Magdalena Arguelles
Homeland Memories
| Interviewee | Magdaléna Arguelles |
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| Personal Statement / Transcription: | Magdalena Arguelles Personal Statement Arguelles said that she’s been thinking about Filipino immigration for awhile. She saw advertisements for the Common Heritage event and wanted to connect more with the community. Arguelles has seen Almira Gilles (writer and participant in this event) share her work and has gone to to see her talks. Arguelles is also on the Field email list. |
![Photo of Arguelles and family, 1969 - backsideThis is a newer copy (one of many) which Arguelles acquired in 2008 from an aunt. The photo was taken at the Manila airport and Arguelles said it could be a TWA airplane to Canada. Left to right: back of mother (Magdalena- holding Gene [brother] not pictured), Magdalena(self), Lester (brother), Althea (sister), Jose (father). Written on the back is: “MIA June 16, 1969 They go afar off with the faith of Abram but shall come back with the thoughts and feelings of Jacob. -P Molina. He looked back to explain his sad thoughts. “To Morit andToting”Arguelles said the photo was important because it represents a total break from the country she had known until age 6. She said leaving broke her whole idea of the world and that she understood the world was bigger. Arguelles had to be tutored in English and got new clothes.For her parents (dad was 40), Arguelles said there were far better economic opportunities. Both parents had siblings who were nurses in Canada. Arguelles’ parent’s siblings helped them in Canada and it was an exciting time. Arguelles said that excitement wore off,leaving the difficulties and prejudices of a new country.](https://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/1626/272/ArguellesM016PS04back.JPG "Photo of Arguelles and family, 1969 - backsideThis is a newer copy (one of many) which Arguelles acquired in 2008 from an aunt. The photo was taken at the Manila airport and Arguelles said it could be a TWA airplane to Canada. Left to right: back of mother (Magdalena- holding Gene [brother] not pictured), Magdalena(self), Lester (brother), Althea (sister), Jose (father). Written on the back is: “MIA June 16, 1969 They go afar off with the faith of Abram but shall come back with the thoughts and feelings of Jacob. -P Molina. He looked back to explain his sad thoughts. “To Morit andToting”Arguelles said the photo was important because it represents a total break from the country she had known until age 6. She said leaving broke her whole idea of the world and that she understood the world was bigger. Arguelles had to be tutored in English and got new clothes.For her parents (dad was 40), Arguelles said there were far better economic opportunities. Both parents had siblings who were nurses in Canada. Arguelles’ parent’s siblings helped them in Canada and it was an exciting time. Arguelles said that excitement wore off,leaving the difficulties and prejudices of a new country.")
![Photo of Arguelles and family, 1969. This is a newer copy (one of many) which Arguelles acquired in 2008 from an aunt. The photo was taken at the Manila airport and Arguelles said it could be a TWA airplane to Canada. Left to right: back of mother (Magdalena- holding Gene [brother] not pictured), Magdalena(self), Lester (brother), Althea (sister), Jose (father). Written on the back is: “MIA June 16, 1969 They go afar off with the faith of Abram but shall come back with the thoughts and feelings of Jacob. -P Molina. He looked back to explain his sad thoughts. “To Morit andToting”Arguelles said the photo was important because it represents a total break from the country she had known until age 6. She said leaving broke her whole idea of the world and that she understood the world was bigger. Arguelles had to be tutored in English and got new clothes.For her parents (dad was 40), Arguelles said there were far better economic opportunities. Both parents had siblings who were nurses in Canada. Arguelles’ parent’s siblings helped them in Canada and it was an exciting time. Arguelles said that excitement wore off,leaving the difficulties and prejudices of a new country. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this story do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.](https://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/1626/264/ArguellesM016PS04.JPG "Photo of Arguelles and family, 1969. This is a newer copy (one of many) which Arguelles acquired in 2008 from an aunt. The photo was taken at the Manila airport and Arguelles said it could be a TWA airplane to Canada. Left to right: back of mother (Magdalena- holding Gene [brother] not pictured), Magdalena(self), Lester (brother), Althea (sister), Jose (father). Written on the back is: “MIA June 16, 1969 They go afar off with the faith of Abram but shall come back with the thoughts and feelings of Jacob. -P Molina. He looked back to explain his sad thoughts. “To Morit andToting”Arguelles said the photo was important because it represents a total break from the country she had known until age 6. She said leaving broke her whole idea of the world and that she understood the world was bigger. Arguelles had to be tutored in English and got new clothes.For her parents (dad was 40), Arguelles said there were far better economic opportunities. Both parents had siblings who were nurses in Canada. Arguelles’ parent’s siblings helped them in Canada and it was an exciting time. Arguelles said that excitement wore off,leaving the difficulties and prejudices of a new country. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this story do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.")
