Daly City: The Beating Heart of Filipino America

If there is one place in the United States where the spirit, culture, and resilience of the Filipino community shine brightest, it is Daly City, California. Often called “Little Manila of the West Coast,” Daly City has long been recognized as the most Filipino American city in America. Today, nearly one in three residents trace their roots to the Philippines, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in the country.

A City Built by Immigrants, Held Together by Community

Daly City’s Filipino story began decades ago, shaped by immigration waves from the 1960s through the 1990s. Many families arrived in search of opportunity, nurses, engineers, military service members, medical technologists, caretakers, and professionals seeking a better life. Over time, the community grew not just in number, but in influence.

Walk along Gellert Boulevard and you’ll hear Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisaya, or Pangasinense in the air. Visit a local market and you’ll see longganisa, pandesal, bagoong, and fresh tilapia lining the shelves. Attend a weekend gathering and you’ll find yourself surrounded not just by food, but by family, even if you’ve only just met.

The Historic First: Daly City’s Filipino American Leadership

Daly City made national headlines when it elected its first Filipino American mayor.
According to Gene.com, that mayor, Mike Guingona, is actually my third cousin💚, a personal detail that adds a special layer of pride to Daly City’s story.  Filipino leadership in the city has only grown since then, with many public servants, educators, and community leaders following in the footsteps of those early trailblazers.

• Why Daly City Became “The Most Filipino City in America”

There are many reasons why Daly City became the cultural home base for Filipino Americans:

• Affordability and proximity to San Francisco, especially for families working in healthcare and the service industries.

• Strong social networks, early Filipino residents invited relatives, who then brought more relatives, creating multi-generational clusters.

• Community institutions, from churches to cultural centers, gave families a place to gather and keep traditions alive.

• Shared identity and support, new immigrants found guidance and belonging within a familiar cultural environment.

Today, Daly City is more than just a demographic statistic. It is a living, breathing testament to Filipino perseverance, hospitality, and community spirit.

The Filipino Identity, Alive and Evolving

What makes Daly City remarkable is not simply its numbers, it’s the way Filipino identity is woven into everyday life. Festivals, parades, restaurants, karaoke bars, senior clubs, youth organizations, and churches all contribute to a community that feels unmistakably Filipino yet authentically American.

Generations born in the U.S. are still connected to their roots through family stories, food, language, and traditions passed lovingly from one generation to the next.

A City That Feels Like Home

For many Filipinos including those of us who immigrated decades ago, Daly City symbolizes both memory and aspiration. It is a reminder that Filipino culture thrives not only in small barangays in the Philippines, but also here in America, where it continues to grow, adapt, and flourish.

And for me, discovering that Daly City’s first Filipino American mayor is my third cousin adds an even more personal connection,  a reminder that the Filipino diaspora is vast, but ultimately, woven tightly together.

Daly City stands today as a proud symbol of Filipino achievement in the United States. Not just the most Filipino city in America, but one of the most welcoming and community-centered cities to be found anywhere.

💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/08/mike-guingona-and-ramon-campos-jr-are.html

Meanwhile, 

When Filipinos move to America, the biggest shock isn’t the weather or the food, it’s the mindset shift.

In the Philippines, community is everywhere. Family is close. Neighbors talk. People help without being asked. There’s always someone to call, someone to lean on.

But in America especially in quiet suburbs and small towns life hits different.

People mind their own business. Privacy is a big deal. Everyone’s busy juggling work, schedules, bills, and responsibilities. Not because they’re rude… but because the system is built for independence.

And here’s the truth many Filipinos learn the hard way: If you bring the “masandal ka sa iba” mindset, you’ll struggle. If you expect automatic help, you’ll end up disappointed.

America rewards independence, initiative, and planning.

But here’s the beauty of it: If you work hard, adapt, and respect the culture, America will open doors and opportunities you never imagined. Just don’t expect it to feel like the Philippines because it won’t.

Be ready. Be proactive. Bring your Filipino warmth… but adjust your expectations.

America runs on independence. The Philippines runs on connection.

Both are beautiful but both can hurt you if you don’t understand the difference. 

Lastly, My Photo Of the Day

My Great Grandson Beau David- First Christmas, Portland, Oregon 12/07/25

Finally, here is the estimated share of residents reporting Filipino / Philippine ancestry

• Daly City, CA — ~33% of residents report Filipino ancestry. Statistical Atlas+1
  (Daly City is widely reported as the Bay Area city with the highest Filipino share, roughly one-third of residents.)

• Hercules, CA — roughly 25–30% Filipino ancestry  World Population Review+1
  (Hercules has a large Asian population; multiple sources show a substantial Filipino presence but not the 60% figure you mentioned.)

• Pittsburg, CA — roughly 10–15% Filipino ancestry (citywide; some tracts are higher). Statistical Atlas+1
  (StatisticalAtlas shows tracts up to ~23% Filipino, but citywide reporting is lower, around the low-teens by ancestry measures.)

• Vallejo, CA — roughly 12–20% Filipino ancestry (varies by neighborhood). Data USA+1
  (Vallejo has a sizeable Filipino community; some neighborhoods/tracts have much higher concentrations.)

• Oakland, CA — roughly 3–6% Filipino ancestry (citywide; some neighborhoods higher). Statistical Atlas+1
  (Oakland’s Filipino population is smaller as a citywide share; particular neighborhoods show higher Filipino ancestry percentages.)

• San Francisco, CA — roughly 4–6% Filipino ancestry (citywide), with concentrated neighborhoods (SoMa, Tenderloin, etc.). Statistical Atlas+1

• Last but not Least: Based on available data, approximately 

  1.6% of residents in Walnut Creek, CA reported Filipino ancestry in recent census statistics. 

Turning 91 Isn't the End- More Reflections

My 91st Birthday Gift from Carenna from Paris, France! ( Also my Pinoy Cap with Philippine flag design)

Some of these changes wear the gentle glow of blessings; others carry the hush of warning. Yet every one has the power to alter your perspective, deepen your love, and transform your daily experience. Here’s what emerges after 91, drawn from personal reflections and the lived wisdom of those who walk this path with grace.

1. The Body: Slowing Down, Then Waking Up

After 91, the body signals changes both sudden and subtle. Limbs take longer to stretch awake, the once-automatic stride becomes a conscious waltz, and energy must be portioned like fine tea on a rainy day. Yet paradoxically, each physical limit invites sharper awareness of what truly matters: the pleasure of sunlight on skin, the gift of deep breaths, the simple act of rising from bed unaided. It’s as though frailty itself has become a teacher, gently coaxing you to savor the miracle of movement and presence each morning.

2.The Mind: Memory’s Dance and the Dawn of Wisdom

Many fear the shifting landscape of memory, and yes, it’s true facts and faces don’t always obey your commands anymore. But alongside this loss comes something precious: an ability to see the long arc of your own story, to let go of trivial details and cherish the meanings that endure. Conversations deepen, small grievances become less important, and gratitude becomes easier to find in daily life. You laugh more at old errors, finding lessons in their remnants, and you begin to recognize wisdom as a shimmering thread running through every recollection.

3.The Soul: Connection Takes Center Stage

Loneliness can linger, especially if friends and loved ones have stepped ahead to the next chapter. But for many, turning 91 awakens a craving for connection more authentic than ever before. You might find your world narrowing, but relationships deepen, grandchildren are no longer just playmates, but windows to possibility; neighbors become lifelines; old friends, reminders of love’s durability. Even gratitude itself expands, a constant companion as you marvel at the interplay of shared laughter and tearful goodbyes.

4. Blessings: Purpose Emerges in Small Things

There is a clarity at 91 that’s hard-won, a knowing that the smallest actions can ripple through the fabric of your world. You may find greater satisfaction in just playing bridge/mahjong, writing notes to loved ones, or quietly helping a neighbor. Purpose at this age rarely arrives with fanfare; instead, it slips into everyday exchanges, quiet joys, the feeling that even now you are shaping your legacy with every kind gesture. Mindfulness and appreciation become not just practices, but ways of living.

5. Warnings: Listening and Adapting

Alongside these gifts, there are warnings, too. Health becomes unpredictable, destinies can shift quickly, and loss sometimes arrives without warning. The body calls for careful listening, whether it’s new aches, medication side effects, or challenges to independence. The mind requires gentle tending, with puzzles, conversations, and new discoveries to keep curiosity alive. The soul must be protected from the shadow of bitterness and fear; practicing gratitude, self-compassion, and reaching out for support are antidotes to isolation. These warnings aren’t merely shadows, they are signposts urging you to adapt, seek help, and cherish each day anew.

A Graceful Invitation

If you’re welcoming your 91s, or walking alongside someone who is, know that this time is far from the end, it’s the start of a deeper, richer chapter. For all the changes, some blessings, some warnings, life past 91 can be a mosaic of meaning, connection, and gratitude. Lean and Listen deeply. Choose love over fear. This season, like every other, asks quietly for your presence and rewards you with wisdom that only time can offer.

Some Favorite Quotes on Aging Gracefully: 

My physical body may be less efficient and less beautiful in old age. But God has given me an enormous compensation: my mind is richer my Soul is broader and my wisdom is at a peak. I am so happy with the riches of my advanced peak age that, contrary to Faust, I would not wish to return to youth. ~Robert Muller

“The best part about life?  Every morning you have a new opportunity to become a happier version of yourself.” Anonymous 

 

“Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.” Kenneth Branagh

 Finally, here's my music video for Today- Autumn Leaves

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1930288190866259

My Food For Thought For Today:

Old Age in the Robotic Age

Old Age in the Robotic Age: How Machines Are Becoming Companions in Our Final Chapters

In a recent issue of Wall Street Journal, LS Dugdale explores a theme that resonates deeply with those of us who have lived long enough to witness medicine, technology, and culture reinvent themselves: aging in the era of intelligent machines. For seniors, especially those living alone or managing chronic health challenges, the robot revolution is no longer science fiction, it is becoming part of daily life.

I read the article with a mixture of curiosity and recognition. Having spent years at the FDA and three other big private companies, where we carefully evaluated emerging medical technologies and new drugs,  I’ve watched the evolution of devices meant to support vulnerable populations. But today’s robots go far beyond clinical tools. They are stepping into roles that were once the work of family members, caregivers, or attentive neighbors: helping someone get out of bed, reminding them about medications, offering companionship, or simply standing by to prevent a fall.

The Rise of the Practical Helper

Dugdale describes machines that can literally lift a person out of bed, transfer them safely into a chair, or support them during a bath. These tasks can be physically demanding for caregivers and emotionally uncomfortable for older adults. A robot doesn’t get tired. It doesn’t wince. It doesn’t hurry. For someone with limited mobility, this can be the difference between living independently and entering long-term care.

We’re already seeing robotic walkers that anticipate a senior’s balance shifts, smart home sensors that alert families when something seems off, and automated medication dispensers that prevent harmful mistakes. These tools reduce risks that many seniors fear, most of all, the fear of falling, which can change everything in an instant.

Companionship in a Digitized World

More surprising, perhaps, is the emotional dimension. Robots that talk, listen, encourage, and respond are becoming part of daily routines. Some are shaped like pets; others resemble simple tabletop devices with expressive faces. For seniors who no longer drive, who see fewer friends, who have outlived spouses or siblings, these machines can soften the edges of loneliness.

Are they the same as human connection? Of course not. But they can supplement it and sometimes they are the difference between silence and a voice saying, “Are you okay today?”

Ethics, Dignity, and What We Value

As Dugdale notes, we must also wrestle with the ethical questions. Are we replacing human touch with mechanical efficiency? Are we risking emotional shortcuts when what older adults really need is time, patience, and presence?

But I also see another angle: autonomy.

For many seniors, dignity comes from being able to do things themselves or at least without feeling like a burden. If a robotic assistant helps someone bathe safely and privately, or get up without calling a son, daughter, or aide, that is not a loss of humanity. That is a restoration of it.

Aging, Technology, and the Shape of Tomorrow

As someone now writing from the vantage point of later life, I feel this topic not just academically but personally. The machines are coming, not to take over our lives, but to support them. And perhaps to give us more time, more choices, and more freedom.

For decades, my work at the FDA showed me how innovation often begins in laboratories, but its true meaning unfolds in living rooms, clinics, and nursing homes. Today’s robotic age is no different. It is redefining aging, not as decline, but as a stage of life where technology can offer a new kind of safety net.

A Personal Reflection

I’ve been blogging since 2009. Over the years, my posts have followed me through careers, passions, health challenges, and the slow but steady march of time. Writing about aging in the robotic age feels like reflecting on the world I now inhabit, one where my generation is learning to live alongside machines that didn’t exist when we were young.

And perhaps that is the quiet beauty of this moment: even as our bodies slow, the world continues to innovate around us. Robots will never replace human love, but they can amplify care, independence, and dignity. In the end, that is something worth embracing.

Meanwhile here's an AI Overview of the Above Topic: 

Old age in the robotic age is characterized by the use of robots and AI to support seniors with daily tasks, health monitoring, and companionship, enabling them to maintain independence and age in place. Robots can help with tasks like cleaning and medication reminders, monitor vital signs, provide physical assistance, and offer emotional support through conversation and interaction, ultimately aiming to enhance quality of life and ease the burden on human caregivers. Ethical considerations, such as consent and the potential for robots to replace human interaction, remain important as the technology develops, as shown in this YouTube video and this NIH article. 

Support for daily living and independence

• Physical assistance: Robots can help with tasks such as standing up, which requires careful development to ensure it is non-intrusive and cooperative with the user.
• Household chores: Robotic assistants can perform routine tasks like cleaning and cooking.
• Medication management: Robots can remind seniors to take medication and even dispense it at the correct time.
• Enhanced mobility: Robots can assist with and improve mobility. 

Health monitoring and safety

• Vital signs: Robots can monitor vital signs like blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate.
• Fall detection: Some robots are equipped with sensors to detect and prevent falls.
• Remote care: They can provide remote access for doctors and nurses to monitor patients. 

Companionship and cognitive support 

• Social interaction: Robots can provide companionship, which is especially important for those experiencing loneliness.
• Cognitive stimulation: They can offer cognitive stimulation through games and conversation.
• AI companions: AI companions, accessible via phone or other devices, can engage in conversation, ask follow-up questions, and help schedule appointments. 

Ethical considerations

• Human vs. robot care: It is crucial to consider the ethical implications of using robots to replace human caregivers, particularly the loss of human interaction and the potential for confusion in those with dementia.
• Consent and control: The technology needs to be developed with the user's consent and in a way that ensures the person remains in control of their care.
• Human-in-the-loop: For complex tasks like assisting with standing, a "human-in-the-loop" approach is currently necessary, where a human supervises the robot to ensure the interaction is safe and cooperative. 

• Finally, here are five of the biggest headline news stories for today (December 8, 2025):

  🔎 Top News Headlines

  Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets European leaders in London amid Ukraine war talks
  The Guardian+2ABC News+2
  The Ukrainian president is in London for high-stakes discussions with leaders from the UK, France and Germany centered on a U.S.-authored peace proposal for ending the war in Ukraine. The Guardian+1

  Paramount Skydance makes a surprise $108.4 billion all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
  The Guardian
  Paramount Skydance’s bid overtakes Netflix’s earlier offer sparking a fierce media-industry battle with serious implications for streaming, content creation, and regulation. The Guardian

  United States Supreme Court hears major case on presidential powers could reshape independent agency authority
  AP News+1
  The Court is weighing whether the President can remove independent-agency board members without cause, a decision that could alter the balance of power over multiple governmental institutions. AP News

  Strong geomagnetic storm watch issued for tonight as CME from solar flare approaches Earth
  Midland Daily News
  A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) triggered by a recent solar flare is en route,  a G3-level geomagnetic storm may hit tonight, potentially producing spectacular northern lights visible across parts of the continental U.S. and possibly affecting some satellite/communications systems. Midland Daily News

  Global crisis: fresh drone and missile strikes shake Ukraine amidst cease-fire talks
  Democracy Now!+1
  Even as peace talks advance, waves of Russian drone and missile strikes have hit infrastructure across Ukraine, damaging power plants including a major nuclear facility intensifying fears of disaster amid escalating conflict. Democracy Now!+1