In 1930, Antonio and Mary Villegas immigrated to the United States from Mexico, settling in Richmond, California. Antonio worked for the Santa Fe Railroad while Mary worked at a bakery and as a homemaker. They maintained their Catholic faith and Mexican cultural traditions, passing these down to their son Raul who they sent for in 1956. Raul settled in Whittier and East Los Angeles, California, where he met his wife Mary, and maintained Mexican musical traditions. They raised their family with Mexican Christmas traditions in East Los Angeles before moving to Chino in 1987.

6.  In 1930 my grandparents, Antonio and Mary
Villegas boarded a train headed for the United
states.

7.  They continued by bus to
Richmond, California.

8.  My Grandfather worked for the Santa Fe
Railroad Company.
 My Grandmother worked for a short period of
time in a bakery.
 She was also a homemaker.

9.  As devout Catholics, they attended mass every
Sunday morning.
 This did not change due to geographic location.
 Religion was not a factor in their move.
 Religion did not affect employment .
 Food was affected, but only on Fridays.
 Catholics are required to eat fish on Fridays during
the 40 days before Easter Sunday, known as Lent.

10.  They continued to eat traditional Mexican
foods as my family still does today.
 Menudo
 Tortilla soup
 Beans
 Rice
 Tamales at Christmas time

11.  According to my father, my grandparents also
enjoyed Chinese and American food.

12.  In 1956, they sent for my
father , Raul Villegas.
 He made his way by train
and by bus to
Whittier, California.
 He was 16 years old.
 He was also required to
attend mass on Sundays.

13.  He maintained his love for
traditional Mexican music
through the years.
 Vicente Fernandez is a favorite.
 Others include Pedro
Infante, Luis Miguel, and
Selena.

14.  He lived in Whittier until moving to East Los
Angeles where he met my mother, Mary
Ramos.
 I was born in Whittier Presbyterian hospital many
years later.

15.  My parents remained
in East Los Angeles
until 1987 when they
moved my siblings
and me to Chino,
California.

16.  We kept up the tradition of staying awake until
midnight on Christmas eve to open presents.
 We make tamales all morning, and enjoy them
in the evening.
 We also sit around the Christmas tree and tell
stories.

17.  Another Mexican tradition is Dia de los
Muertos, which happens to be my birthday.
 My family does not celebrate in a traditional
sense, but we enjoy attending festivals and art
exhibits in honor of Day of the Dead.

18.  We also enjoy festivals which showcase music
and cars from my father’s era.

19.  In 2005, my parents decided to move to Texas
with my three brothers.
 Land was inexpensive and they were able to have a
brand new home built.
 My father always wanted to live in the country.
 He had hoped that his daughters would follow him.

20. NOT A
CHANCE!!!!!
 After five
years, Raul and
Mary along with
two of their
sons, returned to
Chino, Californi
a.