Cornelius Tolentino was born in 1873 in the Philippines and arrived in Australia around 1902. He had a family back in the Philippines—his wife Christina and sons, Pascal and Paul, and Juanita. After his wife died, he married Teresa Santiago from Idarr country.

Teresa’s father was Manilaman Amasio Santiago, who was from Capiz, Philippines and who arrived in Australia in 1887. He died in Broome on 10 February 1912. Her mother was a full-blood Aboriginal woman.

Cornelius and Teresa had five children, including Mary Manolis, the narrator. Her family lived at Front Beach, Broome. Mary also recounted other Manilamen families in their community—Thomas Puertollano, Thomas Ybasco, Severo Corpus, Sariego, Trankellino, Tolentino, Ozies, Rodriguez, Bargas and Torres.