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Early days

Grew up in a small town of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. My parents grew tobacco and garlic.  Ironically, my father and I do not smoke. That's a relief!

Sinait is the northernmost town of Ilocos Sur. The whole Ilocos region thrives on tobacco farming. Most of the garlic are grown in Sinait.

Tobacco farming is a grueling activity, in contrast to what advertisers promote tobacco for relaxation. This link is in North Carolina, but imagine the process without machineries. It was thought that my father introduced Clinton gasoline powered water pumps in the early 60s'.

Garlic is the antithesis of tobacco. It brings good health, as many people claim.

The hard life in the 1950's made migrants of many Ilocano families. Many of hardworking families immigrated to the US, particularly in Hawaii and California, to work in farms. It is very rare for any Ilocano family without any relatives in Hawaii or California. These migrants now are very successful in their areas.

Childhood

Here's a black and white picture when I was small (1966?) - my sister Ida is the one marked x. Behind us is a chicken coop. Our uncle from Hawaii (with the soup bowl) is visiting, that's why we were dressed up, except me (front row, first on right)