Simeon Mamaril Oral History Interview, July 9, 2015

 NF: Today's date is July 9, 2015. We're at the IRCO Asian Family Center. My name is Natalia Fernandez, I am the curator of the Oregon Multicultural Archives and this interview is part of an oral history project with the AFC and so we will go ahead and get started. Please state your name and spell it out loud.

SM: I am Simeon [?] Mamaril.

NF: And can you spell that please?

SM: February, I was born February 12 of 1925 in [?], Philippines.

NF: And do you identify as Filipino?

SM: Yes, I am a Filipino.

NF: Okay.

SM: One hundred percent (laughs).

NF: So your parents were also born there? Your parents, where were they born?

SM: In the Philippines too.

NF: In the Philippines too. Around what year, what years were they born?

SM: My father was born June 11, 1899 and my mother April 7, 1904.

NF: And so you grew up there, in the Philippines?

SM: In the Philippines, yes.

NF: And what was your life like there?

SM: Pardon

NF: Your life, did you live there all throughout your childhood?

SM: Well you know for two years after I was born my father came here. He was one of the first English taught teachers, he taught in the Philippines and then a mere year after my mother followed. So I was left behind there, I have an elder sister who was with my maternal grandparents and I was with my paternal grandparents. So I grew up with my paternal grandparents and they were farmers. My sister, well my grandparents, maternal grandparents were clerks so we are 00:02:00different lifestyles. So I grew up in a farm.

NF: In a farm. And when your parents went to the United States where did they go to, what state?

SM: Here in Oregon.

NF: May I ask why they chose Oregon?

SM: Because my big brother of my mother was ahead, he was here so he followed suit.

NF: So there was work available here?

SM: Yes, they, they, they work here in Oregon.

NF: And so how long did you live with your grandparents?

SM: Well, up to, well before I came here I was with them. That was in 1950, 1948, something like that.

NF: Okay and then was the plan that your parents would bring you and your sister to the United States, that was the original plan?

SM: It was the plan, you know what, after the war, well I applied because during, at the end of the war or at the start of the war I was fourth year of high school and I should be going to college. So after the war, that was in 1942 I think, 43, I applied, but I was denied because high school I should be going to college. It was our plan that I will, that I was accepted by the University of Portland and the several colleges here, but I was denied because they said that the immigration always said in Manila said that the, "no you are not coming back to the Philippines" - in spite of the fact that my parents, my father and mother and I have a younger brother born here; I was denied. So I started in the Philippines instead of coming here. I took my college in the Philippines.

NF: Okay, and what was that like? Can you describe your experience?

SM: Well, well I really enjoyed staying there in a way because denied coming here, I was forced to start in Manila in the Philippines and Manila then was devastated by the war. It was, so many houses were destroyed and I stayed there for four years, but I was so lucky that before graduation I landed a job. I applied for a job at the Philippine National Bank, so before I graduated, I was to graduate April, and I was taken in by the bank - that was January for about four months ahead. So I found work there and I was so lucky to have work at the Philippine National Bank because I was offered so many, scholarships, training, 00:05:00and even I started to take my master's degree program in economics at the UO, you know when I was with the bank and I had a training with the First National Bank, the predecessor of the Wells Fargo now. That was in 1963, but 1952 I was here to attend the funeral of my brother. Because my brother he was a scholar or a head of the in the Oregon State College at the university, yet in Engineering, but he was called to service and he joined the First Marine Division that served duty in the, during the Korean War. And he wrote me, "Well, after the war I'll be passing by to see you." I haven't seen him, but then I heard that there was a 00:06:00report that he was wounded and then he said oh I'm tired of staying in the hospital, I have to go back with my comrades in the front. He went there to the front during the Chinese offensive, so he was killed there. And during his funeral here in Tillamook, well I had to come to attend and that was the time when I was allowed to come to the, the first time.

NF: Okay.

SM: First time to come to the United States and first time to, and it was an experience, you know. First time to come here, well in the Philippines, you know you can't really wear a suit, I was in a light suit with the combination shoes and then when we were landing, we couldn't land in Portland because it was snowy and the plane cannot land here so we land, we landed at the Boeing Airfield in 00:07:00Seattle (laughs). So when I landed from the plane on the tarmac, a couple, old couple said, "Oh young man, fresh from the Philippines?" I noticed that my attire should somewhat black or dark and my shoes was combination (laughs). So, "Oh yes sir" I said, that was my first experience here and then also I stayed with my uncle here in Portland on Corbett Ave. and you know what in the Philippines we usually in the early in the morning you wear pajamas you are looking for a [?] over there in the states in pajamas (laughs). And morning we have to have breakfast so I went down from bed, I was in the attic, I'm still in the attic went down and Corbett Ave is there, I was in pajamas and I saw my uncle out there (laughs) you know. It was so strict before and then unlike the, 00:08:00unlike now that you can wear anything, go in the street, you can drive with your, not in full clothes, very strict before, very formal before.

NF: So for your brother's funeral was the first time that you came to Oregon? What was the experience like here? Then were you able to stay or did you go back to the Philippines?

SM: Oh I had to go back, I just attended the funeral and service of my brother and then one, and then the funeral was done in Tillamook. That was very cold, it was January I think, January and it was so cold. We stayed in the attic in Tillamook, oh my gosh (laughs). I then I was to get married, January I was to 00:09:00get married in May.

NF: In the Philippines?

SM: In the Philippines and my two aunties that is the wife of my wife's of my uncles, we went shopping for a gown, wedding gown and then, you know what they sold me - and then my aunty said, "Simeon don't pick your nose in public (laughs). But it was so formal before, very strict. And then one time also I said, "Oh Simeon you buy dancing shoes" (laughs) yeah, experiences.

NF: So you returned to the Philippines?

SM: I returned to finish with my job.

NF: Your job, with the bank?

SM: With the bank and then well 1963, that was 1952 when I first came; here in 00:10:001963, 64 I got another leave from the Philippines National Bank where I had a study leave.

NF: Study leave?

SM: At the university of U of O.

NF: Okay.

SM: University of Oregon in economics and that's in, in the program and then I came here to Portland State College at the university at the time. I taught and then I had training, one training in the morning and then went to UO, now Portland State College now, yeah.

NF: And did you come by yourself or did your wife come?

SM: Oh yeah, no, no I came by myself .

NF: Did you have children at the time?

SM: Yes, yes.

NF: And they stayed in the Philippines?

SM: Yeah they stayed in the Philippines and one thing good is that was a study leave so my salary they spending there, my salary for my family and my father is 00:11:00spending for my schooling here, for my stay here.

NF: So how long were you here, a year or two years?

SM: A year, yeah.

NF: A year, but then you went back again to the Philippines?

SM: I went back and then I had several seminars and I, they sent me again for a nine month study leave at the University of the Philippines, on a small and medium scale industries. I was off from my job, I was concentrated on my studies at the University of the Philippines. There was, that was a class of various private sectors from the Army, from various corpor-, organizations, government and public and private. It was, after that I was the head of the Philippine [?] admission only small and medium scale industries in Japan covering the cities of Tokyo, Naguya, and Osaka. That's where we were there. Yeah, I had lots of 00:12:00seminars when I was with the Philippine National Bank. I had, I was sent to the University of the [?] for another, on professional management sort of, lots, lots of seminars.

NF: So do you have a, a master's degree from the University of the Philippines in economics?

SM: No, no its sort of a, a like, not a, like, it's sort of a certificate.

NF: A certificate, okay. From the University of the Philippines?

SM: Yeah.

NF: But they accepted training as credit that you received here in the United States?

SM: Well let me tell you, yes, yes, yes it's a, it corresponds with something like that, but there was no really.

NF: But you studied economics, that's what you were studying?

SM: Yeah, economics.

NF: Okay.

SM: And then, oh, I have lots. So what else more?

NF: So, what was, what was life like for you in the Philippines with your wife and your children? How many children did you have, do you have?

SM: I have six.

NF: You have six.

SM: My, my eldest was a girl, she's a nurse, she's now a head nurse at the American Hospital in [?], but he was also, he came here to train in the United States at Pennsylvania and the he was in a nurse in Texas, but then when he, when she came back to the Philippines, there was an offer to work in Saudi Arabia with a higher salary and a year, every year, she go back to the Philippines free, paid. And my second was a son, is a son who is an optometrist, he is in Qatar and my third is a nurse too, she's now here the husband is a 00:14:00nurse, the two girls are nurses too. We are all graduated from the Portland State University - they are all family of nurses. Then my third is in the Philippines, no, my fourth is in the Philippines, he's taking care of my house there in the Philippines. So every time I go home to the Philippines I have, I have two houses there: duplex, the other one is vacant, the original house is vacant, it's full of [?] boxes, you know [?] boxes, twenty boxes. I send these boxes because every year or almost every year I go home during a medical dental mission to the Philippines and I give, you know the Philippines the kids there 00:15:00clothes and if they need backpacks, pencils, pens. I have now a thousand there ready for my going home in September. And November I'm going home again during a medical mission in [?] so I'm ready to distribute all of this. And my other son, two sons are here with me.

NF: Ok, so you consider your, the Philippines to be home?

SM: Pardon?

NF: You consider the Philippines to be your home?

SM: Oh yes! Every, every year I go home.

NF: You go home?

SM: Twice a year at times (laughs).

NF: So you came here to study, to the United States, did you want to move your family here to the United States permanently, is that something that you and your family wanted?

SM: Well, you know it's sort of a good thing to come to the United States for 00:16:00the kids, you know, because well for better life. I think its worth, so many people want to come here anyway so.

NF: So did you eventually move your family here?

SM: Yeah, yeah.

NF: To Oregon, when was that? What year?

SM: Oh, that was several years ago, I cannot remember. My, well it will be three of them, two sons and my daughter, who came here and the two are in Saudi Arabia and they are in Qatar and the third of the six one is in the Philippines taking care of my, my, my properties there because I have some nice lands in there.

NF: So your children they came here to study, to, to receive an education? Is that why they came?

SM: No, no they came here for a living.

NF: For a living, okay. So the whole family came?

SM: Yeah.

NF: Okay.

SM: Well my two sons, they are single, not married. My daughter who is, who is married.

NF: So was that in the 1970s, the 1980s, around what time period was it that the family came?

SM: Well my daughter came here, 80, 90s.

NF: In the 90s, 1990s?

SM: Yeah, so my son 90s, yes because I came here 1984. I petitioned them in the early 90s they were here.

NF: Okay, so you came in 1984?

SM: Pardon.

NF: You came in 1984?

SM: 1984.

NF: Okay.

SM: It's so, I'm so lucky really because I had retired in the Philippines, in the Philippines National Bank in April, oh no, March. April I am here already.

NF: Oh okay.

SM: Here, just within a month. It's so timely. And then you know what, my 00:18:00experience here when I arrive, I went to banks, Bank of America, First National Bank and they said, "No, you are over qualified." Yeah, I was, I didn't work in a bank or in any clerical job so I applied. I went to [?] here in Delta Park.

NF: Okay.

SM: No vacancy, but then there were Filipinas, oh no Filipina, Filipino girls working there. "Oh mano," they said, "there's a job here." I went, oh you start now and so you, you did collection too (laughs). And then the vice president of the bank, the First National Bank where I attend here has a cousin who has a plant in, somewhere in, in Marine Drive. So I went there, I worked there. I was 00:19:00the secretary, I was the telephone operator, I was the book keeper, and everything in the office. And then I found out, you know, I found out that, I saw the books. There were purchases that were ghosts something so I reported. Now I said this is overpriced, there is no check or there was no editing. I reported so, but then fearing that I might be harmed, I left the, the job. And again, I went to parking Amco, parking at the airport. So I could not find any job whatsoever so I come in or I can't live here. So I was assigned in there and 00:20:00then they was assigned as park checker and then finally I was assigned as the auditor, you know what? At the long parking, I found out that two girls, ladies, tailors there, businessmen one month they stay, they have to pay one hundred dollars, two hundred dollars and then I saw they are staying to eat and then it invalidates, they invalidated after that payment. There were several so I noticed, oh my gosh they must have, if you pay me cash now, you leave I get the cash and I don't report it there and then I invalidate the payment, the whole payment, there were several of this. So, so I, those two girls were dismissed, 00:21:00but no charges because the money has been said that if we don't charge, I think that it said that they can no longer find a job. So they, they are so kind to us, so considerate too.

NF: So in 1984 when you came did you come by yourself?

SM: Yeah.

NF: You came by yourself and how many years were you here by yourself?

SM: Oh about, no I was, I was with my, was I with my wife, I came, I could not remember. I was with my wife and then we went to, yeah I was with my wife.

NF: Okay.

SM: And then we went home for the marriage of my, one of my children, my girls. And then I left my wife there because my wife has some heart problem. That was 00:22:00October, I left October 15, my wife there, but then she show me at the airport with her brother and from the airport I learned that, that she went to the hospital because of a weak heart. And then while there, she died so I have to go back end of October, but it probably began October it's All Saints Day so it's difficult to take a flight because everybody is going home in the Philippines. That's the, because All Saints Day that stay in the Philippines is November 1st, so people have to go home to visit their, their family, family members. So yeah, my, my wife, my first wife died, the mother of my six children. And then that 00:23:00was 86, 87 because [?] was in the high school in the Philippines, in the high school. There is only one high school, its 25 kilometers away from my town. I have to go to that high school there, public high school. And I boarded, I had to board in house across the high school. It's the, that house is owned by my wife now. Well we had some, you know relationship or friendship and then I had to, the sister wrote her, oh Julita, that's my first wife, died. So we communicated, she's a PhD in Chemistry, she worked, she have money. So she learned about that and said, "Oh do you want to come to Europe?" So I went to Europe, she brought me around. Went to Luxemburg, all around, Romania, 00:24:00Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Germany. She worked in, in Germany with one of the biggest pharmaceutical firms there and then I came back here, she followed suit and we got married (laughs).

NF: Okay, so you were married here and was this in the late 80s or early 1990s?

SM: 87, 87.

NF: 87, okay.

SM: It was 87.

NF: And then, you two, have you lived here ever since?

SM: Yeah.

NF: Okay.

SM: That's, she's with me and we are old. We, and it so happens, you know when I was here in early 19, when I came here, 84, 85, yeah. I was boarding somewhere here near Lloyd Center, I was paying around, how much was it, two hundred plus 00:25:00or four hundred and then I learned that the house was vacant or for sale in Corbett Ave. just across the house where I stayed my first time coming here. So I went to that old couple and said, "Oh how much, you know house is" $25,000 and then they said, the old couple said, "Oh can you pay, can you put a down payment of $5,000?""Yeah I will try" I said. I don't, "How much can you pay monthly?" "Well it's up to you, you're the one selling" I said. "Oh can you offer two hundred?" (laughs) -- Okay. So I had that small house, it's the old, the first settlement in Portland, but that was in Corbett Ave. It's a very how small houses with verandas so and then after that both couple, they are old, these are 00:26:00old people across, across a neighborhood, then they died and the one who inherited was a, an adoptive daughter from Washington. Oh I said I don't want to deal with individuals so I had the house mortgaged with a bank. The bank paid the one who inherited so I'm dealing with the bank not really a person, so, so that's it, that's how I purchased my house.

NF: Okay, so let's talk a little bit about your connection to the Asian Family Center?

SM: Oh yeah.

NF: So were you connected with the AFC since the beginning in the 1990s? Were you connected with the?

SM: You, you, you know what at the time there were so many organizations: APANO, 00:27:00Filipino organizations, I was all involved with them.

NF: Okay, well can you talk a little bit about that? So when you moved here, you became really involved with the community and you wanted to help the community?

SM: Almost all organizations during the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, I was in there. The senior's coalition, I was there. AFC, I was there, almost all organizations I got involved in the organizational part during the time when they were organized. So I got involved and then you know before AFC was independent, we are not part of IRCO. So, well it's good because AFC being part of IRCO now is an arm of IRCO.

NF: Well can you talk a little bit about that "before" time period?

SM: Yeah, before that well we had to, we had several meetings and then we supported that the schools for, is that Sunday school, that they have extensions for younger kids, but I was, I just questioned that because I said well the kids that we are talking to now have been here for ten years or so. They have undergone all the steps toward higher education and all those born here, they have done their goal, the regular educational system I said. We do have to do this, but still AFC supported that. Yeah there was so many changes here at the AFC. Old faces, they are gone, I am the only one perhaps who is left behind, with Hongsa, Lee Po Cha (laughs).

NF: So what did you do with the Asian Family Center, how, were you a board member at the beginning and were you?

SM: Yeah, board member since the very beginning.

NF: Since the very beginning?

SM: Yeah.

NF: So that was in the, the early 90s.

SM: Yeah.

NF: So 1992, 93, 94?

SM: Yeah, I remember now what ages it was organized.

NF: So since, since the early 90s you've been a board member, so what have you done as a board member, what, what's your role?

SM: Well, you know as a board member you are a, the board is the policy meeting office for any organization. We develop a programs, we see to it that these programs are being done and that's how we as a board member, we, we just put up the plans and then the stuff we'll have to take over. So far everything is okay 00:30:00and then we had at one time we had fundraising, we had a celebration to, well we gave certificates to, award certificates to members, to community, supporters, yeah it's, and then it's good because it was taken over by a partner of IRCO, it's better off. With IRCO and then the Asian Family Center as an arm in putting up its programs, it's very good.

NF: What do you consider your successes? So what are you proud of that, that the Asian Family Center has accomplished?

SM: Well, well you know I am very proud because I am part of the Asian organization and the good thing for this is, as part of one organization from 00:31:00the government or whatever the governor says we have to convey to our people. And through the Asian Family Center, whatever policies we making, we have to convey to our followers, our members in the community. We are the go between, sort of, that, that's the rule that we have. Whatever problems or whatever good things for the community, we get it from the government down to Asian Family Center, Asian Family to our constituents and whatever problems our constituents have, we are the people to convey to the government, it's sort of like that.

NF: So what are some of the problems, what are some of the needs of the Asian community in Oregon?

SM: I, I, I don't have any so far, so far.

NF: So when you first began, what were some of the services that the community needed, did they need job placement, did they need English language training?

SM: Yeah, yeah English language training.

NF: So that was one of the things you offered?

SM: Because you know, we are new here especially, so well Filipinos not so much no problem about English because English is our sort of second national language. All schools in the Philippines have no problem, but for those newcomers from other countries well they, they have a problem about well English so there is that program then about teaching English, extra class in English and 00:33:00then we also have a neighborhood. Well we were also involved with Hongsa, Lee Po Cha in that Asian Law Enforcement Council before, with the police. We were part of that, there was an organization, but it, it's no longer operational so what we did before because gang, gangster issue before was so rampant, especially so with the other communities, so what.

NF: So there was a gang problem with the youth, with the, with the young people?

SM: Yeah, yeah before yeah.

NF: So what did the Asian Family Center do to try and address that?

SM: Well we as a Asian Family Center we have to convey, we have to inform our people the right things to do. If we note our, we see people doing this and this we have to report it right away to forestall or stop any further damage or crime 00:34:00to be done, yeah. That's, if I remember right, there was several killings before, you know. People could not adjust so that's how it all, whatever the government says or any problem that the government has to do, convey to us, we convey to our people. We are a neighborhood, sort of a neighborhood gatherings or consultations. We have to impart to our people during our meetings if I am a member with another, I am a member the Philippine Organization, during our meeting I have to tell them, this is the problem. So that's, we are the go between or information dissemination, that's what we do, so it's very effective.

NF: So what other programs have you or services have you been involved with especially with the youth other than the gang prevention services, what else have you done?

SM: Well we, I am also a part of the Seniors Coalition.

NF: Seniors Coalition?

SM: Seniors Coalition, we have that, vaccinations and then we all of our old people. Whatever problem they have, we try to help them, I remember, I remember the board also, since it began, we organized too that the Asian Pacific American Seniors Coalition. I remember the vote and we have a meeting now that with [?] we are coordinating with the [?] where we fit the old people (laughs). So and 00:36:00then about health, vaccinations, we contact this vaccination people. So that's all, [?] - before oh my gosh it was rampant the gangster issue, the young people. It's good because.

NF: Can you talk a little bit about why, why that was occurring, why there was such an increase in?

SM: Yeah, yeah I don't know why, I don't know why, before I don't know. So that's why the Asian Law Enforcement Council was created. It was of this, now if 00:37:00what we do if I notice something or I heard something or got information telling about our community, I report it right away and you know especially for the Philippine people. If you talk about a family, something bad about a family it's a disgrace so as much as, as much as possible we families in the Filipino community, we try our best to show off, no, no nothing, but once anything bad about your family your whole community knows you're, oh you're down, so we try our best to be good, to protect ourselves the right way, so.

NF: Is it, the Filipino community here, is it unified? Do people help one another?

SM: Oh yes, yes. Yeah, you know our Filipino community here, I started, I am 00:38:00almost part we have you know there was one Filipino community only -- we have a building here, have you, have you been there before?

NF: No.

SM: At the start and the 89th we have cultural building there so and then well there was one Filipino community, now we have regional if you come from another region because you speak another language there, well there we have 14 Filipino organizations here.

NF: 14?

SM: In Oregon, in Oregon, but in here we have around 5 I think. This is regional, from one island to another because one island in the Philippines you speak another language, another vernacular (laughs). Although universal it's English, we understood, but some communities they have their own, their own 00:39:00language or yeah. So that's how we had, we just had our picnic last July 4th at Blue Lake. Almost all Filipino organizations are there and I'm very much involved because I have lots of display boards, binders, (laughs) yeah. So we are, we are enjoying and what else more?

NF: So how have you seen the community change? You've lived here for many, many years.

SM: Oh, many, many years.

NF: Thirty years, how have you seen the changes or have things stayed the same in terms of what people need?

SM: You know the changes they are so many faces are not in public anymore 00:40:00(laughs). So, so many in organizations, I think there are I am an avid photographer. My house is full of photographs, of pictures so much so that I find myself that I have to review, review I find it I say look at the TV I am growing my pictures and so many faces I can no longer, I no longer with us during parties, you know. I don't know, I'm not, not myself because myself would name every party I am there (laughs). So I don't know, we, we are doing fine because as I see that somebody dies, we are all there. During parties we are all there, we help, especially myself every party that I am there so I know what's 00:41:00happening in the community, so.

NF: So you mentioned that you returned to the Philippines, you have two houses in the Philippines and you return often. In the Filipino community is that common, do other families also go back and forth between the United States and the Philippines?

SM: Oh, yes, yes, yes, as much as possible, as, as long as they can afford, you know. That they have to go home, yeah. It's, it's nice to be in there, to be with your old ties and in the Philippines everything is very cheap, you know, that's why I'm going home again in September (laughs), you know. Last, last year I have this year I went to we are, we are talking about $52,200 dollars. Oh my 00:42:00god, I haven't seen that money (laughs) so I went home and then they just, it was in in a hurry, so it cost around $800.

NF: So healthcare is much less expensive in the Philippines?

SM: I am, I am to go back this September to have this fixed again (laughs). I know I, I'm still, I still gain in my fare.

NF: So let's talk a little bit more about the Asian Family Center, you mentioned the, the vaccination, so the health services that the AFC provides, senior services, youth services, what else have you done with the board? What other things have you worked on?

SM: Well, as I said, whatever problems we have with our communities, we have to inform them during all of our meetings. So what I would, if I informed them on 00:43:00what I would solutions or whatever measures of what could be done to alleviate or whatever in a situation. That's what we do, we are the go between as I said. That's good for this Asian Family Center since its very beginning, so.

NF: So what, can you give an example of what's happening right now, so the needs of the community right now, so at the board meetings what have you talked about that the community needs?

SM: I, I cannot remember what was the last meeting that we had; about--I could not recall (laughs).

NF: In general, this past, this past year what types of things have you discussed?

SM: Well, during past year we have all this education for the children.

NF: Oh, education for the children, okay.

SM: Education for the children that's what we, that's what we talk about.

NF: So connecting with the local schools?

SM: Yeah, that's through the local schools, yeah. And what else - more about health, about education, about community, leadership, about, about our relationship with the city hall who is helping us, yeah.

NF: Can you talk a little bit about that, the relationship with, with city hall, the relationship with the government? Can you talk a little bit about that?

SM: Yeah, because our funding well, you know it comes from them (laughs) and that's very important to support that program, whatever programs the government has they give it to us, we, we implement them we help them more and that's how 00:45:00it, the relationship that we maintained. Good relationship with the city government so, this is APANO now, we were there last week about deciding about the education, learning and we had our picture taken with Governor Brown, we were there. So yeah it was there, we represent the community in the whole set up that's so we are visible -- that's very important, the Asian community. People know that we are active, that we are there always in any event. I think that's a big role that we play.

NF: So you would describe it as a good relationship, a good working relationship, that the government listens to you?

SM: Yes, of course, of course yeah. And I was also, last year, or yeah more than one year, I was a member of the Commission of Asian Affairs. I was a commissioner too, like Hongsa, I was a commissioner, the first commissioner.

NF: What did that do, the Commission for Asian Affairs, what was the role of that?

SM: Okay, well the same thing, whatever problems we have, we have to inform the government, the governor, because that is under the office of the governor, the Commission of Asian Affairs. And we are approved as a member; our appointments are approved by the legislative branch so what problems we have in our communities we convey to the government, the governor, yeah.

NF: So there are a lot of organizations that assist Asian and Pacific Islanders do they all work together do you find, those different organizations?

SM: I, yeah because under IRCO we have the African House and then they send families in there and then here came also people from Europe: Hungary most of Eastern Europe, yeah they are here, Africans are here, Asians are here, so we are all over represented by various areas: African, Asian, Mexican. So we are well represented in the government.

NF: So what do you most enjoy about being a board member for the Asian Family Center?

SM: Well first of all, individual, personal, it's so nice to look people not in your own community, just imagine, knowing people from various countries, then we have to visit. Well I've been going around all over, the only thing that I haven't done, I haven't gone to Vietnam, but that's my plan; I want to go there. Vietnam, Cambodia, also Burma, but I've been all over, so it's so nice to be with people.

NF: So the board is very diverse, it's very representative.

SM: Oh yeah.

NF: Of the type of people in the community?

SM: Oh yes, yes. Yeah, we have Vietnamese, Thailander, I'm the only Filipino there.

NF: You are the only Filipino representative?

SM: I am the only Filipino, yeah.

NF: Has that changed over the years? You've been a board member for 20 years or so, has that always been the case or?

SM: (laughs) Yeah, I have been always. I don't know why, in every organization I am the only one left. I don't know if the, the Chamber of Commerce, the same thing. So many people, I don't know, I stick around (laughs).

NF: Has the Filipino population increased or decreased?

SM: Oh, yes, yes.

NF: It's increased in these last few years.

SM: You know what, before we have our own eleven thousand here in Oregon and Southwest Washington and there were only two counties with no Filipino residents, but right now there are so many and you know they love Oregon. You know there are so many coming from the East, they migrated here and so with 00:50:00California they come here. I perhaps, yeah I think the state of Oregon is a very ideal place, not so, not so many hurricanes, not so many storms (laughs), not so hot, no fires, you know what I say. California storms, hurricanes, tornado, but here, it's so nice, beautiful Oregon, yeah. It's an ideal place, so many, many Filipinos have come here so all over, like Filipinos they are all over the world, you can see Filipinos all over the world (laughs).

NF: So can you talk a little bit about your ideas and your recommendations for 00:51:00the Asian Family Center, what would you like for the Asian Family Center to do?

SM: Well as I said, well the Asian Family Center should stay as an organization well to support, to promote, and well to see to it that our livelihood here as Asians or other communities will cooperate, will be together, enjoy life, and I think get the most out of it, of our stay here, and to work hard for the government, for all of us, for the community. It's for the community, its welfare that is our aim, for the betterment of the community, better relationships. That's one thing more, at least my stay here with the Asian 00:52:00Family Center I know we are friends with Hongsa, with Lee Po Cha, with everybody. So it's so nice, you enlarge your knowledge or your connection with other people, that's very important. If you have problems, we inform, perhaps they help me, it's helping one another, cooperating with one and another for a better community of course. That's the main aim, for a better community isn't it? Livable community. That's the main aim for these organizations anyway, better community, better understanding, better cooperation for a better result, better life for all of us. I think that's the main aim of being a community 00:53:00member, I think, you contribute with the best interest of everybody, that's how we live, do the best you can.

NF: So you mentioned that, you mentioned the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, APANO?

SM: Yeah.

NF: You mentioned the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce. You mentioned the Commission of Asian Affairs, what other, you mentioned that you are involved in a lot, what other organizations are you involved in?

SM: I have the list - I am a national, this is national. I am a member of the Federation of Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, I am the secretary. This is throughout the United States, last year we had a mission, a trip and investment 00:54:00mission in the Philippines. Its, we promote the trade between the US, us and the Philippines. We went there to several, several provinces and we, we there were memorandums of agreements that about, about trade between the US, us and the Philippines. And then I'm a member of the NFFAO that is a national organization also that is the National Federation of Filipino American Associations or Organizations. I, I am the chair for the state of Oregon, there are, we are in region 7: Washington, Alaska and here in Oregon, but that's the NFFAO, we are 00:55:00the convention in the Philippines they are [?] and then I'm member of the Philippine National Historical Society. The Filipino American National, I was the president for seven years and I'm still a member. My wife is a member, a member of the board of trustees.

NF: So this is the historical society? So all the culture, the history?

SM: Oh history.

NF: Is that?

SM: You, you know what? The, the Philippines it was Manila and then, then here came the United States because the American ship in Maine, they named Maine, that's a warship was bumped by Spaniards in Cuba that's why the Fili, the Americans came to the United, to the Philippines and they took over the 00:56:00Philippines. We were under the United States there so that's how I, we speak English in there. That's our relationship with the, with the United States. So in that historic -- and then we have the early Filipinos who came here, it was so long, long time ago. First Filipinos arriving, they were the ones who they build the ships in California, oh early, early Filipinos, many, many Filipinos. So who came here, even before the 1500s, then I am a member also of the NFFAO. Oh I cannot remember now, there's so many organizations. I am a board member of the Chamber of Commerce; I am member, formerly board member of the Filipino Association here. We have a senior's coalition as I said for the, the Asian, 00:57:00Asian Family Center. Oh, lots of organizations that I am a member.

NF: So in the, in the Philippines when you lived there before coming here, before the 1980s, were you also involved a lot in community organizations?

SM: Oh yes.

NF: Yes. So you've been involved all, most of your life, you've always wanted to be involved with community organizations?

SM: Yeah, we have one organization there in the Philippines and during town fiestas we have our own show just to inform the people that we are active coming so we do well in the Philippines, you know. Almost every month there is a town fiesta, town celebration in honor of our saint because during the Spanish time, Catholicism was introduced there so almost always you are all Catholics except in middle where the Muslims are, in Luzon, Visayas, we are well 90% are Catholic, Roman Catholic or Christian in the Philippines. So every month we have a town fiesta celebration, where we honor our saint because every town has its 00:58:00own saint, one saint, like that. So December 10 in our towns, so we have programs, we sponsor one night for that celebration, lots of food, every house decorated, and in the Philippines especially so. During Christmas time, it's 00:59:00very colorful, all over the state you can see lanterns, all over.

It's so beautiful, so I like to go to the Philippines every December, very colorful, people shouting there (laughs) so. APANO that's a, I remember of NFFAO, that's the National Federation Filipino American Organization in the national and then the historical society. And in Asia well you have the Asian Pacific American Seniors Coalition and I am, I am one of the organizers there too. APANO and I am one, I am one of the organizers. Well local, the chamber of commerce - and so I was also a member of that in Salem, the association in Salem. I'm a member, I'm a member I was a member, board member too and then we 01:00:00have that seniors in Vancouver, I was a board member there too. I don't know I, I have so many organizations, I have time.

NF: Do you, do you think that these organizations are enough, do you think that there perhaps is a need that hasn't been met, is there, is there more to be done in your opinion?

SM: Well at least in one way or another they, they serve the community and right now I was a, I am also a member and all they collect are permanent estates of the council of Filipino organizations throughout Oregon. We have a, there are 14 Filipino organizations in Oregon and I was one of the founders, I was one of the first signers (laughs). I am [?] old timer (laughs) so we'll have a convention 01:01:00here this September, September 5, but then it coincides, you know I am the secretary of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and we have the convention in Las Vegas, 4, 5, 6 September 4, 5, 6 .

NF: Oh.

SM: And then the council will have Saturday and I talked with IRCO because well I went to IRCO, we are renting that place at IRCO, that center, that community center, that building. We'll be using that on the 5th of September, I don't know where to go if I have to go to Las Vegas or I stay here (laughs). I don't know, there's so many, so that's the problem, my problem.

NF: You're involved so much. So how do you prioritize, how do you decide what organization to support at what time?

SM: Yeah, yeah it's so difficult because I have to speak too, about something, about this immigration of 1985, where before it's so restrictive, Filipinos coming here, but with that new law, immigration law of 1985, it allows next of kin or military connections or something like that, but before.

NF: This is, this is a federal?

SM: An influx of Filipinos coming.

NF: Oh okay. This was a federal law, national law?

SM: Yeah.

NF: 1984, 1985, around the time that you came?

SM: So I was requested to as a, since I came here I am a part of that program, 01:03:00of that law, so they ask me to speak, but then I am also some investment in Las Vegas, I don't know. And then the following, that's 4, 5, 6, on the 9th I'll be leaving for the Philippines (laughs).

NF: Oh, that's right.

SM: So I don't know, so.

NF: So you returned to the Philippines, you mentioned at the beginning of the interview that you give necessary goods to the children, especially and, and families there. You mentioned that you have a house full of boxes with.

SM: Oh, yeah.

NF: Can you talk a little bit about that?

SM: You know, almost one every two years, but lately last year, twice we are on a medical mission. I, I, I'm the honorary advisor to the president of the [?] 01:04:00that is a, a organization of a region in the Philippines. They are something that every year, and I was one of the founders too, and I am the advisor to the president. I am always involved, I hope, I have lots of pictures every time, I have those banners, every time I go home I prepare banners, pictures. I show them so we have to in these medical missions, I have to go there. And then aside from that, aside from the medical point, there is a program from, there are so many children in the Philippines who are, I don't know, health wise they are aust, is it autistic, seem to be blind, hearing and so I give them backpacks. If they are still here, pencils, pens, old clothes, some friends they give me old 01:05:00clothes, or new clothes or whatever. I, there is a program where this year, children with deformities -- while people are waiting to be served medically there is a program where these kids in the Philippines, they are around 30 or 50 of them are like semi blind, autistic, so many. So my niece, who is the head, uncle is head, "can you bring us some soccer balls?" - so I, I last time I went there I have, I have some pictures where I give backpacks, pens. I give these kids happy program, they do dancing, singing, guitar so just to give a little help.

So that's what I do, while the medical mission is being performed all around 01:06:00there is a program and then sometimes oh yes its closed, all the old people run for (laughs). It's very interesting and then you give people, they're old, they hug you, you just give them 100 pesos, 100 pesos just to let us, or just 50. You just give them a little bit of money, oh they hug you. And then during the trade mission that's what I did in, in one of the provinces in the Philippines lately, last year. There was a, a group of people from the mountains, in the mountain, it's so difficult to go there so they came down, they had a group singing for us during the mission. So I have lots of dollar bills, well I give it to the 01:07:00overhead, but then they said that he, she will give it to the head of that group. Oh no, I said he will just give them a little cup of coffee, give me back the money. So what I do, I got the money, dollar, dollar and I gave each child, there was 20 of them, each child one dollar each to spend this. I said you, you save this to show that we were here, that you were here singing, that's the significance of this, not to spend this. So this time I'm going to have lots of dollars to give to the children, yes something even more, something to think about. That's what I do, well yeah I gave, oh, I have several boxes there. When I left because what happened, we went to the mountain and to the mountain areas 01:08:00in our place. They invited me, and then I went to see the [?] here. I have a friend there, I bought some, those medical gowns, oh they give me around 50, I might put them because this is good I said because some, some children in the Philippines. It's called gowns or whatever, so they can this gown could be their own blanket.

So I gave these gowns there. I gave, I have a friend who prepares, who makes these rosaries, its Catholic rosary, I give to these people, pens and pencils and then I said oh my barrio - my barrio that's a, barrio in the Philippines is a village - I think they might be angry at me I said, because I am giving things 01:09:00to other people, other barrios, why not my own? So I, I concentrated there in my own, I have, I have some pictures of those. So I give these children and I gave those, you go to Home Depot, you know those flashlights, those big ones, it's just $5, $4.99. I give to the head teacher, I give to the police (laughs). I give for the schools, I have lots of, I brought, I bought another one, that's what I give to people there. All the old people, oh my gosh, oh what's this, oh so many (laughs). All the children, oh they love it, backpack, pens, pencils, 01:10:00notebooks and we give medicine, so, well a little help.

NF: So is there anything about the Asian Family Center that we haven't talked about that you'd like to talk about?

SM: Well I, I think we have done much, although I think lately we haven't had any community activities, sort of a gathering or some celebration just to inform directly or indirectly to the people that we exist. You see it's something, anniversary or Asian Family Center or something to celebrate. And then people all over the communities will be there and then we can give awards like what we 01:11:00did before, but lately we haven't done.

NF: So in the beginning there use to be more celebrations?

SM: Yeah, yeah we had that before. We had that all during our supporters because before we got grants from that shoe manufacturing, that shoe manufacturing, Adidas was it, was it Adidas. It was the shoe manufacturing, yeah in Oregon.

NF: Or Nike?

SM: Nike, yeah. We, we get grants before and then we.

NF: So you, you'd like to.

SM: All of them, just to show our appreciation and that sort of. Lately we haven't had, I think we should have one.

NF: A celebration?

SM: Once a year, the people will know.

NF: So the celebrations that you mentioned you use to have? Were those the Asian Cultural Nights? Were those the ones that you remember?

SM: Yeah, I think we should have one, lately we for the past many years. That 01:12:00was ten years ago (laughs). When we had it in, in the hotel there near the airport, yeah Monarch, no, no, no not Monarch, I think that's what, so the people will go and know that we are still around. Yeah, we have not had any for the past years, especially so with the I don't know I was, I was telling because Lee Po will be going out, I think. Because I know IRCO, I was thinking why don't we give him a go out or a sort of a despedida party and then we can inform well and then I think during that occasion they will know that he is going out and 01:13:00then we have to honor him at the same time the public will know who is taking over, isn't it? The change of management, so people, the public will know. I think that's what we, what we need now is for people knowing that we are still around because lately we don't, I don't know. We haven't had any celebrations or any, any activities, we're in the community dis-involved or no one knows about it. Yeah, yeah that's my only comment I think, but we are doing ok, so.

NF: Anything else that you will like to talk about?

SM: Yeah, it's so nice for me to get involved not only in my community, but with 01:14:00the Asian community.

NF: Yes.

SM: So.

NF: Do you plan to continue to be involved for many more years?

SM: Yeah as long as I am, I am 90 years old and I, I have to spend the best part of it or I am getting old with poor sight, with poor ear hearing (laughs) - everything. So I have to make the best out of what's left in me (laughs). So, I guess so many people in our community, oh my gosh, say who is this and they are still young and I say oh how can you do that, I often say, just imagine the president, president, generals, actors, seventy, sixty, they are dying, why? So 01:15:00it's only in there that knows when (laughs) it's not under our control. If it's your time, it's your time because I say you see young people they are in cane seventy, sixty year old, they are using, so I am lucky somewhat. You just don't know when the time comes, your end, so.

NF: So is there anything else about your personal life that you'd like to share that we haven't talked about?

SM: Well as much as possible whatever I can afford I will do to help people especially so in the Philippines or wherever. So every time I go home, every time I go out I say my house is full of something. Every time I go home I pass 01:16:00by I am, I don't know why. Yesterday I, I went around and then I, I bring really, I think of people in our, in our, in the Philippines. I don't know -- what's it mean?

NF: So you've always wanted to help people?

SM: They say, "why do you have to, why do you buy in the Philippines?" they said. There are things there, but you know the mentality of people there, I say because I give my uncle a shirt arrow, arrow shirt oh he, he came back to me, "Oh Simeon this made in Korea" (laughs). You keep shoes then? If it's the Nike, 01:17:00Adidas, oh they don't like because I told them you know what I am wearing in the, in the America? Only when there is a sale I say (laughs). I don't buy or whatsoever or go to a big store, when there is a sale that's when I buy things. And in here you are also selective, oh my gosh.

NF: So for your legacy, for your life, you'd like people to think of you as someone who, who was of service who helped the community? Is that what you'd like?

SM: Yeah I, I don't know. I wish I could really, one thing more. I think the economy say oh the economy is improving since its good, so you have to help the 01:18:00economy, you have to buy because they say it's an indicator that, economic indicator; oh, the economy is going down, people are not buying. So you have to help the economy, well that's life I guess. I don't know. Well, I wish, I wish I could help the people.

NF: I think you definitely have, your entire life, you've, you've been of service to your community.

SM: I, I wish I, I, I wish I, I win in the sweepstakes so I (laughs).

NF: So you would give all the money to, to help people?

SM: Help more people, I have more money to buy for the people. And you know, every time a cardboard freight there is that sale of the [?], shelter, I bought 01:19:00so many because in, in my place. In the place where I work before it's in the middle of the city and people just fence, cement fence, they are there and they are sleeping on carts and the shelter only is blanket and it rains right outside, typhoon, typhoon, every, every Friday in Manila right now. Every week, typhoon, typhoon, rain, rain, rain and people I don't know so many poor people, oh my gosh. Shelter, food, I don't know I wish and then here comes the flood. 01:20:00People get sick; the children get sick, because of the flood. The water is, so many getting sick, oh my gosh, it is too much pressure on the government to help, yeah. So we have to help people. Well, that's life.

NF: Well that's wonderful that you're a part of so many organizations that help people.

SM: Yeah, I don't know that's. So many organizations and national (laughs).

NF: (Laughs) you just need more time.

SM: (Laughs) Yeah.

NF: (Laughs) Right. Wonderful.

SM: But I'm getting old, its, its. I want to get out (laughs).

NF: Well in closing, do you have any closing thoughts or anything you'd like to share at this time for the end of the interview?

SM: Pardon?

NF: Anything else you'd like to share, before we conclude the interview?

SM: Well I think, we have to get connected, you know, with people. So we know how we stand, if because it's only the way by which we know what's going around. If you seclude yourself, how do you know what's going around? So if you know what's going around, you get involved or not get involved and that's the way, that's the best situation that, that myself, my personal self. There is something here, there is something good, if there's something to be done, that's the only way. Otherwise, you don't know what's happening, isn't? So I have to be 01:22:00involved. In my community they said, "Oh you, you are a member of both organizations?" "Oh yes so I know what's going on in the community." If you are there not getting involved how do you know what's going on isn't?

NF: Right.

SM: So if you [?] if you're not. I, I am always there. Funeral, wedding, birthday, I am always there, so what is there, that's how I spend my time.

NF: Connected to the community.

SM: And early in the morning, I but I am not computer wise. I am good only for email, email I have to know the news; I have to go to Facebook (laughs) - that's 01:23:00how I spend my time. Get around, shopping for things, yeah I have about almost everything, I have since I left January last, what name is that, January I was there in the Philippines. I sent, I have my record, no, I have around 10 boxes set already and you know how much a box cost? $50, $55 dollars and then that's why some people, some people say, "Why, why did you buy that $50 dollar shipping? Why did you buy in the Philippines?" I say, I go I said well I don't know. I am, I am ready for another box (laughs). So yeah, it's so costly, $60 yeah, $60 dollars, $60 dollars yeah a box to send, its 24 by 24, full of 01:24:00clothes, pencils. And I also give, you know in the Philippines also, there are so many - I give those spray guns for the teachers, for my niece, my nephews, I give them that spray gun, you know because [?]. Flashlights, I give small ones, I give to teachers and then the bigger flashlight, the bigger lantern I give to the school principal, to the police in the barrio, the barrio captain because, you know at night, especially so during a storm, you need that, isn't it? 01:25:00Flashlight and then so I give this one dollar, I have to buy another one. That's a small one, small one, flashlight I give to teachers, well, little help (laughs).

NF: Yes, every little bit helps.

SM: Little help, so if I can afford I give it. And I am planning when I go this time, well I have lots of clothes there, because our next trade mission, no, medical mission is in November. I'm going home November 24 because our town fiesta is December 10 and we go to the mountain, the most inaccessible area because they say people there are, they don't have much shelters, so I has those 01:26:00tarps, just to temporary. And then I went to (laughs) I went to [?] village, you know those blankets, big ones, I think this long, $199. Those blankets, I, I think they're selling good as new. Well I think this will serve as a, not only as a, was or was or this can be blanket for children because they are thick isn't it. I bought several; I have around half a dozen already, big blankets, big, big blankets. So it was $299, the others are $199.

NF: Wonderful. Okay well thank you so much for, for taking part in this oral history.

SM: You visit the Philippines, come along with me (laughs).

NF: (Laughs) Sounds beautiful. Alright, thank you.

SM: Thank you for interviewing.