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Identifier
EncalladoGrace_2011_CRP
Description
Grace Encallado describes her life growing up as a Filipino American following the crop in the 1940s and 1950s from Fresno and all the way down to Calexico working in the fields alongside her mother, a Mexican American from Texas, and step father, a Filipino American. Mrs. Encallado's real father, from Filipino descent, born in the Philippines, was not in Graces life and served and died in Filipino second regiment in the Army. Mrs.Encallado recalls her experiences staying in labor camps and always feeling like she didn’t have roots. As a young woman, she would experience not knowing if they would have a place to sleep in the next labor camp and having to sometimes sleep in the truck or in tents. Eventually settling in Salinas California with her mom after her mom and step dad separated, Grace recalls beginning to plant her roots. At first feeling like she didn’t belong in the Filipino community, Mrs. Encallado began socializing with many Filipino children her age and becoming more a part of the community. Mrs. Encallado would frequent down town China Town often and eat at such places as the Republic Cafe of Loretta’s Cafe. Mrs. Encallado recalls what it was like growing up going to China Town and how everyone knew everyone especially if you were Filipino, you knew every other Filipino. Mrs.Encallado also remembered many of the Filipino organizations that were around and the events they would throw such as the Social Box. Mrs. Encallado remembers vividly Social Boxes and even running for the Social Box queen. Mrs. Encallado discusses in great detail what the Social Box was about and what people would wear to such an event. Although Grace spent most of her early life pulling up roots following the crop, she spent most of her adult life planting her roots in Salinas.
Interview Date
10-8-2011
Interviewer
Marissa Contreras
Geographic Coverage
Salinas (Calif.)
Subjects
Chinatown (Salinas, Calif.); Filipino American families; Migrant agricultural laborers; Labor camps; Cooking, Philippine; Community development, Urban
Type
Moving Image
Genre
Oral histories
Digital Format
video/mp4
Language
eng
Digital Collection
Chinatown Renewal Project
Repository
Archives & Special Collections of California State University, Monterey Bay
Disclaimer
These oral histories express the personal views, memories, and opinions of the interviewee. They do not represent the policy or views of California State University, Monterey Bay.
Recommended Citation
Encallado, Grace and California State University, Monterey Bay, "Interview with Grace Encallado" (2011). Chinatown Renewal Project. 33.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/ohcma_chinatown/33
Rights Statement
