Evelyn Paraiso is a resident of San Bruno, California for about seven years now, but has been a California immigrant for almost sixteen years. She is a loving mother who lives with three of her six children, while working as a caregiver in the world of California that is full of opportunities.
In my interview with Evelyn, we talked about her journey to the United States and how she had to move from one state to another in order to find opportunities that would help her raise her six children. Her life as an immigrant is full of adventures that made her to be the strong woman she is today. In my goal to explore the life and experiences of an immigrant in California, we discussed the subjects of immigration, employment, discrimination, housing, identity, religion, and diversity.
IMMIGRATION
There are different reasons as to why immigrants migrate to
another country. Evelyn is only one of the people who did not expect her
migration. Due to certain events in her life, she decided to look for
opportunities that other countries could offer her. In this video, Evelyn talks
about her motive behind her immigration to the United States and the process of
becoming one.
The Fourteenth Amendment allowed the birthright for Evelyn's son to become a citizen once he was born. Which is why he was able to petition Evelyn, and for Evelyn to be able to petition three of her children.
At the heart of San Francisco
Evelyn continues to talk her migration in the United States in 2001. The American Dream has different definition for every individual. As for
Evelyn, it did not occur to her to have an American Dream until her husband
passed away. She was a full time mother who was taking care of her six children, along with her husband. This is why she never thought about leaving
the Philippines.
In the video, she talks about American Dream and how having a social security benefited her
when it came to her salary. She used to earn $60 a day, and without the social
security, she would earn $40 as a caregiver. It was one of the obstacles she
had to deal with.
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| At the heart of San Francisco |
Evelyn continues to talk her migration in the United States in 2001. The American Dream has different definition for every individual. As for
Evelyn, it did not occur to her to have an American Dream until her husband
passed away. She was a full time mother who was taking care of her six children, along with her husband. This is why she never thought about leaving
the Philippines.
In the video, she talks about American Dream and how having a social security benefited her
when it came to her salary. She used to earn $60 a day, and without the social
security, she would earn $40 as a caregiver. It was one of the obstacles she
had to deal with.
HOUSING
Migrating in the United States was difficult, but Evelyn’s
contact with her old friends, truly helped her here in the United States.
Unlike the mid-twentieth century, Evelyn did not have much difficulty in looking
for shelter. With the help of a friend, Evelyn and her son was able to live in
a bedroom where they spent their early years as California immigrants.
Living in the United States by herself was definitely a challenge for Evelyn. But with her son's presence, she had someone close to him to help him get through the feeling of nostalgia.
EMPLOYMENT
HOUSING
Migrating in the United States was difficult, but Evelyn’s
contact with her old friends, truly helped her here in the United States.
Unlike the mid-twentieth century, Evelyn did not have much difficulty in looking
for shelter. With the help of a friend, Evelyn and her son was able to live in
a bedroom where they spent their early years as California immigrants.
Living in the United States by herself was definitely a challenge for Evelyn. But with her son's presence, she had someone close to him to help him get through the feeling of nostalgia.
EMPLOYMENT
Evelyn's search for a job was not as difficult as she thought. Through the connections she kept with her old friends from the Philippines she was able to get some help in her search for an opportunity here in the United States. Despite being oblivious of the kind of environment here in the United States, she was able to find a job that she loved which is caregiving.
She also talks about her experience in taking care of one of the many patients she had. Neil Curry, whom she loved so much, she mentioned and said, "was like a father to me." Evelyn took care of him for seven years.
DISCRIMINATION
Thankfully, Evelyn did not experience any discrimination here in the United States, specifically in California.
Since most of Evelyn's co-workers came from the same ethnic group as hers, she was able to create relationships with these individuals through their common interests and goals in life.
DIVERSITY
The diverse population of California did not hinder Evelyn from developing friendships with other individuals in her community.
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| Evelyn with two of her friends at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, California. |
Cultural differences was something Evelyn was aware of. Now that her three of her children lives with her, she sees to it that they continue to retain their culture and beliefs by continuing to live by their traditions.
Moreover, Evelyn mentioned in her this video that the difference in culture was a subject she was concerned about, particularly the way American culture raises their children. According to an Academic Journal Article written by Yen Le Espiritu, she writes that a Filipina immigrant said, "The American way of life is more individual rather than collective" (422). This quote proves that Evelyn's perception that the American way of raising children, is more liberal than the Filipino culture.
Additionally, Evelyn says that in the Filipino culture, they do not let their children leave their home when they turn eighteen and go to college. In the article of Espiritu, she quotes an interviewee who said, "You don't have to work when you turn eighteen, you don't have to pay rent when you are eighteen, which is the American way of thinking" (422). This shows that the traditions and values of the Filipino culture are very different from each other. The teachings and the idea of having a very close-knit family are only a few of the cultural differences.
RELIGION
Despite moving in the United States, Evelyn says that her religion and beliefs did not change. In fact, it became better and stronger because it was something that helped her get through her the difficulty of being an immigrant in California.
IDENTITY
Evelyn talks about how her perception of her homeland was not affected by her migration in California. She tells us that since her identity, morals, and values are already stable and solid once she migrated in the United States, she believes that it is uncanny for her to identify herself as an American.
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| Evelyn with three of her youngest children whom she currently lives with. |
By maintaining relationships with her family back in the Philippines, Evelyn has an easier time in maintaining her traditions and cultural identity.
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| Evelyn at the wedding of her third child, Pam, along with her five other kids. Maui (second to the right), is her son who petitioned her in 2001 |
Evelyn mentioned earlier that when she was working for her patient, Neil, his family were very helpful and kind to make sure that she had time to contact her children while she was at work.
References:
Espiritu, Yen Le. "“We Don’t Sleep Around Like White Girls Do”Family, Culture, and Gender in Filipina American Lives." Gender and U.S. ImmigrationContemporary Trends (2003): 263-84. Web.
Espiritu, Yen Le. "“We Don’t Sleep Around Like White Girls Do”Family, Culture, and Gender in Filipina American Lives." Gender and U.S. ImmigrationContemporary Trends (2003): 263-84. Web.
Cherny, Robert W., Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo, and Richard
Griswold Del Castillo. Competing Visions: A History of California. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Print.
