Have you ever been at a concert or a large meeting when the person on stage plays the “how far did you travel to get here” game? You know… “I drove 50 miles”; “Well I drove 200 miles”. If you are sitting next to Grace Caress, don’t even try. In 1986 Grace moved from Manila, Philippines, to Illinois (about 8300 miles). That is quite a trip in every way.
Grace’s childhood was spent in a culture very different from the US Midwest. Everyday vendors would walk down her street selling everything from pastries to fresh fruit to Filipino barbecue on a stick. There were even vendors who sold pieces of sugarcane that kids would chew on like candy. Her principal entertainment was playing games with her brother and six sisters. An important source of public transportation was the Jeepney – brightly colored vehicles made from WWII surplus vehicles. The Catholic Church was THE church. There were a few non-Catholics (Protestants and Muslims mainly) but then and now, the biggest cultural and religious influence comes from the Catholic Church.
Grace loved school but found that, even with a good education, economic opportunities in the Philippines are hard to come by. She applied for graduate school at the University of Illinois and received a teaching assistantship in the Actuarial Department. After saving enough for airfare plus $500 to tide her over to her first paycheck, she left her family and made the 8300 mile trip to the US. Before she left the Philippines, Grace was able to cast a vote and participate in the people power revolution that overturned the 20 year corrupt rule of Ferdinand Marcos.
Soon after her arrival in Illinois she met Steve. They married a little less than 3 years later. Their children arrived in 1992 (Chris – a supervisor for GEICO - living in Kansas City); 1996 (Twins: Kyle – an actor waiting for Broadway to restart in NY and Stephanie – a student and consultant in LA).
Grace loves traveling, going to concerts, and taking long walks; often combining these with benign house hunting. She works as a Director and Actuary in the HR department of Anthem.
When you see her, ask about how she accidentally sang at her own wedding.
