Filipino-Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area

http://theguardsman.com/7_culture_soma-pilipinas_ticsay/

Last January when Dinah and I visited my grand daughter, Alix, in San Francisco she treated us to Dim Sum at HK Lounge Bistro located at Fremont and Eight Streets. On our way to the restaurant she mentioned that a few blocks from the restaurant had been designated as SoMa Filipinas in honor of Filipino-Americans in San Francisco. I was not really inform on this so I did some search and I am happy to post it for your information on the  history of Filipino- Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area( Wikipedia).   

Elderly tenants who were evicted from the International Hotel in San Francisco during the dawn hours of 4 August 1977

"One of the earliest records of a Filipino settling in the San Francisco Bay Area occurred in the mid-19th century, when a Filipino immigrant and his Miwok wife settled in Lairds Landing on the Marin County coast; many Coast Miwok trace their lineage to this couple. Significant migration began in the early 20th century, including upper-class mestizo businessmen, mariners, and students (known as pensionados). Another group of Filipinos who immigrated to the Bay Area was war brides, many of whom married African-American "buffalo soldiers".  Additionally, other immigrants came through the U.S. Military, some through the Presidio of San Francisco, and others as migrant workers on their way to points inland; many of these Filipinos would settle down permanently in the Bay Area, establishing "Manilatown" on Kearny Street (next to Chinatown). At its largest size, "Manilatown" was home to at least 10,000,^]the last of whom were evicted in August 1977 from the International Hotel. After 1965, Filipinos from the Philippines began immigrating to San Francisco, concentrating in the South of Marketneighbourhood.

 In 1970, the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area had the largest population of Filipinos of any metropolitan area in the continental United States—44,326. Two other nearby metropolitan areas also had a population of Filipinos greater than 5,000 in 1970, San Jose , and Salinas-Monterey (6,147).

Due to a change in the ethnic make up of the Yerba Buena neighborhood, and with the construction of the Dimasalang House in 1979, four street names were changed to honor notable Filipinos. By 1990, 30% of the population in South of Market was Filipino American.

The 2000 Census showed that the greater San Francisco Bay Area was home to approximately 320,000 residents of Filipino descent, with the largest concentration living in Santa Clara County. In the mid-2000s Filipino Americans were between one fifth and one fourth of the total population of Vallejo, having been drawn there by agriculture and Mare Island Naval Shipyard. In 2007, there were about a hundred thousand Filipino Americans living in the East Bay alone. 

By the time of the 2010 Census the greater San Francisco Bay Area was home to 463,458 Filipino Americans and multiracial Filipino Americans; Santa Clara county continued to have the largest concentration in the area. In 2011, 9% of all Filipino immigrants to the United States reside in the San Francisco metropolitan area, and an additional 3% resided in the San Jose metropolitan area. Daly City, in the San Francisco Bay Area, has the highest concentration of Filipino Americans of any municipality in the U.S.; Filipino Americans comprise 35% of the city's population.

 In 2016, although the number of Filipinos living within the City of San Francisco has been reduced, a heritage district was designated "SoMa Pilipinas". For details on SOMA PILIPINAS visit:

https://www.somapilipinas.org/

For some of SoMA activities visit: 

https://www.parollanternfestival.com/

Again, may I emphasize that I am indeed very proud of my Filipino ancestry. I immigrated to US in 1960 and became a US citizen in 1972. For some details of my autobiography please visit:  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/08/excerpts-from-my-autobiography-updated.html

    Lastly, enjoy this photo from Pacita Abad Art Exhibit at the SFO Museum of Modern Art.

Happy St Tib's Day/Leap Day to All 

Why is leap day every four years?

The reason there are leap days, and years, is because of the Earth's orbit.

The amount of days it takes for the Earth to complete a full revolution around the Sun is not a whole number. The 365 days we experience is actually 365.242190 days, according to the National Air and Space Museum.

A Hectic But Relaxing Day Here at THD Yesterday

Yesterday, was a very hectic day for me here at THD ( My Gilded Cage).💥 However, it was also a very relaxing day. My massage therapist e-mailed me the night before if he could come Tuesday instead of Thursday this week. I have no choice because I do not want to miss my weekly massage. What could be more relaxing than a whole hour body massage with the Song from the Secret Garden Music in the background?

http://vevo.ly/Oed6EI

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2013/07/time-for-some-music-for-relaxation.html

My day started with a hot shower at 7AM after Batman & Robin woke me up for their breakfast. A hearty breakfast of my own with Belgian Waffle and 2 eggs with coffee and fresh oranges ended at 9:30AM.  My massage started promptly at 10 and ended at 11 AM, followed by Corn Hole at the Yoga Room.  My 30-minute lunch was just soup and chips and watermelon and regular coke.  At 12:30 PM I have bridge for 2 hours. Then  at 3PM I have a haircut followed by a nap. 

Dinner was at 5PM and I have a choice of several Entrees/Salad/Desserts from the Menu( see photo above):    

My Baby Back Ribs Dinner after one bite last Night-Yummy!!!!

Last Monday I had shrimp scampi. I had on the Back ribs yesterday ( see photo above). For dessert I had German Chocolate Cake last night and Key Lime Pie on Monday.  

The photo above  are the Events Highlights for our February 26 to March 3 Schedule of Events. Looking forward to the Taste Of Italy Special Dinner tomorrow. 

Let me close this posting, that my regular days are not as hectic as yesterday. Normally, my mornings are free except on Tuesday when I play either corn hole, ladder ball or chair volleyball.  However my afternoons are busy with either bridge or mahjong for 2.5 to 3.0 hours on Monday to Friday. My Weekends Days are FREE except for Zumba on Saturday at 1PM. 

Finally here's my quote for today: We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.  Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894, Scottish Writer and Poet.    

💥A place where someone appears to live in luxury but where he or she has very little freedom. I lost my freedom when I stopped driving a couple of years ago and when I could barely walked a few blocks without getting tired.

Some of My Coin Collections

I started collecting coins about 30 years ago. I was not serious about it. However, I was able to purchase the following coin sets.  I found these coin sets while looking for other items I have missed that are still in my unopened boxes. I have no idea of the value of these coins, but if you are knowledgeable about the value of old coins, I will appreciate your input.  Here are the photos of each set both in front and back.

  

Two of the Most Expensive Coins Listed for Sale on E-Bay -Teddy Roosevelt Panama Penny, 1920 listed for 990,000.00

and The Double Lincoln Penny 1999 -Listed on E-Bay for $555, 555.00 

And here is my miscellaneous collection of coins from US, the Philippines and other countries

The oldest are 1967 Kennedy Quarter,1971 Eisenhower Dollar, and the 1976 Jose Rizal Philippine Peso
  

For values and prices of US coins visit:

https://www.pcgs.com/prices/us

Lastly, 

Question of the Day: How do numismatists differ from coin collectors?

Numismatists study the physical attributes of the payment media rather than the use and function in an economy. The term numismatics is often used interchangeably with the coin collection, though it connotes more intensive study than just simply collecting coins.

Once Again, I Have Cravings For Filipino Food

The food here at the Newton's Restaurant,THD is delicious and rated 5 Star. But eating the same dishes week after week becomes very boring sometimes.  I have resided here in the US since 1960 but with my Filipino ancestry and taste buds, my cravings for filipino dishes once in a while, I will consider a normal behavior.   

Thus after I moved here at THD, I did some Google search on the Filipino Food near me ( see reference below).

I found Imas Restaurant located in the Seafood City Compound in Concord to have the best-tasting Filipino Dishes. You can order it and have it delivered here at THD or you could drive to Imas (only 4.2 miles) in Concord. You can even order ahead for lechon if you are planning a Filipino Feast.

Alix and I admiring the Lechon ( roasted Pig Suckling) during Her Wedding Reception last September

Here's a list of Filipino Restaurant Near THD, Walnut Creek, Ca.  Bon Apetit!

filipino food near me

Filipino cuisine has developed from the different cultures that shaped its history; it is like other Southeast Asian cuisines but with heavy Spanish influence. Some ingredients of the Mexican cuisine, such as corn, tomato and chili, have also found their way to the Philippines.

Though its cuisine is not as renowned as many of its neighbours, such as that of Thailand and Vietnam, Filipino cooking is nonetheless distinct in that it is possibly the least spicy of all South East Asian cuisines.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that Filipino food is bland, though. It is just that instead of spices, Filipino food depends more on garlic, onions and ginger to add flavor to the dishes. Painstaking preparation and prolonged cooking time is also a characteristic of most Filipino dishes, and when done properly is often what brings out the flavor of the food, as opposed to a healthy dose of spices.

With over 7,500 islands, the cuisine of the Philippines is rather a mish-mash of hundreds of local, regional, and ethnic cuisines, and without any qualifiers, you would often think of ubiquitous dishes such as adobo, sinigang, lechon,and Filipino-Chinese dishes.

Thus, Filipino cuisine is a mesh between Chinese, Mexican, Malay, Spanish, Indian, and American cooking.

Another non-Filipino dish I missed is the Mexican Chili Rellenos. 

Chile rellenos (or ‘stuffed peppers‘ in English) are a traditional Mexican dish made from roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, then coated in a fluffy egg batter and fried until golden brown.

They’re sometimes served with a simple red or green salsa, or even wrapped in a tortilla with refried beans to make chile relleno burritos.

Photo Credit: FoodFanatic.com

Good News: I talked to Agustin, our Chef the other day. He informed me he has not forgotten my request for him to cook Chili Relleno Casserole in the future. He assured me we will have Chili Relleno Casserole in the near future.   

Newton's did have Chili Relleno Casserole in our Dinner Menu under the Vegetarian Section for the whole last week of January. Thanks, again Agustin for the delicious Chili Relleno Casserole.   

Cravings For Pigs Feet/Hocks Adobo or Humba!

Thinking of Spring- Today and Yesterday

Yesterday, Dinah visited me. She convinced me to walk with her in downtown Locust Street- Walnut Creek Restaurant Row to have Dim Sum at the Grand Opening of the newly opened franchised Dim Sum restaurant Dough Zone. It was only a few blocks from THD at the corner of Locust Street and Mt Diablo Blvd. Since it was a beautiful spring-like afternoon,  I reluctantly agree. With my cane I slowly walked the few blocks and I enjoyed the adventure very much. This was my first outing walking out from the front Gate of THD since I moved here about 8 months ago. I felt like a bird that flew out of its gilded cage. Speaking of Dough zone, I am not impressed. It has limited offerings and it did not taste as good as the Dim Sum in CreekHouse in Parkside. Here's the website of Dough Zone on Locust Street. 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/dough-zone-walnut-creek-walnut-creek-3

   

Meanwhile, while reading my Facebook page today, I see this photo of the Butchart Garden, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (above). It reminded me of my previous posting about the three most beautiful gardens that Macrine (RIP) and I had visited.   

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-three-most-beautiful-gardens-that.html

Macrine (RIP) and I loved Gardens. We spent a lot of time, money and energy in our younger years to make Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, a Garden Paradise.  Here's a repost of my article on the subject.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasant-memories-of-my-gardens-at_14.html

Here are two old photos of our visit to Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C. Canada in 2005.

 

Meanwhile Here's a photo of the Daffodils in our THD Garden Court Yard

 Here are two of my favorite spring quotes:

• "The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing." — ... 
• 
  
• "Blossom by blossom the spring begins." — ...

Lastly, this is part of my orchids collection along the Driveway of Chateau Du Mer (CDM)( our second home),Boac, Marinduque,  Philippines, 2015 

Chateau Du Mer -Top Five Places to Stay in Marinduque in 2018.

Orchids in the Driveway Of Chateau Du Mer (CDM) 2018

I was surprise to learn today that my Bed and Breakfast Chateau Du Mer resort was listed by Ikot.ph.com as one of the top  5 best places to stay in Marinduque in 2018. Here's the posting from the Ikot.ph website.

"Known as one of the smallest Southern Tagalog provinces, Marinduque is located between the Bondoc Peninsula of Luzon and Mindoro Island.

Most famous for the Moriones Festival, the province of Marinduque is one of the top tourist destinations during Holy Week. This festival is a celebration that involves the re-enactment of the passion and the death of Jesus Christ with the use of colorful Roman costumes, painted masks, and helmets. The term Moriones was derived from the type of open helmet used during the 16th up until the early 17th centuries called “Morion”.

Aside from the festivities, though, Marinduque has a lot to offer for tourists willing to explore the place. The place is teeming with hidden gems like unexplored caves, undulating hills, scenic valleys, seaside cliffs, and other awe-inspiring sceneries waiting to be discovered.

Are you ready to explore the province of Marinduque? What are you still waiting for? Go ahead, and visit the province of Marinduque! Having trouble looking for a place to stay? Check out our list of the 5 best places to stay when in Marinduque:

 Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort

A simple yet stunning beach resort owned by Filipino-American retirees, Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort is a lovely resort that encapsulates the charm of its surroundings. The sound of the calm waves of the emerald sea and the lush greenery surrounding the resort combine to make up the naturally romantic charm that the whole place has. If you’re planning a peaceful romantic getaway with your partner, try booking your stay in Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort.

The 4 other Places Listed are: Katala Beach Resort, Cagpo Beach Resort, Zenturia Hotel and Bellarocca Resort.  Today, Bellarroca and Chateau Du Mer are no longer in operation. 

For Details visit:

https://www.ikot.ph/top-5-best-places-stay-marinduque/

For Current Places to Stay in Marinduque:

https://www.trip.com/hot/marinduque-resorts/

Chinese Mahjong- Scoring Tables By Special Hand Types

My almost Full Flush Pure Hand that did not win- If the south wind tile is another character tile then it would have been Full Flush Pure hand- All tiles are the same suit.

I have been playing mahjong ( Philippine style) since I was 5 years old. Here at THD I organized a foursome playing Hongkong style last July.  Recently Dodie, my oldest son informed me that his friends and neighbors in Benicia have started playing Chinese Mahjong. Chinese Style is slightly different than the Hongkong or Philippine style. The major difference of the chinese style is the Points System and Scoring depending on your Hand Type.

Attached are two table showing PUNG and respective points depending on the difficulty of the hand. The other table is CHOW and Special Hands Type and other points added to the winning hand. 

The highest point hand one can have( 64 or 88 points) is called the 13 Orphans. In the Philippines, sometimes it called the Devils Hands. Its occurrence is so rare that I have not have the 13 orphans Hands after Playing for several decades in my life time. The 13 orphans contain one of each honor tiles ( winds and dragons) and 1 and 9 of each suit and pair of any of the 13 tiles. The hand must be concealed and the winning tile can be a discard ( see photo below).  I would be in high heaven if I get this type of hand!

Thirteen Orphans - 64 points or 88 points depending on agreed Chips win

Table 1: Pung ( Three of a Kind) Hands and their Points 

Table 2 - Chow Hands, Special Hands and Miscellaneous Points added to the Winning Hand  

Susie Bramson contemplating and admiring her winning hand- 2 pung winds 

My favorite special hands is the 7 pairs which is worth 24 points if the pairs are mixed. It is worth 88 points if the the pairs are in the same suit or all the tiles are green. I have attained the mixed 7 pair hands numerous times in my playing experience with Philippine style mahjong. 

Philippine Style Mahjong ( 16 tiles) -7 pairs with a meld ( either a pong or Chow) and no joker-

The other favorite hand type that I have attained are the Full Flush Pure ( all tiles are the same suit) worth 24 points or half Flush semi-pure, Same suit but with honors ( winds and dragons lungs). This is worth only 6 points.    

MY ALL GREEN SAME SUIT-FULL FLUSH PURE WINNING HAND JUST RECENTLY
   

In addition to the scoring system above, there are also the following special hands which are difficult to compose but rewards the player with maximum payout!

1. Seven Pairs - 16 points + components  Hand containing any seven pairs.  2. Hidden Treasure - 64 points  Four Pungs, any pair, all concealed, and win by Self-Drawn.  3. Three Great Scholars - 64 points  Pung or Kong with all three dragons, any chow, pung or Kong, and any pair. May all be melded.  4. Little Four Winds - 64 points  Pung or Kong of three Winds, a pair of fourth wind, any other set completing the hand. May be all melded.  5. Big Four Winds - 64 points  Pung or Kong of each Wind, and any pair. May all be melded.  6. All Honors - 64 points  Four Pungs or Kongs and a pair of Dragons and Winds. May all be melded.  7. All Terminals - 64 points  Four Pungs or Kongs and a pair of 1's or 9's. May all be melded.  8. Nine Gates - 64 points  Three 1's, a sequence of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and three 9's, all of the same suit, and any other tile of the same suit completing the hand. The hand must be concealed (the winning tile can be a discard). No Kongs are allowed. The Philippine style we called it the Escalera ( stair case). The pairs could be of other suits.  9. Thirteen Orphans - 64 points  One of each Dragon and Wind, 1 and 9 of each suite and 14th tile forming a pair with any of these. The hand must be concealed (the winning tile can be a discard). The Philippines style we called it Devil's hand.  Note: Hisako and Maureen- I have hard copies of tables 1 and 2 of pung and chow hands if you want it.   Additional Information: There are three Games Using Mahjong Tiles 1. A rummy-like game that has players drawing one tile each turn and discarding one tile each turn, attempting to form the entire hand of tiles into four sets of three plus one pair. Sets can be three identical tiles (pung) or three tiles in sequence in one suit (chow). (There are also special hands that can be formed as alternatives, and special ways to play four of a kind or kong). (Asian styles using 13 or 16 tiles with or without Jokers) 2. A game of drawing, discarding, and going out similar to the above, but where a much larger list of special hands is frequently modified by a governing body and only special hands on the list permit going out. (American Style) 3. A puzzle game, popular on computers and gaming devices, where the tiles are stacked up face up in some sort of multi-level pattern and the player removes pairs of matching tiles from the top level to open access to hidden or partly-covered tiles beneath. Pairs are removed from the layout until all tiles are removed or the layout becomes blocked with no more plays available. This has almost no relationship to the historic games, but a lot of people know this game and only this game as mahjong. ( Popular in Computer Games) In Chinese, mah jong literally translates to “sparrows.” Sparrows are depicted on traditional sets of mah jong tiles, and there are several theories as to why the game is named after the birds—such as that the clattering of moving mah jong tiles resembles the chattering of sparrows or that the name is a reference to ...

Is Avocado A Fruit or Vegetable?

Some of My Avocado Harvests from My Fruit Orchard Chateau Du Mer, Philippines 

When I was growing up in the Philippines my favorite ice cream is Avocado Ice cream.  I also enjoyed smashed avocado in condensed milk. So in the Philippines it is considered a Fruit.

However, when I moved to the US in 1960, I have Avocado in My Fish Taco and my Green Salad, so it is a Vegetable here in the US.     

So the Answer the Question is Avocado a Fruit or Vegetable, Read the following.

https://www.rd.com/article/is-avocado-a-fruit-or-vegetable/

You may be surprise of the answer. It is Both! 

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of avocados and other popular Fruits in the Philippines. 

 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/11/some-of-most-popular-fruits-of.html

I have also an avocado plant in a pot now inside my apartment here at THD, but it will moved outside to my patio next Spring.

Here are other photos of avocados in my photo collection

Sprouting Avocado from Commercial Seed- Indoor in Fair Oaks, in my Kitchen Window

 

My Potted Avocado Plant in my bedroom here at THD

My Potted Avocado Plant In My Patio Here at THD 

Meanwhile enjoy Chinese New Year Here at THD

The Chinese Lunar Year Parade in SFO China Town will be tomorrow. Have you personally attended  an event similar to this Celebration?    

Final Note: A Resident told me "I like Avocado and I really don't care whether it is a fruit or vegetable". Can you write on a more serious subjects similar to your previous blogs about THD( suggestions for improvement) or is Biden too old to be President or Skin Hunger and other senior citizens issues.  I do enjoy reading your blogs, though and I am a loyal reader." 

My Response: I write on any subject that comes to my mind except on sex and religion and rarely on politics. 

Another Resident Reader: I do not like Avocado, It has no taste. 

I responded, Have you tasted Avocado ice cream or milk shake?   

U.S. annual avocado consumption 1985-2022That number has increased six-fold to over 2.7 billion pounds of the berry being consumed by Americans in 2022. Per capita consumption has increased from 2 pounds in 2001 to over 9 pounds in 2022.

Lastly, Here's my Quote of the Day: "The mind is its own place, and in itself.  Can make a heaven of hell,  and a hell of heaven"- John Milton, 1606-1674,  English Poet