Home is Where the Heart Is, Melani Terfia interviewed by Laurice Lee

Melani Tarifa, Filipino American

I interviewed Melani Tarifa, a Filipino American residing in Daly City, CA.  Melani travels back in time to tell me her
stories of how life in the Philippines was when she was a youngling, to her journey to America.  The hardships that she
faced when she starting living in San Francisco and looking back at what would've happened if she never immigrated to the United States.

Table of Contents

 1. Family Background
2. Leaving the Philippines
3. Settling in the U.S.
4. Life in the U.S.
5. Being Filipino in the U.S.
6. Reflections

Melani talks about her family background and what it was like growing up in Manila.

Family Background

 

 

Coming to America, leaving behind her home, the Philippines because her mom petitioned for her when she was 18.

 

Leaving the Philippines

 

 

 

A cold room, social gatherings and living with her mom's friend.

 

Settling in the U.S.

 

 

Life in the U.S.

 

 

Being Filipino in the U.S.

 

 



Education is what Melani wish she had continued to have a better financial life, like retirement.

 

Reflections

 

 

Melani has a strong point of view that she will never return back to the Philippines, she has come to accept the United States as her home.  Until things start to change back in Manila or the Philippines she might consider going back but for now she's where her heart considers home.