Traversing the winding stretch through the Santa Cruz Mountains, where ancient redwoods tower on either side of the highway, a wave of nostalgia settled in. For a moment, I wasn’t driving through Northern California — I was back on the Bukidnon-Davao highway, framed by vast greenery and cool mountain air.
1- Santa Cruz moves to a distinct rhythm, seamlessly blending a bohemian, counter-culture energy with classic Americana beach-town charm. PHOTOS BY OLIVER AMOROSO
That is the peculiar beauty of the Filipino global experience. No matter how far we travel, our lens remains irrevocably anchored to home.
I arrived in Santa Cruz by way of San Francisco, following a four-hour and fifteen-minute flight from Minneapolis, after accepting a warm invitation from my brilliant California-based cousin, Dr. Maryam Beltran-Shapland, and her husband, Jim. The journey centered on a deeply personal milestone: the graduation of their daughter, my niece, Isa Beltran Shapland, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Stevenson College at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Sitting in the fog-draped venue as the morning mist gave way to clear skies for the 9:00 AM ceremony, I felt an undeniable surge of pride. Isa’s accomplishment wasn’t just an individual triumph; it was a testament to the enduring ambition that defines Filipino diaspora families across generations.
The campus itself—perched on rolling hills under a canopy of redwoods — evoked iconic educational spaces back home: the sprawling acacia shadows of Silliman University in Negros Oriental and the forested landscapes of Central Mindanao University. Beyond the academic celebration, the gathering served as a long-overdue reunion with Maryam, my cousin Dr. Raiza Beltran-Tran, and their families, along with my uncle and aunt, Dr. Alfredo Beltran Jr. and Dr. Eleanor Mariano-Beltran.
Reconnecting after decades spent across continents brought back vivid memories of our shared childhood in the late 1980s and early 1990s — a reminder that distance may pause daily contact, but it never weakens familial bonds.
6- A journey higher into the Santa Cruz Mountains, discovering the depth of the region’s agricultural craft.
Santa Cruz offers a distinct rhythm. It possesses a counter-culture, Bohemian energy seamlessly blended with classic Americana beach-town charm. Steeped in a rich surf and skate legacy — recognized as one of the birthplaces of mainland American surfing—the city moves to an eco-conscious, artistic pulse. Walking through coastal neighborhoods, one cannot help but admire the character of the homes: colorful, compact, and thoughtfully built to respect the natural surroundings. It is an urban ecosystem driven by civic discipline, environmental stewardship, and spatial awareness — qualities our burgeoning cities in the Philippines could deeply learn from.
2- A walk through the coastal neighborhoods reveals the unique character of local homes — colorful, compact, and thoughtfully built in harmony with their natural surroundings.
Family celebrations unfolded with authentic local flavor. At Hook & Line in downtown Santa Cruz, a sumptuous three-course seafood dinner brought us together to honor Isa’s milestone, highlighting the region’s commitment to ocean-to-table dining. We capped the evening at The Penny Ice Creamery, where even past nine at night, a line stretched down the block for artisanal, scratch-made scoops—most notably their signature Tahitian Vanilla topped with freshly torched marshmallow fluff.
The following day took us higher into the Santa Cruz Mountains to explore the region’s agricultural craft. At Loma Prieta Winery, greeted by an entrance proudly displaying its Gold medal from the San Diego International Wine Competition, we walked through the vineyards to observe the vines up close. Tasting through their selection—from the crisp 2020 Sauvignon Blanc and the bold 2017 Pinotage to the balanced 2016 Bodo’s Blend—offered a glimpse into how microclimates shape extraordinary harvests. A subsequent stop at Wrights Station further elevated the experience, particularly with their exceptional 2021 Estate Reserve Chardonnay.
1- Santa Cruz moves to a distinct rhythm, seamlessly blending a bohemian, counter-culture energy with classic Americana beach-town charm. PHOTOS BY OLIVER AMOROSO
5- The author at Wrights Station Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, enjoying their exceptional 2021 Estate Reserve Chardonnay.
2- A walk through the coastal neighborhoods reveals the unique character of local homes — colorful, compact, and thoughtfully built in harmony with their natural surroundings.
3- Rooted in a legendary surf and skate culture, Santa Cruz effortlessly blends its coastal heritage with a vibrant, eco-conscious and artistic spirit.
4- Dr. Maryam Beltran-Shapland, her husband Jim, son Nio, and daughter Isa Beltran Shapland at her graduation from UC Santa Cruz, where she earned a BS in Computer Science.
6- A journey higher into the Santa Cruz Mountains, discovering the depth of the region’s agricultural craft.
7- A tasting at Loma Prieta Winery — from the crisp 2020 Sauvignon Blanc to the bold 2017 Pinotage — reveals how local microclimates shape extraordinary harvests.
Looking out over those terraced vineyards, my thoughts naturally drifted back to the Philippines. We are a nation blessed with an abundance of native fruits — mangoes, bignay, duhat, and passion fruit — yet our local fruit wine industry remains largely artisanal and fragmented. Experiencing the thriving viticulture of Santa Cruz demonstrates what happens when agricultural pride, scientific precision, and strategic support converge to build sustainable local economies. To uplift our farmers and rural communities, we must begin systematically developing and commercializing our own native crafts.
Beyond the headline, this trip offers a sharper lesson for us back home. This journey isn’t just personal—it is a study in how local identity, civic pride, and economic vision can elevate a community. When a nation learns to protect its environment, invest aggressively in its youth, and commercialize its own agricultural strengths, transformation isn’t just possible — it becomes inevitable.
Watching Isa step into the future surrounded by family, vibrant local culture, and thoughtful enterprise offered more than just a memorable trip. It served as a reassuring reminder of the Filipino capacity for excellence, adaptability, and vision. Wherever we find ourselves in the world, we carry the potential to build, inspire, and transform our own back home.
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