Interview with Angelica Legarda
Towards the beginning of the semester when Professor Trouille first assigned the Immigrant Stories Project I immediately thought of my mom, Angelica, as a prime interviewee. She was born on November 1, 1970 in the little town of San Jose, Mindoro in the Philippines. It wouldn’t be until March of 1994 that she would immigrate to the United States. However, this project and interview allowed my mom share stories and experiences that I had never talked to her about before. As a result, I learned more about her and how she became the person she is today.
Since I was interviewing my mom, I was able to conduct the interview in person. I did run into some issues due to travel and her busy work schedule, so we had to postpone. However, we eventually found a day that worked for both of us. We scheduled the interview for December 5th because she got off early that day. My mom was excited that I chose her for the interview and was ecstatic to share about her life and experiences as an immigrant. During the interview I ran into technical issues with the first recording device I had, but I was prepared and had my phone recording alongside it. So, I was still able to capture the entire interview. I also experienced some minor issues during the interview my brother accidentally interrupted, you can hear my dad walking down the stairs, and at one point my neighbor was using their leaf blower. Despite the issues we faced the interview and audio still came out great. I was able to learn about my mom’s childhood, education, why she immigrated, and her experiences in the U.S.
My mom described her childhood as fun, but the importance of education was always stressed by her parents. She said, “Our parents have instilled in my brother and I that education should always be our priority because without education, we would not be able to achieve anything.” My mom and her brother went to Catholic school from kindergarten all the way up to high school. She mentioned how at school they had nuns and priests for teacher, mass every Friday, and confession the first Friday of every month. My mom also said they were very strict at school, but ultimately enjoyed it because of the friends she had.
After high school, my mom was left with three choices of study and work if she stayed in her little town. She told me, “You can only either be an accountant, a teacher, or someone who can work for the government had I done my studies in my town.” My mom wanted to leave and experience life in the big city. She chose to study medicine at the Makati Medical Center’s College of Nursing, but shortly switched to nursing. The reason for her switch was because her goal was to come to the United States and help provide for her family. In 1992 my mom graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
It wouldn’t be until two years that my mom would eventually immigrate to the United States. When I asked her why she decided to immigrate to the U.S. she told me there were several reasons that led to her decision. Firstly, she had an aunt, Tita Myrian, who was already there. (Tita means aunt in Filipino) Tita Myrian also paid for her plane ticket and would send her monthly allowances while she was in nursing school. Secondly, from a young age her parents constantly told her that she needed to go to school, graduate, and go to the U.S. Lastly, she grew up poor and she wanted to change that and be able to provide for her family. She told me, “The goal was to you know, to make a lot of money, make better of yourself, and be able to be successful. And coming here is almost like proving to myself and to my family that I can do it.”
With a relative in the states, she had someone who could help her transition smoothly. As Professor Trouille said, “migration is an inherently social process.” Immigrants naturally draw upon familiar bond to share the hazards and hardships of life. Additionally, being constantly told by her parents that she needed to graduate and go to the U.S. can be seen as a “push factor”. Lastly, with a goal to make a lot of money, make better of herself, and to become successful she had done a cost-benefit calculation to determine whether immigrating to the U.S. would help her achieve her goal. Seeing that steady income and consistent work would be ample in the U.S. she decided it was worth it and immigrated in March of 1994.
This would be her first time travelling internationally and by herself. She told me this scared her, but she was also excited because she was going somewhere new and full of opportunities. When she landed at Dulles International Airport, she was picked up by Tita Myrian. She would move in with her, her husband, and two children in Herndon, Virginia. She took her board exam in May of ’94, passed and got her RN license. She told me, “I started working immediately once I got my license.” Her first job was working as a registered nurse at a nursing home in Leesburg making $13.25 an hour. As she discussed her arriving to the U.S. and her first job and asked her what those experiences were like and how receptive people were of her.
My mom told me that she had no issues with English as she was taught it at school. She went on to tell me that the nursing home she was working at hired her under the condition that she would leave after her work visa expired because she wasn’t a citizen at the time. I asked her if this discouraged her from working for them, but she told me, “Yes and no.” The nursing home had been the only place that responded to her application, so she felt like didn’t have a choice. She went on to tell me, “At least I had a job, and I was making money that I can send back home, which was my goal.” My mom went on to tell me that the only negative experience she had in terms of reception was while working at the nursing home. She told me about her nursing assistants saying, “I felt like they did not respect me because I was an immigrant. The fact that was I above them as far, you know, professional licensing. Because I was a nurse, and they were only nursing assistants.” She said there was a lot of tension at work, but this ended once she proved how hard of worker she was which made the work environment a lot easier. The nursing home was impressed by mom’s work ethic that they decided to sponsor her if she would pay for it. She accepted and would work for them for a little over a year until she met my dad.
Her and my dad, Daniel, would chat in AOL chat rooms and they would talk over the phone as well. It wasn’t until the Spring of 1995 that she’d meet him for the first time. My mom and her cousin Gail were going to California to visit Disneyland. So, my mom figured since she was there that she would page my dad. Eventually he joined them on their trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios afterwards. When I asked her of her first impressions of my dad she told me, “When I actually saw him for the first time, I was kind of turned off because I didn’t realize that he was so short, but here we are after almost 25 years later.” Her trip in California lasted for five days and that experience was completely different thing for her because she grew up poor. She described it as, “that’s only something you’d see in the movies.”
My mom wouldn’t see my dad again until June when he planned a trip to visit her in Virginia. She said that they were planning to go to New York, but she cancelled after finding out he was going to propose there. Instead, they decided to go to the Alanis Morissette concert at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland. My dad was going to propose there, but my mom kept walking away. However, he finally got the chance when he dropped her off, but she said no. My mom’s reason for this was, “I told him that I had a goal of coming here and that was to help my parents and so I didn’t want me marrying early or getting engaged to hinder those plans.” My dad responded saying she’d have extra help if they got married. They never had a formal engagement.
They would go to Northern California together which was planned beforehand and met my dad’s parents. After meeting his parents, they went to San Francisco and he took her to his “old stomping grounds” as she described it. My mom would go on to work for another nursing home in California but didn’t stay long because my dad got deployed and she didn’t want to live alone in San Diego. So, she moved in with dad’s parents and worked for Kaiser Permanente as an insurance nurse manager mainly doing office work because she was pregnant with me at the time. However, just like the nursing home she didn’t work too long for them either because she took a 6-month maternity leave. Afterwards, she found work at Sharp Memorial Hospital working on a medical surgical floor in 1998.
Then in 2000 my parents drove cross country to move to Virginia. Her reason behind this was because she wanted to raise me in an environment, she thought was safe and closer to family. Most of her cousins were already in Virginia, while her brother, Nanay (mom in Filipino), and Mamang (Grandma) were planning to come. My mom and dad had found a house in Sterling, Virginia on Sugarland Run. We lived there for four years but eventually moved again in 2004. We moved a couple streets over to a “bigger house in a better neighborhood” as my mom would describe it. At the time my mom was working at Reston Hospital as a surgical nurse and worked for the from June 2000 until March 2008. She stopped working because it was tiring, and the politics of work were frustrating for her. On top of this she wanted to be able to spend more time with my brother and I. She didn’t return to work until 2017 after I graduated high school. She started working part time at Sono Belo in Tyson’s Corner. Starting as a staff nurse, promoted to Lead RN, and now to Clinical Manager. During her time there she encountered a patient who was rude and racist. The patient didn’t know my mom’s name and when the doctor asked which nurse had seen her, the patient described my mom as, “You know, the one with eyes like this *patient squints and pulls back eyes”. My mom wasn’t offended by this, she found it funny.
Overall, my mom’s immigration story is centered around achieving the American Dream through hard work and perseverance. She came to the United States in hopes of a better life and being able to support her parents in the Philippines. The money she made from her first job helped her parents to start their own small business and put her brother through college. Her resiliency and work ethic has set her apart from other people. Sure, her immigration story may be similar and typical to others chasing the American Dream, but everyone’s journey is different.
Josh Legarda 0:02
This is Josh Legarda interviewing my mom Angelica Legarda on December 5, the interviews taking place at my parents house in Sterling, Virginia. Mom, could you tell me about, um, when and where you were born?
Angelica Legarda 0:16
I was born in the Philippines on November 1, 1970. In a little town of San Jose, Mindoro.
Josh Legarda 0:26
And could you describe to me what your childhood was like?
Angelica Legarda 0:30
Childhood in the Philippines that I can remember is it was fun. We grew up to be very disciplined, played outside a lot. But studies is always our priority. Our parents have instilled in my brother and I that education should always be our priority, because without education, we would not be able to achieve anything. And that is, I think, mainly a Filipino mentality.
Josh Legarda 1:08
Uh can you tell me about what school was like? growing up?
Angelica Legarda 1:11
I went to Catholic school, from kindergarten, up to high school. So we have mass every Friday. We were always told to go to Confession every first Friday of the month. It was very strict. We had nuns for teachers and priests as well. But we enjoyed it because I had a lot of friends.
Josh Legarda 1:42
All right. Can you talk to me about uh nursing school? When did you go and why did you go?
Angelica Legarda 1:49
Nursing school was not my first choice. But it was a way to get out of our little town, because you can only either be an accountant, a teacher, or someone who can work for the government, had I done my studies in my town. So, I wanted to get out. And the way to get to the city is to pick a course that would allow me to leave the town. So hence, you know, nursing, although I was very interested in a medical field, so I did. first year of, you know, on track for medicine, but afterwards, I switched to nursing, because my ultimate goal was to come here and earn money and help provide for my family.
Josh Legarda 2:46
Okay, um, let’s see. Could you tell me more about nursing school? What was it like? How were you feeling at the time? Was it stressful?
Angelica Legarda 2:55
Um, as any other college, you know, there are times that it was stressful. But overall, I enjoyed it a lot, because I’ve met some lifelong friends. It was, you know, very interesting, getting to know, you know, learning all about anatomy and science and just being able to help and treat people really ultimately was very rewarding.
Josh Legarda 3:21
Can you tell me when you graduated?
Angelica Legarda 3:23
I graduated in 1992, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Josh Legarda 3:30
Okay, from then on, when did you decide to come to the US? What, what led you to make that decision? Why the US?
Angelica Legarda 3:40
Because from a very early age, I knew that having a relative here, my aunt. It’s growing up poor, the goal was to you know, to make a lot of money, make better of yourself and be able to be successful. And, to me, coming here is almost like proving to myself to my family, that I can do it and that I can be successful.
Josh Legarda 4:13
Okay.
Um, so would you say that your parents put kind of pushed you in a sense to immigrate to the US? Or was there anything that kind of pulled you to come to the US? I mean, well you did describe saying a better life, but was there anything else that either pushed or pulled you to come to the United States?
Angelica Legarda 4:31
Yeah, I mean, like I said, From a very early age, it’s always been, you know, part of the conversation, whether it be a family dinner, or the feeling, gathering that, you know, it’s always been, you need to go to school so you can graduate and you can go to the United States, so it’s almost as if it was drilled in me. So I guess in some ways that was pushed, you know, kind of pushed on me.
Yeah. So
Josh Legarda 5:06
Can you describe when you immigrated to the United States?
Angelica Legarda 5:10
I immigrated March of 19…1992.
Josh Legarda 5:21
Okay.
Angelica Legarda 5:22
I believe yeah.
Josh Legarda 5:24
Could you describe to me…
Angelica Legarda 5:25
Actually, no, I stand corrected. 1994.
Josh Legarda 5:28
Okay. Can you tell me about what the trip was like United States? Who were you with? What you were feeling at the time?
Angelica Legarda 5:34
Yes, that was very. I was very excited. I was scared because it was the first time that I was traveling internationally, and traveling by myself. So it was I was very scared, but I did it because I knew that as long as I’m able to speak English, which we were trained to anyway in school, so it was not a problem, but I think it was more of an excitement than being afraid.
Josh Legarda 6:11
Okay.
Um, I think you told me before you were with your best friend Tita Mai, right?
Angelica Legarda 6:19
Right, so not when I first came here. She was the first one I visited when I come here, because she helped me. You know, she provided all her review materials, because she had gotten here a year before me. So to be able to study and review for the Board of Nursing, she provided me with all her study materials.
Josh Legarda 6:43
Asides from helping you with study with the study materials, did she kind of help make your transition easier given she was here a year before you were?
Angelica Legarda 6:50
Yeah, she did for sure. And actually a couple of college students, Pam and Hazel, they kind of helped me because they were also here before me. So having that helped, but I think mostly having, you know, Tita Myrian, my aunt being here who’s been here, while who knows, obviously is used to the way of living here helped the trans…transition. Make it easier.
Josh Legarda 7:22
Um, at the time, when you immigrated to the United States, did you pay for it for yourself? Or did you have help paying for it?
Angelica Legarda 7:28
No, actually Tita Myrian paid for it. But I did end up you know, paying her back later on when I got the job.
Josh Legarda 7:36
Um, at the time, did she? Why did she pay for do um, did she like, what was her reasoning for it? I mean, aside from helping you out, did she have any other reasons? I guess?
Angelica Legarda 7:49
No, I think it’s because of you know, Filipino families are very close knit. And so even though she was already here, she was always helping us. So even when I was in nursing school, she would send me monthly allowances. So I think it’s to me was almost a given that she would help and so she did when I found out that there was a way for me to come here. And I had mentioned it to her and the first thing she asked me All right, who do I need to get in touch with? And how much do we need to pay? So it’s almost like no question that she was going to help.
Josh Legarda 8:24
Okay. So back to, Tita Mai and your friend Pam. Did you stay with them when you first came here?
Angelica Legarda 8:32
No, I stayed with Tita Myrian but on some weekends that I was off at work, or they were off at work, either I would go to Jersey, New Jersey, or they would come here.
Josh Legarda 8:43
Um
Could you tell me where you’re working at the time and when?
Angelica Legarda 8:45
I was working at a nursing home in Leesburg, Virginia, making $13.25 an hour as a registered nurse. I remember that. That was my first job. And my first you know, I remember how much I made. Um, that was, I started there I think around June because I came here in March. I took my board exam in May, and I passed that and I got my RN license. I started working immediately after I got my license.
Josh Legarda 9:18
Um, did you have to interview for the job? Or did you kind of just get it?
Angelica Legarda 9:21
I had to interview I had to actually it was hard to find a job because they were looking for a local experience. Of course, having come from the Philippines, my experience was not local.
Josh Legarda 9:34
Yeah. Um, could you describe what the interview was like, the interview process? How did you feel?
Angelica Legarda 9:40
Um, a little bit stressful, um, because I was asked about the status of my citizenship which I was not a citizen. But I did have a work visa. So I was hired on the condition That, after a year of my visa that I need to leave because they do not do sponsorships. So I feel like they focused more on that then the skills that I had the skill set that I had, or whatever I can offer for the job.
Josh Legarda 10:19
Did that make you feel a little discouraged to work for them that they were only focused on how long your visa was?
Angelica Legarda 10:24
Yes, and no. But because I think it was only one of the two that actually responded to my application. So at that time, it almost felt like, I didn’t have a choice, and I had to take the job. And then I figured that if they did not sponsor me out, I would just have to figure out how to extend that visa later on. But at least I had a job and I was making money that I can send back home, which was my goal of working here.
Josh Legarda 10:54
How much were you sending back home, if you don’t mind me asking at the time.
Angelica Legarda 10:58
I mean, it wasn’t really a set amount, but I feel like I was sending maybe $300 a month, something like that.
Josh Legarda 11:06
Did that make a big difference for your mom and dad? Nanay and Tatay.
Angelica Legarda 11:09
It did a whole lot because it helped them to the point that they started a small business. While it was not as successful as they wanted it to be, it helped them greatly. And it actually helped my brother because I kind of was the one that provided for him to be able to go to college.
Josh Legarda 11:34
Um, so after the nursing home or not after, but how long did you work for them?
Angelica Legarda 11:40
I worked for them for about maybe a little over a year. So they actually ended up they were impressed by my work ethic and how much of a hard worker I am that they ended up sponsoring me that they when I knew my visa was expiring. I asked them again, I brought up the subject again about the sponsorship. And at that time, because they were very impressed of my work. They decided they would sponsor me but I had to pay for it. So which I did. So I worked for them until I think a little over a year until I met your dad, which then had me you know, after we’ve met I moved to California.
Josh Legarda 12:28
Okay. Um, tell me about meeting dad. What was that? Like? I know you guys. You said you met in an AOL, AOL chat room.
Angelica Legarda 12:36
Right.
Josh Legarda 12:37
What was that like meeting Dad?
Angelica Legarda 12:40
The first time I met him. I know you’ve heard this story many times. But it was. Well, I mean, we were chatting on a chat room and we would have phone calls. Because back then obviously, there’s no, the internet is not the same. And there’s no FaceTime none of that. So it was it was good. But then when I actually saw him for the first time, I was kind of turned off because I didn’t realize that he was so short. And then the way he was dressed, but here we are almost 25 years later, so.
Josh Legarda 13:17
So what year was it when you went to go visit dad and meet him for the first time?
Angelica Legarda 13:21
That was 1995
Josh Legarda 13:25
How did you get there? Did you fly?
Angelica Legarda 13:27
Yes, we did. That was March. Well, we were actually the trip traveling to California was not because we were going to meet it was we were going to go to Disneyland with Gail. Yeah. My cousin. And since we were already there, I actually paged your dad. So back then we do pagers, and that’s when he came to see us and Disneyland. So he was with us when we went to Universal Studios. You know, we did all like the touristy stuff, and he was with us then.
Josh Legarda 14:01
I kind of just wanted to backtrack a little bit. Um, what were some of your first impressions when coming to the United States? And how receptive were people like in your work environment at your first job, or like some, like local people that you’d probably meet or see?
Angelica Legarda 14:15
Well, good question, because so being an immigrant working with a registered nurse degree, so I had, you know, obviously, my nursing assistants, who were African American, were, I felt like I don’t, I don’t know what the word is, but I feel like they did not respect me because not only that I was an immigrant. The fact that I was above them as far as, you know. professional licensing because I was a nurse and there were only nursing assistants. So I feel like I didn’t earn the respect that I deserved. But ultimately, though, when I had proven that, you know, I am a hard worker, and I wasn’t out to get them or anything like that, then they realize, you know, I’m really like, I’m very helpful. And so then it made the work environment a lot easier. But there were a lot of tensions then.
Josh Legarda 15:25
Um, so I know, you just went over some negative experiences. Did you have any positive experiences right off the bat?
Angelica Legarda 15:31
Well, definitely making money was a positive experience. And, um, the fact that I was able to utilize my skills as a nurse.
Josh Legarda 15:45
Okay, well, I meant more along the lines of people receiving you as an immigrant. Sorry.
Angelica Legarda 15:51
Yeah, um, yeah. Because my manager, or my director then and I still remember her name, Susan foreman, she was the one who really believed in me. And so that was, to me, had it not been for that, I probably would not have pursued, you know, being because I was promoted as the evening supervisor, because she again, she, she believed in me and my work ethic and in being just a hard worker.
Josh Legarda 16:27
Okay. So back to you meeting dad taking a trip to California. Could you tell me a little bit more about that? What was that? Like? Some of the stuff you guys did?
Angelica Legarda 16:36
Yeah. So we, like I said, we went to Universal, we went to Disneyland. It was fun. That was my very first time there. So that alone in itself, that experience was a completely different thing for me, because growing up again, in the Philippines being poor, that’s only something you see in the movies, right? So being able to actually experience that. And yet here is a guy who I am starting to like, and he likes me a lot. I’m with him. So it was such a great experience. And being with my friends, because my friends from college, were there too.
Josh Legarda 17:11
So how long were you there for the trip in California?
Angelica Legarda 17:14
I think we were there for five days maybe. I don’t recall.
Josh Legarda 17:18
And did you go back to Virginia? Or did you… Okay.
Angelica Legarda 17:20
I did.
Josh Legarda 17:21
When was the next time you’d see dad again?
Angelica Legarda 17:23
So that was March, all throughout April and May we were communicating. And he said he was coming to visit me here. So he came in June.
Josh Legarda 17:33
Okay.
Angelica Legarda 17:33
Yeah, like a couple months later.
Josh Legarda 17:35
What was that? Like in June? What did you guys do?
Angelica Legarda 17:39
We did just the usual local stuff. You know, took him to? Well, we were planning to go to New York, but we ended up not going just like the local tourist stuff here.
Josh Legarda 18:03
So howcome you guys didn’t go to New York? What led into that?
Angelica Legarda 18:07
Because I had found out that he was going to propose, and I was kind of scared because I didn’t want him to propose. So to prevent that from happening, I said, I don’t want to go to New York anymore. And then we had also planned on going to Alanis Morissette concert because we we I liked her and then I kind of introduced your dad to the songs and he liked it too. And so she happened to be performing at Merriweather the time that your dad was here visiting. So we said we were going to go to the concert. And at that concert, that’s where he proposed.
Josh Legarda 18:50
Really?
Angelica Legarda 18:51
Well no, actually no, no, no he was about to because I can see he was holding the handkerchief with the ring. And somehow I just knew. So, I kept walking away. And then on the drive home when we pulled into the driveway in the car, that’s where he proposed.
Josh Legarda 19:08
Did you say yes?
Angelica Legarda 19:09
No, I did not. I said no. Because even though I knew that I already loved him, then. I was kind of scared. Because I also had a boyfriend in the Philippines at that time I was communicating with. But I knew that nothing was gonna happen with that. But also at the same time. I told him that I had a goal of coming here and that was to help my parents and so I didn’t want me marrying early or getting engaged to hinder that plans. So his answer was, well, now wouldn’t you want that now. You’d have an extra help, you know, to help your parents which I thought was a very sweet you know, statement. But we did not Like, we did not. It wasn’t like a formal engagement. But I just said to him to kind of keep it keep it on the down low. Because it wasn’t something really I wanted to do at that time.
Josh Legarda 20:14
So you guys, did you guys still see each other after that?
Angelica Legarda 20:18
We did. So then I went to California, which was already planned before all this. I went to California and because he wanted me to meet his parents, which I did, and I loved them. And then we, this was in Northern California. And so we went to San Francisco. And he took me to places his old stomping grounds, so it was nice.
Josh Legarda 20:42
Were you still working at the time?
Angelica Legarda 20:43
Yes.
Josh Legarda 20:44
Where?
Angelica Legarda 20:44
I was still working in a nursing home.
Josh Legarda 20:46
Nursing home?
Angelica Legarda 20:47
Yeah.
Josh Legarda 20:48
How long did you eventually work there for? How long?
Angelica Legarda 20:52
- So that was June. I think I worked for them, like maybe a year and a half, almost two years. Okay. Yeah.
Josh Legarda 21:00
What would you say your overall experience there was like?
Angelica Legarda 21:04
It was great. Because again, they really gave me the opportunity to, you know, to stay longer, because they, had they not sponsored me, I probably would have gone home after a year.
Josh Legarda 21:18
So after the nursing home after those that year and half or two years. Where did you look to work after that?
Angelica Legarda 21:26
So afterwards, I was already in California. So I, because of my nursing home experience. I went to I continued to work in a nursing home there in California.
Josh Legarda 21:40
How long did you work for them?
Angelica Legarda 21:42
It wasn’t that long, because at that time your dad was getting deployed. And so I didn’t want to be alone in San Diego. So I moved with his parents in Califor-, in Northern California. And I worked for Kaiser there,
Josh Legarda 21:58
Kaiser there. What kind of work were you doing?
Angelica Legarda 22:00
I was insurance nurse manager. So it’s mostly like kind of like office work. I was approving, like home health visits for the nurses. So because I was pregnant with you.
Josh Legarda 22:10
So what was that like working for Kaiser? How long did you work for them?
Angelica Legarda 22:14
Um, not that long, because I went on maternity leave. So I’d say maybe six months?
Josh Legarda 22:19
Six months? Yeah. And after maternity leave, did you go back to work for them?
Angelica Legarda 22:23
After maternity leave? I did not. I looked for another job. Because I knew I my commute was so long. And I was always in traffic. So it takes almost take me hour and a half to get home. So I found something closer. But at that time, we were already trying to move to San Diego. So yeah. I ended up working in a hospital in San Diego.
Josh Legarda 22:51
Okay. Um, so. So how many years is this after you immigrated?
Angelica Legarda 22:57
So this was I’d say, so you were born in 1998? So
Four years
Josh Legarda 23:06
four years? Yeah. So after as much time has passed by, those four years. Did you still feel like an immigrant? Or did you start feeling more American?
Angelica Legarda 23:18
I’d say more Americam
Josh Legarda 23:20
Really? Yeah, what kind of led into that?
Angelica Legarda 23:23
Just being able to get used to all the ways and way of living here and getting to know more people having you know, a lot of friends who are not necessarily all Filipinos, but you know, Caucasians Yeah, African Americans or Americans, pretty much.
Josh Legarda 23:43
Um, so your new job after Kaiser? Um, where did you say you worked again?
Angelica Legarda 23:49
That was Sharp Memorial Hospital?
Josh Legarda 23:51
And what kind of work were you doing there?
Angelica Legarda 23:53
So I worked on a medical surgical floor.
Josh Legarda 23:57
And what was that, like?
Angelica Legarda 23:59
It was good, because that was my background. That was what I wanted to do when I graduated nursing. And that’s what I did when I was nursing in the Philippines. So it was good to get back to the field that I was most interested in. You know, so it was to me, it was more of like, a keynote. This is great, because I’m not close to achieving all my goals being here.
Josh Legarda 24:26
So given all the past other work, positions you had, did you have any negative experiences in terms of reception? Being an immigrant? Or did that really not come up anymore? Or matter?
Angelica Legarda 24:38
Not anymore. Since the nursing home really.
Josh Legarda 24:41
Okay
Angelica Legarda 24:42
Yeah
Josh Legarda 24:42
That’s good. Um, how long did you work at the new hospital?
Angelica Legarda 24:47
So I worked there for almost a year because at that time, we were already thinking of moving here to Virginia, because I knew that I wanted to raise you here.
Josh Legarda 24:59
Okay. Oh, what made you want to raise me here?
Angelica Legarda 25:05
Family closer to family. And just because it This was the first state that I was in, and I really loved it, and I felt safe here. So I thought, you know, it’s a good environment and a good you know, state to raise you and also really, because of family.
Josh Legarda 25:27
So what family we’re here at the time.
Angelica Legarda 25:28
So Tita, Myrian, and all my cousins were here. And I wanted you to grow up near…
Josh Legarda 25:34
Who were your cousins?
Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.
Angelica Legarda 25:36
Yeah, no.
At that time, Angel, and them were already here. My brother was planning on coming here. And then Nanay and Mamang, were here coming here, you know, pretty regularly, like every six months to visit. And yeah, just I mean them, basically.
Josh Legarda 25:56
Where were they staying at the time?
Angelica Legarda 25:57
At the time, Angel just bought a house. And Tita Myrian was in Herndon, and Angel was in Sterling. And yeah, and we ended up finding a house in Sterling. What about uncle Boyet? He wasn’t here then. But when they came, they lived with us for a while, and then they were able to get their own place.
Josh Legarda 26:21
So did Nanay and Mamang stay with us as well.
Angelica Legarda 26:25
They did. But they, Tita Myrian wanted them to stay with her. But they preferred to stay with us because they had, you, you know. They were always playing with you. They you know, you were a baby
Josh Legarda 26:38
Was this when we were in the Sugarland Run house.
Angelica Legarda 26:42
Yes.
Josh Legarda 26:44
How long did we stay there or live there?
Angelica Legarda 26:47
We moved there in 2000? Four years, I guess almost four years because we moved here in 2004 in this house now.
Josh Legarda 26:54
Okay. Um, how come you and dad decided to move?
Angelica Legarda 26:58
Here from California?
Josh Legarda 27:00
No, from the Sugarland Run house.
Angelica Legarda 27:01
Oh. So when we bought that house, we were unaware of how the neighborhood was because it was our first home. Our realtor was not really forthcoming with information about the neighborhood. But I mean, the school is great, but it’s just neighborhood per se, I guess. You know, they it’s been, there’s been some shootings somewhere there. So I didn’t feel that it was that safe. So and then at that time, that was getting promoted with his job. And I was working at Reston hospital as a surgical nurse. So we were income wise, we were able to afford to move to a bigger house in a better neighborhood.
So that’s why we did it.
Josh Legarda 27:48
Okay. Could you talk to me about your work at the time? Where were you working?
Angelica Legarda 27:56
I was working at Reston Hospital on the surgical floor.
Josh Legarda 27:59
And what year was this? When did you start for them?
Angelica Legarda 28:01
I started working for them. 2000 I June 2000 until March 2008.
Josh Legarda 28:11
So you there for eight years.
Angelica Legarda 28:12
Yeah.
Josh Legarda 28:12
Why did you eventually leave?
Angelica Legarda 28:15
Um, I left because I say don’t take care of you guys. Remember, I was always a mom, I was volunteering a lot. And at that time, you know, your dad and I had a discussion that he said that maybe we can afford for me to stay home because I was always complaining about the politics at work about being always tired, and not being able to do a lot with you guys, which what I really wanted to do and spend a lot of time. And so he said that we can afford it. So then I put in my resignation. And I never looked back. I you know, never regretted that decision. Because I know that I was able to be there for you and your brother.
Josh Legarda 28:59
I mean, were there any moments that you ever missed working? I know you’re working now. But were there any moments where you’d miss working there at Reston.
Angelica Legarda 29:06
I did. Because, you know, I when I was there, I met one of my best friends. You know, Tita Em so I mean, we’re still best friends. But so I missed that I missed the being around, you know, the nurses that I’m friends with.
Josh Legarda 29:23
Um, did you make a lot of friends? What were your experiences like with your coworkers?
Angelica Legarda 29:29
Um, it was great. I’ve, like I said, I met my best friend there Tita Em, and I still have a lot of friends that I keep in touch with. I loved my boss there. She recently retired and I actually went and stopped by the hospital to see her when she retired.
Josh Legarda 29:53
Um, let’s see. Could you talk to you could you tell me more about some of your experiences at Reston Hospital what was the like day to day working?
Angelica Legarda 30:03
Um, so I worked the evening shift. So I work from three to 11pm. And I was a charge nurse. It was I feel like I learned a lot working there. And that helped with, you know, accumulating a lot of knowledge and experience in my field because it was a surgical floor. I pursued, you know, I did a lot of certification. When I left there, I was clinician three, which is a step above of just being a regular staff nurse. Yeah. And I was also a charge nurse. Had I stayed, I probably wouldn’t have finished it up to clinician one. So anytime that you step up on that ladder, you get a raise. So that’s another motivating factor to do that. I loved it. I because I was I feel like I was on track to, you know, perhaps management position, then.
Josh Legarda 31:10
Um hmm. So after you finished up working at Reston Hospital when you turned your resignation in, in 2008 When did you eventually work again?
Angelica Legarda 31:27
So I stayed home until 2017 is when I started working again, because at that time, you and your brother were already in high school. You were in high school?
Josh Legarda 31:41
I grsaduated high school in 2017
Angelica Legarda 31:45
I
I felt like it was fine. And I was getting bored. Because both of you and your brother are older. That’s right, I forgot. 2017. So because but even in in high school, I still volunteered remember I did like all your sports.
Josh Legarda 32:01
Yeah, I remember.
Angelica Legarda 32:01
I was always there doing the meals and stuff. No, I felt like it was time. And also to save more money because I knew both of you and your brother will be headed to college soon. And so it will be nice to have that extra income.
Josh Legarda 32:18
Uh hmm. Let’s see. So, we’ve kind of gone through your work experience throughout your lifetime so far. Um,
Angelica Legarda 32:31
Oh, I can talk more about the starting at Sono Bello. Starting from there working part time to being recruited to become full time. Which now led me to, I started as a just a staff nurse and then promoted to Lead RN and now to Clinical Manager. So that was from starting in 2017 up to now.
Josh Legarda 32:59
How do you like it there at Sono Bello.
Angelica Legarda 33:01
I love my job. I love my coworkers. Obviously, it has its challenges as you can see, I get frustrated when I come home. But overall, I you know, it’s it’s fulfilling. Doesn’t hurt that I make better money. I love my job. I love being a nurse.
Josh Legarda 33:22
Um, I want to just backtrack a little bit. Could you tell me about when you got your driver’s license? Can you just tell me what that was like? And when?
Angelica Legarda 33:32
Uh, oh my gosh. The first time I came here, I never had any Well, I didn’t have any experience driving a stick shift. But I wasn’t…
Josh Legarda 33:41
What year was this?
Angelica Legarda 33:43
In the Philippines? Oh, yeah, like, in the 90s. But I was I’d never really learned how to drive. I mean, I was being taught how to drive but it was a stick shift. And I had no interest. So when I came here, I knew that I needed to get my license so I can drive myself to work. So the first time ever did the Myrian told me Alright, let’s drive in the neighborhood. And she has me sit in the driver’s seat and I’m looking at the controls. I don’t even know how to like. So in my head I’m thinking I guess P is park, D is drive. So I just kind of learnt it myself because she didn’t say anything. Like I think she assumed I would know. But yeah, I mean from there on. She was the one that taught me how to drive. So then I did the online study and I went to the DMV or she took me and your uncle Neil. And we passed it and I remember celebrating getting Taco Bell. That was 1996.
Josh Legarda 34:46
How old were you?
Angelica Legarda 34:48
I was 23
Josh Legarda 34:52
Okay
Angelica Legarda 34:53
Yeah.
Josh Legarda 34:54
Did you have to do an in person driving test with the like proctor in the car?
Angelica Legarda 35:00
Not here in Virginia. Oh, yeah, I actually did, I did here. Sorry I did here. So during that time, it related to that experience when your dad and I moved to California, it was tougher there. Like, the practical driving exam, like, I feel like we were driving for an hour, and the instructor kept asking me questions like drilling me. So that was very challenging and very stressful. But I’m glad that I passed it.
Josh Legarda 35:37
So you just kind of went over getting your driver’s license, um, throughout your entire time here in the US? How often did you communicate with relatives back home?
Angelica Legarda 35:49
At that time, when Nanay and Tatay were still living, I would call them once a week, maybe sometimes twice a week.
Josh Legarda 35:58
What year is this?
Angelica Legarda 35:59
This was when I first came here. So 1996 up to 2000. Well, yeah two years, until Nanay passed away which is in 2012.
Josh Legarda 36:14
Um, asides from Nanay and Tatay, would you talk to any other relatives back home throughout the years?
Angelica Legarda 36:21
Um, no, no, I didn’t really only if I needed something. For example, Uncle Brian, you know, my second cousin. I had to call him because I needed my baptismal certificate from our church there where I was baptized. So really, if there’s something that I urgently needed, then I would communicate. But I mean, I guess the answer is no.
Josh Legarda 36:54
Um, let’s see, when was the last time you visited home?
Angelica Legarda 36:59
The last time was in 2000, 2003. When we all went home.
Josh Legarda 37:09
2003?
Angelica Legarda 37:09
Yeah.
Josh Legarda 37:11
Um, I don’t know why I haven’t asked this before. But, um, do you have dual citizenship?
Angelica Legarda 37:18
I do not. So I gave up my Philippine citizenship when I, when I had my US citizenship.
Josh Legarda 37:26
When was that?
Angelica Legarda 37:29
We were still in the old house. So I’d say 2003.
Josh Legarda 37:35
Okay.
Angelica Legarda 37:36
2002, something like that.
Josh Legarda 37:42
So what would you say, uh was, which of your jobs did you enjoy the most?
Angelica Legarda 37:50
My job now.
Josh Legarda 37:51
Your job now? What?
What makes it so enjoyable?
Angelica Legarda 37:59
Um
I feel like, because of all my experiences, and the knowledge and experience that I’ve learned throughout the years, that I’m kind of, you know, reaping the benefits now being, you know, having my own office, you know, having a title I guess, and being respected and just being, you know, being up there with my promotions. It kinda, you know, proves to myself that I can do it, and that with hard work and perseverance, you can do anything.
Josh Legarda 38:47
So throughout this interview, we’ve kind of gone over your life from the Philippines all the way to you immigrating to the United States, and even now and some of the work experience you’ve had. Could you kind of run through where you’ve lived throughout the years and some of the jobs you’ve held, or all the jobs you’ve held rather?
Angelica Legarda 39:08
So starting from the Philippines or here?
Josh Legarda 39:11
The Philippines,
Angelica Legarda 39:12
Philippines. Well I lived in my little town where I grew up, I lived there until I came here, right?
Josh Legarda 39:18
What town?
Angelica Legarda 39:19
In Mindoro in San Jose. Oh, I guess if it includes my dormitory in college, so I lived in Manila for four or five years. And then from there, that’s when I came here. So the very first town I lived in and state is Herndon, Virginia. And then from here, you know, that’s where I worked in a nursing home. Then I moved to California, which was in San Diego, and then kind of going back and forth to San Francisco but both in California, worked in a couple of nursing homes then worked with Kaiser and then I worked in a hospital there. And then from there, moved back here and worked at Reston Hospital. Lived in Herndon, again for a brief period of time and then Waterhouse in Sterling and up to here in this house. And being at my job now at Sono Bello.
Josh Legarda 40:19
So, how would you say being an immigrant has impacted your life?
Angelica Legarda 40:28
Being an immigrant, um, I would say that nothing should deter a person from achieving their goal, right? Regardless of what your race is, what your social status is. Because at the end of the day if you work hard, if you have a goal and motivation you can do anything.
Josh Legarda 41:02
Um, let’s see, would you say that being an immigrant has given you a leg up in some scenarios or even made you a stronger person?
Angelica Legarda 41:20
Um, leg up meaning? Because I was an immigrant maybe I was favorably considered more?
Josh Legarda 41:28
Not in terms of that, but more of like…I guess what I’m trying to say is, as an immigrant you have to work for what you want.
Angelica Legarda 41:35
Exactly, yes. Like I felt like I was more motivated because of you know being an immigrant. And what did you say before that?
Josh Legarda 41:46
I was just saying like if being an immigrant ever, or did it ever feel like it gave you a leg up?
Angelica Legarda 41:56
Yeah. Yes, like I said, it’s more of I felt like that I had to work harder.
Josh Legarda 42:02
Okay
Angelica Legarda 42:03
Yeah
Josh Legarda 42:05
Did you feel like you had to prove yourself at your jobs?
Angelica Legarda 42:06
Definitely, definitely. I mean in the beginning. Not now, like this time in my current job. That’s why I love my job because I never, it never, I’ve never once felt that I had to like prove myself. Because my work kind of speaks for itself. Remember when I briefly left the company, and the CEO was calling me wanting me to come back. So, I guess my reputations precedes me, all my doctors speak highly of me, and so, but yeah. Before, I felt like I had to work 10 times harder than anybody else because I need to prove myself.
Josh Legarda 42:53
So, asides from that, I know you’ve gone over how receptive people were of you during your work experiences. Like, you said the only negative experience you had was at your first job at the nursing home.
Angelica Legarda 43:05
Mmhmm
Josh Legarda 43:06
Outside of work did you ever face any negative experiences, in terms of like people being racist or discriminatory against you?
Angelica Legarda 43:16
Outside of work, no, not really. But it’s funny you ask because I did have, uh, but I really was not offended but I just didn’t think that, you know I feel like people are just ignorant in my current job now. We did have a patient a couple of years ago that I had seen, and I had to step out and the doctor went in. And the patient told Dr. Morris that, “Well the nurse was in here.” Dr. Morris was asking her, “Which nurse?” (Patient responds), “You know, the one with eyes like this *Patient squints and pulls eyes back”. Kind of like pinching her eyes, so Dr. Morris was like, “That was very mean of you to say that, you know her name is Angie and she’s the lead nurse here.” (Patient responds) “Well I’m just you know, you’re asking me who she is. I don’t know her name, so I’m just describing her to you.” So, I guess that’s how she described me, but a matter of fact I found it funny when Dr. Morris told me later.
Josh Legarda 44:21
It’s good to have a sense of humor
Angelica Legarda 44:23
Yeah, true
Josh Legarda 44:25
I don’t have anything else, so I’d say this concludes our interview today.
Angelica Legarda 44:31
Okay
Josh Legarda 44:32
Thank you, Mom.
Angelica Legarda 44:33
You’re welcome.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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