Manila, Philippines

Overview

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and was a major center of the Filipino-Chinese business community in the mid-20th century. For the Chan family, Manila served as home during the critical period of 1957-1968, when Jesse and Betty Chan married, worked at Eastern Textile Factory, and raised their four children before relocating to Taiwan.

Significance to Family

Jesse Chan in Manila (1950s-1968)

Return to Philippines:

• Jesse returned to Manila as a young adult after finishing high school in China
• Had to relearn Tagalog (left Philippines at age 3)
• Worked daytime and attended night school to study English

Employment:

• Purchasing Manager at Eastern Textile Factory, Manila
• Board of Directors member
• Factory employed 2,000 workers

Social Life:

• Member of “Happy Dreamers” social club
• Friends with Betty’s brothers (Uncle George and Uncle Henry) before meeting Betty
• Excellent dancer - “people would stop to watch him dance”

Betty Chan in Manila (1940s-1968)

Wartime Experience (1942-1945):

• Lived in Binondo, Manila during Japanese occupation
• Three-story house beside river near Juan Luna bridge
• Japanese garrison directly across the river
• Attended St. Scholastica’s College Manila during war
• Witnessed MacArthur’s liberation

Education:

• St. Scholastica’s College for high school (boarder)
• St. Scholastica’s College for bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (1956)
• Graduated 4th in class of 70 students

Career:

• Payroll Supervisor at Eastern Textile Factory, Manila
• Supervised 4 people preparing pay envelopes (cash) for 2,000 workers

Marriage and Family (1957-1968)

Marriage (1957):

• Jesse and Betty married in traditional Chinese engagement ceremony
• Lived at Santa Mesa Compound with 60 people, four generations

Children Born:

• Rose Chan Loui (1960) - born at Santa Mesa
• Meg Chan Feitelberg (1963)
• John Louis Chan (1965)
• Michelle Chan Ng (1968) - possibly born in Taiwan

Family moved into house built at Eastern Textile Factory before Louis was born

Departure (1968)

Catalyst:

• 1967: Eastern Textile Factory board split into two factions
• Jesse’s faction sold shares at par value plus 20%
• Friend invited Jesse to join business in Taiwan
• Family relocated to Taipei with four young children

What They Left:

• Jobs at Eastern Textile Factory
• Santa Mesa compound community
• Extended family in Manila
• “Happy Dreamers” social club
• Established life and networks

Historical Context

Filipino-Chinese Community

Manila was home to a large and established Chinese business community:

• Chinese Chamber of Commerce (Betty’s father was President in Daet)
• Chinese-owned businesses and factories
• Traditional compound living (Santa Mesa: 60 people, 4 generations)
• Social clubs like “Happy Dreamers”
• Chinese schools teaching Chinese in morning, English in afternoon

Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

Manila suffered greatly during WWII:

• Japanese occupied 1942-1945
• Chinese community particularly targeted (Japan-China war ongoing)
• Threat to burn Binondo (Chinese district) during liberation
• MacArthur’s return: “I Shall Return” promise fulfilled 1945

Post-War Era (1945-1960s)

• Rebuilding and economic growth
• Chinese-Filipino businesses flourishing
• Eastern Textile Factory as major employer (2,000 workers)
• Growing political instability leading to martial law under Marcos (1972)

1960s Migration

Many Chinese-Filipino families left Philippines in 1960s-1970s:

• Political instability
• Economic uncertainty
• Seeking opportunities in Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA
• Chan family part of this broader migration pattern

Neighborhoods and Districts

Binondo

• Historic Chinese district of Manila
• Betty’s family lived here 1942-1945 during war
• Three-story house near Juan Luna bridge
• Threatened to be burned by Japanese during liberation

Santa Mesa

• Location of Santa Mesa Compound
• Large family compound where Jesse and Betty lived after marriage
• 60 people, four generations
• Rose Loui born here in 1960

Related Places in Manila

• Santa Mesa Compound - Family residence 1957-1968
• Binondo, Manila - Chinese district, wartime refuge
• Eastern Textile Factory, Manila - Major employer
• St. Scholastica’s College Manila - Betty’s school

Migration Pattern

Jesse’s Journey: Philippines (birth-3) → Hong Kong → Fujian → Shanghai → Manila (1950s-1968) → Taipei → Los Angeles

Betty’s Journey: Daet → wartime displacement → Manila (1940s-1968) → Taipei → Los Angeles

Children’s Journey: Manila (birth) → Taipei (childhood) → USA (university) → Los Angeles

Legacy

Manila represents the foundation period for the Chan family:

• Jesse and Betty met through mutual friends
• Both built careers at Eastern Textile Factory
• Four children born
• Traditional Chinese culture maintained
• Filipino-Chinese identity forged
• Skills and capital accumulated for next chapter in Taiwan

The 11 years in Manila (1957-1968) set the stage for the family’s successful 22 years in Taiwan and eventual immigration to the United States.

Research Questions

• Exact addresses of residences in Manila
• Name and location of Eastern Textile Factory
• Which church did Jesse and Betty marry in?
• Names of other Happy Dreamers members
• When did Jesse first arrive back in Manila from China?
• Where did Jesse live before marrying Betty?
• Details about Santa Mesa compound ownership and structure
• Did family visit Manila after moving to Taiwan?
• How often did they return to visit?