Ra'saan Stevens | On 19, Feb 2020

The Commentator: Hey Julia! Thanks for coming. How are you today?

Julia Francesca Escarez: Hello! You’re welcome, and I’m doing pretty good. What about you?

TC: I’m doing fine, thank you.

JFE: No problem!

TC: Today I just have a few questions to ask you about your perception of the American Dream and what the concept of it means to you.

JFE: Okay. Hit me! (laughing)

TC: I’m aware that you previously lived in the Philippines for a number of years. How was your experience there?

JFE: My experience there was pretty nice! I loved attending my (laughing) competitive school, living with the rest of my family, and most of all, growing up with my grandma.

TC: Aw. That sounds very sweet.

JFE: Yeah, I really enjoyed it. I think it shaped me to be the person I am today.

TC: What was your idea of America before you began living here? Did you have high expectations? If it has, how has your perception of America changed?

JFE: I always thought of America as a wonderful place– different from the environment in the Philippines. I did have high expectations, but my perception of America has definitely changed from a tourist’s expectation to the perception of a usual resident.

TC: Is there anything better in the Philippines than in America? What about vice versa?

JFE: In the Philippines, I love how everyone was family oriented and how everyone was involved with the community. And the beaches! As for America, I loved how we can experience different types of cultures [in] a single place.

TC: I remember you told me something you liked more in the Philippines than in America was the eggs.

JFE: Yes! The eggs there have so much more flavor. The ones here are good but so plain.

TC: Is there something American that you never thought you’d become accustomed to?

JFE: Nope! Nothing. I learned to adapt to American culture and see things from an American’s perspective.

TC: Describe your American Dream. If you haven’t already reached it, how do you plan to do so? Will it be easy?

JFE: My American Dream would probably be to graduate high school, finish college with the diploma for my dream career, get a decent job, work hard to get promoted, get married to the man I love, and have 2-3 kids. I plan on reaching that goal through hard work, determination, and passion. It won’t be easy because life is not always easy for everyone, but I will do my best!

TC: Money is a crucial necessity for everyone. How important is money to you and why?

JFE: I agree that money is a crucial necessity for everyone. It is important to me because without money, it would be difficult to survive especially in America due to bills, food, daily necessities, and all the basic needs in general. I want to be able to have the money to sustain myself and my future family by working hard and achieving my American Dream.

TC: How do you feel about fame? If you were famous, how do you think it would affect your life? Do you think celebrities have already achieved their American Dream if they’re already successful?

JFE: I don’t particularly care too much for fame. If I was famous, it may affect my life in a way where I will not have as much privacy as a typical person might have. Achieving one’s American Dream really depends on what people aim to have, how people form their dream, and how they plan on achieving it. Just because a celebrity is successful does not necessarily mean that they have achieved the ultimate American Dream.

TC: I do agree with you on that. I do feel like a lot of celebrities have goals they have not quite reached yet.

JFE: Exactly.

TC: And finally, do you think being successful has a different meaning in the Philippines than it does in America?

JFE: No, I don’t think so. Although the idea of success may be viewed [from] different perspectives, I believe that being successful shares a similar meaning everywhere around the world.

TC: Amazing responses. Thank you for your time.

JFE: You’re welcome! Thank you for having me.