Skyline College/North San Mateo County Oral History Archives, Skyline College Library
Student project for LSCI 110 – Digital Oral Research Project, Skyline College

 Merriam E. Pabonan, The Best of Both Worlds

Click here to read the research essay, “Through Family Struggles Comes a Strong Heart”, by Kimi Himuro

Click on the links below to hear audio segments from an April 2010 interview by Kimi Himuro with Merriam E. Pabonan,
who was young enough to consume the American culture and able to hang on to the Philippine traditions and culture.

Merriam stops to take an enthusiastic picture after a nice jog by the beach.


Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Language and Living Arrangements

3. Philippines to Canada to United States

4. Jobs in the Philippines

5. Homesickness

6. Reason for Leaving the Philippines

7. Reaction to Leaving the Philippines

8. Expectations

9. Betrayal and Belonging

10. Life in the United States

11. Possibility of Returning

12. Being Filipino in America

 

Segment 1
Introduction
(00:22)
Merriam states her name, birthday and how many years she spent in the Philippines.

 

Merriam Anzures Estrella.

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 2
Language and Living Arrangements
(00:23)
Merriam states that she speaks Tagalog. She lives with both her mother and father and 2 siblings. She is the youngest of 3. She grew up in Metro Manila.

 

Baguio: left to right Corazon (mother), Cicero (brother), Luis Isagani (father) and Merriam (age 1).



Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 3
Philippines to Canada to United States (00:14)
Merriam was born in the Philippines. At age 2, she had moved to Canada with her family, and then finally settled in the United States at age 7.

 

         

Left: Canada ferry boat from Vancouver to Victoria: (Left to right): Cicero (brother), Merriam, and Melissa (sister).

Right: San Francisco (Left to right): Melissa (sister), Rene (cousin), Cicero (brother), Merriam and Corazon.


    

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 4
Jobs in the Philippines
(00:35)
Merriam states her mother and father’s jobs in the Philippines

 

Left: Merriam’s parents: Corazon and Luis, age 68.

 



Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 5
Homesickness
(01:32)
Merriam states the times she usually felt homesick.

 

One of Merriam’s visits to the Philippines (Aunts and cousins)

 



 Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 6
Reason for Leaving the Philippines
(00:23)
Merriam states her family’s reason for leaving the Philippines: material success and family obligation.

 

The Family with Grandma: NYC Vacation

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 7
Reaction to Leaving the Philippines
(01:13)
Merriam states her and her family’s reactions to leaving the Philippines

At the airport, Merriam’s mother’s family wishes them farewell.

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 8
Expectations
(02:06)
Merriam states her family’s expectations of living in the United States: better opportunities, personal lives, jobs and etc.

 

San Francisco Left: Merriam, Cicero and Melissa

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 9
Betrayal and Belonging
(02:26)
Merriam states her thoughts about the betrayal to the Philippines and the belonging in the United States.

 

Merriam at age 16 in San Francisco

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 Segment 10

Life in the United States (04:20)

Merriam states her and her family’s well-being in the United States.

 

Pabonan Family 2008

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 11

Possibility of Returning (00:36)

Merriam states her reason for not turning back.

 

Left: The Family: Merriam, Hanna, Jude, Oliver and Gabrielle

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 12

Being Filipino in America (01:15)

Merriam states her opinion of being a Filipino in America.

 

From Merriam’s last catering event- Dr. Janet Lim’s Grand Opening

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

*These audio files may be played with Windows Media Player or Real Player.
To download a free copy of Windows Media Player, click here.
To download a free copy of Real Player, click here.


last revised: 5-17-10
by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
These materials may be used for educational purposes.  North San Mateo County Oral History Archives, Skyline College Library.
All commercial rights are reserved. To contact the coordinator, or send comments or suggestions, email: Eric Brenner at brenner@smccd.edu