Oral History Collaborations

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 involvement with Caballeros de Dimas-Alang and the Filipino Catholic Association. He remembers going to dances and community events with his family as a young child. Bert also discusses his father's marriage to Erlinda Aragon, a Mexican American woman from Colorado. Bert reflects on his father's life and the values that he instilled. Finally, he discusses his experience attending UC Santa Cruz in the 1980s and how the school has changed over the years