Portrait of Clemente Florendo Sr.

This is a studio photograph of a young Clemente Florendo, Sr. that his daughter, Mary Florendo Perry, would carry around as a child. In her oral history interview with Watsonville is in the Heart, she recalls holding the photograph and kissing it, causing its noticeable crease to form. The physical wear on the photograph serves as a heartfelt reminder of the many times Mary found comfort in this photograph when she couldn’t hold her father close. Like Mary, many family members found solace in the objects that reminded them of their loved ones they could not physically be with.

Manongs Posed on Riverside Road

This well worn photograph depicts four manong posing together at the Irao-de los Reyes and Ibao home on Riverside Road in Watsonville. The two men on the right are Serbolo Tulay Ibao (left) and Juan “Johnny” de los Reyes (right). The two men on the left are unidentified. On the backside of this photograph the inscription reads, 

Here we are again so lonely + miss you so much.

According to Johnny’s daughter, Joanne de los Reyes-Hilario, this photograph was sent to her mother, Luisa Irao de los Reyes, who was in the Philippines after her marriage to Johnny while she waited for her immigration status to be approved. This photograph served as a reminder to Luisa of the kin and friends that awaited her in her new chapter of life. Additionally, the wear and aging on the photograph, as well as the fading ink on the photograph’s backside, speak to the many times this object was likely held and cherished.

Lumin Repays in Uniform

This poem and photograph combination was written and sent by Lumin Repays to John Madio Millares. The poem inscribed on the back of the photograph lyrically articulates the longing to remember friendships abroad. The poem reads, 

To John. When the name I write here is dim on the page, 

And this picture gets yellow with age, 

Please think of me kindly and do not forget. 

For wherever I am I'll remember you yet. 

A friend Lumin l. Repays.

This poem played a large role in inspiring me to build my exhibition around feelings of longing and remembrance. These same feelings, you will find, are evoked by the other seven items in this exhibition. To honor Repays, a line from his poem is included in the title of this exhibition.

Letter from Celedonio Florendo to Clemente Florendo Sr., January 1973

Although the envelope is addressed from Celedonio Florendo to his brother Clemente Florendo,  Sr, the content of this letter is actually written from Celedonio Florendo to his sister-in-law, Maria Quintero Florendo. The letter was sent from Celedonio in Barrio Callao, Alicia, Isabela, Philippines to Maria in Watsonville, California. In the letter, Celedonio lists the names and birthdates of family members in the Philippines. This letter helped acquaint the Florendo family with the lives of their family members abroad whom they haven’t met.