Oral History Collaborations

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 discusses his passion for community service which began with his involvement in the Filipino Youth Club during high school and continued throughout his life through leadership roles in organizations including but not limited to the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz AIDs Project. Finally, Maurice shares stories regarding his business career in downtown Santa Cruz, his extended family, and coming out as a gay man in 1986.