Skyline College/North San Mateo County Oral History Archives, Skyline College Library
Student project for LSCI 110 – Digital Oral Research Project, Skyline College

Happiness is Everything: Eleanor Serrano

Click here to read to read the research essay, “Happiness is Everything”, by Jourdan Serrano

Click on the links below to hear audio segments from an April 2005 interview by Jourdan Serrano with Eleanor Serrano,
who came to America for a better opportunity for herself and her daughter.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction to Eleanor Serrano’s Childhood in the Philippines
2. College in the Philippines

3. Martial Law and Riots

4. The Big Move to America

5. Coming to America, but with whom?

6. Adjusting to America’s Culture and Society

7. Financial Problems Living in America

8. Living with the In-Laws

9. Hardships Still Equals Happiness

Introduction to Eleanor Serrano’s Childhood in the Philippines - (1 min.:25 sec. mp3 file)

Eleanor speaks about how her and her family’s living situations were like in the Philippines. As she was growing up, she enjoyed her childhood years.

Field day in the Philippines was a culture event. Eleanor when she was 9 years old.

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College in the Philippines - (43 sec. mp3 file)

College was not all fun and studying for Eleanor. The government took over the Philippines at this time and life was not the same.

Eleanor is on the far left taking a picture with one of her instructors and her classmates.

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Martial Law and Riots - (1 min.:03 sec. mp3 file)

Eleanor explains what martial law is and what she witnessed and experienced at that time.

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Graduation Day!

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The Big Move to America - (33 sec. mp3 file)

Eleanor explains why she moved to America and how it was possible.

On the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Coming to America, but with whom? - (18 sec. mp3 file)

It was easy for Eleanor to come to America because she was petitioned by her husband, Roberto Serrano. She came to America with her husband and daughter.

Roberto Serrano and Jourdan Serrano.

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Adjusting to America’s Culture and Society - (2 min.:23 sec. mp3 file)

Eleanor experienced prejudice and racism mainly at work. Even by other co-workers who were Filipino as well.

At work in San Francisco.

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Financial Problems Living in America - (51 sec. mp3 file)

Even if Eleanor had the opportunity to move to America for a better life, she still faces hardships financially from providing for her family in America and in the Philippines.

Eleanor with her brothers, sisters and cousin.

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Living with the In-Laws – (29 sec. mp3 file)

Eleanor and Roberto did not have their own house right away, so they were living with Roberto’s mother and father and brothers and sisters.

Eleanor’s father in-law with her daughter at the house her and her family were living in when first coming to America.

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Hardships Still Equals Happiness - (2 min.:55 sec mp3 file)

Even if Eleanor still has hardships today trying to provide for her and her family, she is still happy that she came to America and that she is still here today.

Roberto and Eleanor Serrano

Back to Table of Contents

*These audio files may be played with Windows Media Player or Real Player.
To download a free copy of Windows Media Player, click here.
To download a free copy of Real Player, click here.

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last revised: 12-20-05
by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
These materials may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: North San Mateo County Oral History Archives, Skyline College Library. All commercial rights are reserved. To contact the coordinator, or send comments or suggestions, email: Eric Brenner at brenner@smccd.net