"America Is My Home": Guillerma Raymundo Calma, interviewed by Fatima Eusebio

"America Is My Home"

Guillerma Raymundo Calma

Left:This is a picture of Calma in 2008 during one of her granddaughter's debut.
Right: This picture was taken this year on Calma's 88th birthday.

Guillerma Raymundo Calma came to the United States to have a better life for her and her family. She grew up poor in the Philippines and ended up leaving school at a young age to help make money for her family. One way that she made money in the Philippines was cooking and even now she is famous among our family and friends for her amazing food. She worked hard and struggled in the Philippines for many years and when she was finally petitioned by her father to come to America in her 50s, she worked even harder to set up a good life for her children.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Growing Up In The Philippines

3. First Thoughts of Going to America & Being a Filipino in the U.S.

4. Homesickness & Maintaining Culture

1. Introduction

2. Growing Up In The Philippines
There were times where it was difficult for Calma to articulate her memories and feelings of her times in the Philippines.

This picture was taken when Calma still lived in the Philippines. I'm not sure what year it was taken,

but Calma is indicated with the person with the "X" on her chest.

3. First Thoughts of Going to America
& Being a Filipino in the U.S.
She had a hard time understanding some of my questions but in the beginning, it was evident that she was reluctant to speak in Tagalog. She eventually felt comfortable speaking in her native tongue, but even then, she persisted to speak English for most of the interview.