Asian American Home



PROJECT PLAN
EQUIPMENT:
CAMERA: Konica auto-focus auto exposure 35 mm lens shutter camera with built-in zoom lens
LENSES: N/A
FOCUS RANGE: 0.6 m (2.0 ft) to infinity
f STOP RANGE: f 3.8 to ?
FILM: Color ISO 100
NAME OF FILM: Kodak
ACCESS: Visitations on request only
RELATIONSHIP: Immediate family


Welcome to Pacifica!!! This Asian-American home is located in the very foggy city of Pacifica- population (1990) 37,670. I would describe Pacifica as a predominantly mixed race town - which in contrast its sister city, Daly City (north of Pacifica) has a significant number of Filipino-American families.



Pacifica Pier attracts the novice fisherman from all over the Bay Area. You're sure to find a great majority of Asian Americans (especially Filipinos) ready to catch a fresh delicacy for the table. Fish also happens to be a common staple of most Asian-American meals.



Pacifica is known for its beautiful beaches that are gateway to the Far Pacific. One look at the beaches may remind themselves of their home on the islands.






Most Asian-American homes are immaculate! Upon entering the home, shoes are left at the doorstep. When guests arrive, they are usually asked to have a seat, while food or beverages are immediately served. The plastic rugs or runners are usually found in Filipino homes to keep the rug underneath free of dirt. Again, this room has a more "American" atmosphere - with the stereo and "American-type"furnishings and decorations.



This Asian-American family takes great pride in its food. Pictured here are soy sauce (toyo), fish sauce (patis), vinegar, oyster sauce, cooking oil, and a rice cooker. Not a meal goes by without having a course with rice or the above condaments for added flavor.


Here, the mother is cooking a fresh milkfish.


This delicacy will be eaten by the hands usually with tomatoes soaked in fish sauce (patis) served with fresh hot steamed white long grain rice.


Pictured here is a vegetable dish called, Sitaw. This is long beans, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and shrimp sauteed with garlic and onions; seasoned with fish sauce and served over rice.


"Oras na para kumain!!" (Time to eat!!)



As I look at the different rooms of this Asian-American home, I see that this family is more American than Asian. Pictured here are a computer and stereo - 2 common indications that this family is more modern than traditional.


These pictures, the grandparents of the mother are nailed above the door of the room. These serve as a reminder of the ancestral roots and the memories of the family back home in the Philippines. Their daughter who left the homeland to live in America, still retains the family ties.



This Asian-American family are devout Catholics. In fact, a great majority of Filipinos are Catholic. This cross of Jesus is centered in one of the rooms right above the bed to protect and bless the inhabitants. Click on image to enlarge.


You are sure to find many religious statues and figurines in every corner of the home, as pictured here in one of the rooms.

I really enjoyed taking a tour of this Asian-American home. Although,there were not many "Asian" aspects to the home, you are sure to know that this family takes pride in both its Asian and American cultures.

If you have any comments or questions, please send me a message at regman@sfsu.edu

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