Diversity draws Philippino doctor to town

• Peraltas

Julie buntjer/Daily Globe Michele, Robyn and Dr. Raphael Peralta pose for a family photo inside their Worthington home. The Peraltas, natives of the Philippines, moved to Worthington in July 2011.

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WORTHINGTON — When Dr. Raphael and Michele Peralta moved to Worthington six months ago with their 21-month-old daughter, Robyn, they did so not just because of a job offer, but because Worthington offered the diversity they were hoping to find.

Natives of the Philippines, the Peraltas were excited to find an Asian grocery store downtown, were drawn to Lake Okabena and fell in love with the people from all different walks of life who call Worthington home.

Raphael, a family practice physician at Avera Medical Group Worthington, is quickly learning about the varied cultures and countries that make up this melting pot, while Michele has already discovered one other native Philippino living in the community. Certainly, the atmosphere is much different from Grand Forks, N.D., where Raphael completed his residency.

“I wanted to be close to a lake, and we liked the diversity here,” said Raphael of his decision to accept an offer with Avera Worthington. “There are a lot of Asian stores downtown and that’s what we liked.”

“We like all the fresh air here,” added Michele.

Raphael came to the United States in 2008 on a Visa sponsored by Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. He had completed medical school in the Philippines and was invited to do his residency with Altru. It was a dream come true for Raphael, who wanted to eventually practice medicine in the U.S.

While admittedly nervous about such a big move, Raphael left his family and friends behind for an incredible opportunity in America.

“(Michele and I) had been dating before I came here, so after my first year of residency I went home and got married,” Raphael said with a grin.

“He told me to bring a good winter jacket,” added Michele.

After their wedding, they settled in Grand Forks so Raphael could complete his residency. Michele still recalls that first winter — the first time she’d ever experienced snow.

“It was exciting,” she said. “I’d traveled (to the United States) before, but always in the spring or summer. My first time walking in snow was like walking in sand.”

Life-changing move

The Peraltas said their biggest adjustment from life in the Philippines to life in the United States was the weather. In the tropical climate of the Philippines — a country made up of more than 7,000 islands — the temperature rarely varies outside of the 80- to 90-degree temperature range.

During previous visits to the U.S., Michele said she always visited New York City or coastal communities in California, where she has cousins living. Neither she nor Raphael had been to the Midwest during their previous travels.

In addition to the weather, the Peraltas had a cultural adjustment. Living in Grand Forks, about the only non-Caucasian people they saw were Native Americans. Their discovery of an Asian grocery store in downtown Fargo — about an hour’s drive from Grand Forks — was exciting. That’s what made the job in Worthington so appealing.

While the Peraltas have adjusted to the weather, and enjoy the amenities of Worthington, there is one thing that puzzles them about their new American culture.

“Life is very different in the Philippines in terms of family structure,” said Raphael. “We try to keep the families close.”

It’s certainly not uncommon for there to be three generations living under the same roof in the Philippines, he said. They prefer to have their children raised with both their parents and their grandparents in the home, and children aren’t expected to leave home when they turn 18.

Michele is already dreading the day her little girl has grown up and wants to move away, saying she wants to keep Robyn with her at least until she’s in her 20s.

Honoring traditions

Michele traveled back to the Philippines in October with Robyn so that she could be introduced to her grandparents and extended family.

“I’ll never do that again,” Michele said with a laugh. Handling a one-year-old on a more than 24-hour flight that included layovers in the Twin Cities and Japan was a challenge.

Raphael said he would like to return to the Philippines for a visit sometime — perhaps when Robyn is a little older. He does have a brother working as a pharmacist in Palm Springs, Calif.

Meanwhile, the Peraltas try to keep their Philippino traditions alive so Robyn knows and understands her heritage.

“We try to raise Robyn with a Philippino culture, but we also want her to experience being here,” Raphael said. “As much as possible we try to celebrate (the holidays) here. Back in the Philippines there are a lot of holidays.”

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, with Holy Week and Christmas among their largest celebrations. They traditionally ring in the New Year with fire works.

Residents of the Philippines celebrate a variety of traditions, marked by 300 years of Spanish rule, followed by about 30 years of Japan occupation and U.S. liberation. While their native language is Philippino — students are taught in that language in primary school — most classes are also offered in English.

“Most surnames are Spanish-sounding, and some parts of the country speak Spanish,” said Raphael, adding that there are even Catholic masses spoke in Spanish in some areas of the country.

Most Philippino children ultimately go to a college, whether it is a vocational school or 2- or 4-year degree program.

“It’s relatively cheaper to get a college education (there),” said Raphael, who grew up in Manila, on the island of Luzon. “Medical school is a lot cheaper compared to here.”

Prior to starting his residency in North Dakota, he was required to pass the same exam that medical students in the U.S. take.

“The U.S. is a very good country in terms of the medical system,” Raphael said.

Michele, who grew up in Quezon City, also on the island of Luzon, earned her Bachelor’s degree in economics and Masters in Business Administration in the Philippines, and worked in housing development, real estate and commercial property sales prior to moving to the U.S.

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