Rio Villa: The American English word "boondocks" signifies something far and unknown.

Jay Jay Maniquis: But was actually termed from the Tagalog word for mountain, "bundok."

Rio: Like the duality in these words, the Filipino experience is one of hidden strength.

Jay Jay: But their mountainous presence always has and always will be there.

Rio: These are Filipinos who create, innovate, and influence.

Jay Jay: Bringing the Filipino story-- both: "Out of the Boondocks."

Dario Villa: So this is the way to the Philippines.

And sometimes when I'm sitting on my board and waiting for the next wave to come, I would imagine myself sitting on a beautiful sailboat heading back to the islands.

That has always made me feel amazing.

Dario: You know, we have an old saying in Tagalog.

It goes like this.

[speaking Tagalog] Which means that if you don't know or if you don't appreciate where you're coming from, you will never reach your full destination, or you will never appreciate how you got to where you are today.

Rio: We are here in Coronado, San Diego at Shipwrecks Beach.

We're here to talk to a local surfer who just happens to be my dad.

My dad grew up in the Philippines, but it was here in San Diego where he actually learned how to surf.

Dario: Hi, I am Dr. Dario Deguzman Villa.

Dario: I am a recreational surfer, a seasonal surfer.

When the water gets warm is when I want to go out there, and I joke around with people when I tell them I am a big-time, small-wave surfer.

Rio: When did you start surfing?

Dario: I was about 23 years old when--well, I'll take that back.

I was about 22 years old, and I like sitting on my board chatting with my friends, talking about all kinds of things, and sometimes actually catching a wave is secondary to the conversations, the camaraderie, the hangout time, and surfing is something we do in between.

Rio: So when you're out there in the water, do you kind of feel like for a moment you could be anywhere?

Dario: Definitely, especially lately that I've gone to several places in the Philippines to go surfing.

Except for the temperature, when I'm looking towards the horizon and I'm just seeing this body of water, it's very easy to imagine that I am home because water here and water there are one.

They're connected.

And so the kind of energy I feel is pretty much the same.

Rio: What part of the Philippines are you from?

Dario: I came from a small village, Barangay Putlod.

The township is Jaen.

The province is Nueva Ecija in the central plains of Luzon.

We moved to San Diego in 1976 when I was 17 years old.

Rio: So what do you spend most of your time doing?

Dario: Lately I've been spending a lot of time here in the backyard staring at my plants, watching my vegetables grow.

Dario: Okay, so over here I have a chico, which is native to Southeast Asia.

Rio: What is that, a fruit or-- Dario: It's a fruit.

On the outside it looks like kiwi.

Dario: But I like being out here.

It's a little paradise for me and to a small degree it reminds me of the backyard I grew up in in the Philippines.

Dario: A couple of sunflowers here.

Rio: I love sunflowers.

Dario: It's a beautiful zinnia, and I got some zucchini plants here.

Rio: And I've seen it for myself.

We basically have this jungle in our backyard.

Is that a reason why you've created this paradise?

Dario: You know, we are all affected by people and places that we have encountered while we are growing up.

So I know somewhere along the way I brought the dust of Putlod into wherever I go.

Dario: One of my favorites, mulberries.

I love mulberries.

Mmm, It's good.

Rio: It's got webs on it.

Dario: Well, just don't eat the spider that came with the web.

Rio: Well, I'm not eating it now.

Dario: I like to plant things because when I was growing up that is what we did.

Although my family were not outright farmers, my grandparents always grew things around the house.

Rio: At the end of the 2020 school year, Dr. Villa retired after working in education for 38 years.

Dario: There's an old saying: "Tell me who your parents are or who your family are and I'll tell you who you are."

I grew up in a community like that, and incidentally I was raised by educators.

My grandfather was one of the most preeminent educators to come out of my village.

My mother, your grandmother, was a teacher before coming to America.

My paternal grandfather was a teacher.

Even though I didn't seek out thinking I was going to go into education, it was in my DNA and there came a time when I couldn't deny my DNA.

It pulled me in that direction, and since 1986 I have worked with the Sweetwater Union High School District.

Rio: What do you think is one of the moments that you look back and you think that made it all worth it for you?

Dario: I have many moments, and every year when I know kids who are the first in their family to go to college go to college, that is the greatest joy.

You know, I've always maintained that, you know, education is the key which will open doors where it didn't exist before, and I know that a kid coming from a family, the first one going to college is going to change not only their lives but the life trajectory of that person's life and the family; and it changes it for everyone.

Then I can say okay, indeed I made a slight difference in the life of that child.

Rio: So you are also published.

And I was reading your chapter in Yen Espiritu's "Filipino American Life" and one of the quotes that stuck with me is you say, "I am proud of where I come from, and I am proud of my ability to understand the soul of my culture."

And so I guess I just wanted to ask, what is the soul or the essence of being Filipino?

Dario: I think for every Filipino it's slightly different.

For me growing up, the essence of the family, the importance of the family is paramount.

You did things together.

You survived together.

You flourished together.

You suffered together.

You laughed together.

No matter what the circumstances, you stayed together.

Of course, this was prior to 10 million Filipinos having the need to go overseas in order to not starve.

This was the condition for most of them, to navigate life a little bit better.

They had to leave the Philippines.

Rio: Eleven percent of the entire Filipino population live outside of the Philippines.

It is one of the biggest diaspora populations spanning over 100 countries.

Dario: In my travels, you know, over the last 10, 15 years, you know, I've met Filipinos everywhere.

And once the acknowledgement between each other that, "Yes, we come from the same place," it's like you're talking to a cousin.

I remember one time we were in La Ramblas in Barcelona and there was this older lady who was hugging Mahi.

Mahi was maybe 7, and she said, "Is it okay if I keep holding on to your daughter because I haven't seen my grandkids?"

And--sorry.

I thought of my own grandmother.

You know, going back to this lady in Barcelona, she was hanging on to Mahi.

You know, she had a smile on her face.

You can also see the loneliness and the hurt, you know, because she has to be that far away.

That kind of reminded me of the way, you know, my grandmother held me before I left.

That was a difficult time.

I didn't want to go.

My mind was telling me change is okay, that this is going to be good, but I was afraid.

I was afraid that when I leave, even when I make it back, it won't be the same.

Somehow I understood that, you know, some of the people I love won't be there when I get back, and actually each year I come back there are less and less, fewer and fewer of the people I knew when I was growing up.

Looking at the children when I'm in Putlod, I recognize the faces because I see traces of their parents, their grandparents in them.

And then they look at me--and this is probably the greater hurt: they look at me and they don't know who I am, and I think that part of me it's got to be in there.

I just don't want to be forgotten.

Rio: If there's a bunch of young people who know you and who you have impacted, those are those students at Montgomery High School and at San Diego State University, and I--you posted about retiring and there were 300+ comments saying thank you.

They say, "You've affected my family and my children.

I'm a counselor now because of you.

I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for you."

So 100% I'm going to say that you won't be forgotten and it's not just because I love you like crazy, it's because you've really affected a lot of people.

Rio: By doing this interview, I realized my father's self-documentation is one of his greatest works; his stories, the photos he takes every time he goes home, his written words, the way he tells stories has inspired thousands of students to achieve greater outcomes and has helped those dealing with the trauma of not having roots find that connection, and his children who he taught to love the Philippines as much as he does.

Rio: Right, so the word "boondocks" comes from the Tagalog word for mountain, which is "bundok."

Rio: The word was adopted by American soldiers during American colonization of the Philippines.

Rio: So what do the two words mean to you, the English word "boondocks" and the Tagalog word "bundok"?

Dario: "Bundok" means to me like a jungle type, something far, something unreachable.

When I think of, you know, the boondocks that surrounded Nueva Ecija, I think of wild.

I think of incredible things.

I think of animals.

I think of the giant trees that used to be there in the Sierra Madre mountains.

It makes me feel good, you know, because it's like reconnecting to my roots.

Actually, I love the title.

Now that I think about it, it's perfect.

Willy Santos: The beauty of skateboarding is really you could skate anywhere.

The terrain, you just open up your mind and you can be creative on anything.

My name is Willy Santos, and I am a professional skateboarder.

female: World-class and pure talent [speaking foreign language] 38 years old professional skateboarder, Willy Santos.

female: [speaking foreign language] Skateboarding champion, Willy Santos.

male: A skateboarding legend, Willy Santos.

male: Birdhouse Skateboards, Willy Santos.

Jay Jay: Willy Santos.

You've probably heard of him.

A skateboarding legend, but that's not all.

He's also an entrepreneur, a mentor, and a father.

I had the honor of meeting with Willy today at a DIY skate park where we talked about his life, his career, and how he supports his community.

Jay Jay: Now, you are one of the OG Filipino Americans to, you know, make skating part of pop culture basically, especially here in San Diego.

I had no idea that me and you came from the same high school.

Willy: Yes, Mira Mesa High, Marauders, right?

Jay Jay: Yeah, yeah, and that's a huge Filipino town in San Diego.

You know, AKA Manila Mesa.

And did you skate around like Mira Mesa rec center and all that?

Willy: Oh, yeah, of course, I mean, Mira Mesa rec center, that was my first skateboard contest that I entered over there, yeah, and I got first place.

Jay Jay: That's awesome.

Can we talk about, you know, you growing up, coming from the Philippines, and where you're from in the Philippines when you came here?

Willy: So I was born in Subic Bay, Philippines, and my dad was in the US Navy.

That's how I was able to become a US citizen, you know.

I was born on the base.

Jay Jay: At one point the Philippines hosted two of the largest American military bases outside of the US, including Subic Bay naval station.

Willy: We moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.

So he got stationed there for a little bit, and then we made our way to San Diego Mira Mesa 'cause you remember Miramar used to be a naval base.

We went back to the Philippines going into, I think, second grade.

We were there for like 2 or 3 years.

That's how I was able to pick up on some Tagalog.

[speaking Tagalog] Jay Jay: [speaking Tagalog] Yeah, which means just a little bit.

Willy: Yes, it was great to really absorb being in the Philippines.

In fifth grade, we went back to Mira Mesa again.

Jay Jay: When did you discover skateboarding?

Willy: I was into B-boying and then a whole bunch of people were doing BMX.

Remember that movie "Rad" came out.

There was a time where I would ride my BMX bike and I would hold my skateboard, but eventually skateboarding-- I fell in love with skateboarding.

Jay Jay: By age 13 Willy started getting attention for his skateboarding, and by 15 he became a professional skateboarder with Gordon & Smith skateboarding company.

Willy: The whole process like turning pro, you're entering contests, the footage in VHS tapes.

I did really well in competition like the--it was called the NSA finals for the amateur series and it was in Atlanta, Georgia, and it was like three competitions leading up to that and I got first place.

I think that was 1990.

And then the--I had like so much coverage that there was a demand like, "Oh, Willy, you should turn pro," and I was, like, 15 years old.

And it was like, "Okay, I guess so."

I remember in high school I met up with a counselor.

My mom and dad were saying like, "Oh, maybe you could go into radiology."

And I actually looked into it, met with the counselor, but then right when I graduated high school, the very next day I went on tour with Tony Hawk and the Birdhouse team for a month across the United States, so I never went to college.

Jay Jay: Although secondary education can be highly valued, Filipino Americans often face high attrition rates and barriers to post-secondary opportunities.

Willy is one of many who found success through a different route.

Jay Jay: Your growing relationship with Tony Hawk from the beginning till now, how has that been?

Willy: Yeah, so coming from Mira Mesa High coming back-- after school, my dad's like, "Hey, Tony Hawk called."

And I'm like, "Okay, I'll give him a call."

I've met him before.

The first time was in Scripps Ranch skating a local school yard, and he was there shooting for an ad.

And after he was done skating, I was like--you know, I was like in shock, like, "Oh boy, Tony Hawk is right here."

I think I was like only 13 at the time.

And he came up to me after he was done, he gave me a card, he's like, "Hey, if you want to ride for Powell-Peralta."

But I was--I got sponsored by G&S and I was, like, happy.

So I was loyal to G&S, even though like, "Oh, Tony Hawk asked me to ride for Powell-Peralta."

Fast forward going to 11th grade, I think it was, that's when Tony called to start some new company, he didn't even know the name of it, and he was asking me to be part of it.

And when that was going on, there was some other company trying to ask me to ride for that 'cause I guess, you know, the young hot guy coming in, you know, street skater.

So I weighed out my options, and they were actually offering me like a new car, more money.

Tony, used car, less money.

But I felt my heart was more towards riding for Tony Hawk, and I think I chose an amazing decision right there.

Like it--I was there for like 25 years.

Jay Jay: And that's one of the biggest skate brands out there.

Willy: Yeah, speaking of Birdhouse, 2022 is the 30-year anniversary for Birdhouse and Tony is excited to re-release some of my old graphics.

I can't even believe it's been 30 years.

Like wow, where did the time go, right?

Jay Jay: Right?

Jay Jay: Willy often uses Filipino-inspired graphics for Birdhouse and for Willys Workshop, a skateboard shop he and his wife Shelly opened in 2000.

Now Willys Workshop is a skateboard brand.

Skateboarding continues to grow around the world and made its Olympic debut in 2021.

Willy was part of this history by coaching a skateboarder from Japan who ended up winning gold.

Jay Jay: You've always talked about how Tony Hawk was kind of a mentor/coach to you, and now you're also coaching other professional skaters?

Willy: Yeah, so like, Sakura Yosozumi from Japan.

You know, I'm still like goosebumps she got the gold medal in the Olympics in the women's park, and she's 19 years old and she's just skyrocketing.

Her level is just incredible.

So like when I--when like we're watching the Olympics, I felt like I was competing myself.

And then her doing tricks, I'm like, "Oh, yeah, we worked on that stuff."

And it's just amazing how it's going there.

Jay Jay: How is it like being Filipino American within the skateboard community?

Willy: I mean, it's great.

I mean, growing up here in San Diego, there's definitely a lot of Filipinos and, you know, it wasn't like I was trying to be like, "Hey, I'm the Filipino skater here," it's just-- Jay Jay: You're just a skater, yeah.

Willy: I'm just a skater, really.

And that's the beauty of skateboarding, where you could go really anywhere in the world and you could make friends.

And you almost like you say what's up, but then you're skating and, like, it's like a fellowship.

Jay Jay: Willy also participates in a program run by The Filipino School that brings young Filipino Americans to the Philippines to help them connect to their roots and to help those in poverty.

Willy: Usually every year we go on this thing called "the Philgrimage."

We go to the amazing islands.

It's a big group, like maybe 40 of us.

And then the last 3 days we go into the slums like the Gawad Kalinga villages.

Jay Jay: Gawad Kalinga is a Philippine-based program that aims to reverse the effects of poverty and bring local empowerment.

Willy: Hang out with the kids and the families and, you know, it's--the poverty there is real.

And then the next day we help build some homes for them, too.

And I think people that--especially like folks that just graduated or are still in college, them going there and then they're not really connected to the Philippines, I think it--that's where it really gets into them.

Jay Jay: Today, Willy spends his time skateboarding with his kids, judging competitions around the world, and collaborating on new skateboarding products like a parking block pillow that also sends a positive message.

Willy: It's a parking block pillow.

Skateboarders, especially when they start, you're starting off on curbs and it's really cool.

It's--like I said, it's a pillow that's a parking block, and it's been really fun.

It says no parking, and it--we've made one where it says no racism.

So that was really-- Jay Jay: That's awesome.

Yeah, you want to end with little words of wisdom for either skateboarders or aspiring Filipinos, Filipino Americans how you can make your art your profession?

Willy: You know, just go out there and really have fun.

Skating with influential, positive people, it really motivates you.

And another key thing at my age--I'm actually turning 46 tomorrow.

Jay Jay: Wow.

Happy birthday.

Willy: Thank you.

Thank you.

Since I was 35, I do yoga regularly.

Stretching, it definitely helps.

It's--I wish I was doing that even when I was younger than that.

Especially being Filipino, and if you've never experienced the Philippines, I highly recommend going there and really soak it in.

Be there.

You know, it's beautiful.

Jay Jay: I appreciate your time.

Thanks, man.

Willy: No, thank you.

Jay Jay: You're an inspiration.

Mira Mesa for life.

Willy: Yeah, beautiful valley center right here.

Jay Jay: Nice skate park you have here, huh?

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