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## Interview w/ Cely Garcia – Sun 28 Nov 2021 23:35 #### (feat. Zo Alarcon, Raul Alarcon, Bodhi Samara Alarcon, Agnes Alarcon, Ryan Betita, Rick Betita, Celine Buncayo, + Katie Betita Peterson) Cely:...and we had to hide. We had to hide from the Japanese, from the Moro. Ryan: What year were you born? C: '40 Ry: Yeah, cause it was '45... C: Well in the Philppines, the Japanese were already in the Philippines. They came there, you pretend to be selling ice cream or what, but they are, you know– they are spies. Bodhi + others: Whaaat. C: Yeah, because when the war already broke, they come to be soldiers. But they said that Japanese that went to the Philippines, they are not Japanese they are Koreans that made them go to the Philippines. B: Right because they were like coming from Korea and then got them in the military... C: Military, yeah. [They] sent them go to the Philippines to fight with the Filipinos. And my mom is so scared, your lola is so scared, because I'm still a year and a half and of course she has to carry me and she has your Uncle Frank who is still a baby? Oh my god that is really hard. Liza: And grandpa wasn't around right? Because he was in the military. C: Yeah because he was in the military. And then, you know he has his picture, the Navy. They have to keep it because if the Japanese will see it, they will kill you. And you know how they kill? They throw you up and they have that bayonet. You have to...(gestures) they kill you like that. I think nanay saw how they do it... L: I think dad said that he saw that in action too. Rick: Really? C: Yeah but you know... your dad is in Pampanga. They evacuated in Pampanga. And then me, we are in... Ri: Cotabato? C: Cotabato. That's in Mindinao, that's really far. *(Rick rushes out to get a map.)* Ry: So wait, so there was like no bad blood with the Zapanta's or anything right...? L: No bad blood, casi Japanese sila diba? C: No, no... But they are so, terrorized really, the Filipinos. They are so scared. And then, your Lolo is from Manila, they have to go Pampanga... *(Rick returns with the map.)* C: *(Gesturing to map)* This is Davao, Cotabato is here, Davao is here, yeah Digos and Davao. So you know we just traveled by foot, by walking. Ri: From Cotabato to Davao? C: Yeah, and we have to go places where to hide. Ri: Up the mountains? Oh no is that a valley? C: That's a valley, yeah. Where is Bukidnon, Bukidnon is... Ah this is Zamboanga, this is where the Chavacano are. Ri: Oh, that's where they speak the Spanish creole. C: Because lots of Spaniards settled in Zamboanga, Cavite, and some in Pampanga. Ri: *(gestures)* That one is like... here? C: This is Luzon, yeah. Ri: This is Manila, this is San Fernando, this is Pampanga. Z: What do they speak in Pampanga? Ano ang sinasabi nila sa Pampanga? C: Pampanga Kapampangan. Ry: That's what Francis speaks. That's what his mom will speak to him, and he'll be like "Mom..." but speak in English. Ri: Are the numbers like different? C: Beautiful is "malago" in pampangan. Ri: Dad is from Iloilo. Ry: I thought north? L: That's the same as Lola. C: That's where my mom's from, Iloilo. *(Many talking about where Greg is from, etc.)* C: This is Luzon, the biggest island, and Visayas, and Mindinao. Z: Where's Lolo from? C: Your Lolo is here from Pampanga. Ri: Like North Luzon? C: Yeah. And then from Iloilo, they went to settle in Davao, my mom and family settled there. Katie: Where was your favorite to live? L: *(Repeats in Tagalog, couldn't catch it)* C: I think in Davao, you know that beach over there, Talomo Beach. Ry: Where are you guys going when you go...? L: Oh Lola's gonna make sure that she's gonna visit Davao. C: To see my cousins, maybe just one's left. Ri: Oh really, when was the last time you were in Davao? C: A long time. So I just want to see my cousins. Z: What's her name? C: She is Lily. So maybe because, then they already passed and I didn't even get to see them. So maybe this is the only one that's left. L: And the last time Lola went to the Philippines, she made sure to see her cousins in Iloilo. She got to see a couple of her cousins. Ri: Did you go or no? L: Yeah, me and Tita Bambi. Ri: Had you been to Iloilo before? L: Before that? No. C: That's the first time. Ri: What kind of city is it? C: It's very rich in history. The church over there which is really old, from the Spaniards you know. But they just leave it like that in the inside. And the outside is really realy old. And lots of churches to go to. L: We had such a good experience there, and we ate good. Ri: Is it hard to speak to people in Visayan? L: I kinda pick up a little bit but Lola still speaks it. C: I speak fluent Ilonggo and Cebuano, and Tagalog. K: And English. Ri: That's like four different languages. Ry: I remember when dad was here, I wanted to see if I can hear the difference between Tagalog and Visayan, but I couldn't. C: You know, if you learn the language early, you will not forget. It will stay in your mind. That's why [when they say] "Oh, you still speak Visayan?" I said You know because those people who doesn't speak anymore of their Tagalog, they are the one that doesn't go on to be, I don't know, maybe they just want to speak English, like seem like Americans over there. L: But you notice though, Auntie Anafin's diction right? Her accent... *(Imitates her high pitched voice)* C: Yeah the diction is really, like Visayan. If she will see Rick like "Oh my Rick Rick Rick!" Remember we have a picture of you guys, she will always really know if there's a party there because I would invite her. L: And he would dance! C: Sometimes she is so annoying you know! Z: She was always so sweet. C: She would do like that on your face too! *(Squeeze cheeks)* Ri: Even when we got older, we'd have to bend over"Ok Auntie Anafin... haha" C: She is always, you know, good with family. Ri: She's from, she's Visayan too? C: Yeah, Iloilo. L: She speaks way better Ilonggo. Ry: Is there a point of time recently when, like 'cause we'd get a lot of briefings of those people in Mindinao, like ISIS? Ri: Oh the insurgent? What are they called again, Moro? C: They're in Mindinao, because of the, ISIS... They usually go to Cotabato. Ri: Oh that's where you were right? C: Yeah, and there are lots of natives there. L: Native Filipino? C: No native Muslims. You don't know if they are ISIS or what because they are all Muslim. You don't know if they'll just kill you and no one will even care, you know. It's hard you know. Ry: Did they go over to Davao or anywhere? C: Davao is very, you know... Ri: Like the metropolitan city. C: Yeah, yeah. Ry: Oh ok so they were pretty stuck on the outskirts. Ri: And Davao is like the melting pot or something right? C: They have international airport there, they have you know, rich people will have their breakfast in Manila and go back in the afternoon to Davao. *(lots of laughter)* Ri: Oh really? Island hopping! C: You know, how, if you are rich you are really rich. And if you are poor there is no... It's so hard you know. It's so hard. That's why, it's hard to think you know, about, your Philippine, kababayan. Ri: Kababayan, like your home, family, people. C: Your fellow Filipinos, mga Pinoy. That's why your Auntie Bambing before, she is an activist. You know, an activist for the poor, and that's why she joined an organization that is against the government. Because of Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, she is against Marcos government. Ri: Do you know where she lived? C: Ilocos, yeah it was here. Ri: Ilocos, where they speak Ilocano, and that's like another different one. Can you speak Ilocano? C: No, it's hard. Ri: Yeah it's so small but you know so many different languages! C: You know it's so funny, all the friends of your Auntie Janet, they're all Ilocano. And the friend of your Auntie Terry, her only friend Mila, she's an Ilocana. B: Mila and Auntie Terry... mhm. C: *(sighs)* Philippines has a rich history, you know, I love this country. But you know I love this country here. Ri: Bayan ko! C: Bayan ko! Exactly. Ry: Now are you excited to go back? B: It's a lot. A lot. C: You know, the only thing, if you go back there of course, you have something to, you know... B: To give back. C: That's what they expect because you know, you can't blame them. They think that people from here, they have money. That's why your Aunties... But for me it's ok. Because I haven't seen them for a long time. And I have my friends there in Tondo, and they really, you know, want to see me. Z: Do you still have friends in Tondo? C: I still have friends, you know. Z: Cause that's where mom and Auntie Jenny and-- they grew up there. C: Yeah in a tenament there. When they are still, you know, small. There in Tondo, all of us... Bayan ko! My country. I have still my Filipino blood. Ri: Yeah, you were describing how, when I asked you, how did you learn the new languages right, like, everytime you go different places you learn? C: Yeah because from Iloilo, we went to Davao, where in Davao it's so diverse, there are Ilocanos, there are Kapampangan, yeah. They go to Mindinao because they said this is the land of opportunity, because it's so big you can plant, you can have your, you know. Instead of here, there are already lots of farmers here, so they went there *(map gesturing)*. Ri: And then how did you learn the languages? C: Yeah, your friends you know, and from school. Ri: And you said you could feel it inside you when you talk a lot or are in the environment... C: And it's really hard, because you know the Visayan language is so, we are Visayan but the language is so different. Cebuano is different from Ilonggo, it's kind of, it's really... it's so funny you know! There are lots of languages... Ri: It's like if they speak a different language in Sacramento, and then a different language in San Francisco, that's how it'd be right... C: But over there you know, I think it's the culture that says "If you're Visayan, blah blah, If you're Ilocano, blah blah." Z: Is there a lot of rivalry sometimes? C: And you know, the Manilians, they think they're the best, "I'm the best! Blah blah blah." Ri: How about [Vigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigan)? I was reading a book and one of the characters was from Vigan. C: Oh Vigan? That's where Marcos is, yeah, in Vigan. Ri: That's where a lot of rich people go right? C: Yeah, they are rich. Ay nako, buhay. Life life life. *(looking at the map)* C: I'm wondering where's that island that the Philippines is trying to... Ri: Trying to dispute from China? *(Trying to find [Spratly Island, a tiny island in the sea north of the Philippines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands) on the map)* C: It's a very small island, but it's rich in oil. That's why everyone wants it, especially China. Ri: I know they just drew the lines and said "This is mine." C: And then they won't allow Filipino fishermen to ... they thought that it's theirs. Because Duterte had already borrowed so much money from China, the people were saying "Maybe he already sold that island to the Chinese" Ri: Oh really, because of the debt? C: Yeah because he [borrowed] lots of money from China. You know how China is a place that'll let you borrow and then ... Ri: I mean even the U.S., a lot of time from China C: Yeah, yeah mhm! So that *(mmph)* you're gonna be hooKed to that ano and then just saying yes to everything that they [want]. Ri: Did you ever go to Taiwan? C: Taiwan Rick! It's so close, I think it's close to Taiwan, that island [Spratly] Ri: Because I heard that the indigineous Taiwanese are a lot like Filipinos. C: You just use the [bangka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangka_(boat)), you know the small... B: Yeah, the rowboat? They just find their north and keep going... Z: Lola, have you been to Taiwan? C: Not yet. I think your Kuya Jojo-- Raul: Lola's so cool, "Not yet!" *(laughter)* C: Not yet! But I'd love to, I think Jojo will bring me there... Taiwan, Singapore, and then... L: Vietnam, would you want to go to Vietnam mother? C: Yeah of course, Vietnam! Ry: Oh my gosh I heard it's so pretty in Vietnam. C: And the food there is so cheap! That's what they said, it's really cheap. L: We're gonna get to go. Ry: Yeah I watched a YouTube video of this guy who was showing how much he spent throughout the day in the bottom corner and it was a few dollars for the whole day. L: Yeah, the accomdations, the food. C: It's very very cheap. Remember Bodhi, where did you go... B: I was in Taiwan with Ate Nina. C: She loves to go back there because she said it's cheap, you know. B: Yeah night markets... L: I think we're gonna go to Taiwan when we go to the Philippines I think! C: Taiwan, Malaysia... Ri: Mom what's the -- oh, Siargao. C: Surigao is in here, around here. Ri: Oh no, Siargao is an island? Where is it? L: Siargao is a newly discovered... C: *(gesturing to map)* Sulu Sea, Palawan. Palawan is near Surigao. Yeah Palawan. This is also Palawan island. Z: Didn't we go to Palawan? L: No, we went to Bikol, the Chocolate Hills. Z: No didn't we? I swear we went to Palawan... L: No 'cause you'd have to fly there. Z: Yeah I think we did, when we went, right when y'all went without us? Is that where Tagaytay is? I swear we went... C: ...and Coron. Ri: Oh yeah where's Coron? C: Coron is over here, I think, I'm really not sure. Ri: Oh, it wouldn't show 'cause it's so small right. C: Yeah it's very small. Ri: Did you ever go to these ones? Like [Samar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samar)... C: Samar, yeah. You know what, this is also Visayan, and the way they speak, the Visayan, it's so different! Ri: And even eastern Visayan and western Visayan right? C: Yeah east and west, yeah. Ri: And there's Cebu, or Cebuano. C: Cebu is a very progressive province, yeah. There are lots of rich people there. And Negros Oriental, where is it... Ri: Oh here's Negros. Is that the island? C: Yeah Negros here. There are lots of plantations there. Ry: So when did you move up to Manila? C: Here? You know what, from Iloilo, so they went to go to Davao. Before Iloilo, oh, there's a war and we are here in Cotabato. And then after that we settle in Davao. And then after that we went to Manila. Ri: Oh how did you get from Davao to Manila? Fly? C: No! Ri: Did you drive? C: No! *(laughs)* Bapor, do you know what a bapor is? Ri: What? Ry: The boat? C: *(laughing)* Machine boat, a ship... L: A ship, bapor is a bigger one. Ra: Bapor came from steam ships. C: Yeah! But we spend, I think a month from Davao to Manila. Ri: A month traveling? Wow C: Because it's cheaper and then you can bring lots of stuff with you. But it's a really long time. Z: Do you know if you go around or did you go through the island? C: Yeah, go through the island you know. Ri: And then how old were you when you moved from Davao to Manila? C: I think... um eighteen. Z: Aww, eighteen year old lola <3 Ra: Mother, when you say "bapor" it was a steam ship right? It had steam, so they were shoveling coal and it was steam driven. C: Yeah! That's why it takes a long time. Because we are a family so it's hard to take the plane you know? It's so expensive! We have to take the... the bapor! *(laughs)* [...] Z: Did you meet Lolo in Manila? C: Manila. *(makes a face)* *(we all laugh lol)* L: So tell us how you met! C: You know... *(laughs)* Ra: Got her! C: I'm already enrolled in college and then we have, you know... And then if you get married, you cannot go to school anymore! You are stuck up! You become a stay-at-home mom, no more future for you, see? Not like here, where even if you have kids or what, you can just... Over there, "No– stay home! I will not invest my money on you because you got married."" Z: The family culture is like that? C: Yeah it's like that, as if you are an outcast! Z: Like you have to choose one or the other huh... L: That's what happened to lola! C: Yeah that happened! That's the story... L: But then, but then you're happy because you have your kidssss and your grandchildrennnn. C: Yeah of course! *(lots of doting on my lola)* C: I have my kids– all of them became so good. There's only one who is going left– L: But then now she's going right. C: Yeah going left, and I don't know when or– but still still. Hope hope hope from above. That's it! That's the story of my life, I am used to having patience, you know. B: Que sera sera~ Ri: Bahala na~ Z: Ay buhay~ L: Pura vida~ C: I think God made me to have lots of problems in life, stress and everything, but I overcome it! See, and now I'm happy! Ry: Ohh I do see that! Ri: Gives his hardest battles to his strongest warriors, right? Strongest warriors. C: If you have no trials or hardships in life, if you have a problem you just do like that. *(falling flat hand gesture)* But if you have, you know... L: Oh mother! What advice would you give to Ryan and Katie? K: "Be a stay-at-home mom." C: Love each other, yeah! And be nice to each other and understand each other. And if she does a good thing, appreciate! That's what I love in life. I think I, I don't know. It's just inside me. L: Oh it's ok mother you can let it out! We'll listen. C: I feel when I have those little kids as if I'm the only who is struggling for everything, and I don't even hear something that– Z: Thank you... C: Thank you! You did a good job, you know. The kids, you know, blah blah. They don't go dirty, they don't go hungry. They are being dressed, you know because I have to make their dress, you know! I have to buy some cheap fabrics in [Divisoria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divisoria), that's where you can get a very very cheap one! Sometimes I think it's a curtain but I will make a dress out of it! And all of them matching, matching. B: Resourceful! Ri: Same fabric? C: Yeah! On Christmas... and then sometimes I make a little bag for them and I embroider them their– L: Our initials! Our little purse. Ri: Monogram! That's so cute. L: I remember the letters "L" that she did all those years ago. C: And then "A" and then "J" and then "M". That's why, you know in that place, the tenement is kind of like a small apartment. They never see me outside, I'm always inside doing sewing, cleaning... Ry: We saw that on (???) *<--- why are you interrupting again?? are you uncomfortable knowing the labor that she had to do to keep everything together? sit down and listen sometime.* L: Oh yeah, that's a different tenement though. We moved there, we ended up moving there, yeah. We started in Tondo, Tondo is like the– what do you call it? The Brooklyn of Manila right? C: It's really a tough tough place, you know. L: A tough neighborhood... Ra: It's more like Queens or the Bronx. L: Yeah the Bronx, the Bronx. C: But we survived, you know. Z: That's why whenever Tita Margie would say "We're from TONDO." *(laughs)* C: Tita Margie always say that, while she is the pain in the neck you know? She is too much you know-- she made me become a very, very-- I just want to fight! Yeah they're scared of me there, yeah, because I have to protect my [kids], they are all girls you know? L: Man, it was tough, even though we had really good memories there, childhood memories. But there in Tondo, if you live there, you have to be tough, and sometimes it's this family against this family... Z: Family feud? L: Yeah, no, and then it gets really really physical. Ri: Really? L: Yeah, we've been in like fist fights. Ra: Like "Oh, your brother huh?", and then it's on. C: Did you remember Liz with Aling Nene, you are with me? Oh my god that is too much. L: Yeah, it was just, I don't know. You have to show that you're tough. Otherwise they will walk all over you. Ri: Ok I'm learning! C: You know, they know me. I'm friends with them, but the time that I can hear those old gossips or what-- I really look for them! L: She didn't put with it. Ri: Oh the chismosas. *(laughs)* C: Yeah, there are lots of chismosas over there. L: Because that's all they do, they're housewives. Ri: Real Housewaves of Tondo. *(laughs)* C: Yeah like that. Ra: Chisme chisme L: Chismes C: Chismes L: But Lola never hung around just to talk to people. B: She didn't have time for that! C: I just go to my sister-in-law, Tiang Nene there in the second floor, that's the only place I go. If I have to rest, I have to sew-- No rest Ryan! Sew clothes and then get some water, everything you know. Z: You'd get up early to get the water? L: Yeah we fetched the water because there's no water going up the building so we have to carry it-- see why Mom's calves are strong? Ri: How many floors? C: Third floor.... I am [???], until now, I feel as if my life is very blessed. That's my reward, Katie. That's my reward from all that, and of course you have to undergo hardship in life, trials in life, everything. Oh lord, I said "I'm so surprised -- I survived!" *(laughs)* Ri: Not just survived, you thrived! Z: And still enjoying yourself. Ri: Grateful... C: I really fight for my kids, you know? If you ever want to say something about them, talk to me! Z: That's what my mom does... Ri: Oh yeah, she fought my bullies in school! Ry: "Oh you need a hall pass, yeah I'm on my way." L: What about your eighth grade dance Ry, do you remember? Ry: Oh my god, I was like hiding. L: You were hiding and I kept calling you! And then remember it was ending and I said "Which boy is the one that kicked you?" Remember, that was the reason I went because this boy kicked you. Ry: And I was like "Mom, this is gonna make him bully me more!" L: And Ryan was like "I think he's already gone." *(laughs)* Ri: Don't poke the mama bear! C: Maybe she thought she was still in Tondo! You know what, first months we are here, she always fight with the cashier, with whoever, she fights with them! Ri: In Balboa? C: Yeah! Oh my god... Ri: Mom, you scrappy troublemaker. C: Even Jenny diba si Nadine, they have a dance party in school, she has to go there to watch Nadine and make sure, and then she cannot move because she knows the mom is doing like that. Ri: Auntie Jenny will taekwando. L: And I think at that time you already had a phone right? So I kept calling Ryan like "Ry, they're serving the food now Ry!" -- "Ok mom I'm not hungry yet I'll be right there." And I know I could see him and then he would just disappear. C: *(laughs)* Bye Ry! Ra: It was at the Park and Rec, and she' like "Do you see Ryan?" and I said "I'll go look for him" and I would just like go down and find him and be like "Yeah what's going on." We're here to beat up some 13 year old kid? What are we doing here? L: You never told me his name. I would've found him. Yeah he got punched! Punched or kicked? Z: Lola most of the people you lived with in Dimasalang, did you know any of them when you were living in the Philippines? Or you just met them all there? C: Yeah, but my friends in Dimasalang, they know me. I say hi to them, I'm nice to them. But I'm telling you, no chismes ok! Z: They know not to! Because there's nothing to say about you anyways. Ri: But even talking about other people... C: Yeah but sometimes people get, talking about other people, it's trouble. I don't like that, I don't like to be in the middle. Ri: Yeah keep me out of it, So they know not to chismes around you. C: Yeah, and then they know Rick! "Oh, where's your pogi grandson? Invite him to the party!" Ry: Didn't you always dance with them? L: Or when he finds out there's a party, he's like "Ok I can have my dinner there in exchange for my dancing!" Ri: Yeah I'll dance for food. C: And everyone is watching him, saying "Your grandson is so respectful and handsome." L: Did you say all your grandchildren are? C: They know that I really love my grandchildren. _Bini bi dako yan, bini bi dako._ All my grandchildren. *(beep in the background)* L: Oh see rice is ready! Ri: And they see the pictures when they would visit your place, they would see all the grandchildren on your wall? So they know you love us. C: All of you are really good, mga apo. Ri: Yeah mga apo, mababait ang mga apo. C: Sometimes! They are mababait if they are sleeping... They know I am really proud of my grandkids. So proud. Z: Where's Tagaytay...? And Bohol? Ry: How do you say sometimes in Tagalog? L: Minsan. *(lots of saying "minsan" in That voice)* C: Paminsan-minsan! #### [Recording break] L: Oh the families know each other, but they didn't know that their family knew each other and then they just met in Mainla? *(Asking Cely)* Or was it a set-up? A fixed... C: No, no it's not... Nanay was so young because she was sent to Manila because she won a beauty contest! So her prize is to go to Manila! *(lots of wows)* Ri: From where? C: From Iloilo! And then, accidentally they see each other. I don't know, that's you know... B: How they found each other? C: In Manila, I don't know how they met you know but-- Ri: It's like being flown out to L.A. or something. K: Oh I see. Li: But at that time it's such a big thing, like you know, just like... Ra: It's crazy! C: Yeah, if you go to Manila, because it's really expensive. Ri: Like getting flown out to Hollywood. Ra: So, ten years old, you're living in Davao. C: Yes. Ra: And it's 1950. C: That is, yeah. I graduated high school there. Ra: So, no televisions yet... C: No.. Ra: ...just radio? C: ...yeah, yeah. Ri: No iPhone? C: No!! *(lmao)* C: Oh my god, no TV, no TV.. Ra: Rickidick, ay! Ri: So what would you do for fun? C: I don't know... L: You don't remember mother when you were 10 or 11? C: With my cousins, you know! Because most of my cousins... L: were the same age? Ri: Pinsan. C: ...we lived, we have a house there. And then my mom, those relatives who are struggling, you know, she let them live in our house. L: So it's like a compound? C: Yeah, and then she go to market every day, and then she buy food for all the family. That's why when my dad came back from the service, my mom has no money. Because she spent all the money, and my dad was so mad. Ri: Oh, all the money that he sent? C: Yeah because, you know, my dad was thinking that she was saving the money. Ry: Oh like hiding it or...? C: But she is so generous, my mom too. She is so generous! You know, even she will put [food] in her mouth, if somebody needed it, she will give it. She is so generous, nanay. She is too much. L: That's why Lola is. *(agreement)* C: But, my other sisters, I don't know... *(laughs)* C: ...maybe they took my dad's trait? *(more laughter)* B: The little shade ok... C: I notice it, you know, because Auntie Terry, you know. Auntie Janet, she is a little bit generous. Your Auntie Helen, she's just saving for, you know, for maybe. Because you know they have no kids. L: But then Uncle Frank was very generous. C: Yeah that one! Me, your Uncle Frank, and Auntie Janet. The other two are kind of, I don't know. L: Kinda stingy. Ry: Did you ever play-- Dad always talks about, like the tops? That you'd throw on the ground C: Yeah! Tansan, Tansan, yeah, that's our game. (Ri): It's like Beyblades! (Ry): Yeah, he said, that's why whenever he played with Jeremiah, he was like "Oh I played this!" ...did you play it Celine? (CB): No... L: Yung, ano, yung... C: Yung, piko! L: Hindi, mother, yung merong... C: Yung... I forget. Yung... You know the string, you do like that, and then you throw it and it will keep on spinning? She is good! You know that sport that we had, she is good in jumping. She is the most athletic. She played basketball, she played volleyball... Z: Who? C: Your mom! Z: My mom? C: That's why she is popular. You know, lots of, you know, like to... to be friend with her. Z: She's still popular. L: [TRUMPO!!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trompo) C: Ah trumpo yeah! Magaling ka Liz, you do like that, and then you throw it like that. Ra: So were you in Davao when, Liza said that you danced ballet? C: Yeah. L: She did! Z: And what was it the, the candle dance (Talking about [Pandanggo sa ilaw](https://www.tagaloglang.com/pandanggo-sa-ilaw/)?) L: No but, she specifically to school for ballet when she was... how old were you? C: Yeah in Davao, I am only, I think 10 or 11? About that age. Tapos mga recitals pakamin. It was so fun. *(laughs)* C: Tapos sa Uncle Frank ko naman... nako! L: What'd he do? C: Uhm, with friends! Barkada! Ri: Barkada? What's Barkada? L: Uncle Frank, like his friends are so important. Just like Cheryl now. Cheryl has like all sorts of friends. C: Yeah yeah yeah, it's just like Cheryl. Cheryl got all that, ano-- si Marie namang kay Auntie Nene mo.... L: And Frankie C: ...and Frankie. (Z): What is the word? Pagada? (Ri): Bagada? Is that like... CB: It's, your group of friends Ri: ...like your clique, your posse. C: Yeah, a group of friends that sometimes you know, are more close to you than your family, sometimes. It's like that, yeah. You have to do bonding I think that, you know, you have to help each other, blah blah like that, yeah. Z: Is that kinda like kapwa, or it's... L: Kinda like what? CB: Kapwa. L: Kapwa is like your... Ri: Community? L: Yeah, yeah. Like, Kapwa Filipino is like your, um... C: Parang kababayan. B: It's like, I am you, you are me, kinda? L: Yeah, kapwa is like "we're the same." [...] Ra: So, 19 you get married, it's 1959, and you start having children. Boom boom boom, one child, one child-- '63, '64, '65. L: No but, Kuya Ronnie is '59 right? C: Yeah. L: [He was] born in '59, but he didn't live. Z: Kuya Ronnie? C: That's the eldest. L: The eldest, the only... Z: Your older brother? L: Yeah. Ri: How long did he...? CB: When did he pass? L: He was... did he live a couple of weeks? C: Ano, [???] siya. No, manga months, three months I think. Yeah, he got that intestinal obstruction that, over there they don't know what to do-- blah blah. But over here it's just, you know, you can treat them. But there, he has to suffer. He cannot... the milk. (Ry): _(to katie)_ Well apparently, I never heard of this. Ri: And that was your first? C: First. Ang pogi pa naman. He is soooo handsome that baby boy. Z: Tito Ronnie <3 C: Mestizo! Very mestizo. Because, you know, the skin? Ti may puti. Oh well. Iya tapos. Girls! Girls! Girls! Girls! *(laughs)* L: I know. Like, four girls. C: Four girls. But I like it. Ayoko mga lalaki. *(BIG laughs from L + CB)* CB: Uncle Joey! She said "I don't like boys." C: Ay! Muntik na akong mag madre! I almost became a nun, you know? In Davao, because I went to a Catholic school, I am so involved in church... (Z): None of us would exist. C: ...and everyday I would go to church. And I have, you know, nuns that I am so close to them. And priests, you know. I always have time for church. Oh, and then when I went to Manila... L: That's it. Z: Wow. C: I don't know. Ri: You almost became a nun, a ballet dancer... Z: ...went to college. Ri: All sorts of different... C: But now, you know, I say "Maybe I can still enter the..." Ri: Nunnery? C: And then your Auntie Helen said "No! They will be scared of you because you know what, you are old and then they will have to pay for your insurance." I said "No, I have my own insurance!" *(laughs)* C: "If you become a nun, you know, the church, the congregation will be the one to shoulder your health insurance." Z: Don't worry about it! C: I have my insurance, Kaiser! *(more laughs)* C: I just want to go inside the convent. Just to serve the old nuns. And maybe when I get old I'll be the one to be served by those young ones. Yeah! That's one of my, what's this, on my mind. I want to be a nun. I want to, you know, go to church, to be there. I go to church in the morning, come back home, school, and then in the afternoon, you have to go back again. Because you have the seminar, the prayers in the afternoon. Ri: Would you teach? C: I'm still in high school. L: But, so when you went to college, you were studying to become a teacher, right? C: Yeah, I really want to be a physical education teacher. *(all laugh, imitating physical activity)* C: I remember Zo, I can't forget that one, ano, when we were walking home? Z: I know! C: And then my car broke, diba, so we have to take the bus! Z: The Lancer? C: Yeah. And then, it's uphill! But then Zo was *(motions)* doing like that. Z: I was like four years old. C: I said, "Zo come on! Faster!" "Lola, I hate it." I said, "Zo, how old are you? Me, how old am I? You see me, I'm running! Come on, Zo, come on." And then Zo said "No, Lola, I'm tired." Ri: You can't be tired! C: You want me to carry you! I can't forget. Z: You're so encouraging though, because we made it, right? The top of Hillcrest. C: ...you know the Millbrae hills, you know? It's really hard, you know, diba. B: It's no joke! I used to walk all down and up, and get so sweaty? Oh god. C: Oh sometimes, I go Safeway down in Millbrae! With Zo, I was carrying... Z: Down Hillcrest, back up Hillcrest. Ry: That's crazy. C: I love that, you know. Adventure! *(laughs)* That's why, my friends in dimasalang, "You cannot move, move away from us, blah blah." Yeah, why? *(laughs)* Z: Can't tie me down. Ri: Try and stop me! C: That's such a big deal, you know, I cannot just say "I'm tired of you." *(laughs)* Z: There's more life to live! C: Yeah, I want a new environment. Ri: Yeah, a new adventure. C: Oh, I don't worry where I go, you know. I know I'm protected. I'm protected. I am not scared. Whatever happens, happens! Que sera sera! Ay nako, buhay. Z: Ay buhay. C: Ay buhay! Oh, life... But you know, my life is very interesting. *(laughs)* So many trials in life. We overcome L: Here, Rick, selfie please, since we're all here... *(all posing for a picture)* Ri: 1, 2, 3... C: Yay! L: Thank you Cardo, you have the longest arms. [...] Ry: Well Lola, you did a good job Lola. C: That's why, you know, if I see my grandchildren, that are doing good all of you, all of you. Everybody, you know. Ay, the happiness I have inside, I cannot... Ri: Does it make it worth it, all the trials and tribulations? C: Yeah! All the trials that I have, you know, that's the outcome! You, you, you, you're so good. Proud of you. And Celine, you know, Celine! Yeah, really. Ra: She was a baby and now she's driving. She gets us that hook up at Panera! Ri: Gimme that bread bowl! *(laughs)* C: See? Ay nako. Even Kamron, that's why I always tell Kamron "Kamron, you know that's good you have all these trials in life. It will make you strong. And after that, you know, when really a big problem in life comes, you will know how to deal with it because you already have, ano. But if you have everything, you will go crazy like "What will I do, what will I do?" You'll panic!" Z: You and Kam have like an understanding. C: Yeah, he messaged me, he said "Lola I miss you every day." And I said me too, you know. He's just like that, you know. So hopefully he'll become a good boy! Ri: Aw, I know he will. C: Yeah, hopefully. Because he already has a lots of, you know... (Ri): He's so mature. (Z): He's love. C: ...trials in life. He's still young, but you know. That's it, trials doesn't [care] if you're young, old, or you are rich or poor or what. Everybody will have all those trials in life, and I'm used to that! Ay nako, buhay. *(laughs)* But, my life is not boring! There's always excitement. B: Did you ever learn how to swim, Lola? C: The what? B: Did you learn how to swim? C: No! *(laughs)* B: No? L: Really mother? I always thought you knew how to swim, no? C: But I know, I know the basics, yeah. I will not drown, you know. But I cannot just, you know. L: But you didn't learn? C: No. L: But the only reason you know how to swim is because, when you were little, did you go to the beach? C: Mmm, we have... no, I don't know, maybe we have no time for that. I don't remember. We don't have picnic, we don't blah blah like that. No nothing. Ry: Lola, when you went to Jordan, did you go in the Red Sea? C: The what? Ry: You went to Jordan right? Ri: The holy land? C: Yeah! Ry: Did you go in the Red Sea? C: Yes! Yeah, I went there, and then, we went to Jordan River, you know. And then all the mud on my body, it went inside my eyes! Oh my god. *(lots of "oh no"s)* Ri: Wait, bugs? B: The salt water! C: So salty, and it's mud, you know. I don't know, I'm watching people, how come they like to go there and then just... Ri: Maybe they're used to it? C: They said that it's good for those who have psoriasis, but I don't know. I don't think it helps. B: Maybe it's good for exfoliating, but not like... C: Yeah, like, you know I have like open [wounds], you know. Ri: That'd probably hurt. B: Yeah that's really bad. Z: Rub some dirt in it! L: Oh she's going again next year, but they're going to Belgium, Netherlands... C: Switzerland... L: ...Switzerland... C: ...Germany. L: ...and Germany. CB: That's nice. KP: Who is this? L: Mom. KP: Next year? L: Yeah, 2022. C: It's supposed to be this year, but because, you know the COVID. (KP): With you guys? (L): No, she goes with her sisters, and a group. It's um, a pilgrammage, they call them. (KP): Ah. Z: What do you call that, you go-- the pilgrammage? C: Pilgrammage, mhm. Lots of, lots of praying. Z: All the aunties are going? C: Yeah because your Auntie Helen is the one organizing, she is the one *(gestures)*, what's this, the one that is taking charge of the hotel, that one. Yeah she had been doing that for 20 years. Z: When's her birthday, Lola? Ri: Auntie Helen? Z: Auntie Helen. C: December 9. It's coming. Z: That's a day after Abuelita. C: Yeah! L: Yeah, the day after Abuelita. I think they're the same age too. C: Yeah the same age too. And like, the same personality, you know diba? Z: Yeah they're similar! Both organized. C: Organized everything, and then she is so, you know... (L): Haha, kinda strict... (Ry): Kinda strict! *(laughs)* ...I do remember Auntie Helen. C: ...wants her money in place, you know. *(laughs)* Stay there, stay there. And then grow. Yeah, they have the same personality and year... Ri: Does she do all the itinerary for your trips too? Like where to go, what to do? L: Mhm, she does. She does all the planning. But then in exchange, she gets her trip paid for. Z: Oh really? Ry: Really?! Shoot I'll do that! (Z): You would? (Ry): Yeah, if I was getting it paid for! L: Yeah, hers and the priests. Ri: Oh okay! L: They're usually, like, $5000 right? $5600 this year? C: Yeah, yeah. L: But it's fifteen days-- C: Seventeen. L: Seventeen days, yeah. But then the tips are not included, and then the meal... C: You have to give tips to the driver. L: But then, it's an experience for them! C: And the hotel is really good. It's really nice. L: And then of course, with Auntie Janet, she's always fun. Z: Auntie Janet is a hoot and a holler! C: Yeah! My god! Ry: I know! I wonder what it would be like to... L: You know she's your ninong? C: A ninong pa ni Ryan? KP: What does that mean? CB: Godmother. Z: The most chaotic of them... *(laughs)* C: She is so much and she-- Z: Remember when we went to Hawai'i and we were all-- [Celine's] mom was there too-- B: We were at the beach! Z: --we were at the beach and then the water came up. *(laughs)* B: And everybody got washed over! Z: And she just got knocked over. L: She started crawling! *(laughs)* Ry: When was this? Z: When we all went to Hawai'i for Auntie Mimi and Uncle Mike's wedding. B: And we were all sitting at the water. L: Cause at first she was all like *(imitating her voice)*. Ri: And then a wave came? C: And then, she was crawling! Z: It was her and then your mom too! L: Oh yeah, because they wanted to take pictures! Ri: Photoshoot! Z: It was so funny, and Lola just stayed calm. The water came up and she was just like "ok." Ri: That's funny. C: Oh my god... *(laughs)* L: I don't know, like--(scoffs) today she looks bigger somehow. Ri: Oh, Chiquita? C: She is! She is in denial! *(laughter)* C: She is in denial, she doesn't want Chiquita to grow! She thinks she is still [small] until now! Ri: That's her whole identity, is being small! KP: I did think that today, that she is really small. L: And now today, just today I told Raul, she grew overnight! She wasn't that big last night! C: Overnight! L: We were in the room, I was staring at her like... Look at your face, you ARE a big cat! Ri: Identity crisis! C: And Jenny was laughing at you when you were with Chiquita on a leash. Oh my god! L: Why do they think that's a funny thing? Z: It's cause their cat is out and about. C: Because you know Chiquita is supposed to be, you know, exploring! L: Not around here! C: No no no no, cats are like that! Ri: That's mom's pampered kitty. L: That's what Ahsha said too: "I'm pretty sure if you let her go she'll come back," but not with mountain lions. C: No, she will come back. L: Mother, there's a lot of cats missing here. C: Marame? L: Yes. C: Oh my god. L: So I'm not gonna let her go... Ri: And it's better for the local bird populations too to not let cats out. B: Cause they eat the birds. L: Yeah, she just gets to watch them! Ri: Yeah. And she's just sitting pretty at home, pampered princess. L: And she has like different windows to look out, it's not always the same window. C: That's why, we are so scared when Chiquita will go out, you know? Because... Ri: Because all the mountain lions? C: ...because she is so innocent, she doesn't know what to do, you know, when she is out. L: Oh, did you guys hear the story when we first moved here? Z: Aw Lola! C: Oh my god, I was so scared! L: Okay, so Papa and I were still hauling stuff... KP: Was this when we were still with you guys? L: Oh yeah! You guys were here! So, so we were in San Francisco, our last, you know, like, move. And they were like, going, leaving to Denver. And then Lola called, and she said "Oh, I can't find Chiquita!" C: I was so scared, I cannot sleep. L: "I can't find Chiquita!" z: She was so small then too, huh? C: We also came from San Francisco, last move na, kami ni Joey. L: Oh yeah, last move, you and Joey, yeah. C: I know that Chiquita didn't get out pagla pag si Joey because I know Chiquita was sitting there and Joey-- Faster faster, you know, you close the door. So Chiquita is not out. But for three hours, I cannot find her. "Chiquita chiquita where are you?" And then "Chiqui chiqui chiqui!" Z: You tried. C: I know I tried! L: She tried to imitate my voice! C: "Chiquita here's your food!" ...oh my god, I am so scared. L: I said, "She's just there." And then even Papa was like "She's just there." And then, I couldn't sleep. Ri: Cause you were...? L: We were in San Francisco. And I'm like, I'm gonna drive to Grass Valley. It was like, so I got here around three o'clock in the morning. Ri: Oh my god. Katie's like "I get that." KP: No, I remember it. I was like "You're gonna drive all the way up there?" I was like "holy shit." L: And then like, driving around, everytime I see a cat, I thought it was... KP: They had just saw you and Todd, and it took us like five hours to get down there and it was like, sorry. You're gonna go back? Like it took us all day to get into the city. Sorry, anyway. L: Yeah, so anytime I see cats on the road, I'd be like "CHIQUITA!" Ri: Mom!! L: And cats would be like running around, and one time I made a u-turn and followed the cat! *(laughs)* Z: Before you even got home? L: And I got there and Lola was so tired. C: I am so scared, I am so scared. L: And like, I saw like a toy and food and water like right outside. And then the screen door was cracked open just in case she comes back, and like... So I walked in and I'm like "Oh mother"-- all the furnitures were like away from the wall. C: I thought she was hiding. L: Yeah, and then I said "Chiqui! Chiquita!" I opened this door, I called her name twice and she was like, there. C: Yeah-- Z: Lolaaaa! Ri: Where was she? L: In our room, somewhere. C: She was hiding. You know, maybe sleeping and then... I am so scared, talaga. Z: Better safe than sorry! L: Yeah, and then that was a good thing! That was like a really, blessing too because, I got here-- Because at that time we had already loaded the truck, the truck yeah that's what I was driving. And then, I got here, and I'm like "Oh okay, you know what, I'm just gonna unload everything" and then I drove back to San Francisco and we did another load. Z: That same night?! L: No, the following morning. Z: I wouldn't put it past you mom to keep it pushing. L: No, but when there's no traffic, it's only a couple of hours. Two hours, especially-- Ri: That's right cause the bus is three hours, and we stopped, so. L: Where we were in San Francisco was right off the Bay Bridge. Ry: That was a view! KP: That's crazy... C: I was so scared, I was like, "My god, what am I gonna do? How can I replace Chiquita?" B: I know, she loves her so much. C: So scared, my god. B: I'm glad she's okay. C: When I see her, my god! Chiquita... #### [End Recording]