her adoption. In addition, she discusses the way her parents petitioned their family to come to the United States and how they housed them on their property. She also discusses her mother's participation in various cultural and social clubs including the Filipino Visayans, Filipino Community, and Filipino Women's Club. De los Reyes also discusses her mother's collection of Maria Clara dresses.

Dioscoro "Roy" Recio Jr. interviewed by Toby Baylon and Nicholas Nasser

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview recorded via Zoom, Dioscoro "Roy" Respino Recio Jr. speaks with Toby Baylon and Nicholas Nasser, two members of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Recio details his experience growing up in Watsonville in the late 1960s and 1970s. In particular, he discusses his experience growing up with a disability in a low-income, working class neighborhood of Watsonville known as Mesa Village. He also discusses his father's immigration history from the Philippines to the United States to pursue work as an agricultural laborer. Recio details his mother's experience as a mixed-race Filipina who grew up in an orphanage. He also details his work as a community organizer in San Francisco working for the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, San Francisco Veterans Equity Center, and the Displaced Airport Screener program. Recio explains how his trajectory led him to founding The Tobera Project and establishing the Watsonville is in the Heart research project with...

Mary Florendo Perry interviewed by Steven McKay

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview conducted in person, Mary Florendo Perry speaks with Dr. Steven McKay, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Perry discusses her family's immigration story from the Philippines and Mexicali. She also discusses their labor working in the agricultural fields and canneries. Perry also talks about her time in college at Vassar College. She also offers memories of her uncle who lived in a camp with other Filipino bachelors. Lastly, she discusses her knowledge of the Watsonville Race Riots.

Juanita Sulay Wilson interviewed by Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Juanita Sulay Wilson and Alan Wilson speak with Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team, and her father, Hermes Gutierrez. Wilson gives an overview of her family's history settling in the Pajaro Valley and her father's experience working in the fields along the California coast as migrant workers. She details her parents' experience navigating race relations in the Pajaro Valley as a mixed-race couple. Wilson also discusses what it was like growing up in the Pajaro Valley as a mixed-race woman and the desire of her extended family to shelter her and her siblings from the racism they experienced as Filipino agricultural laborers. She also discusses the development of Watsonville alongside the changing Filipino demographics after the 1950s. Joined by her husband, Alan Wilson, they discussed how they met and moved up to San Francisco. Lastly, Wilson discusses her extracurricular...

Mariano "Mario" Tolodro Sulay interviewed by Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom, Mariano Sulay speaks with Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Sulay recounts his experience growing up in the Pajaro Valley after the 1960s. Sulay recounts memories of his father at the end of his career as an agricultural worker. In addition, he shares memories of his mother's engagement in social clubs such as the Filipino Community and the decline of her involvement later in life. He also discusses his experience growing up as a mixed-race Filipino and learning about the Watsonville Riots later in his life.

Antoinette Yvonne DeOcampo Lechtenberg interviewed by Olivia Sawi

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, Antoinette Yvonne DeOcampo Lechtenberg speaks with Olivia Sawi, a member of the Watsonville is the Heart project team. Lechtenberg discusses her family background and immigration from the Philippines and Texas to Watsonville and later Aromas. She also discusses her experience growing up in a working-class, mixed-race family. She remembers her father's difficulties navigating the 1965 Delano Grape Strike as a foreman. Lechtenberg also talked about the effects of pesticides on her family's health and her turn towards herbalism and holistic medicine. She details her relationship with food as a product of her father's love for eating.

Veronica Hernandez interviewed by Dioscoro "Roy" Respino Recio Jr. and Amanda Gamban

Fri, 9 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom, Veronica Hernandez speaks with Dioscoro "Roy" Respino Recio, Jr. and Amanda Gamban who are members of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Hernandez gives a broad overview of her family's immigration history and experience living in the Pajaro Valley as agricultural workers. She discusses her father's immigration from the Philippines to the United States in 1928 and her mother's experience moving from Texas to California. Hernandez details memories of working in agricultural fields with her parents. She also discusses her experience growing up as mixed-race and her encounters with racism. Lastly, she discusses how working in the fields inspired her to pursue a career as an ESL teacher and her employment after leaving the fields in her 20s.

Paul Phillip DeOcampo interviewed by Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez

Fri, 9 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the first part of this three part interview, Paul Phillip DeOcampo speaks with Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Cruz Gutierrez, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. DeOcampo briefly discusses his father and mother's migration history and their relationship. He briefly recounts a trip he took back to the Philippines at the age of eleven. Lastly, he details his experiences growing up in the small town of Aromas, California, and the racial demographic of his school.

Eva Alminiana Monroe interviewed by Christina Ayson Plank

Wed, 7 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this interview conducted in person, Eva Alminiana Monroe speaks with Christina Ayson Plank, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart project team. Monroe discusses her father's immigration story and the establishment of his barbershop in Watsonville called The Universal Barbershop. She also discusses her father's enlistment in the First Filipino Infantry Regiment and her mother's work as a nurse during World War II in the Philippines where they met. Monroe recalls memories of growing up in Watsonville and the events that her mother organized in association with the Filipino Women's Club. She also discusses her uncle's work in the agricultural fields, experiences with racism, and memories of other manongs in the community.

A Tour Through the House of Roy Boekenoogen

Tue, 2 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Roy Boekenoogen collected a remarkable archive of Santa Cruz memorabilia, which ranged from sea shells to antique cameras, from bottles to butter churns. Interviewer Elizabeth Calciano described his house as a "fantasy-land for antique hunters, for historians, and for the merely curious." Many of his historical photographs were acquired by the University Library in the 1960s. In this oral history interview Boekenoogen discussed his collections and Santa Cruz history in the early to mid-twentieth century.

Leading Through Transitions and Turbulence: An Oral History with Executive Vice Chancellor R. Michael Tanner

Tue, 2 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

In 1971, Robert Michael Tanner [R. Michael Tanner] arrived at the University of California, Santa Cruz as a young assistant professor, joining what was then a fledgling computer and information sciences board [department]. Attracted to UCSC by its focus on undergraduate education and interdisciplinary study, and by the beauty of the campus’s natural landscape, Tanner was hired by the legendary provost of Cowell College, Jasper Rose. Tanner remained at UC Santa Cruz until 2002; in his more than thirty years on the campus he served in a myriad of leadership roles. His first administrative position was as chair of the Committee on Admissions, Financial Aid, and Relations with Schools, working with Dean of Admissions Richard Moll during UCSC’s enrollment crisis of the 1970s and early 1980s. He later chaired the Computer and Information Sciences (1981-1988) board and the Academic Senate Committee on Educational Policy (1985-1987), where he focused on reviewing UCSC’s Narrative...

A Commentary on the book "South Pacific Coast" by Bruce A. MacGregor

Tue, 2 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Mr. Rountree was a lifelong Santa Cruz resident and an avid railroad buff. He read Bruce A. MacGregor's book, South Pacific Coast, the story of the railroad that operated between Alameda and Santa Cruz in the latter years of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century, and was inspired to fill a spiral notebook with his own handwritten observations and boyhood memories of the railroad. From these notes, a manuscript was produced which is not only a detailed commentary on South Pacific Coast, but a rich source of contemporary observations of the early railroad and its effects on many aspects of life in Santa Cruz County.

A Different Model for the UCSC Colleges: Colleges Nine and Ten, An Oral History with Deana Slater and Wendy Baxter