Jesse Chan Migration Journey
Overview
Jesse Chan’s life encompasses one of the most complex migration patterns in the family history, spanning eight locations across four countries over approximately 60-70 years. His journey exemplifies the Chinese diaspora experience, from wartime displacement to economic migration to family reunification.
The Complete Journey
Philippines (birth-3) →
Hong Kong (3-childhood) →
Fujian, China (3 yrs wartime) →
Shanghai (post-war) →
Ancestral Village (summers) →
Manila, Philippines (teens-1968, ~20 yrs) →
Taipei, Taiwan (1968-1990, 22 yrs) →
Los Angeles, USA (1990-present)
Waypoint Details
1. Philippines (Birth - Age 3)
Location: Philippines (specific city to be documented) Duration: Birth to age 3 (approximately 3 years) Dates: 1930s (birth year to be confirmed)
Context:
- Father: Chinese businessman running import/export between Philippines, China, Hong Kong, and America
- Mother: Cantonese-speaking woman from Hong Kong
- Language: Cantonese (first language from mother)
- Community: Chinese business community in Philippines
Why Leave:
- Father died when Jesse was 3 years old
- Mother decided to return to her homeland (Hong Kong)
- Uncle took control of family finances
- Too young to have memories of this period
Jesse’s Memory:
“I remember I have only with my mother. I was only three years old. I, I, I, I, I never see my father.”
2. Hong Kong (Age 3 - Childhood)
Location: Hong Kong Duration: Several years (childhood period) Dates: Late 1930s - early 1940s
Context:
- Mother’s homeland - where she was from originally
- Urban environment - British colony, international city
- Chinese community - mother could reconnect with family
- Language: Continued Cantonese
- Jesse started to form memories of life here
Why Leave:
- Japanese attacked Hong Kong (December 1941)
- British forces surrendered after brief battle (“only a few hours”)
- Family had to flee for safety
- Japanese occupation made staying dangerous
Jesse’s Account:
- Lived in Hong Kong “before the Japanese attacked”
- Family fled when Japanese invaded
- This was forced displacement by war
3. Yong Qin, Fujian, China (3 Years During Wartime)
Location: Yong Qin area, Fujian Province, China (ancestral village region) Duration: 3 years during Japanese occupation Dates: Early 1940s (approximately 1941-1945) Age: Childhood to early teens
Context:
- Ancestral village in mountains of Fujian
- Only place in China Japanese didn’t fully occupy: “Whole China they took, only Fujian they didn’t touch”
- Rural refuge - far from major cities
- Wartime survival - limited resources, constant danger
Life There:
- Hiding in caves during Japanese air raids (sometimes 10 times per day)
- Mother tied hard-boiled eggs around Jesse’s waist for emergency food
- Befriended Japanese colonel when family was starving (see separate event document)
- Colonel gave Jesse meat daily (one pig leg) which Jesse shared with neighbors
- Jesse received special pass from colonel - soldiers bowed to him instead
- Attended elementary school during this period
- Learned Hokkien/Fujian dialect
Why Leave:
- Japanese surrendered (1945)
- MacArthur’s promise “I Shall Return” fulfilled
- Safe to return to cities
- Mother wanted to move back to Shanghai
Jesse’s Words:
“We stayed there for three years. The whole China they don’t get only Fujian. They didn’t touch it.”
Significance:
- Most dramatic period of Jesse’s childhood
- Survived starvation and occupation
- Developed survival skills and social adaptability
- First major wartime displacement
4. Shanghai, China (Post-War, Several Years)
Location: Shanghai, China Duration: Several years (post-war period) Dates: 1945 - late 1940s/early 1950s Age: Early to mid teens
Context:
- Returned after Japanese surrender
- Shanghai was major international city
- Post-war recovery period
- Communist takeover approaching/occurring (1949)
- Family kept moving between Shanghai and other places during this period
Life There:
- Wanted to join Navy and become pilot
- Mother’s cousin in Air Force and neighbor pilot encouraged him
- Not qualified - too young (just finished elementary school)
- Wanted to “fight Japanese” but war had ended
- Learned Shanghainese dialect and Mandarin
- Finished high school education
- Played basketball (Far Eastern team)
- Learned to dance (from friend’s sister, became excellent dancer)
Why Leave:
- Mother and uncle decided to send Jesse to Philippines
- Likely related to:
- Communist takeover of China (1949)
- Family had business connections in Philippines
- Opportunities for Jesse in Philippines
- Uncle controlled finances, made decision
Multiple Moves: Jesse mentions family “kept moving” during this period:
- Shanghai → other places → back to Shanghai
- Constant displacement even after war
- Unstable political situation
5. Ancestral Village, Yong Qin (Summer Periods)
Location: Ancestral village in Yong Qin area, Fujian Duration: Every summer vacation during teenage years Dates: Late 1940s (specific years to be determined) Age: Teenage years
Context:
- Returned to same area where family hid during war
- Uncle was compiling Chan family genealogy book
- Traditional Chinese practice to document family lineage
Life There:
- Worked on family genealogy book
- Uncle “asked him to write those things and write a lot”
- Not voluntary - uncle controlled finances, required Jesse’s help
- Jesse would sometimes hide in hotels to avoid this work
- Rural setting, traditional village life
The Genealogy Book:
- Published in Taiwan
- Now in 12+ libraries worldwide (Michigan, Germany, Australia, etc.)
- Written in Chinese
- Only included boys (traditional); girls added after marriage/accomplishment
- Rose (Jesse’s daughter) added after graduating Stanford (late 1970s/early 1980s)
Why Stop Visiting:
- Jesse was sent to Philippines
- Ended this pattern of summer returns
Jesse’s Attitude:
“Sometimes if I go to [visit], I’m not going to see him. Otherwise I have to write it. So sometimes [I] just get a hotel and stay there.”
Shows Jesse’s resistance to forced labor on genealogy project.
6. Manila, Philippines (Late Teens - 1968, ~15-20 Years)
Location: Manila, Philippines (specifically Santa Mesa compound) Duration: Approximately 15-20 years Dates: Late 1940s/early 1950s - 1968 Age: Late teens through adulthood (approximately ages 18-40)
Context:
- Returned to country of birth after childhood/teenage years in China
- Had to relearn Tagalog (left at age 3)
- Learned English at night school (6 PM - 9 PM)
- Worked daytime in shop/store
- Rejoined Filipino-Chinese business community
Life Trajectory:
- Night school student → Purchasing Manager → Board Member → Entrepreneur
- Met Betty through “Happy Dreamers” social club (friends with her brothers first)
- Married Betty 1957 (traditional Chinese engagement ceremony)
- Four children born: Rose (1960), Meg (1963), Louis (1965), Michelle (1968 in Taiwan)
- Eastern Textile Factory: Purchasing Manager, Board of Directors
- Lived in Santa Mesa Compound (60 people, 4 generations)
- Later moved to house at Eastern Textile Factory
Why Leave (1968):
- Board split at Eastern Textile Factory (1967) into two factions
- Jesse’s faction sold shares at par value plus 20%
- Friend invited Jesse to join business in Taiwan
- Opportunity to be business owner vs. employee
- Taiwan’s economic growth attractive
- Political instability in Philippines (martial law coming in 1972)
Significance:
- Longest stable period (15-20 years) in Jesse’s life up to this point
- Marriage and family established
- Career success achieved
- Social networks built
- But ultimately chose to leave for better opportunity
7. Taipei, Taiwan (1968-1990, 22 Years)
Location: Taipei, Taiwan Duration: 22 years - second longest period in one place Dates: 1968 - 1990 Age: Adult with young family through later adulthood
Context:
- Economic migration - seeking business opportunity
- Taiwan Miracle era - rapid economic growth
- With family - Jesse, Betty, four children (ages 8, 5, 3, infant)
- Entrepreneur for first time in life
Multiple Businesses:
-
Nightclub/Supper Club (1968-1970s)
- Restaurant daytime, nightclub evening
- Orchestra, MC, singing, magic shows
- Open until midnight/1 AM
-
Real Estate Development (primary/longest)
- Cherry Hill Development - three-story buildings
- Houses on the Hill - luxury hillside homes
- Jesse: “Real estate is really simple. You just look at the land, you like it, you just buy it.”
-
Import/Export Business
-
Bakery (Betty managed)
Education Investment:
- All four children attended Taipei American School ($10,000/year by 1986)
- Worked very hard to afford expensive education
- All four children received scholarships to US universities:
- Rose → Stanford (1978) → NYU Law
- Meg → Stanford (1981)
- Louis → University of Houston (1983) → Cranbrook
- Michelle → Whittier (1986)
Why Leave (1990):
- Children all in USA for university/careers
- Business sold or closed (details to be documented)
- Retirement approaching
- Family reunification - join children in America
- Mission accomplished: all children educated and successful
Significance:
- Transformation from employee to business owner
- Most successful business period - owned multiple ventures
- Achieved goal - all children to US universities
- Longest stable residence since childhood Philippines
8. Los Angeles, California (1990 - Present)
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Duration: 30+ years (ongoing or until death) Dates: Approximately 1990 - present (2024?) Age: Elderly/retirement
Context:
- Retirement from business life
- Family reunification - all four children in USA
- Eight grandchildren including Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha Loui (through Rose)
- Final destination of lifetime migration
Life There:
- Organized parties with Betty
- Betty played keyboard at parties
- Maintained Filipino-Chinese community connections
- Betty’s 80th birthday celebration (2015)
- Heroic acts continued:
- Saved granddaughter Kaitlyn from drowning (jumped in pool fully clothed)
- Chased thieves in Hong Kong (bus incident)
Current Status (2024):
- Living or deceased status to be confirmed
- If living, would be in 80s-90s
Significance:
- Final chapter of lifetime migration
- Completion of trajectory: Philippines → China → Philippines → Taiwan → USA
- Three generations now in USA: Jesse & Betty → children → grandchildren
- American dream achieved through multiple countries and languages
Migration Statistics
Distance
Estimated total distance traveled: 25,000+ miles over lifetime (not including return trips)
Countries
4 countries lived in:
- Philippines (birth, returned as adult)
- China (Hong Kong, Fujian, Shanghai)
- Taiwan
- United States
Cities/Locations
8 major locations over lifetime
Languages Acquired
7 languages through displacement:
- Cantonese (first language, mother)
- Hokkien/Fujian dialect (3 years in Yong Qin)
- Shanghainese (Shanghai period)
- Mandarin (standard Chinese, Taiwan)
- Tagalog (relearned as adult in Manila)
- English (night school in Manila, perfected in USA)
- Additional Chinese dialects
Longest Stays
- Taiwan: 22 years (1968-1990) - by choice, with family
- Los Angeles: 30+ years (1990-present) - retirement
- Manila: ~15-20 years (teens-1968) - established career and family
Shortest Stays
- Philippines (childhood): 3 years (too young to remember)
- Yong Qin (wartime): 3 years (survival period)
Migration Reasons by Phase
Wartime Displacement (Birth - 1945)
- War - primary driver
- Philippines → Hong Kong: Father’s death
- Hong Kong → Fujian: Japanese invasion
- Fujian → Shanghai: Japanese surrender
Family Decisions (1945 - Late 1940s)
- Family - controlled by uncle and mother
- Shanghai → Manila: Mother and uncle sent him
Economic Migration (1968)
- Economic - seeking opportunity
- Manila → Taiwan: Board split, business opportunity
Family Reunification (1990)
- Family - joining children
- Taiwan → Los Angeles: Retirement, children in USA
Displacement Reasons
Forced (War)
- Hong Kong → Fujian (fleeing Japanese)
- Constant hiding/moving during occupation
- Post-war instability
Directed (Family)
- Philippines → Hong Kong (mother’s decision after father died)
- Shanghai → Manila (uncle and mother’s decision)
- Summer returns to ancestral village (uncle required)
Chosen (Economic/Opportunity)
- Manila → Taiwan (business opportunity, board split)
- Taiwan → Los Angeles (retirement, family reunification)
Comparison to Other Family Journeys
Betty Chan’s Journey
- Simpler path: Daet, Philippines → (fleeing) → Manila → Taiwan → Los Angeles
- Also war survivor but didn’t leave Philippines during WWII
- Parallel paths from Taiwan to Los Angeles
Rose Loui’s Journey
(Jesse’s daughter)
- Even simpler: Born Manila → Taiwan (age 8-28) → USA for Stanford → Los Angeles
- One generation closer to settlement
- Education-driven migration
Grandchildren (Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha)
- Born in USA
- Settled - no forced displacement
- Three generations from Jesse’s wartime displacement to American stability
Cultural Impact
Chinese Diaspora Pattern
Jesse’s journey exemplifies Chinese diaspora across Southeast Asia:
- Scattered by war (WWII, Chinese Civil War)
- Economic migration (following opportunities)
- Maintained identity (Chinese customs in Philippines, Taiwan, USA)
- Language adaptation (learned 7 languages)
- Family networks (followed friends, family connections)
Identity Maintenance
Despite 8 moves across 4 countries:
- Traditional Chinese engagement ceremony (1957 Manila)
- Compound living (Santa Mesa - 60 people, 4 generations)
- Worked on family genealogy (ancestral village)
- Maintained Chinese name and identity
- Passed culture to children (who then passed to grandchildren)
Adaptability
Jesse’s success required:
- Linguistic flexibility - 7 languages
- Cultural adaptation - navigated Chinese, Filipino, Taiwanese, American contexts
- Economic flexibility - employee → board member → entrepreneur
- Social skills - befriended Japanese colonel, built business networks
- Resilience - survived war, starvation, multiple displacements
Legacy
Educational Investment
Jesse’s displacement shaped his values:
- Sacrificed own college so brothers could attend
- Worked very hard for children’s expensive education
- All four children received US university scholarships
- Breaking the cycle - children got education he couldn’t have
- Grandchildren benefit from this investment
Three-Generation Trajectory
Generation 1 (Jesse): War refugee → immigrant → entrepreneur Generation 2 (Rose, Meg, Louis, Michelle): Immigrant children → US university → professionals Generation 3 (Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha + cousins): American-born → elite education → established
American Dream Through Multiple Countries
Jesse’s path to “American dream”:
- NOT direct immigration to USA
- THROUGH multiple countries (China, back to Philippines, Taiwan)
- DECADES of displacement before reaching USA
- DIFFERENT from typical immigrant story
In Jesse’s Own Words
On displacement:
“We keep moving, moving… we had to keep running because of the Japanese attack.”
On learning languages:
“Because you keep going. Every place you go, you have to learn.”
On favorite places:
- Suzhou: “It’s the prettiest”
- Shanghai: “Nice but too noisy, too crowded”
On business philosophy:
“Real estate is really simple. You just look at the land and you like it, you just buy it. Then we build a house.”
Research Questions
- Exact birth year and location in Philippines
- Exact dates of each move
- Names of ships/transportation used
- Documentation of each relocation (passports, visas?)
- How maintained connection with mother “Amma” across countries?
- Financial details - how afforded each move?
- Return visits to previous locations?
- How children experienced multiple moves?
- Jesse’s current status (living/deceased as of 2024)
- Other family members’ movements - who also made similar journeys?
- How Jesse’s brothers’ journeys differed (some stayed in China, some to Hong Kong)
Jesse Chan’s migration journey represents one of the most complex displacement patterns in modern Chinese diaspora history, spanning wartime survival, economic migration, and family reunification across eight locations and four countries over six decades.