Stockton USMC Tribute: Michael Dondi Reyes Birthday & Hogan '85 Lakeside Reunion

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Stockton, CA • March 2026. Maligayang Bati, Dondi!: A USMC tribute and Hogan High Class of '85 lakeside reunion in Stockton. Photos and storytelling by J.F.R. Perseveranda. Filipino-American, Hogan Spartans, USMC, Stockton, CA, March 7.
Stockton, CA • March 7, 2026

Maligayang Bati, Dondi! A USMC Tribute at the Lake

Faith, Service, and the Hogan Spartans Class of '85 gathering in honor of a Marine brother.

Today we send a massive Happy Birthday to Michael Dondi Reyes! A man defined by his faith, his service in the United States Marine Corps, and the deep roots he planted with the Hogan Spartans. This celebration in Stockton wasn't just a birthday; it's a testament to the kapatiran (brotherhood) that defines our community.

Michael Dondi Reyes USMC Birthday Stockton CA Hogan Spartans Class of 85 lakeside reunion
Michael 'Dondi' Reyes walks into his surprise celebration. • Photo © J.F.R. Perseveranda.

★ Did You Know?

Stockton, California holds a historic place in Fil-Am history as the home of "Little Manila" — one of the earliest and most significant Filipino-American communities in the United States. Filipino workers arrived in the Central Valley in the early 1900s as farmhands and cannery laborers, making Stockton a cornerstone of the diaspora story. Celebrating our brothers like Dondi in this city connects us to that long legacy of Filipino resilience.

★ Tagalog Word of the Day

Kapatiran

(kah-pah-TEE-rahn)

Brotherhood; fellowship. The unbreakable bond forged in the neighborhoods of Vallejo and Stockton, built to last a lifetime. Kapatiran is at the heart of every Hogan Spartans reunion — the sense that no matter where life takes you, your barkada never leaves.

The Hogan Spartans Class of 1985 crew was out in full force: Martin Nunez, Tony Palisoc, Rudy Jandoc, Jim Abad, Tony Magbitang, and J.F. Perseveranda. Growing up together, Hogan High was more than a school — it was the heart of the community that built the resilience we carry today.

★ 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, where Dondi and his classmates came up together, has produced generations of Filipino-American veterans, professionals, and community leaders who continue to make their mark across California.

FIL-AM FILIPINO STOCKTON USMC HOGAN SPARTANS DONDI REYES MARCH 7 KAPATIRAN CENTRAL VALLEY
J.F.R. Perseveranda — Founder and Editor, PinoyBuilt

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.

Please comment below ↓

Comments

  1. DondiMarch 11, 2026 at 6:15 PM

    Such a wonderful time and blessing to be with family and friends from past to present! Thank you for putting together all the photos and videos! Let's all get together soon! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J.F.R. PerseverandaMarch 11, 2026 at 6:23 PM

      More to come, Dondi! The fellas and I had a great time with your family and friends. God bless brother!

      Delete
  2. J.F.R. PerseverandaMarch 11, 2026 at 7:18 PM

    Salamat Nica for the surprise video footage!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mrs. MinMarch 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Loved watching the video when Mike walks in and everyone says "SURPRISE!"

    My favorite part was when he said, 'Dam, my whole history is here.". 😁

    ReplyDelete

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