Madalora Family Collection
Dublin Core
Title
Madalora Family Collection
Description
Santiago Madalora was born in the municipality of Bacarra, in the province of Ilocos Norte, in the Philippines on July 10, 1910. Santiago immigrated to the United States in 1926. First, he traveled to Hawai'i where he worked in the sugarcane fields. A few years later, Santiago migrated from Hawai'i to California where he continued working as a migrant agricultural laborer. Santiago eventually settled in Watsonville, California. The exact dates that he migrated to the mainland and settled in Watsonville are unknown. During the 1940s, Santiago enlisted in the US Army and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Due to his service, Santiago was awarded a Bronze Star and was able to apply for US citizenship.
While on leave in the Philippines, Santiago met and married Apolonia Sagaysay. Apolonia was born in 1925 (exact date unknown) in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Apolonia’s and Santiago’s marriage was arranged by their parents. After their wedding, Santiago returned to the US, but Apolonia remained in the Philippines. Their first son, Francisco “Frank” Louis Madalora, was born in Bacarra in 1952. Apolonia and Frank remained in Bacarra and lived with Apolonia’s parents, Doroteo Sagaysay and Leona Sagisi, until immigrating to the US in 1957.
Apolonia and Frank joined Santiago and settled in Pajaro, California. Apolonia and Frank had a daughter, Veronica Madalora (b. 1958). Santiago continued to work in agricultural fields throughout his life. He also worked as a dishwasher in local restaurants during the winter seasons. Apolonia also worked in the fields as well as in canneries located in Watsonville. She eventually transitioned to a career as an in-home caregiver until her retirement in 2010.
For their entire lives, Santiago and Apolonia continued to live and work in the Watsonville area. Santiago passed away in 1976 and Apolonia passed away in 2017.
The Madalora Family Collection was contributed to Watsonville is in the Heart by Apolina and Santiago Madalora's son, Frank Madalora in 2021. It includes 1 item. an oral history interview with Frank. In the interview, Frank discusses his experience migrating to the United States as a child and reflects on the racial and class dynamics in Watsonville.
While on leave in the Philippines, Santiago met and married Apolonia Sagaysay. Apolonia was born in 1925 (exact date unknown) in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Apolonia’s and Santiago’s marriage was arranged by their parents. After their wedding, Santiago returned to the US, but Apolonia remained in the Philippines. Their first son, Francisco “Frank” Louis Madalora, was born in Bacarra in 1952. Apolonia and Frank remained in Bacarra and lived with Apolonia’s parents, Doroteo Sagaysay and Leona Sagisi, until immigrating to the US in 1957.
Apolonia and Frank joined Santiago and settled in Pajaro, California. Apolonia and Frank had a daughter, Veronica Madalora (b. 1958). Santiago continued to work in agricultural fields throughout his life. He also worked as a dishwasher in local restaurants during the winter seasons. Apolonia also worked in the fields as well as in canneries located in Watsonville. She eventually transitioned to a career as an in-home caregiver until her retirement in 2010.
For their entire lives, Santiago and Apolonia continued to live and work in the Watsonville area. Santiago passed away in 1976 and Apolonia passed away in 2017.
The Madalora Family Collection was contributed to Watsonville is in the Heart by Apolina and Santiago Madalora's son, Frank Madalora in 2021. It includes 1 item. an oral history interview with Frank. In the interview, Frank discusses his experience migrating to the United States as a child and reflects on the racial and class dynamics in Watsonville.
Contributor
Frank Madalora
Collection Items
There are currently no items within this collection.
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