Tony Nunes Interview
Item
Title
Tony Nunes Interview
Creator
Nunes, Tony
Contributor
Borges, Diniz
Language
ENG
Relation
Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute
Date
4/27/2022
Identifier
SCUAD_pbbi_00062
extracted text
Diniz Borges: [inaudible]. This is the oral interview projects, the
Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute, California State University of
Fresno. What is your full birth name?
Tony Nunes: Tony Alfreda Nunes.
Diniz Borges: And uh were you named after anyone and is there a story
behind your name?
Tony Nunes: My father was Antonion [inaudible] an and my maternal
grandfather was Antonio José Alveda. So, I'm assuming Tony came from
those two gentlemen being Antonio. Uh there is a special uh nickname
to the family uh, The Nunes family was known as Saltines. Uh, that was
a nickname uh inherited by my grandfather um on my dad's side um for
he uh liked to skip from step to step on his way to church. So, he got
known as Antonio, Francisco Saltines and I carried over to my father,
Antonio and myself now.
Diniz Borges: So, it is a family nickname that's carried various
generations now, correct?
Tony Nunes: Uh, three, four with my son Derek.
Diniz Borges: Yes. Wow. Wonderful. Um, when were you born?
Tony Nunes: I was born uh September 22nd, 1971.
Diniz Borges: And where were you born?
Tony Nunes: Tulare, California.
Diniz Borges: So, what early memories do you have as a child in the
Portuguese American community since you were born here?
Tony Nunes: Well, I pretty much got the, the full spectrum. Uh the
festas, Portuguese traditional family gatherings, the matanzas, the,
the uh dancas Carnaval, at all these events, um very, uh very, very,
uh very involved in, in everything I did pretty much um as a youngster
was, was within the Portuguese American community.
Diniz Borges: And when did your family immigrate to the United States?
You were born here? So, when did your parents come?
Tony Nunes: My parents and my oldest sister, Marie immigrated uh, they
left Terceira January 13th, 1963. And exactly a week later they
arrived in New York uh January 20th, 1963.
Diniz Borges: And um why did your family leave the Azores and um what
was their trajectory to the Central, to Central California? How did
they end up here? And what…
Tony Nunes: Came for a better life. Um, they received the uh what was
called back then? The [inaudible], the uh from my mother's um mother's
paternal, no, mother's paternal um uncle. Um, he uh sent a, a, a
letter to try to get my uh my parents over here with my sister who was
at, at a very young age, uh, she was two. For a better life. Uh for
work, work was scarce. My dad uh worked in the agriculture um back in
Terceira, in the um in the grape vine um industry um and came here um
to work, better, better for opportunities for his family basically.
Diniz Borges: And so, did the family uh, uh settle in Tulare? And why
do you think it was uh here in this area or what was uh or did they
come to another area and then moved Tulare?
Tony Nunes: I originally came to Kingsburg. Um, that's where uh my
mother's uncle was. Um, had them come spend some time with him there
and my father found work uh Tipton, Lemoore area, Tulare area, um
cattle, uh cows were big here. Uh, there was a need for dairy workers
and that's where my dad settled.
Diniz Borges: So, your parents came about almost 10 years before you
were born? So, did uh did your parents ever tell you what it was like
to adjust to this new life in this country and are, are there any
stories that were passed down to you um regarding their early
experiences here uh in California?
Tony Nunes: Yes, there's a couple of very fond, fond memories. Uh, one
my mom saying as soon as that taxi got to uh her tia Suzanne's house,
she couldn't be held back. She, she was ready to go. She was so tired
of traveling. Um, she got here, she was ready to go to the house, just
get some rest and get settled. Um, because it was a very, very long um
three flights and obviously a long taxi ride to Kingsburg. Um, dad's
uh one of dad's fondest memories that he ever shared with me was that
he took a, a huge disliking for Campbell's soup uh within a very short
time of when he arrived in this country because uh, money was not, uh,
not very much of an option. Uh, so you'd go to the stores and just get
the bare necessities to be able to feed his wife and his young
daughter at the time. So, canned soup was, uh, was very common for
dinner, lunch and you know, any meal. Uh, so after a short time when
um, when dad got on his feet and he was able to have a little more uh
selection for his meals, he said no more canned soup. Uh I can't take
that. I had enough of that.
Diniz Borges: Uh, you're a member of the first generation of your
family to be born uh in the United States. Um, how important was it to
your parents to that you be raised with a strong Portuguese identity?
Tony Nunes: It was very important. Uh, we spoke dinner at the dinner
table, um Portuguese, that's all we spoke. Um until I went to school,
that's when I started learning how to speak um English um in
kindergarten. Um, but then even after uh school, um back at home for
dinner, for lunch we spoke Portuguese. Portuguese was first um and
then the rest would come. Um, and it did uh for all of us. Um, it was
uh it was very uh important that we stayed true, true to our
Portuguese roots in, in the, the household that I grew up in.
Diniz Borges: And um how was this identity expressed, Tony? How was
this identity, the Portuguese identity, your parents were here as uh
as you said, they were almost here 10 years before you were born and
so, they had, by this time adapted to themselves to the United States.
Um, how was this I ex, uh identity expressed if you look back? Was it
through language? Was it through foods? Was it through traditions? Was
it through the festas, was it through everything, all of the above?
Tony Nunes: All of the above, exactly. Um, we, we pretty much were, you
know, able to go out to the Portuguese festas and, and hang out with
Portuguese friends and, and language was important. The traditions
were important even if it was something that we may not do for the
rest of our lives, at least get a taste of it. Uh whatever the
traditions were just so we can learn how it, what it was like and, and
try to maintain it. Um, the foods we, we, it was Portuguese food um
every breakfast, lunch and dinner. Um the, the, the weekends were
filled with, like I said, either matanzas or festas or the, the
Portuguese radio station dances back in the day. Uh Portuguese
weddings, which were an event um back in the day of 600, 800 people, a
lot of Portuguese people at those weddings. Um, we did it all. Uh, we,
my parents really tried to influence us into the Portuguese community
and and stay true to our traditions and our culture.
Diniz Borges: And of these, all of these different aspects, uh,
language, foods, traditions uh festas, um, what cultural traditions
have you maintained and in your, uh, family now that you, that you
established and why, uh, has it been important for you to maintain
them if you have maintained them?
Tony Nunes: Um, all of the above. That would be my answer to this as
well. Um, I, I, I love cooking Portuguese food. I, I go through mom's
recipes a lot. Um, finding some of the traditional things she uh she
used to make. Um music, um I'm, I'm heavily involved in our Portuguese
community in the filarmônica uh here in Tulare have been since 1983.
Um that um is a huge part of, of my identity and my household um has,
has grown through that as well. Both my children were part of the, the
Portuguese filarmônica. So, they learned some Portuguese music, um
Carnaval has been a very big part of my, uh my upbringing and, and who
I am. Um and I tried to bring that to my children as well, um and
others in, in our community. Um, and I have also DJ’d since 1988 for
numerous festas, weddings, events here in our community. And I
personally like playing Portuguese music. Um, and that's why I get a
lot of requests for Portuguese weddings and a lot of uh Portuguese
events. I have a vast collection of Portuguese music. Um, and it's one
of the things I think that I've, I've, I've helped, I've contributed a
little bit to the community um, with that um, because it's, it's
scarce. It's hard to find. And that was one of my contributions and,
and one of the things I'd like to, I, I like to keep going in our
community.
Diniz Borges: You mentioned that you go through your mom's recipes. So,
is this, so you were able to keep, uh, her recipes that she wrote down
throughout the years? How did that come to you, do you recall?
Tony Nunes: Yes. Um, my sisters and I got together after mom's passing
and kind of divvied up and made copies of who wanted, what, which ones
wanted, uh, kept who, which ones. And it was difficult because as most
cooks it's oh, it's a little bit of this, a little bit of that and it
was not really a recipe. Um, but towards mom's later years, we tried
to pick her brain a little bit. So okay, is it this much or is it that
much? What's, what's your take of a little bit? So, it was, um, it was
it was interesting to, to get that stuff and, and, and, you know,
fortunately I, I've got it, and I can still make mom's caldo de
[inaudible], you know, which is, is, is a great tradition. And first
rain every year we've got to have caldos, it's just the weather and
it's it warms your body, warms your soul.
Diniz Borges: Indeed. Um, uh have you ever been to uh to the Azores
where your parents came from? And um uh if so, how many times do you
recall?
Tony Nunes: Um been to Terceira where my parents are from uh four
times, uh 2005, 2014, 2016 and lastly 2019. I visited Terceira all
four of those times. Uh 2005, we visited the, the, the continent
Lisbon um and made one brief trip in 2016 as it was to São George less
than 24 hours. Um, just a quick visit and came back. Um, but yeah,
Terceira I’ve visited four times and absolutely love it. It's amazing.
Diniz Borges: So, what's uh what was the experience like for you,
especially the very first time that you went there? Uh, that was the
first year. What was that year again?
Tony Nunes: 2005.
Diniz Borges: Okay. So, 2005. So, we're talking about uh we’re in 2022,
17 years ago, you were an adult, obviously. Uh, what was the
experience like for you?
Tony Nunes: Um I, I went on the blind. I, I really didn't know what I
was getting into. I've seen pictures, I had seen videos, but until you
get there and experience it, um I thought we were still, you know,
going back to visit some of the stories my parents told me of what
life was like then. Um very, very modernized. It was not my, my dad
was still alive when I went the first time and he uh he, he thought
one thing and, and I, I, I learned another um very modernized uh
stores pretty much everything we need here in the States, you can get
there in smaller quantities. But that was the big eye opener for me
was, was that it, it, it had modernized from the stories of my parents
and my grandparents. Uh beautiful islands, uh beautiful people,
beautiful cul-- culture. Um, therefore, I, I've gone back three times
and hopefully I'll be able to go back a lot more.
Diniz Borges: Did uh did you feel it was important to go back and see
this new Azores? If you had not done so, would you have a different
view of what the Azores were, because they were the image that your
parents had given you when they left in the early 1960s?
Tony Nunes: Yes, it was very important for me. Um it, it was, it, it's
a, in your mind, you can, you can have this picture, but until you
step on that island and get a feel for it and honestly, there's a, a
feeling of home as soon as you step off that plane. Uh it's
unexplainable. I, I, I, I've tried to explain it to, to friends and,
and family but it's just a feeling of I belong here. Um, maybe it's
our roots um coming back to us at that moment. Um, but it is um it,
it, it was a very big part of my growth as, as a Portuguese American
to be able to go back and visit and still see some of the land that
was my parents and my grandparents um and see some of their friends
and some of their relatives. Um just for that little closure of where
did I come from? Where did my family come from?
Diniz Borges: Trace a little bit if you will and I talked, you spoke a
little bit about that, but trace a little bit if you will of some of
the experiences growing up as a Portuguese American uh in the, in the
Portuguese American community in the Valley uh throughout your life as
a child and as a teenager and then as a, as a young adult, uh trace uh
some of these experiences and how these experiences were important to
you to define who you are today.
Tony Nunes: So, so growing up in the community, yeah, there's little
spaces like you said um as a child um we just went along, it was
normal for us. Um, what do you mean you don't have a like a pig in
your backyard and you kill it every February or January. Um that you
know, for, for us, it was normal when you start going to school and
you start talking with these um friends that you make of other
ethnicities. It's you realize, okay, this is something a little bit
different. We've got different culture. Um, so it, it, it, you start
adapting a little bit as you get you know, into your teenage years
and, and realizing we've got some different traditions, special,
unique traditions. Um, and I, I tried to involve myself in all of
those through all three phases of my life as a child, obviously, that
was my parents' decision. Um, but in my teenage years and getting into
the high school and, and after and my current life um I, I've been
involved um with the festa since I was a young child. I remember
escorting girls, you know, in the courts, um got involved in dancas
Carnaval, at the age of twelve. I got involved in the Portuguese band
at the age of thirteen. Um, and still I'm around those things and
still very involved in and I think the um the influx um maybe the
stubbornness of my parents at that time maybe I didn't know why I was
doing that stuff. Um, when I was still young, um it, it just kind of
became part of what I did and who I am and therefore here we are at
the age of fifty I'm still involved in these things and still living
it.
Diniz Borges: You mentioned some of the things that you were involved
with. You mentioned. Of course, your DJ work, you mentioned the
Portuguese marching band - the filarmónica. You mentioned Carnaval
Mardi Gras traditional style from Terceira Island. You mentioned the
Portuguese festas, you mentioned uh the, the soccer hall that you've
been involved with. Um, uh tell us, tell me a little bit. I know that
you've been involved in, uh, in, in, in soccer itself as a uh, as it
is the national sport of Portugal. Uh, how did you become involved in
soccer? Because that's something that probably, uh, were your parents,
uh, big, uh, be, or sporting fans or was it something that you picked
up on your own? And how has that shaped your life also in the
community and outside the community?
Tony Nunes: Growing up that didn't have much work at his, um, so as I
got to, um, an age where, you know, thirteen, fourteen years old after
school sports came around and talked to both parents and okay, but,
you know, we want you to do this but there's still things that need to
be done around the house and started playing soccer. I started liking
playing soccer. I was never a great soccer player. Uh, but I, I had a
passion for it and dad never had a real team that he was real fond of.
Um, you know, he watched it a little bit, um, told me stories of
watching, you know, games back on the island, uh in the days, but I
just I, I, I took a liking to soccer and being, you know, the probably
a sport that Portugal is most known for. Um, it, it, I really took a
liking to it, to our, our national team and I've always wanted to be
involved um, with soccer, which when I couldn't play any longer, I
took on coaching. I've coached at the high school level. I've coached
at the youth level, uh, club, uh, soccer, um, AYSO the, uh, the local
soccer club here in Tulare Angrense, I coached there as well, played
there for various years as a junior as an adult member and also as a
senior member of the club. So, it just kind of became one of those
other things that just, it was a time for it. And I, I played while I
could and now, I coach when I can’t.
Diniz Borges: Of all these things that you've done, of all that you
have accomplished. What are uh your most uh proud moments? What uh
proud moments do you remember of the various things that you've been
involved in the Portuguese American community? I'm sure there are
various.
Tony Nunes: There are, there are various there, but there's three that
definitely stand out. Um, let's go over then to 2013. Um, yeah 2013.
Uh Carnaval my, my, my peak moment was a visit that uh we had uh a
visit from the group uh promoting the uh the Festas da Praia is the,
the, the, the Praia fest. Um and Elio Costa uh who's been my Carnaval
idol or hero. Uh he was visiting with that group and there was a need
for some entertainment uh during that uh promotional dinner. Um, and
the group that I was teaching of young children from the age of four
to maybe fifteen we had just finished up Carnaval um in uh in
February, March and I believe they came in June or July, and we got
back together and we performed. And for me, it was, it was an amazing
moment because the idea I had in my head for that script for Carnaval
was written by Elio Costa and then, you know, three months later, he
just so happens to be visiting our community and uh we were able to
perform for him, which is something that usually doesn't happen here
in the States being he's there. So that was, that was a very proud
moment for me in Carnaval. In the Filarmónica um, obviously, 2014, um
our band was invited to uh to perform at the um San Joaninas Festa in
Angra do Heroísmo, which happens to be Tulare's Sister City as you
well know. And uh I just, I was privileged and honored and fortunate
to be president of our, our local Portuguese band at that time. Um, it
was a huge undertaking. We had roughly 6 to 8 months to put it
together uh for roughly 10 days of nonstop uh performances on the
island. But a memory that I will never ever, ever forget. And I I
believe every member of our band that was able to join us on that trip
uh will cherish for the rest of our lives. And then um this year 2000,
well, this past year 2021 should have been 2020. Um, but due to the
pandemic uh got extended a little bit. Um I was president for our TDS
uh Holy Spirit Festa, which was something growing up as a child, I
never would have imagined um having that opportunity. Um, it just fell
into place with a, a great committee and I came in as a secretary and
followed along to vice president and then president for two years. Um,
and it, it was a huge success. A lot of work, uh community support was
amazing. Uh, and to be on that side of the fence and, and receive all
the support from the community, it was just, it was definitely a
highlight in my uh in my uh in my lifetime. For sure.
Diniz Borges: To what extent do you believe that uh being a Portuguese
American um has shaped the way you have moved through life uh both
professionally and personally?
Tony Nunes: Um, I believe being Portuguese American has cultivated a
work ethic in me um, that um makes me realize and that nothing is
given to you, you've got to work for it. Um, and that was something
that was instilled in by my parents at a very young age. And I think
that's our culture, that's who we are. Uh, you want something to go
work for it. Um, humbleness. Um, yes, always willing to listen and,
and, and take ideas from others. Um and, and to be involved in our
community. Um just, I feel that I'm culture driven. I, I'm, I, I try
to pay back to the community that has given me so much and so much
opportunities. Um I feel that those are all things that were instilled
me at a young age because I had such a huge um Portuguese um
upbringing.
Diniz Borges: So, what does it mean to be Portuguese American? Um, you
know what is uh what I, what is at the essence of all of it to you?
What is that? What is that distinct feeling from someone who is not
Portuguese American, who's just American without the Portuguese behind
it?
Tony Nunes: I feel that being a Portuguese American is being a part of
a rich culture, a rich community um in, in carrying on our, our
traditions even as far away as we are from our homeland, um very
special, very um very loving people, very giving people, very
supportive people to what is ours and our community and trying to
maintain those um um those, those roots and those traditions. Um, I
believe that is very, um it's, it's a profound love for the culture
and I, I, I, I believe that, that that's important in our lives and it
mean, what does it mean to me? I don't know that there's a exact
definition for it. It's just I'm part of a very rich culture.
Diniz Borges: How do you see the Portuguese American community today um
a, a and in reference to, for example, the Portuguese American
community that you grew in, you know, 25, 30 years ago?
Tony Nunes: Um, it's struggling, uh, without a doubt, it's struggling.
But, um, I believe it, it, it, it has a lot of pride in our commun-Our community has a lot of pride, pride in knowing that there are
still 2nd, 3rd generations um that want to continue, um, the, some of
the traditions um, all of them, I don't know that they'll all survive.
Uh, but there's still a want to, to maintain what our forefathers, our
parents, our grandparents brought with them when they came to this
country and just wanted to have a little piece of home on this island,
on this country from, from the islands they came from, they where they
originated from and just to be able to have a little bit of that and,
and, and over all these years still maintain it. I mean, some of these
organizations they are 100 or some of them reaching 100 years old.
That's special stuff um that, you know, is it gonna go another 100? I
sure hope it does. Uh in reality I don't know, but if not all of the
traditions make it to 100 years. If some of them do. I think that is
huge for Portuguese American and, and it's something to be proud of.
Um, and I, I, I think our community is is, is still strong. Um, and I,
I think a lot of the original ideas of our forefathers are still alive
in our community. And I think there's still people that want to do
those things and and continue with them for generations to come.
Diniz Borges: How do you see the Portuguese language continuing in the
community? What are your thoughts about that compared to again? Uh
when you were growing up, of course, in your house, the Portuguese was
the main language because that's the language that your parents spoke.
And that's the language that lots of immigrants that came around your
parents time in the 1960s and early ‘70s spoke.
Diniz Borges: But um you know, uh 50, 60
immigrated and 40 years basically, after
immigrants ended in 1980. How do you see
do you see it in the near future in your
years later after they
the uh last wave of
the language today? And how
perspective?
Tony Nunes: But it, it is weakening for sure. Um less and less families
of my generation and younger are speaking Portuguese. Um I do and I,
I, I congratulate them when I see it happen because I did it with my
children when they were a very young age. We spoke Portuguese to those
kids. It was everything in Portuguese to try to get them to learn at
least a basis of the Portuguese language so they can speak to their
grandparents so they can speak to the aunts and uncles and have a
conversation. Um, there are still some young couples that I see that
are younger than I bringing up children that, you know 3-4 years old
now and they, they are trying, they're trying their darndest, but we
are in America and it's going to be tough to maintain it. Um,
community-wise um, you know, the, we were fortunate here in to learn
to have um the Portuguese um classes at the, at the high schools, um
which is a huge um benefit for my children as well. They learn to read
and to write and perform and that was all great things, hopefully that
stays within our community um, for years to come. I would love for my
grandchildren to uh to also at some point be able to have that
experience as well so they can talk to grandpa. Um, but um it, it's,
it's tough it's going to be a challenge um for the some of the events,
uh the festas, the some of the traditions are gonna have to adapt
because not everybody's gonna be Portuguese that's coming to your
events. Um, and or will understand the traditional aspects of the
festa that were in Portuguese. Dancas Carnaval um kind of same thing.
Um I feel that way. Um, it it, it may um it may be a little more
difficult for the dancas because it's not so much the people that are
trying to speak the language um to put on the performance but also the
crowd that is there to appreciate it or or they're just to watch the
show, they've got to be able to understand what we're putting on a
stage and and talking about for 45 minutes. So, there's that gonna
there's gonna be that barrier and I, I, I don't know that's gonna,
it'll never get back to the way it was. Um, but hopefully it can
maintain to a certain level at least so that some of these traditions
can come can last. Um on, on the music side of it, um which has been
something I've been involved in for years as well. The, the Portuguese
marching bands, um music has no barriers. So, language wise, um it's
not a problem. Uh, we have musicians in our band currently of all
ethnicities. Um, they, they understand the festas that we go to the
traditions we're trying to maintain, and we are playing Portuguese
style music. Um, but it's um it's not a barrier. Um, but some of the
other things like the spoken word of Portuguese Carnaval, uh kind of
folklore, um those types of things [inaudible], um um those types of
things that they're, they're gonna become less and less um common, I
think because of the, the, the, the lessening of the Portuguese
language within the generations that are, that are um coming up behind
us.
Diniz Borges: So, as we uh conclude the interview is there anything
that uh we didn't cover uh professionally, personally, uh community
that you'd like to share?
Tony Nunes: Um no, um pretty much think we covered it all.
Diniz Borges: Wonderful. Thank you so much.
Tony Nunes: Thank you for having me.
Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute, California State University of
Fresno. What is your full birth name?
Tony Nunes: Tony Alfreda Nunes.
Diniz Borges: And uh were you named after anyone and is there a story
behind your name?
Tony Nunes: My father was Antonion [inaudible] an and my maternal
grandfather was Antonio José Alveda. So, I'm assuming Tony came from
those two gentlemen being Antonio. Uh there is a special uh nickname
to the family uh, The Nunes family was known as Saltines. Uh, that was
a nickname uh inherited by my grandfather um on my dad's side um for
he uh liked to skip from step to step on his way to church. So, he got
known as Antonio, Francisco Saltines and I carried over to my father,
Antonio and myself now.
Diniz Borges: So, it is a family nickname that's carried various
generations now, correct?
Tony Nunes: Uh, three, four with my son Derek.
Diniz Borges: Yes. Wow. Wonderful. Um, when were you born?
Tony Nunes: I was born uh September 22nd, 1971.
Diniz Borges: And where were you born?
Tony Nunes: Tulare, California.
Diniz Borges: So, what early memories do you have as a child in the
Portuguese American community since you were born here?
Tony Nunes: Well, I pretty much got the, the full spectrum. Uh the
festas, Portuguese traditional family gatherings, the matanzas, the,
the uh dancas Carnaval, at all these events, um very, uh very, very,
uh very involved in, in everything I did pretty much um as a youngster
was, was within the Portuguese American community.
Diniz Borges: And when did your family immigrate to the United States?
You were born here? So, when did your parents come?
Tony Nunes: My parents and my oldest sister, Marie immigrated uh, they
left Terceira January 13th, 1963. And exactly a week later they
arrived in New York uh January 20th, 1963.
Diniz Borges: And um why did your family leave the Azores and um what
was their trajectory to the Central, to Central California? How did
they end up here? And what…
Tony Nunes: Came for a better life. Um, they received the uh what was
called back then? The [inaudible], the uh from my mother's um mother's
paternal, no, mother's paternal um uncle. Um, he uh sent a, a, a
letter to try to get my uh my parents over here with my sister who was
at, at a very young age, uh, she was two. For a better life. Uh for
work, work was scarce. My dad uh worked in the agriculture um back in
Terceira, in the um in the grape vine um industry um and came here um
to work, better, better for opportunities for his family basically.
Diniz Borges: And so, did the family uh, uh settle in Tulare? And why
do you think it was uh here in this area or what was uh or did they
come to another area and then moved Tulare?
Tony Nunes: I originally came to Kingsburg. Um, that's where uh my
mother's uncle was. Um, had them come spend some time with him there
and my father found work uh Tipton, Lemoore area, Tulare area, um
cattle, uh cows were big here. Uh, there was a need for dairy workers
and that's where my dad settled.
Diniz Borges: So, your parents came about almost 10 years before you
were born? So, did uh did your parents ever tell you what it was like
to adjust to this new life in this country and are, are there any
stories that were passed down to you um regarding their early
experiences here uh in California?
Tony Nunes: Yes, there's a couple of very fond, fond memories. Uh, one
my mom saying as soon as that taxi got to uh her tia Suzanne's house,
she couldn't be held back. She, she was ready to go. She was so tired
of traveling. Um, she got here, she was ready to go to the house, just
get some rest and get settled. Um, because it was a very, very long um
three flights and obviously a long taxi ride to Kingsburg. Um, dad's
uh one of dad's fondest memories that he ever shared with me was that
he took a, a huge disliking for Campbell's soup uh within a very short
time of when he arrived in this country because uh, money was not, uh,
not very much of an option. Uh, so you'd go to the stores and just get
the bare necessities to be able to feed his wife and his young
daughter at the time. So, canned soup was, uh, was very common for
dinner, lunch and you know, any meal. Uh, so after a short time when
um, when dad got on his feet and he was able to have a little more uh
selection for his meals, he said no more canned soup. Uh I can't take
that. I had enough of that.
Diniz Borges: Uh, you're a member of the first generation of your
family to be born uh in the United States. Um, how important was it to
your parents to that you be raised with a strong Portuguese identity?
Tony Nunes: It was very important. Uh, we spoke dinner at the dinner
table, um Portuguese, that's all we spoke. Um until I went to school,
that's when I started learning how to speak um English um in
kindergarten. Um, but then even after uh school, um back at home for
dinner, for lunch we spoke Portuguese. Portuguese was first um and
then the rest would come. Um, and it did uh for all of us. Um, it was
uh it was very uh important that we stayed true, true to our
Portuguese roots in, in the, the household that I grew up in.
Diniz Borges: And um how was this identity expressed, Tony? How was
this identity, the Portuguese identity, your parents were here as uh
as you said, they were almost here 10 years before you were born and
so, they had, by this time adapted to themselves to the United States.
Um, how was this I ex, uh identity expressed if you look back? Was it
through language? Was it through foods? Was it through traditions? Was
it through the festas, was it through everything, all of the above?
Tony Nunes: All of the above, exactly. Um, we, we pretty much were, you
know, able to go out to the Portuguese festas and, and hang out with
Portuguese friends and, and language was important. The traditions
were important even if it was something that we may not do for the
rest of our lives, at least get a taste of it. Uh whatever the
traditions were just so we can learn how it, what it was like and, and
try to maintain it. Um, the foods we, we, it was Portuguese food um
every breakfast, lunch and dinner. Um the, the, the weekends were
filled with, like I said, either matanzas or festas or the, the
Portuguese radio station dances back in the day. Uh Portuguese
weddings, which were an event um back in the day of 600, 800 people, a
lot of Portuguese people at those weddings. Um, we did it all. Uh, we,
my parents really tried to influence us into the Portuguese community
and and stay true to our traditions and our culture.
Diniz Borges: And of these, all of these different aspects, uh,
language, foods, traditions uh festas, um, what cultural traditions
have you maintained and in your, uh, family now that you, that you
established and why, uh, has it been important for you to maintain
them if you have maintained them?
Tony Nunes: Um, all of the above. That would be my answer to this as
well. Um, I, I, I love cooking Portuguese food. I, I go through mom's
recipes a lot. Um, finding some of the traditional things she uh she
used to make. Um music, um I'm, I'm heavily involved in our Portuguese
community in the filarmônica uh here in Tulare have been since 1983.
Um that um is a huge part of, of my identity and my household um has,
has grown through that as well. Both my children were part of the, the
Portuguese filarmônica. So, they learned some Portuguese music, um
Carnaval has been a very big part of my, uh my upbringing and, and who
I am. Um and I tried to bring that to my children as well, um and
others in, in our community. Um, and I have also DJ’d since 1988 for
numerous festas, weddings, events here in our community. And I
personally like playing Portuguese music. Um, and that's why I get a
lot of requests for Portuguese weddings and a lot of uh Portuguese
events. I have a vast collection of Portuguese music. Um, and it's one
of the things I think that I've, I've, I've helped, I've contributed a
little bit to the community um, with that um, because it's, it's
scarce. It's hard to find. And that was one of my contributions and,
and one of the things I'd like to, I, I like to keep going in our
community.
Diniz Borges: You mentioned that you go through your mom's recipes. So,
is this, so you were able to keep, uh, her recipes that she wrote down
throughout the years? How did that come to you, do you recall?
Tony Nunes: Yes. Um, my sisters and I got together after mom's passing
and kind of divvied up and made copies of who wanted, what, which ones
wanted, uh, kept who, which ones. And it was difficult because as most
cooks it's oh, it's a little bit of this, a little bit of that and it
was not really a recipe. Um, but towards mom's later years, we tried
to pick her brain a little bit. So okay, is it this much or is it that
much? What's, what's your take of a little bit? So, it was, um, it was
it was interesting to, to get that stuff and, and, and, you know,
fortunately I, I've got it, and I can still make mom's caldo de
[inaudible], you know, which is, is, is a great tradition. And first
rain every year we've got to have caldos, it's just the weather and
it's it warms your body, warms your soul.
Diniz Borges: Indeed. Um, uh have you ever been to uh to the Azores
where your parents came from? And um uh if so, how many times do you
recall?
Tony Nunes: Um been to Terceira where my parents are from uh four
times, uh 2005, 2014, 2016 and lastly 2019. I visited Terceira all
four of those times. Uh 2005, we visited the, the, the continent
Lisbon um and made one brief trip in 2016 as it was to São George less
than 24 hours. Um, just a quick visit and came back. Um, but yeah,
Terceira I’ve visited four times and absolutely love it. It's amazing.
Diniz Borges: So, what's uh what was the experience like for you,
especially the very first time that you went there? Uh, that was the
first year. What was that year again?
Tony Nunes: 2005.
Diniz Borges: Okay. So, 2005. So, we're talking about uh we’re in 2022,
17 years ago, you were an adult, obviously. Uh, what was the
experience like for you?
Tony Nunes: Um I, I went on the blind. I, I really didn't know what I
was getting into. I've seen pictures, I had seen videos, but until you
get there and experience it, um I thought we were still, you know,
going back to visit some of the stories my parents told me of what
life was like then. Um very, very modernized. It was not my, my dad
was still alive when I went the first time and he uh he, he thought
one thing and, and I, I, I learned another um very modernized uh
stores pretty much everything we need here in the States, you can get
there in smaller quantities. But that was the big eye opener for me
was, was that it, it, it had modernized from the stories of my parents
and my grandparents. Uh beautiful islands, uh beautiful people,
beautiful cul-- culture. Um, therefore, I, I've gone back three times
and hopefully I'll be able to go back a lot more.
Diniz Borges: Did uh did you feel it was important to go back and see
this new Azores? If you had not done so, would you have a different
view of what the Azores were, because they were the image that your
parents had given you when they left in the early 1960s?
Tony Nunes: Yes, it was very important for me. Um it, it was, it, it's
a, in your mind, you can, you can have this picture, but until you
step on that island and get a feel for it and honestly, there's a, a
feeling of home as soon as you step off that plane. Uh it's
unexplainable. I, I, I, I've tried to explain it to, to friends and,
and family but it's just a feeling of I belong here. Um, maybe it's
our roots um coming back to us at that moment. Um, but it is um it,
it, it was a very big part of my growth as, as a Portuguese American
to be able to go back and visit and still see some of the land that
was my parents and my grandparents um and see some of their friends
and some of their relatives. Um just for that little closure of where
did I come from? Where did my family come from?
Diniz Borges: Trace a little bit if you will and I talked, you spoke a
little bit about that, but trace a little bit if you will of some of
the experiences growing up as a Portuguese American uh in the, in the
Portuguese American community in the Valley uh throughout your life as
a child and as a teenager and then as a, as a young adult, uh trace uh
some of these experiences and how these experiences were important to
you to define who you are today.
Tony Nunes: So, so growing up in the community, yeah, there's little
spaces like you said um as a child um we just went along, it was
normal for us. Um, what do you mean you don't have a like a pig in
your backyard and you kill it every February or January. Um that you
know, for, for us, it was normal when you start going to school and
you start talking with these um friends that you make of other
ethnicities. It's you realize, okay, this is something a little bit
different. We've got different culture. Um, so it, it, it, you start
adapting a little bit as you get you know, into your teenage years
and, and realizing we've got some different traditions, special,
unique traditions. Um, and I, I tried to involve myself in all of
those through all three phases of my life as a child, obviously, that
was my parents' decision. Um, but in my teenage years and getting into
the high school and, and after and my current life um I, I've been
involved um with the festa since I was a young child. I remember
escorting girls, you know, in the courts, um got involved in dancas
Carnaval, at the age of twelve. I got involved in the Portuguese band
at the age of thirteen. Um, and still I'm around those things and
still very involved in and I think the um the influx um maybe the
stubbornness of my parents at that time maybe I didn't know why I was
doing that stuff. Um, when I was still young, um it, it just kind of
became part of what I did and who I am and therefore here we are at
the age of fifty I'm still involved in these things and still living
it.
Diniz Borges: You mentioned some of the things that you were involved
with. You mentioned. Of course, your DJ work, you mentioned the
Portuguese marching band - the filarmónica. You mentioned Carnaval
Mardi Gras traditional style from Terceira Island. You mentioned the
Portuguese festas, you mentioned uh the, the soccer hall that you've
been involved with. Um, uh tell us, tell me a little bit. I know that
you've been involved in, uh, in, in, in soccer itself as a uh, as it
is the national sport of Portugal. Uh, how did you become involved in
soccer? Because that's something that probably, uh, were your parents,
uh, big, uh, be, or sporting fans or was it something that you picked
up on your own? And how has that shaped your life also in the
community and outside the community?
Tony Nunes: Growing up that didn't have much work at his, um, so as I
got to, um, an age where, you know, thirteen, fourteen years old after
school sports came around and talked to both parents and okay, but,
you know, we want you to do this but there's still things that need to
be done around the house and started playing soccer. I started liking
playing soccer. I was never a great soccer player. Uh, but I, I had a
passion for it and dad never had a real team that he was real fond of.
Um, you know, he watched it a little bit, um, told me stories of
watching, you know, games back on the island, uh in the days, but I
just I, I, I took a liking to soccer and being, you know, the probably
a sport that Portugal is most known for. Um, it, it, I really took a
liking to it, to our, our national team and I've always wanted to be
involved um, with soccer, which when I couldn't play any longer, I
took on coaching. I've coached at the high school level. I've coached
at the youth level, uh, club, uh, soccer, um, AYSO the, uh, the local
soccer club here in Tulare Angrense, I coached there as well, played
there for various years as a junior as an adult member and also as a
senior member of the club. So, it just kind of became one of those
other things that just, it was a time for it. And I, I played while I
could and now, I coach when I can’t.
Diniz Borges: Of all these things that you've done, of all that you
have accomplished. What are uh your most uh proud moments? What uh
proud moments do you remember of the various things that you've been
involved in the Portuguese American community? I'm sure there are
various.
Tony Nunes: There are, there are various there, but there's three that
definitely stand out. Um, let's go over then to 2013. Um, yeah 2013.
Uh Carnaval my, my, my peak moment was a visit that uh we had uh a
visit from the group uh promoting the uh the Festas da Praia is the,
the, the, the Praia fest. Um and Elio Costa uh who's been my Carnaval
idol or hero. Uh he was visiting with that group and there was a need
for some entertainment uh during that uh promotional dinner. Um, and
the group that I was teaching of young children from the age of four
to maybe fifteen we had just finished up Carnaval um in uh in
February, March and I believe they came in June or July, and we got
back together and we performed. And for me, it was, it was an amazing
moment because the idea I had in my head for that script for Carnaval
was written by Elio Costa and then, you know, three months later, he
just so happens to be visiting our community and uh we were able to
perform for him, which is something that usually doesn't happen here
in the States being he's there. So that was, that was a very proud
moment for me in Carnaval. In the Filarmónica um, obviously, 2014, um
our band was invited to uh to perform at the um San Joaninas Festa in
Angra do Heroísmo, which happens to be Tulare's Sister City as you
well know. And uh I just, I was privileged and honored and fortunate
to be president of our, our local Portuguese band at that time. Um, it
was a huge undertaking. We had roughly 6 to 8 months to put it
together uh for roughly 10 days of nonstop uh performances on the
island. But a memory that I will never ever, ever forget. And I I
believe every member of our band that was able to join us on that trip
uh will cherish for the rest of our lives. And then um this year 2000,
well, this past year 2021 should have been 2020. Um, but due to the
pandemic uh got extended a little bit. Um I was president for our TDS
uh Holy Spirit Festa, which was something growing up as a child, I
never would have imagined um having that opportunity. Um, it just fell
into place with a, a great committee and I came in as a secretary and
followed along to vice president and then president for two years. Um,
and it, it was a huge success. A lot of work, uh community support was
amazing. Uh, and to be on that side of the fence and, and receive all
the support from the community, it was just, it was definitely a
highlight in my uh in my uh in my lifetime. For sure.
Diniz Borges: To what extent do you believe that uh being a Portuguese
American um has shaped the way you have moved through life uh both
professionally and personally?
Tony Nunes: Um, I believe being Portuguese American has cultivated a
work ethic in me um, that um makes me realize and that nothing is
given to you, you've got to work for it. Um, and that was something
that was instilled in by my parents at a very young age. And I think
that's our culture, that's who we are. Uh, you want something to go
work for it. Um, humbleness. Um, yes, always willing to listen and,
and, and take ideas from others. Um and, and to be involved in our
community. Um just, I feel that I'm culture driven. I, I'm, I, I try
to pay back to the community that has given me so much and so much
opportunities. Um I feel that those are all things that were instilled
me at a young age because I had such a huge um Portuguese um
upbringing.
Diniz Borges: So, what does it mean to be Portuguese American? Um, you
know what is uh what I, what is at the essence of all of it to you?
What is that? What is that distinct feeling from someone who is not
Portuguese American, who's just American without the Portuguese behind
it?
Tony Nunes: I feel that being a Portuguese American is being a part of
a rich culture, a rich community um in, in carrying on our, our
traditions even as far away as we are from our homeland, um very
special, very um very loving people, very giving people, very
supportive people to what is ours and our community and trying to
maintain those um um those, those roots and those traditions. Um, I
believe that is very, um it's, it's a profound love for the culture
and I, I, I, I believe that, that that's important in our lives and it
mean, what does it mean to me? I don't know that there's a exact
definition for it. It's just I'm part of a very rich culture.
Diniz Borges: How do you see the Portuguese American community today um
a, a and in reference to, for example, the Portuguese American
community that you grew in, you know, 25, 30 years ago?
Tony Nunes: Um, it's struggling, uh, without a doubt, it's struggling.
But, um, I believe it, it, it, it has a lot of pride in our commun-Our community has a lot of pride, pride in knowing that there are
still 2nd, 3rd generations um that want to continue, um, the, some of
the traditions um, all of them, I don't know that they'll all survive.
Uh, but there's still a want to, to maintain what our forefathers, our
parents, our grandparents brought with them when they came to this
country and just wanted to have a little piece of home on this island,
on this country from, from the islands they came from, they where they
originated from and just to be able to have a little bit of that and,
and, and over all these years still maintain it. I mean, some of these
organizations they are 100 or some of them reaching 100 years old.
That's special stuff um that, you know, is it gonna go another 100? I
sure hope it does. Uh in reality I don't know, but if not all of the
traditions make it to 100 years. If some of them do. I think that is
huge for Portuguese American and, and it's something to be proud of.
Um, and I, I, I think our community is is, is still strong. Um, and I,
I think a lot of the original ideas of our forefathers are still alive
in our community. And I think there's still people that want to do
those things and and continue with them for generations to come.
Diniz Borges: How do you see the Portuguese language continuing in the
community? What are your thoughts about that compared to again? Uh
when you were growing up, of course, in your house, the Portuguese was
the main language because that's the language that your parents spoke.
And that's the language that lots of immigrants that came around your
parents time in the 1960s and early ‘70s spoke.
Diniz Borges: But um you know, uh 50, 60
immigrated and 40 years basically, after
immigrants ended in 1980. How do you see
do you see it in the near future in your
years later after they
the uh last wave of
the language today? And how
perspective?
Tony Nunes: But it, it is weakening for sure. Um less and less families
of my generation and younger are speaking Portuguese. Um I do and I,
I, I congratulate them when I see it happen because I did it with my
children when they were a very young age. We spoke Portuguese to those
kids. It was everything in Portuguese to try to get them to learn at
least a basis of the Portuguese language so they can speak to their
grandparents so they can speak to the aunts and uncles and have a
conversation. Um, there are still some young couples that I see that
are younger than I bringing up children that, you know 3-4 years old
now and they, they are trying, they're trying their darndest, but we
are in America and it's going to be tough to maintain it. Um,
community-wise um, you know, the, we were fortunate here in to learn
to have um the Portuguese um classes at the, at the high schools, um
which is a huge um benefit for my children as well. They learn to read
and to write and perform and that was all great things, hopefully that
stays within our community um, for years to come. I would love for my
grandchildren to uh to also at some point be able to have that
experience as well so they can talk to grandpa. Um, but um it, it's,
it's tough it's going to be a challenge um for the some of the events,
uh the festas, the some of the traditions are gonna have to adapt
because not everybody's gonna be Portuguese that's coming to your
events. Um, and or will understand the traditional aspects of the
festa that were in Portuguese. Dancas Carnaval um kind of same thing.
Um I feel that way. Um, it it, it may um it may be a little more
difficult for the dancas because it's not so much the people that are
trying to speak the language um to put on the performance but also the
crowd that is there to appreciate it or or they're just to watch the
show, they've got to be able to understand what we're putting on a
stage and and talking about for 45 minutes. So, there's that gonna
there's gonna be that barrier and I, I, I don't know that's gonna,
it'll never get back to the way it was. Um, but hopefully it can
maintain to a certain level at least so that some of these traditions
can come can last. Um on, on the music side of it, um which has been
something I've been involved in for years as well. The, the Portuguese
marching bands, um music has no barriers. So, language wise, um it's
not a problem. Uh, we have musicians in our band currently of all
ethnicities. Um, they, they understand the festas that we go to the
traditions we're trying to maintain, and we are playing Portuguese
style music. Um, but it's um it's not a barrier. Um, but some of the
other things like the spoken word of Portuguese Carnaval, uh kind of
folklore, um those types of things [inaudible], um um those types of
things that they're, they're gonna become less and less um common, I
think because of the, the, the, the lessening of the Portuguese
language within the generations that are, that are um coming up behind
us.
Diniz Borges: So, as we uh conclude the interview is there anything
that uh we didn't cover uh professionally, personally, uh community
that you'd like to share?
Tony Nunes: Um no, um pretty much think we covered it all.
Diniz Borges: Wonderful. Thank you so much.
Tony Nunes: Thank you for having me.