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
5. Homesickness
6. Reason for Leaving the Philippines
7. Reaction to Leaving the Philippines
8. Expectations
Segment
1
Introduction
(00:22)
Merriam states her name, birthday and how many years she spent in the
Merriam Anzures
Estrella.
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.
Segment
3
Philippines to
Canada to United States (00:14)
Merriam was born in the
Left:
Right:
Segment
4
Jobs in
the Philippines (00:35)
Merriam states her mother and father’s jobs in the
Left: Merriam’s
parents: Corazon and Luis, age 68.
Segment
5
Homesickness (01:32)
Merriam states the times she usually felt homesick.
One of Merriam’s
visits to the
Segment
6
Reason for Leaving the Philippines (00:23)
Merriam states her family’s reason for leaving the
The Family with
Grandma: NYC Vacation
Segment
7
Reaction
to Leaving the Philippines (01:13)
Merriam states her and her family’s reactions to leaving the
At the airport,
Merriam’s mother’s family wishes them farewell.
Segment
8
Expectations
(02:06)
Merriam states her family’s expectations of living in the
Segment
9
Betrayal
and Belonging (02:26)
Merriam states her thoughts about the betrayal to the
Merriam at age 16
in San Francisco
Segment 10
Life in the United States (04:20)
Merriam states her and her family’s
well-being in the
Pabonan Family 2008
Segment 11
Possibility
of Returning (00:36)
Merriam states her reason for not turning
back.
Left: The Family: Merriam,
Hanna, Jude, Oliver and Gabrielle
Segment 12
Being
Filipino in America (01:15)
Merriam states her opinion of
being a Filipino in
From Merriam’s last catering event- Dr. Janet Lim’s
Grand Opening
*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
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