Santa Mesa Compound
Overview
Santa Mesa (also spelled “Santa Mea” in some records) was a large multi-generational family compound in Manila, Philippines where Jesse and Betty Chan lived from their marriage in 1957 until moving to Taiwan in 1968. The compound housed 60 people across four generations and represented traditional Chinese extended family living in a Filipino urban context.
Physical Description
Structure
- “Big compound” with multiple buildings
- Different buildings or apartment units within compound
- Not a single house but a complex of structures
- Enough space for 60 people to live
Layout Details (to be documented)
- Number of separate buildings/units
- Shared spaces vs. private spaces
- Cooking facilities (shared or separate?)
- Courtyards or common areas
The Population
Scale
When Jesse and Betty married in 1957, 60 people lived there.
Four Generations Present
- Great-grandma (Time Ma mentioned in interviews)
- Grandma (Jesse’s mother “Amma” and others)
- Parents (Jesse and Betty’s generation, uncles and aunts)
- Children (Rose, Meg, Louis born here; cousins)
Specific Residents
- Jesse and Betty Chan (newlyweds in 1957)
- Jesse’s third uncle (explicitly mentioned)
- Multiple branches of extended family
- Various aunts, uncles, cousins
Betty’s Experience
From Betty’s account, living in the compound with 60 people as a new bride was:
“Scary for a new bride”
Suggests:
- Intimidating scale for 21-year-old Betty
- Complex family dynamics to navigate
- Many relationships to learn
- Traditional Chinese family hierarchy to respect
Life in the Compound
Traditional Chinese Structure
The compound represented traditional Chinese extended family living:
- Patriarchal authority (Jesse’s uncle controlled family finances)
- Multi-generational living (four generations)
- Extended family support (childcare, shared resources)
- Family hierarchy (respect for elders)
- Compound living (common in wealthy Chinese families)
Daily Life (to be documented)
- How meals were shared or separated
- Childcare arrangements
- Privacy concerns
- Financial arrangements
- Decision-making structure
Significant Events
Rose’s Birth (1960)
Rose Chan was born in Santa Mesa compound - the first of Jesse and Betty’s four children. From interview:
“That’s where Rose was born.”
This means:
- Rose’s first years were in this multi-generational setting
- Rose had many family members around during infancy
- Traditional Chinese childcare practices likely used
Three Children Born Here
- Rose - 1960
- Meg - 1963
- Louis - 1965
Michelle was born later in Taiwan (1968).
Jesse and Betty’s Early Marriage
- Both worked at Eastern Textile Factory
- Jesse was Purchasing Manager, Betty was Payroll Supervisor
- Commuted together or separately from compound
- Raised three children while living in compound
Context
Chinese-Filipino Community
Santa Mesa compound represented:
- Established Chinese business families in Manila
- Traditional Chinese living arrangements maintained in Philippines
- Integration with Filipino society while preserving Chinese customs
- Economic success (compound required substantial resources)
Post-WWII Recovery
By 1957, when Jesse and Betty married:
- War had ended 12 years prior
- Chinese-Filipino community had rebuilt
- Economic prosperity returning
- Traditional structures re-established
Family Structure
Jesse’s family hierarchy:
- Uncle controlled finances (Jesse’s father had died when Jesse was 3)
- Mother “Amma” lived in compound
- Multiple siblings and their families
- Jesse was expected to contribute to family
Transition from Compound
Move to Eastern Textile House
Before Louis was born (1965), family built/moved into house at Eastern Textile Factory:
“We moved into house built for us at Eastern Textile Factory before Louis was born.”
This suggests:
- Family moved from compound to own house around 1964-1965
- Eastern Textile Factory provided housing (Jesse was on Board of Directors)
- Transition from multi-generational compound to nuclear family home
- More independence for Jesse and Betty
Why Leave?
Possible reasons (to be confirmed):
- Growing family (three children needed more space)
- Jesse’s position at factory provided housing benefit
- Desire for more independence
- Factory housing more convenient for work
Cultural Significance
Traditional Chinese Compounds
Santa Mesa exemplified traditional Chinese family compounds:
- Multi-generational living (common in China)
- Extended family support system (childcare, finances)
- Patriarchal structure (uncle as head)
- Collective resources (60 people shared space and likely some costs)
- Family obligations (each nuclear family contributed)
In Filipino Context
The compound showed:
- Chinese identity preservation in Philippines
- Adaptation of Chinese customs to urban Filipino setting
- Economic success of Chinese-Filipino business families
- Distinctive ethnic community within Manila
Contrast with American Living
Later, when Chan family moved to Los Angeles (1990s):
- Nuclear family living became norm
- Jesse and Betty lived independently
- Marked change from 60-person compound
- Different cultural expectations for elderly care
Connections to Later Events
Taiwan Years (1968-1990)
When family moved to Taiwan:
- No longer living in multi-generational compound
- Nuclear family unit (Jesse, Betty, four children)
- Built own house there
- Different from Santa Mesa communal living
Los Angeles Years (1990s-present)
- Jesse and Betty in independent residence
- Children nearby but not co-residing
- American-style family structure
- Regular family gatherings replaced daily compound life
In Their Own Words
Betty on living in compound:
“Scary for a new bride.”
From interview about where Rose was born:
- Interviewer: “Santa Mea living in Santa Mea?”
- Jesse: “Yeah.”
- Betty: “You were born there.”
- Rose: “I was born there. Yeah.”
On the population:
“60 people, four generations: Great-grandma, grandma, parents, children”
Research Questions
- Exact location/address of Santa Mesa compound
- Who owned the compound? (Jesse’s uncle?)
- When was compound established?
- How many separate buildings/units?
- What happened to compound after family left?
- Does compound still exist today?
- Are there photos of the compound?
- Which other family branches lived there?
- How were finances managed with 60 people?
- Were there servants/household staff?
- What was daily life like?
- How did Betty adjust to compound life?
- Were other family members also at Eastern Textile Factory?
Santa Mesa Compound represents an important chapter in the family history, showing traditional Chinese extended family living in post-war Manila before the transition to nuclear family structure in Taiwan and America.