Celebrating Michael Dondi Reyes: USMC Veteran & Hogan Spartan Reunion
Michael Dondi Reyes: USMC Veteran & Hogan Spartan Reunion in Stockton
A Spartan reunion on March 7 — Hogan High alumni gather in Stockton to celebrate the 59th birthday of USMC veteran Michael Dondi Reyes.
The night of March 7 was one for the books. Your schoolmates from Hogan High School and I were so glad to share in your special night. Liane, thank you for orchestrating a perfect surprise that brought the crew together.
★ Did You Know?
Stockton, California is home to "Little Manila" — one of the earliest and most significant Filipino-American neighborhoods in the United States. Filipino farmworkers began settling in Stockton's El Dorado Street corridor in the early 1900s, making it a cornerstone of Fil-Am history long before most of the country knew what Filipino meant.
★ Tagalog Word of the Day
Kapatiran
(kah-pah-TEE-rahn)
Brotherhood; fellowship. The unbreakable bond forged in neighborhoods, schools, and barracks — built to last a lifetime. Semper Fidelis and kapatiran are the same idea, spoken in two languages.
🇺🇸 Semper Fi: Celebrating a Marine
Michael Dondi Reyes has always carried himself with the discipline and pride honed during his service in the United States Marine Corps. Seeing him repping the USMC gear was a powerful reminder: Once a Marine, always a Marine. We salute you for your service, brother.
It's a shame the rest of the '85 Spartans had previous engagements, but they all extended their warmest birthday greetings from afar — Spartan Pride runs deep.
I am currently balancing high-end quality with site speed so the Sony a7III + 85mm f/1.8 sharpness really pops. I've chosen to share the full gallery here on PinoyBuilt to ensure our brothers who aren't on social media can still see the high-res shots.
★ Did You Know? — USMC & Filipino Americans
Filipino Americans have served in the United States military since the Spanish-American War of 1898. During World War II, over 250,000 Filipinos served under U.S. command in the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Today, Filipino Americans are among the most overrepresented ethnic groups in the U.S. military relative to their share of the population — a legacy of service, sacrifice, and Semper Fidelis that runs deep in the diaspora.
★ Did You Know? — The Fil-Am Connection
The San Joaquin Valley is home to an estimated 60,000–80,000 Filipino Americans, with Stockton serving as the historic center of that community. The Filipino Community of Stockton and Vicinity (FCSV), founded in 1933, is one of the oldest Filipino-American organizations in the country. Vallejo's Hogan High School has produced generations of Filipino-American veterans, professionals, and community leaders who continue to make their mark across California.
Author & Photographer: J.F.R. Perseveranda
J.F. (Jonjo) left the Philippines at age nine, spending a lifetime bridging the gap between his Marikina roots and his Chicago/Vallejo upbringing. A proud Hogan Spartan from East Vallejo and resident of LA/SF, he founded PinoyBuilt not just as a digital archive, but as a cultural compass for his three children to navigate their heritage, language, and identity with Pinoy Pride.
HBD again Dondi!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mike! So sorry I missed your surprise party, but I’m glad the rest of the gang was there to celebrate you. I was definitely thinking of you and hope you had the best day! May the good Lord continue to bless you always! Aka Irene 🎉🎂🎈
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