Daniel “Dan” Kerubin Fallorina interviewed by Meleia Simon-Reynolds

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Daniel “Dan” Kerubin Fallorina and his wife Anna Kammer Fallorina speak with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Meleia Simon-Reynolds. Dan discusses his father, Mariano Doctor Fallorina Sr.’s early experiences in the Philippines, his migration to the United States in 1927, and his early farm work in Gonzales, Soledad, and other areas in California. He also details Mariano Sr.’s military service in the First Filipino Regiment as well as his mother, Angelina Nicolas Fallorina’s experiences of World War II as a teenager in the Philippines. Dan tells the story of how his parents met while Mariano was on leave during the war and how they both migrated back to the US in 1952. Dan also provides vivid memories of his family’s life, labor, and leisure while sharecropping for Reiter Berries and living in labor camps off San Andreas Road in Watsonville. He also discusses moving into town, and his parents’ jobs—Mariano’s continued work for local agricultural companies including Jensen Apples and C&V Farms, and Angelina’s night shifts at United Foods and Watsonville Canning. Dan shares memories of fun with friends while growing up in Watsonville and the many jobs he had as a teen, including working in strawberry fields. Finally, Dan discusses his career in the tech industry, how he met Anna, and how he learned about the Watsonville race riots late in life.

Daniel “Dan” Kerubin Fallorina, Anna Kammer Fallorina, Meleia Simon-Reynolds

February 8, 2022

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Oral History

FAL.2021.62

Meleia Simon-Reynolds

Daniel “Dan” Kerubin Fallorina and Anna Kammer Fallorina

Watsonville, CA

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1:58:07

[0:00] Biographical information
[3:09] Mariano Fallorina Sr.’s background in the Philippines
[5:02] Mariano Sr.’s migration history in 1927
[6:23] Mariano Sr.’s work in Gonzalez and Soledad
[14:24] Mariano Sr. met Angelina Nicolas in the Philippines while on leave
[15:57] Mariano Sr. enlistment and service in the First Filipino Infantry
[18:17] Angelina’s experience in the Philippines during World War II
[21:04] Mariano Sr. and Angelina’s migration to Watsonville to work as sharecroppers
[22:48] Description of Reiter Berries strawberry fields and the labor camps off San Andreas Road
[25:57] Families who lived in Reiter Berries labor camps
[27:02] Memories of playing around the camps and fields as a young child
[34:30] Typical day for the Fallorina family when they worked in the strawberry fields
[39:50] Mariano Sr. and Angelina’s leisure activities
[45:13] Family involvement in the First United Methodist Church in Watsonville
[49:40] Uncles, manong, and extended friends and family gatherings
[52:42] Moving to town from the labor camps in 1962
[54:42] Mariano Sr.’s continued field work at Jensen Apples and C&V Farms; Angelina’s work in the canneries—United Foods and Watsonville Canning
[1:02:04] Parents’ hard work to support their family in Watsonville and in the Philippines; how Dan and his siblings struggled to understand when they were young; and the values of hard work and that they instilled in their children
[1:10:02] Growing up in Watsonville
[1:15:12] Drag racing down Green Valley Road
[1:18:48] Fourth of July parades and the Watsonville Fly-in
[1:24:24] Dan’s experiences picking strawberries as a young teenager
[1:29:24] Other jobs Dan had in Watsonville as a teen
[1:32:14] Dan’s career in the burgeoning tech industry
[1:47:31] Dan and his wife, Anna’s love story
[1:53:12] Learning about the Watsonville race riots