Introduction

Immigration has always been an interesting topic that I’ve sought to learn more about. I wanted to understand the push-pull factors and how immigration affects globalization and culture, which led me to take this class. Growing up with a diverse cultural background and environment has always been something I have never taken for granted. For my interview project, I knew I had to interview a good family friend and my aunt, Christy Barrow, who immigrated from the Philippines. I’ve always known that she was from another country, but it was always a distant thought. I took this opportunity to learn more about someone I consider family and about their life’s journey. It was an honor to have this opportunity to discuss her lived experiences in both countries for almost an hour and learn more about aspects I had never considered during the interview.

Background

Christy Delon Barrow was born in Manila, Philippines, on June 23rd, 1978. When she was about nine years old, Christy and her family migrated to the United States from the Philippines in the 1980s. Her family was from a small, poor province in Manila called Navotas, where she spent her early life. Growing up, she recalled having to go to school after massive flooding and attempting to continue their everyday lives. Despite poor living conditions, she recalled having a normal childhood with friends and family and attending school. When her mother met her soon-to-be stepfather after her father passed away, the family had the opportunity to migrate to the United States because her stepfather was in the United States military. After immigrating, Christy finished schooling, joined the workforce, and started a beautiful family. A few years back, she applied for United States citizenship and is now a United States citizen. Throughout the interview, we discussed and reflected upon the challenges, experiences, and processes she experienced during her immigration journey.

Migration & Migration Process

Christy and her family came to the United States for new opportunities and love. When her mother and stepfather first met, it was love at first sight, and he knew he had to marry her and take my aunt’s family in. While poor living conditions in the Philippines impacted their family’s decision to leave, a significant aspect was her mother’s and father’s new marriage and opportunities in the States. The migration process to the United States was typical for Christy and her family. Her stepfather, who was in the United States military, created a streamlined process to allow them to come. Despite being young when the process occurred, my aunt remembered her mom being gone for a little bit to get the paperwork done and ready. In her own words, “I really didn’t know anything. I just knew that my mom was gone. She left us for a little bit…they had to get all of the paperwork ready for us to come first” (04:18). When her mother and stepfather married, the military aided them in the immigration process come to the States.  After about a year and a half of getting the paperwork together, my aunt remembers being picked up from school one day and told that they were moving to the United States and was incredibly excited to go. It was an easy decision for her, even as a child, because she viewed America as a “special place…a place where you can have a better life than what we had” (05:07). This demonstrates a pull factor for people wanting to immigrate to the United States because of the better opportunities and prospects for themselves and their families. They had to go to multiple locations before ultimately arriving in the States. My aunt remembers them having to take military airplanes from the Philippines, Alaska, and Hawaii, and then, finally, arriving in San Diego.

Integration

My aunt spent most of her school years in Virginia. After arriving in San Diego, they only stayed there for about 1-2 years before moving to her stepfather’s hometown in Virginia. While in San Deigo, however, there were some initial small challenges. Despite feeling welcome in the community, my aunt experienced having to be held back a year for 4th grade and only knowing a few English phrases. Despite these minor challenges, the contexts of reception were overwhelmingly positive. As my aunt said in the interview, “Everyone was graceful. It was very nice, and they were willing to accept me for who I was and taught me a lot of things” (08:45). San Diego is one of the most diverse cities in the United States and has a large multi-ethnic community that may have played a part in the overwhelmingly positive experience she had. Even after she moved to the “middle of nowhere” Virginia, she often described positive experiences with the surrounding communities, even up to adulthood. People were frequently curious and excited to learn more about her Filipino culture and would invite themselves to her parties to try food. When she was discussing this, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the challenges immigrants face when integrating into this country are different for everyone, creating unique experiences.

She shared that when joining the workforce in high school and as an adult, she felt treated fairly and equally as a typical United States citizen. She notes that her first job was one that her mom had hooked up for her, demonstrating that the labor market for herself and her family was receptive and inclusive. Up until recently, with the rough economy, she has always been able to find work, and after having children, she began to increase her work ethic for her children.

The discussion of familial support and the ability to care for her children came up during the interview. My aunt described her experience of early motherhood as having to work hard for her children. She expressed that had she been able to try hard or level herself up, she could have achieved more, but not having her parents’ support in educating her for the real world may have held her back. We got into a discussion about her mother having to work a full-time job, with few days off, impacting her experiences through life but never really taking government assistance as far as she knew. However, my aunt used these programs, such as childcare, when her kids were younger. She described frustration with the government in keeping single mothers down, who are just trying to provide for their children, by limiting the resources they can obtain. She said in the interview, “But I feel like, you know, as a single mom, and if you’re trying to level yourself up or trying to do better, the government should help a lot more. But because they limit your resources, if you work a certain amount of hours, you lose a lot of your help” (16:49).

Another area we covered was the concept of being prepared to come to another country and face questions about why they were there. I asked if she felt it was unfair to be ready to receive those questions, and I thought she had an interesting answer. She replied: “It’s probably because we did the same thing in our country…In the Philippines, we had, they had the military base there, you know. There are always those people that, like, what are they doing here? You know, why are they coming to help here? Like, what are they, you know, there’s always that judgment, right? So that’s why we try to keep it open-minded” (43:07). This is interesting because it shows that the sentiments in the US are similar globally. That immigration anywhere can be met with resentment and judgment.

Membership

My aunt’s attitude towards US citizenship was positive. She enjoys having the full rights of a US citizen. Since becoming a US citizen about 6 or 7 years ago, she hasn’t felt any different regarding feeling more American. Still, she expressed enjoyment in being able to speak on US politics because she now feels she has that privilege. When asked if she felt like an American, she said: “I think is the question is that how does it make you feel like an American? It’s the same question. I’ve always said, just ask people, what does it feel to be like an American? To me, now that I am an American citizen, I just feel before I was an American citizen” (35:16). Before becoming a US citizen, she had to renew her permanent residency card every 10 years. When asked if she was irritated or annoyed at having to renew it, she said, “No, because I knew what I was supposed to, what, what we were supposed to do. And it just took a while for us to get there” (37:16). Despite explaining that due to it being expensive to become an American citizen, she seemed happy about being able to learn more about the US government system. I also think that this speaks to her character overall, being able to take something that most people would be angered by and make it into a positive learning experience.

Life Now

My aunt’s life now involves a beautiful family of five children with a supportive husband who is a pastor. During the interview, when asked how she felt about being the “first lady” of the church, she gave a humble answer: “No, I mean some people, yeah, I just feel like that’s a very high responsibility, and so I kind of just me personally I take that name, and just for toss it, just for myself, because I feel like having that title, it just puts a lot of burdens on my shoulders. So, I just feel more at ease feeling like I don’t need that, you know, that title” (46:19). This made me think about how, throughout her life, she just tried to be a kind and good person and even a title that most people believed she deserved, she didn’t feel comfortable accepting. When she is not helping support her husband at the church, she is now a stay-at-home mother in this new phase of life. When asked what her goal was for her life now, she explained that “my biggest goal now that I have children, older children, is to be more at peace and being able to live a peaceful life where I don’t want to feel overwhelmed” (47:19). She loves this new phase in this life, being able to be there for her younger children and bond with her eldest in a new way and be able to soak up those small moments with her family that she may not have because of work. I think most people long to have peace, where they can have a peaceful life with their family and have a balance with their partner, where life is relaxing, and I genuinely think my aunt and her family are in that place.

Conclusion

I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing my aunt and learning more about her lived experiences. Hearing her talk about her childhood, welcoming experiences, and pride in her family was such a great experience. Her immigration story was one of positivity; she found her community and created a family with primarily positive stories. Listening to her story illustrates how many people who immigrate to the United States experience hardship, such as not knowing English, but with a positive outlook and the ability to overcome those challenges, you can have a fruitful life here. It also shows how essential positive contexts of reception are for immigrants’ experiences here because it helps shape their stories and worldviews on living here in the United States. I am very grateful and honored to have been able to interview Christy and had the opportunity to learn more about her.

Methodology

I met my aunt at her house after Thanksgiving to complete this interview. The in-person format made it easier for us to feel at ease and have a flowing conversation. Before conducting the interview, we hung out for a bit to relax and ease into the interview.  To conduct the interview, I used a list of simple questions to guide us through it but was flexible throughout to expand on topics brought up during it. I recorded the conversation with the voice memo app on my iPhone. To transcribe the interview, I used Descriptor, which could transcribe and give me timestamps throughout the interview. Interviewing in person added another layer of depth to the conversation because I could fully see facial and body expressions and social cues.

 

 

 

 

 

Christy: [00:00:00] Okay, so, introduce yourself. Well, my name is originally Christy Deleon. And it’s what my birth name is given to me, Christy Deleon.

Christy: But I am now married, so my new married name is Christy Bell Barrow. Yeah. So then, um, Like, where and when were you born? Well, I was born in Manila, Philippines, born on June 23rd, 1978? 78 and 46. Going on 47.

Delicia: Like, do you remember anything, like, growing up?

Christy: Hmm.

Like, what? Uh, from the Philippines, we, I grew up in a very poor country in a little province called Navotas. It’s in a little province in Manila. It’s very poor. [00:01:00] Um, it flooded a lot. And so, I remember a lot of flooding and still having to go to school and live normal lives. That wasn’t everyday life for us, but it was really cool. Yeah,

Delicia: Yeah, do you still have family there?

Christy: I have aunts and uncles on my dad’s side. On my mom’s side, I only have one aunt and two cousins who live there.

Delicia: That you know of? Yeah. Do you still have frequent contact with them?

Christy: Facebook.

Delicia: Facebook?

Christy: Yep. Yeah. Thank goodness for Facebook.

Delicia: And then you were telling me that recently your mom moved back?

Christy: Nope, she didn’t move back, she went to go visit.

Delicia: She went to go visit?

Christy: For a month.

Delicia: Okay.

Christy: For a month, yeah.

Delicia: So have you been able to go back and visit?

Christy: One time, and it was after a couple years, [00:02:00] maybe two or three years after I, I came to the United States, and that was when I was ten.

And I came to the United States, I think, when I was ten. Eight and I went back about when I was 10 years old to visit. It’s been a while, it’s been a while.

Delicia: Do you miss it?

Christy: No, no, no, no, not really. I mean, I was little yeah, all I remember is all the fun things we used to do with my friends and family.

Delicia: Childhood stuff.

Christy: Yeah, but as far as living conditions go, Uh, I could say that it was not a very good experience, but at that time, it was still, you know, it didn’t really, it wasn’t really anything different. It was a normal thing, but living here is definitely a big change.

Delicia: I mean, I can imagine.

Christy: Yeah.

Delicia: So, like, obviously [00:03:00] you guys left and like, do you remember like the reason for leaving other than, like, the conditions within the country?

Christy: My father was, um, passed away, and my mom married my dad, who was in the military. He was an American, who is an American. He was in the military, the Marines. Um, he saw her and fell in love with her and she was like, look, I come with three kids. And he said, okay, no problem. So he decided to marry her and then, um, decided to take us all in.

Delicia: To the states?

Christy: To the states. I think a year and a half later. Year and a half later. Yeah. After all the paperwork, it took about a year and a half later for the paperwork to get through.

Delicia: Like, do you remember any feelings of like, being excited or scared to come to the U. S.? Because like, that’s a big change.

Christy: I really didn’t [00:04:00] know anything. I just knew that my mom was gone. She left us for a little bit. Um, with my dad, because they had to get all the paperwork ready for us to come first. She had to, you know, he had to marry her. And then he was stationed to, I think, Okinawa.

Delicia: Okay, so Japan?

Christy: Yeah, and so that’s where they got married. And then they had to do the paperwork behind the scenes. Which we had no knowledge about.

Delicia: Right, you were too young.

Christy: I was too young. Yeah, and then so I didn’t know what was going on, Until one day I got picked up from school and said you’re going to America

Delicia: That’s a big change

Christy: and I was like Okay!

Delicia: I could imagine that just being kind of scary, though.

Christy: No, no, it was actually very [00:05:00] exciting, very exciting because a lot of people, you know, where I grew up, they thought America was this special place, and you know, it’s just a place where you can have a better life than what we had. So pretty much, I was excited once I heard the news, and um, my friends were shocked because, like I said, we were in a very poor province.

So, someone like me who says that. One day, my grandparents came and said, “Yeah, she’s going to America.” I was in shock.

Delicia: I, yeah, I mean, I bet it seems like it was just like the spur-of-the-moment type of opportunity.

Christy: I was like, Woo! Yeah!

Delicia: Was it hard leaving your friends and family?

Christy: Nope.

Delicia: No? It was just like, let’s go. New opportunity?

Christy: Yep. I wasn’t scared, I just wanted to be with my mom again and be in America. It was just like [00:06:00] an amazing feeling, and just that, not knowing how it was going to be, I knew it was going to be for the better.

Delicia: Right. So obviously, when you got to the States, you were young, and you came here when you were eight, right? Eight or nineish.

Christy: I think like nine-ish. Yeah, nine.

Delicia: Nine is by the time you actually like came here

Christy: Nine-ish. Yeah, like a year and a half or something.

Delicia: Do you remember where your family originally moved to when you came here first

Christy: San Diego, California, San Diego, because my dad was stationed there.

Delicia: Okay.

Christy: And then we, I remember from the Philippines we had to take the military airplanes, and we had to make a few stops. And Alaska, which I hated because it was cold.

Delicia: It was really cold.

Christy: I was like, what is this? But no, it was beautiful though. It was really, really beautiful. The scenery was beautiful, but it was just [00:07:00] cold and dreamy. But then we stopped there for two days and then we stopped at, um, Hawaii for two days and that was beautiful. And then, um, then we got to San Diego. And the very first place that my dad took us was at the Big Bear Mountain.

Delicia: Oh, cool.

Christy: Well, we got to see the first, our first snow.

Delicia: Awesome.

Christy: I hated it.

Delicia: I bet it was like so cold.

Christy: It was cold. I was like, I don’t know about this because I lived in the Philippines where you never, anything, you know, under 60, it was cold. But it was, it was snowing at the Big Bear Mountain. So, I was like, I don’t like this.

Delicia: So, like, when you first got to, like, the States, right? When you moved to San Diego and started school, you were still in elementary school, right?

Do you remember it being hard to start school in the U. S.?

Christy: Um, no, [00:08:00] I don’t think so. I think I was pretty excited. The only thing is that in the Philippines, the school system is different. It feels like we went to school all year round. The time that the United States starts, I think in September, was the time we actually had our break.

Delicia: Okay.

Christy: And so, I got held back a year. So, I believe I was in the, I forgot what grade, it was the fourth grade, I think. And then I came, and they held me back. I was supposed to be in the fifth grade, but they held me back. So I was, ended up in the fourth grade. And I didn’t know how to speak English very well.

So the only thing I knew how to say was, hi, how are you? Hello. But everyone was, was graceful. Um, it was very nice and they were willing to accept me for who I was. And, um, taught me a lot of things. Put me in schools to teach me how to speak [00:09:00] English and the school system. The teachers were really awesome and really nice.

So, it was cool, and I was excited I had made new friends.

Delicia: Yeah, like, that was going to be my next question. Like, do you remember, like, any instances of, like, people not being welcoming? Because, like, you know, anti-immigration sentiment is, like, real. But I imagine living in San Diego, it may have just been a different type of, like, reception of, like, more people coming in and diversity.

Christy: Well, it was, you know what, I never really thought about it, but yeah, it was diverse. It was Mexicans. I had a lot of Mexican friends. I had a lot of Filipino friends. I had, um, black friends and white friends. So, to me, I was just like, I feel like I had no issues with a lot of, I made friends easily.

Delicia: So like, not knowing like English and stuff, like it didn’t seem to affect you or anything?

Christy: No, I [00:10:00] mean the boys would pick on me because of, you know, my ethnicity, but I didn’t really, it wasn’t like to the point where it was bullying or anything, it was just like, they asked me questions they didn’t understand, and they were, once they say something that, you know, they were corrected. And then they were just, like, normal.

You know, I don’t think I had any bad experience that I know of, that I can recall.

Delicia: Yeah, I mean, like, that’s really awesome.

Christy: Yeah.

Delicia: Because, like, I feel like you don’t hear that a lot. Like, usually you hear the opposite, right?

Christy: Yeah.

Delicia: Like, that’s really awesome. Yeah. So then, like when you were growing up, right? How was it growing up knowing that you were technically an immigrant? Like, did it change your experience in the US?

Christy: No, I feel like a lot of people had, um curiosity about my culture and [00:11:00] I’ve always made friends, I believe it’s also because my mom cooked a lot of you know, Filipino food and they would always come over our house and my mom would make them feel welcome I don’t think I can recall really if I’ve had some

Delicia: Like a negative experience? That, I mean, that’s really awesome.

Christy: Yeah,

Delicia: You seem to have a really welcoming community surrounding you. Did you stay in San Diego throughout your childhood and high school years, or did you move around a lot?

Christy: Um after four years, I think my dad had to move back home Not, not four years. Oh, hold on one minute.

So, he was in San Diego for a year and a half or so. It wasn’t, it wasn’t that long. I can’t remember, but we ended up moving back to Virginia.

Delicia: Okay.

Christy: That is where his hometown is. New Camp, Virginia.

Delicia: Okay.

Christy: In the woods. It was like middle of nowhere. Yeah. And it wasn’t, there were just two [00:12:00] schools. Where one was from elementary school to middle school. And then there was just the high school. So there wasn’t like a lot of people.

Delicia: So then you finished out your like, younger education there?

Christy: Yes, up to 9th grade.

Delicia: So then was that different? Cause that’s like a different environment.

Christy: It was definitely a different environment, but like I said, I cannot recall that I know of unless my parents hid something from me, but I don’t, I mean, it was just a normal, you know, teasing here and there about, you know,

Delicia: Kids being kids.

Christy: Yeah, but I don’t recall where it has gotten really bad or anything. Once they were corrected, you know, or they once they start to get to know me, I feel like I made, I had a lot of good friends.

Delicia: And that’s like really good. Like that’s important.

Christy: Yeah.

Delicia: So then, like [00:13:00] growing up, right? Like obviously you said it was easy making friends, but when applying for your first job and stuff, like how was that? Like how was that experience and stuff like that?

Christy: I worked at a Chinese restaurant as my first job. My mom hooked me up with my first job when I was 15, but I don’t think I’ve had any issues applying anywhere else.

That I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever been Declined, to be honest with you, when I applied for any jobs.

Delicia: Interesting. It’s really awesome.

Christy: Yeah, just until just recently

Delicia: Would you want to talk more about that?

Christy: Yeah, well, I mean, it’s just a really

Delicia: Yeah, that was a hard economy.

So then, after high school and stuff, and actually joining the adult workforce. Do you remember like, what were your experiences with that, like, being an [00:14:00] adult? Just regular experiences.

Christy: I mean, I didn’t. I feel like if I would have tried harder and tried to level myself up, I would have probably, um, could have. But because I had children at such a young age, that I ended up having a lot of responsibility that was holding me back. From having to do what I, you know, what I wanted to do.

But I feel like if I would have tried harder or made right decisions, then I think I would have been able to achieve a lot more. I do think that, um, you know, I also ended up with a divorced parents. After 10 [00:15:00] years of their marriage and that’s what kind of helped me back a lot too.

Delicia: In like what ways?

Christy: As far as not getting enough support and not knowing how to um, better educate myself as far as colleges or you know, how to prepare myself for the real world. I kind of just had to navigate on my own. I think that’s what really messed me up more of it. It’s just the lifestyle

Delicia: Like balancing it.

Christy: Yeah

Delicia: So, like obviously you’ve had kids at a young age and stuff like that. So did you ever have to receive like help from the government in any ways or stuff like that? Like, did you have any experiences in that way? Or, like, did you get family support? What was it like?

Christy: Well once my parents got divorced my mom was a single mom. She had, she worked [00:16:00] full time from 11 to 11 every day. Except maybe she’ll have like a day off here and there but, um, she never really applied for any government assistance and so, but when I did, um, my kids were really, really young and that’s when I became a single mom and got government help as far as child care. And I don’t think I’ve ever had any issues being declined. The only thing that I feel like that, that messed me up was like having to move forward and trying to work better, you know, have a better work ethnic. But I feel like, you know, as a single mom, and if you’re trying to level yourself up or trying to do better, the government should help a lot more. [00:17:00] But because they limited your resources, if you work a certain amount of hours, that you loses a lot of your help.

Delicia: Right, it’s very, it’s like a very against you type of thing.

Christy: Yeah, so I just feel like that was, that was, that was, that was, you know.

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: Sorry.

Delicia: So, like, like when you were a kid, like obviously like communities were like very welcoming, it seems like you had a really welcoming community. But, like, as an adult, did that like shift at all? Like, because I feel like sometimes you see like adults are sometimes meaner than kids and kids have a sense of like innocence with it.

Christy: Um, no, I mean, you’ll, you’ll get more. But maybe I had one person. Who’s, you know, at a young age, I believe, I think, the first time, she was the only person I’ve ever had an issue with and my friends kind of backed me up on it.

It’s like this [00:18:00] lady, she was 18 years old and I had said something and she just made a remark, “Oh, what? I’m not understanding what you’re saying, speak English.” And so that was, you know, I kind of said, well, what does that mean? So, I think that is the only incident that I can recall, but I am thankful that some friends pulled her to the side and said, you know, that was not nice for you to say, that was really inappropriate.

And I really didn’t take it personal to be honest with you. I think you just have to have that confidence as a person. and you just have to just either get over it and move on and just not let it affect you and so but and having good support and friends also kind of helped too so

Delicia: Yeah like going deeper into that, it seems like you found your [00:19:00] community right and like how has your community helped you through like throughout life in general?

Christy: It made me feel no different from them, to be honest with you.

I feel like I was just one of them.

Delicia: Awesome. Yeah.

Christy: Yeah. So, whatever they were able to do, I felt like I was able to do. And, I don’t think anybody has ever told me, anyone has ever told me that I can do certain things.

Delicia: That’s like really awesome.

Christy: Yeah. So, and I didn’t see any difference between my friends, my family, and, you know, the, the people that we all dated were just, like,

Delicia: Super welcoming.

Christy: Yeah.

Delicia: Yeah, like, very positive experiences here. That’s awesome. Like, I’m really happy that you’ve had that.

Christy: And I think that that goes, well, to all of my, um, to, to mine, my mom. Well, my mom, she’s, I think she had more, uh, [00:20:00] hard, uh,

Delicia: Harder time getting used to the States.

Christy: Yeah, because she had a really, very, like a very heavy accent.

So, that was one of the things that she had an issue with and people kind of just have that miscommunication. And it ends up, you know, kind of like, why is she not understanding me or this and that. But I think it’s just, it just depends on the person. How you communicate with people, I believe, and she didn’t take offense of it, and like I said, she had friends also there to support her and kind of help her, but um, my sister, my youngest sister, I think she also had the same thing where she grew up as, you know, like everyone else, and um, my brother, I believe, might have had a harder time. I don’t know. It’s probably because he [00:21:00] was a he, a male. But yeah,

Delicia: I imagine it’s different, that there could be differences.

Christy: Yeah. So he was, um, he had a hard time, much more than we had, but overall we can’t, I can’t really say there’s anything negative that had happened.

Delicia: I have a question. So then, do you think that you’re, like, because you came at such a young age, that that’s actually something that benefited you, rather than, like, hindered your experience? Like, you know, you didn’t get to grow up in the Philippines, but, like, your receptivity to, like, the U. S. as a young child and, like, growing up in the U. S., like, do you think that, like, that was, like, a benefit?

Christy: That might have been a, yeah, that’s a good, that’s a good answer to that question. Yeah, you just basically answered the question.

Yeah, that’s. That could be, uh, a possibility, because I was, we were all, you know, I came in such a young age, and when you’re young, when you grow up with, you [00:22:00] know, at the same age with the younger people, we just, we don’t judge each other, we just see each other as the same, the same, and when we, I believe when we’re older, we do tend to look at people more differently, because we’re not used to that.

But when we’re younger, it much, it’s much more, like, welcoming, like, curiosity, but in a lovely, in a more loving way.

Delicia: I agree. That’s what it sounds like, your experiences were. So then, like, um, obviously you have a very, like, multi ethnic family right now. Were you, like, ever afraid when, like, you were starting your family? Like, even with, like, your oldest son, that, like, how, were you afraid of how, like, they would be recepted ? By like just the public in general, like having like multiple ethnicities or anything like that.

Christy: I never really thought about it and we never really talked about it at home.

We just lived our day as normalized. We [00:23:00] never had that fear. Yeah. Uh, you know, sending him out there in the world and, you know, ’cause we just never had that experience before. And, I don’t recall he had any experience until later on in life, but it wasn’t like really bad. It’s maybe one or two comments here and there but that’s with everyone I grew up with a whole bunch of White, Black, you know Hispanics, and we’re all the same.

We’re all the same. We just, um, we all just talk about each other as much. I know my Asian side also have, you know, have their own ways and stuff. But, um, yeah, I mean, I guess it’s just how you look at things, I guess. And I can’t really. I know, I don’t know how it is with some people, but with my own experience, I just don’t feel like there’s really, I know [00:24:00] it sounds boring, but

Delicia: No, I don’t think it’s boring. I think it’s really awesome.

Christy: Yeah. I just feel like it wasn’t, I didn’t grow up with any hardship as far as, you know, people around me, um, causing any rackets or emotional, you know, trauma. I just, I think my stepdad, who is also White, he always told me to make sure I love everyone the same and I should not judge.

And at that time, I don’t even know what he meant because I already loved everybody and didn’t look at anybody different. And like you said, it’s probably because we were at such a young age.

Delicia: Yeah, no. So then, like ties to like your Filipino culture has that played like a major part in your life? Having the ties like not just to the Philippines, but like also you grew up here So you have like American based found like foundational values as well. Like how does [00:25:00] that play a role in your everyday life?

Christy: Well, a lot of people when I tell them I’m from the Philippines, people get excited, they always want to know more about the food that we eat and half of the people I meet they already know what our Philippine, um, food culture tastes like so they, when they know where I’m from, they get really excited and start, um, inviting themselves to our parties or special occasions, but they just, um, yeah.

So it’s always been really cool when somebody asks me what country I’m from or anything like that, because it gets us all excited. I get excited when they get excited. So I’m like, oh, okay.

Delicia: So it’s like you just love talking about it.

Christy: Yeah, I don’t mind sharing it because it makes me, um, happy. To know that I have something, you know.

That people want to hear about.

Delicia: Yeah, yeah, it’s really cool, yeah. So then, like, um, other than like, you know, [00:26:00] sharing your Filipino culture, like, are there like, American values, or like, American values that like, you like, love or something like that? Yeah. Are there American values that you can think of that you’ve like adopted?

Christy: The American values that we adopted? Um, yes. So, I like the whole, um, having the voice and the choices and being able to have, um, to be able to have work and being able to take care of your family. Because in my country, there is such a poor country. There was barely any work. So therefore, you’re not able to take care of your family.

You’re scrambling a lot. But I feel like, um, even though we work as much here, that it [00:27:00] is good to be able to have some things that we don’t have, that we take, that we don’t have in other countries. That I feel like, um, could help other countries, but, you know, it’s just a different culture and not, and I am thankful for being able to have what I have here and being able to work, have that work ethic that, you know, that I was able to use here instead of, you know, not, I don’t know, it’s just, it’s just.

Delicia: It’s like being able to find work when you need work is like a very nice benefit, it seems like is what you’re trying to say.

Christy: Yeah, and you don’t have to be fully skilled to find work. You know what I mean?

Delicia: Interesting,

Christy: yeah. Like, you can find work anyway. Like, you don’t have to have like a degree to, to have just a certain job.

Delicia: Type of job, like you don’t have to be a [00:28:00] skilled laborer to find work here.

Christy: Right.

Delicia: So then, um Like in terms of like political experiences is like there anything that like stands out to you like maybe something that’s like affected you like political wise like maybe a law that has been passed like even if not you directly, but like your family

Christy: Um, I don’t think there’s anything that has affected us personally that I mean, I think we just I don’t take anything in offense. I being honest with you I just go with the flow and try to do what’s right as far as the political views. But, um, I don’t, if anything that, I mean, I really don’t have any complaints to be honest.

Delicia: I mean, yeah, that’s fair.

Christy: I mean, they, you know, the government does [00:29:00] what they do and whether we agree on it or not.

Um, sometimes at the end of the four years we have, um, you know, the, the, the say, so who we want to, you know, to rule for the next four years. And I think that’s, that’s awesome to be able to have that, that choice, you know, to give somebody a chance for four years. And if we don’t like them, we can say, Hey, you didn’t do too good the last four years and move on to the next one.

But if we, you know, like them for four years and we just.

Delicia: Is it a similar system in the Philippines?

Christy: No way.

Delicia: Can you elaborate?

Christy: Oh, yeah. In the Philippines, they don’t play any games. They just, even as a citizen, you disrespect anything of the culture, then you are, you are punished for it.

Delicia: Punished how?

Christy: Um, [00:30:00] you will be taken to jail.

You will be, um, the way the, the, the, the, the fourth system there is that when you go to jail, you don’t get the special treatment as far as getting meals. You get beat down, you just, it’s, it’s definitely another whole level. You don’t get to go to jail and still get fed there.

Delicia: Right, so is that like in terms of like speaking against the government? Or in general?

Christy: Like if anybody to even disrespect the flag or the, the National Anthem or even to say anything bad about the president or to any government, they will make a note of it. You will be known. Got it. And they, they, some people, they’ll come to your house or they’ll keep an eye on you.

And sometimes without warning, you just get taken away. My mom [00:31:00] was just telling about that when she went to the Philippines. You say one thing, they’ll, they’ll have their eyes on you. Like, it’s just so, it’s just so crazy how they have so much power as far as like, you know, um, like if you say something wrong, they hear about it, the whole time, and talking about it, they’ll have their eyes on you.

Delicia: Interesting.

Christy: And they’ll just pick you up and you just disappear.

Delicia: So freedom of speech is not there.

Christy: No. Not that kind of freedom of speech.

Delicia: So in that way, coming to America and you having these certain type of rights, is that like a big different from here to the Philippines?

Christy: Yeah. Definitely. You definitely have, I mean, I think both ways. Sometimes [00:32:00] it is terrifying to go to different areas of the United States. But, in other countries, it’s definitely terrifying to be in all of the areas of that country. Just to be, just to say something that might be heard wrongfully, and just, um, here, you can cuss out a cup , a cop , not a cup, a cop, and you know, say something bad about him, you know, say something And it’d just be over, but in the Philippines, you say one thing about a certain person that works for the government, the whole town’s gonna just spread it out, and your name’s gonna be on that list.

Delicia: That’s crazy.

Christy: It is. My mom, [00:33:00] like I said, my mom told me some stories when she went to go visit, she’s like, it’s crazy, Christy. It’s crazy. That’s why she’s like, I don’t think I want to go back.

Delicia: Interesting. So like, so like obviously like your mom just went back and like that obviously is influenced her, so like that sentiment, it doesn’t make you want to go back. Like after hearing these stories.

Christy: No.

Delicia: How does that make you feel?

Christy: What?

Delicia: Like not wanting to go back to like, like your, like your, like your origin country.

Christy: It makes me not want, it makes me feel blessed to be here. To be able to just not, you know, it’s sad that I don’t feel worthy to be here. Actually, I’m just thankful that God had brought me here and definitely changed my life.

And it’s like, I feel like, I feel bad for some of the people that I know still living in the condition where they are. [00:34:00] And, um, you know, but at the same time, you know, we did what we had to do to get here and we still had to do the work to get here and, you know, willingly to also respect, you know, certain rules of the, of, you know, of the country.

And I think that’s what made us. More respectful is that, um, we’re here for a better life and that we wanted to be a part of this country that we were willing to just follow or do what it takes, you know, to do what’s right to be able to still be here. And so, like, not breaking the law. .

Delicia: Right. You know being like a good [00:35:00] productive member of society.

Christy: yeah

Delicia: So then um like just going into that like do you feel? Like American like you’ve lived here for so long. Like do you like feel like an American? Or like what does it mean to you to be like an American?

Christy: I think is the question is that how does it make you feel like an American? I I it’s the same question. I’ve always said Just ask people, what does it feel to be like an American? To me, now that I am an American citizen, I just feel before I was an American citizen, I didn’t have the right to vote, I didn’t have the right to actually be able to speak on what I want to speak on as far as politics because I didn’t think I had the privilege to actually do so.

But now that I am an American citizen and I had that choice, that voice, um, [00:36:00] it, it feels better, but I feel internally there’s no difference. Okay. Does that make sense?

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: But I feel like, like you said, it’s probably cause I grew up here. Um, mostly, but I just feel like there’s always just been my country. Since I’ve been here.

Delicia: So like, when did you become, like, an actual American citizen?

Christy: Oh my gosh, was that like, six, seven years ago?

Delicia: So it’s like fairly, like, a recent thing. Yeah. Like, even though it was like six years ago, it was like fairly recent.

Christy: Yeah, but I was, um, I was a permanent resident since I came here, and we kept renewing our, um.

Delicia: The visa, right?

Christy: Yeah, every 10 years. That was the only thing that really stuck. Like. We had to renew it and pay the money to get it renewed, which didn’t make sense because we’re a permanent resident. But we had to get it renewed every 10 years [00:37:00] until we took our citizenship.

Delicia: Like, how did that make you feel? Like, even though you’ve lived here for so long, having to do that process every 10 years, did it make you feel any type of way? Like angry or irritated or?

Christy: No, because I knew what I was supposed to, what, what we were supposed to do. And we just took a while for us to get there. The only thing I didn’t, I wish that it, you know, what took us longer was the financial part.

It was expensive to become an American citizen. So we had to do the finances part, which is where we struggled a lot. And my mom, she had the fear of failing the test. You have to take a test to become an American citizen. So, but, it ended up being fine, great, because when we studied, [00:38:00] you know, um, we learned a little bit more than we did before.

And that was something that we felt like, Oh! That was, that was cool. You know, now that you feel more confident knowing more about a little bit of, you know, how the government works, that kind of, I felt like that was some, like an advantage that, that came out of it.

Delicia: Interesting, yeah.

Christy: Yeah, that came out of it.

Delicia: So, like, you said that your mom, like, felt fearful of, like, taking the test. Like, was it because, uh, like, you said, like, failing it, but, like, was there something maybe deeper there? Like, other than just, like, failing the test, like, would, like, what else? If you know.

Christy: It was her more of her, um, her knowledge of the the whole government and how the government is run and in the way that she wasn’t able to comprehend it because of [00:39:00] her understanding it because if she’s not It’s like she came here and when she was older, so it was kind of harder for her to learn more about how the system works around it and understood the English way.

I think she’s she was more and stuck in you know her own language understanding that it’s hard for her to kind of comprehend it as far as Trying to learn it in another language. Does that make sense?

Delicia: No, it completely makes sense. Yeah, okay so then like It seems like for you, and obviously correct me if I’m wrong, growing up here was a lot easier because you were so young.

But like, has your mom ever like talked to you about like her experiences of being an older adult coming here to a brand new place where like it’s not familiar?

Christy: Um, I [00:40:00] don’t recall, because we’ve had many conversations. I mean, of course, there was that one part, maybe like certain part of the family, um, didn’t, you know, understand or approve of her at first because they just, you know, it is somebody who came from another country and they just thought, oh, you know, what’s going on here.

You just met her and you are taking in a bunch of kids and their, their whole, thinking method is, she here just to come to the country? which was expected because you have other people or immigrants who actually have taken advantage of that, where they would just marry someone and come to the States to meet somebody and leave them once they take, you know, once they get that nationality of being an American citizen.

Delicia: So, do you feel like [00:41:00], because the Philippines is like, technically like a poor country, do you think that like, that maybe had, more of an impact like, on your mom coming from that perception? Maybe not you so much, but maybe like, your mom? Like, so, like obviously you were saying that um, when you were, when she met her husband’s family, like there was that perception of like, oh, like, are you just here to like come here to like leave your country? Do you think like, because the Philippines is like a poor country, that’s like, what was that major sentiment coming towards her?

Christy: Yeah. Well, a lot, it was expected, like I said, because we knew, you know, it was known that there were some people who would take advantage of that. And I guess. It is like we were and she wasn’t. I thank God that she taught me how to be prepared for those things. Of the, the, the certain things that people will probably think about, especially from another country.

’cause I mean, we had [00:42:00] people coming from another country too, and you know, we think we have different opinions. Different opinions and, and, um, different feelings about some people coming to the our country back then and I can imagine, you know, the United States known for it’s known that people come in here, you know, and like, what are they doing here?

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: So, I mean, it’s, it’s more like we kind of see.

Delicia: You understood.

Christy: Yeah, the perspective of it, you know, people. Different, you know, perspective of it. So, we were prepared, but over time, it was just like, Oh, okay. Welcome to the family.

Delicia: So, then you keep saying this word, prepared, like your mom prepared you, like your family prepared you.

Do you feel like the fact that you had to be prepared for those types of questions is like, maybe slightly like unfair in a way? Because like, I, like when I hear [00:43:00] that, it’s like, I feel like I shouldn’t have to be prepared to come into a country and get questioned like the way it seems like you could have been questioned.

Christy: It’s probably because we did the same thing in our country. Like, I’m sure there’s a lot of people in other countries and when other people come and try to come to their, to their country and they’re like, what’s, you know, like, what’s, like, you know. In the Philippines, we had, they had the military base there, you know.

There’s always those people that like, what are they doing here? You know, why are they, why are they coming to help here? Like, what are they, you know, there’s always that judgment, right? So that’s why we try to keep it open-minded. What? What the possibility of other people’s questions and judgment though, because we probably did the same thing

Delicia: Interesting. Yeah

Okay, so, and the next question I want to ask you is like, like, have [00:44:00] you found like, community, just like, that you’ve like, worked with, and like, or like, religious values or anything like that, that’s like, also like, helped like, your journey through here, like being here?

Christy: Well, have I ever worked in a place that I was spiritually connected?

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: Now, I’m working for a church, but really now, I feel like, I’ve always been, you know, it wasn’t, I feel before I, uh, with, before my faith came, I was just, um, I just got along with everybody. It’s just cause we never really talked about any religions or anything like that, which, you know, there are ones that would come, but we never really got into deep into the religion.

Delicia: So like, when you’re like, a young adult and like in early adulthood, [00:45:00] like, what values did you start to really value most in life? Like, or even right now, like, just like, are there like values, like religious values, community values, family?

Christy: When I was 30, I feel like I’ve started valuing my, my family more and, um, the, the things I invest more when I was in my 30.

Delicia: Like invest in what? Like invest time.

Christy: Um, house. House. Um, cars, money, relationships. And then my religion came.

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: And that totally changed everything for me.

Delicia: Yeah. So then like, um, like. So, like, your husband’s a pastor, you’re like the first lady, like, how is it being, like, the first lady in, like, a church, and like, hosting community events and stuff like that?

Christy: I don’t [00:46:00] think I am worthy enough to be able to be called the first lady first.

Delicia: Is that not what it’s called? I thought it was what it’s called

Christy: I have no idea. I don’t know. That’s what they call, but I’m always just feel like, oh, I don’t know about that type. That sounds heavy

Delicia: My apologies. I thought that’s what it was called.

Christy: No, I mean some people yeah, I just feel like that that’s a very high responsibility yes, and so I kind of just me personally I take that name and just just for myself, because I feel like having that title, it just puts a lot of burdens on my shoulders. So, I just feel more at ease feeling like I don’t need that, you know, that title.

They’ll be like, Ooh, that sounds scary.

Delicia: So then like, um, like what goals do you have for yourself now? Like I feel like you’re like in a new phase of life, you know what I mean? Like you’re home. You’re not like working [00:47:00]

Christy: Yeah, I feel like back in the days when I was younger I was more like an entrepreneur or just get money and get high with like where I’m at with work and literally do get high and all that stuff I used to do back in the days, but now and but now I do feel, um, my biggest goal now that I have children, older children, is to be more at peace and being able to live a peaceful life where I don’t want to feel overwhelmed.

Delicia: Okay.

Christy: Because before I didn’t mind being overwhelmed. I liked it. I like the challenge of it, but I think over time you get exhausted from it. And then you start to seek peace.

Delicia: Interesting, yeah.

Christy: And then now that I’m seeking peace, it’s more like I want more of it now. Than what I had back then with the whole, you know, like, go get it.

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: Kind of thing. More, I’m more like, uh, I [00:48:00] don’t care. I don’t mind.

Delicia: Like you had it, and now you want this.

Christy: Yeah, I want this, like. Sipping cocos and iced coffee and talking to my favorite deli, being interviewed peacefully.

Delicia: So like, do you, like, obviously, right, like you’re saying like, oh, like, I want this peace life now.

But like, do you miss like going to work? Because, like, you’re a stay-at-home mom now. Like that is a job, let’s be real. Like, do you miss like the workforce where you’d like go out and work?

Christy: I did the first year. But now I started to realize this is, if I would have went to work, which I did it before, but now they use first lady, but it’s harder.

It is, it is harder now, but I feel like it’s so much easier and less burden on both parents. If one just take the responsibility of going to work and bringing home the bacon and the other one, who’s me, [00:49:00] the mom. Who takes care of home and makes sure that the kids are taken care of, that takes the burden off the other parent, which is the bread winner, which is my husband.

That takes the burden off of him, which takes the burden off of me of going out there to work.

Delicia: Having that balance.

Christy: Yeah. So, I do feel like right now we’re. In a balance. You know, because before we were both doing both. And we were both stressed out. I mean, some people can handle it, but I still feel like now it’s gotten better where, when we support each other

Delicia: Which it seems like it’s become something you really, really value. Like that teamwork.

Christy: Yeah. Because you see the difference in, in, you know, the kids and how, you know, they, they start to value the moments that we have together and, and you know, so, and they love when mom’s home [00:50:00] and they have somebody here that they can actually go home to. And, And, you know, before they went to daycare and it was just like dreading.

Delicia: Yeah.

Christy: With, you know, them. They’re like, oh, I don’t want to go. I want to be home with here and mom. And so I feel like this right here kind of just balances it out until, you know, they’re grown and then I can get me a job until then. This is peaceful.

Delicia: Yeah. So, like obviously like your kids are your life and like yeah, like how was it like, you know, obviously, like you said it you’re like a young mom and like now you’re here with two more new kids And they’re all young like how has that been like just like as like a parent?

Christy: I like it. They make me feel young too. I get to sip hot cocoa with them You know Disney movies with them Like, I don’t really mind being at home with, with them anymore. Before, I [00:51:00] used to go out and club, and party, and going out to dinner with friends, but I feel like having that peace and not having to feel like I have to do this and do that, it just really gives me more of the, that refreshment.

Delicia: Yeah. No, I, that’s really fair. Yeah. Yeah. So then, like, obviously like you have like, you know The five kids and you’re the two younger ones, is there any like especially in like the current climate of like just the stage in general, right? Like are there new fears you have? Like with them like growing up and stuff like that

Christy: No, I love it because I can get to I get to talk to my 24 year old.

Like he’s my friend too. We get to talk and chat, and then he teaches me a little bit. Uh, you know, How to handle them, the two, because, you know, he said, Mom, I remember, he always reminds you; I remember when I was that age, you did this, and you did that. So he kind of just gives me the feedback that [00:52:00] what I need to learn from because we were all one-time parents and we all learn from our mistakes.

We weren’t perfect parents, but having that conversation with your oldest and to be able to help you raise the two youngest one is actually, it’s been really nice. A wonderful thing.

Delicia: Yeah. So then like, um, what do you see as like, like the happiest period in, like, so far? Like, what’s like been the happiest point in your life?

Christy: Right now.

Delicia: Right now?

Christy: Yeah. Even just talking with you.

Delicia: Yeah. Just like really peaceful time.

Christy: Peaceful time. You know, you saw how like today we were just watching TV and, you know, just relaxing with the family and. Having a clean house for the first time.

Delicia: Holidays are around the corner, or in the middle of the holidays.

Christy: And we don’t have all the finances, you know, like we did before. But, [00:53:00] um, we’re more at peace.

Delicia: Is there anything else you want to talk about?

Christy: Not that I know. I just think that, you know, There’s a lot of things that, uh, that people go through, like people coming from another country, some take it as a blessing and, you know, have good experiences, and there’s some who’ve had some bad experiences.

And in both ways, there are some people who would come to our country, uh, what, you know, my ex-country.

The experience is both goes both ways. You know, when you go to other people’s country, um, you know, you have other countries will probably look at other foreigners the same as if, you know, they were to come here in the United States. Just different, different perspective. But, um, definitely we’ve had our time.

[00:54:00] share of judgment as well when you, when we used to have people come visit the United States. So that’s what prepared us coming to the United States of, you know, people’s different opinions and judgments. So I think that’s what kind of helped us get through a lot of it.

Delicia: Yeah. Yeah. Well, thank you for letting me interview you.

Christy: No problem. Anytime. Any time, bring the whole class and I’ll feed them some punset and your teacher too.

Delicia: Oh, that would be awesome. Yeah. Okay.