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Combining cultures
Topics: Mas Magazine, bakotopia magazine, Bakersfield, filipino, Philippine Weekend, delano, FiLatino, Mexipino, mexican, family, Culture, fusion, Guerrero Family
Posted by matt Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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Combining cultures
He’s Mexican, she’s Filipino — yet this family fusion is a recipe full of not-so-surprising similarities

By Matt Muñoz, MÁS staff
Photos by Holly Carlyle

DELANO — Dinner at the Guerrero house is always a spicy affair.

A fusion of Mexican and Filipino cuisine on any given night, this family never leaves the table unsatisfied. Enchiladas, pansit, chili rellenos, chicken adobo — and don’t forget the rice.

“We always have great food,” said Gilbert Guerrero of Delano. “Our different cultures blend together every meal, sometimes with a little more kick.”

But culinary specialities hailing from two nations are the beginnings of this colorful family’s mixture. The Guerreros are representative of a cultural blending that puts Latinos and Filipinos together, just like a good recipe — and it’s a formula that has been around since the days Spain ruled the Philippine Islands, right up through life nowadays in Kern County, home to thousands of Filipinos.


Top: Gilbert and Jocelyn Guerrero

In fact, in Delano, it’s estimated that nearly 15 percent of the city’s population — or 5,751 residents — are Filipino, according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau report. In Bakersfield, there are 876 Filipino households as stated by a Claritas Inc. report. There are no specific statistics on our community’s blended Latino-Filipino cultures, though it’s definitely a part of Kern County life.

And with the annual Philippine Weekend on tap in Delano from now through Sunday, July 27, there are sure to be many other instances of this common cultural ground that is Latino and Filipino.

Gilbert, 40, who is Mexican, and his wife, Jocelyn, 43, originally from the Philippines, make a point of allowing each of their respective cultures to flow naturally in all areas of daily life.

“It’s pretty simple,” said Gilbert of the family’s ability to retain cultural values with room to evolve together. “Our Mexican and Filipino cultures are very similar. We just take it in stride.”

In person, the couple’s mutual love and respect for one another is amplified through their children: Ryan, 26; Jodie, 24; and Trisha Juan, 21, all Jocelyn’s from a previous marriage, plus Laurenn, 15; Joseph Guerrero, 12, and three beloved grandkids: Kaitlyn, 5; Maleena, 3; and Luke, 3 months.


The Guerrero Family, from left: Jodie, Ryan, Maleena, Gilbert, Kaitlyn, Jocelyn, Luke, Trisha, Joseph, Laurenn . Photo by Holly Carlyle.

“Our kids know their roots,” said Jocelyn. “Their grandmother always talks about traditions, and the Filipino Tagalog dialect is very similar to the Spanish language. My dad has always spoken Spanish. I remember my grandfather would speak it a lot when he got mad,” she laughed.

Jocelyn — who, at 12, migrated with her family from Manila, Philippines to the city of Delano — remembers adapting quickly to her surroundings in a small city that boasts sizable Mexican and Filipino immigrant communities.

“Filipinos and Mexicans share a lot of the same customs,” said Jocelyn. “Being Catholic, how we are both respectful of our elders, and of course — the language.”


Above: Grandma Ida Omandam (left,) does a little gardnening, with some company by grandson Joseph.

Gilbert arrived in Delano from Matehuala in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi at 5 years old.

“I started speaking English about year after we came here from Mexico,” he said. “I found it pretty simple to fit in. I was first introduced to Filipino food through some friends of mine.”

Gilbert’s friends, Carmen and Felix Magpali also from Delano, like most Latino families, were always busy in the kitchen. Gilbert remembers the sweet scents that filled their home, especially the Adobo.

“Felix was always cooking,” he remembered. “He cooked great adobo.”

Adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines, as it is often featured at most Filipino meals, just like carne asada at Mexican gatherings. Adobo is a Spanish word referring to the marinade or spice used to prepare various dishes, and most commonly used with chicken or pork.

Growing up as teenagers and adapting to the American way of life in Delano, the two were friends before they began dating.

“We were friends in the ‘80s, and started dating in the ‘90s,” remembered Jocelyn.

Though the couple was prepared for the differences they might have encountered as a Mexican-Filipino couple, the two immediately found there was much ado about nothing, and married in 1997.



“The more we were around each other, we started to notice that we did the same things with our families,” said Jocelyn. “I used to always say, ‘You do this too?’”

As their children have grown, the cultural balance has kept the siblings involved with Filipino community events, such as Philippine Weekend. Much like Cinco de Mayo, Philippine Weekend gives everyone a chance to get experience the food, sights and sounds of their Filipino neighbors.

For Jocelyn, such events bring back memories of her own past involvement in the Miss Filipino Community and Mrs. Philippine Weekend pageants. Now, her children have kept that tradition going as members of dance teams participating during the weekend festivities.

“All the kids have been involved with Philippine Weekend for sometime,” she said. “Whenever they need help, they help. We are blessed to have great kids.”

After 11 years of marriage, the Guerrero family fusion with a dash of Mexican and a pinch of Filipino in the recipe is a shining example of how when two great cultures merge, the results can be quite amazing.

“We have a strong family bond,” smiled Gilbert. “You should see the house during family reunions.”

*To learn more about the Philippine / Latino connection...
(click on pic below)


Philippine Weekend 2008 in Delano, CA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• 5 p.m. , Friday, July 25 — Pork Adobo Cook Off at the gazebo of Cecil Avenue Park (contestant arrival at 4:30 p.m.).

• 9:30 a.m., Saturday,  July 26 — Philippine Weekend Grand Parade beginning on Main Street and Ninth Avenue.
• Sunset, around 7:30 or 8 p.m., Saturday, July 26 — Santacruzan Procession at Cecil Avenue Park.

• All weekend July 26-27:
• Barrio Fiesta at Cecil Avenue Park (opening ceremony is at noon, Saturday, July 26). The Barrio Fiesta will include such diverse events as sports, dancing and singing competitions, food booths, live entertainment and games for children.
• Basketball Tournament at Delano High School Boys Gym.
• Bingo at Delano High School Cafeteria.

Venue locations:
• Cecil Avenue Park, corner of Cecil Avenue and Norwalk Street.
• Delano High School, 1331 Cecil Ave.
• Filipino Community Hall, 1457 Glenwood St.

Details: www.myphilippineweekend.org

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