4/18 Betrayal, Class Fantasies and the Filipino Nation in Daly City

Vergara mentions the difference between Filipinos staying back in their homeland and those leaving to America. One quote that stood out to me," Departure is a betrayal of the nation to pursue what are seen as purely personal interests." This mainly applied to those living the Philipines who may work as for the upper-class as maids or laborers. Those people knew that they needed to move to America, even though working in America may not be sufficient. All of those who immigrated to America wanted a better life for their children and the next generation forth. They did not come for the money. All immigrants have the same mindset coming to America. My parents are the same too. They came after the Vietnam War and all they wanted was a new place to start fresh and live a happier life. Money, at that time, was the least of their worries.

As a resident of Daly City for about 3 years, I can say that there is a large community of Filipinos in Daly City. The high school that I live next to is about 70% Filipinos. Daly City is known as the second home to Filipinos, but it is also seen as a city that does not give Filipinos the embracement of their homeland, but as a replacement of an altered culture. At home, I embrace my Chinese-Vietnamese culture, but once I'm outside my house I am open to more American culture. Even though both cultures clash at times, I choose to embrace them together because that's who I am. Vergara made me thought of San Francisco, where I was born and raised. San Francisco is such a diverse city, that I never lose touch with my roots.

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