Manuela Pennes | 80
Manuela Pennes came to San Francisco with her husband from Puerto Rico, where she grew up. She is known as an organizer, motivator, and engine of activity at her senior center, On Lok’s 30th Street Center. Coming to San Francisco in 1959, she felt she “had it easy” as she found work, housing and was able to raise five children. She herself is one of 20 siblings, though the 6 oldest died in childhood due to a typhoid epidemic. She has high hopes for San Francisco, that we can tackle the big issues facing us: racism, the lack of equal opportunity for Latinx residents, and help each other more going forward.
Interview date: 12/9/2020
Referred and interviewed by: Melissa Bravo, On Lok 30th Street Senior Center
Edited by True Medusa Pictures. Music by Soundology.
Translation of interview
by Linguaficient
Interviewer: First, thank you for accepting to do this interview. Can you tell me your full name and how old you are?
Manuela Pennes: My name is Manuela Pennes and I’m 80 years old.
Interviewer: How would you or your family describe you?
Manuela Pennes: How would I describe myself...? Well, I am a humble person who cares about other people and that I have a lot of love to give.
Interviewer: Lots of love, yes! When did you come to San Francisco and why?
Manuela Pennes: Well, I’m Puerto Rican, and I met my now deceased husband in 1957 and he liked the United States, so he decided to bring me to California.
Interviewer: That’s nice. The best state!
Manuela Pennes: The prettiest one.
Interviewer: What do you like about living in San Francisco?
Manuela Pennes: Well, more than anything, how peaceful it is. When I came in 1959 it was very calm, I don't know... I lived in New York for 2 years and I wasn't happy there, so I came here to California and life here is very different, it is more relaxed, better weather so I liked San Francisco the most. I’ve been here for 60 years now.
Interviewer: What can we do to make San Francisco a better place to live in?
Manuela Pennes: What could we do...? Well, I would say that for people with families and Latino families to gain more opportunities; an end to racism; to help one another to make San Francisco better.
Interviewer: That's great. Once shelter in place ends, what will be your favorite place to go to?
Manuela Pennes: I like the parks; I like to travel and see places and I also like the casino.
Interviewer: The casino! Yes, I have heard that you all go on trips with the center, right?
Manuela Pennes: Yes, we go on trips, and they all have lots of fun when they go with us. When my husband and I used to take them. They don't play too much but we all have fun on the trip.
Interviewer: Is there anything you have lived before in your life similar to this Covid-19 pandemic? And how did you face it?
Manuela Pennes: Well, to be honest life for me here in San Francisco hasn't been difficult, thank God. I came here and it was easy to find a job, and I raised five children. I have five sons and... well, the pandemic makes me think of my mother, who used to tell us, well but she had 20 children, I am one of 20 siblings.
Interviewer: That's great.
Manuela Pennes: So, it was 14 who grew up together because the other 6 had passed away during the typhus pandemic, and they all died, one after the other. So, my mom used to tell us about it and now I think about it, and I know that I need to learn how to better take care of myself and my family, and other people around me.
Interviewer: And was that in Puerto Rico?
Manuela Pennes: Yes, in Puerto Rico.
Interviewer: And do you remember what type it was?
Manuela Pennes: It was typhus, that's what they said it was typhus.
Interviewer: So, many people were infected by typhus in Puerto Rico.
Manuela Pennes: Yes, many people died from it. And my older brother also got infected but survived, the other six passed away.
Interviewer: So, you have lived through other pandemic experiences. How was a typical day like for you when sheltering was not in place?
Manuela Pennes: Well, my life was the center on 30th before the pandemic happened, we would just wake up, have breakfast, and head over to 30th, and we would do activities, helping with what we could. We organize programs for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Father's Day, and so I organized the programs. I was the mistress of ceremonies; I was in charge!
Interviewer: Yes, I've heard about all the great programs you've coordinated.
Manuela Pennes: We also played bingo; we would have bingo.
Interviewer: Is there anything that has surprised you about the community regarding the pandemic? Is there something that is or is not being done in the community?
Manuela Pennes: Well, one thing that surprises me is people that don't want to follow the pandemic measures. People who meet up knowing they shouldn't because this doesn't protect people, that shocks me, that they don't take appropriate measures to avoid infecting other people.
Interviewer: It is surprising, because you take precautions and other people seem like they don't care and they have parties, and that's difficult to see. Okay, well, if you could give advice to the youth, what would it be? Or what advice would you give to yourself when you were young?
Manuela Pennes: Well, I would tell you to appreciate life, to appreciate it and to give value to the fact that we should take care of one another, not be into any vices. To not be in places where we shouldn't be, to not keep bad company, I would say that that is what's needed to reach an older age.
Interviewer: What has called your attention about getting old? A lot of people say it's something ugly, but I think it's part of life and it is something nice, so what has surprised you about reaching an old age?
Manuela Pennes: Well, I never think I am old. That's best. I accept my age, I celebrate my age and I don't think I am old, I try to stay healthy, to do my exercises and eat well so that I can get to be 90, 95 years old. That’s what I think. Life is beautiful and you have to live it until God decides so.
Interviewer: That's great. Yes, when I heard you were 80, I was surprised because you look great, and you have great energy. So, how has technology changed your life at a personal level?
Manuela Pennes: Oooh! A lot. Because look, I didn’t even want a cell phone. Well, I have control over things, but some people don’t, and so I would notice that people use their cellphones all the time, at the table. So, I thought that’s not for me.
And it wasn't until now that I felt like I needed one and learned to use technology so I could join a Zoom session, etc., so I got interested and thought if other people can do it, why not me? So, always use technology for something positive, knowing how to use it. Not for something that’s not positive like people do.
Interviewer: Yes, especially now it is very important to keep connected to other people in the community because it can get lonely and yes, it's another way to keep in touch with people while distant. So, what would you say are your main principles that you live by?
Manuela Pennes: A value.. to me family is number one, and to teach good principles to my grandchildren. Letting them know the experiences I have lived so that they can live a better life.
Interviewer: What kind of things are you doing now that you once said you would never do?
Manuela Pennes: Well, technology. Because I always said I would never touch a computer, an iPad, or cellphone, I used to say if someone wants to reach me, call my home, leave a message and I will call you back. But, the situation we are living in now made me change my mind. I think technology is something great as long as you know how to use it.
Interviewer: If you could travel back or forward in time, what would you repeat, what would you see again, or what historic scene would you have liked to see? Like a time machine.
Manuela Pennes: From the past?
Interviewer: Or the future? Whatever you would like, what would you choose?
Manuela Pennes: Well, I would like to go back to the time when I was raising my children. I would like to relive that time.
Interviewer: Does it bring you good memories?
Manuela Pennes: Good memories of when I was raising my family, we still get together and remember things and I would like to go back to that time.
Interviewer: How many children do you have?
Manuela Pennes: I have 5 sons.
Interviewer: That's great.
Manuela Pennes: I have 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren
Interviewer: Cool, whole family! Okay a few more questions, what have you done lately that makes you happy?
Manuela Pennes: What I have done lately that’s made me happy. Well, I like to see people, despite my age I like to make jokes when we are together and make them laugh. I may call a friend who isn’t in good health or feels a little depressed. I spend an hour with her on the phone making her laugh, tell her jokes and so she feels happy, and I do too.
Interviewer: Yes, helping people. Especially those we love the most. Describe one of the most definitive times of your life.
Manuela Pennes: Defining moment in my life. Hmmm.
Interviewer: Questions are difficult.
Manuela Pennes: It's a tough one. Ah, I don't know really, it doesn't come to... Maybe the toughest time was when I lost my mother. That was a really difficult thing that happened to me. But other than that, my life has been nice, normal, full of good memories, except when my mom died, I felt like I lost everything.