Thomas Puertollano arrived in Australia on the S.S. Australind schooner from Singapore on 12 October 1889, and worked as a pearl diver. He was originally from Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, Philippines, born to Victorino Puertollano and Barbara Pampilo. His wife, Agnes Guilwill Bryan, was daughter of aboriginal woman Kanondion, and white man Bryan William Martin Bryan. Thomas and Agnes had six children who were raised in the communities of Beagle Bay, Disaster Bay and Lombadina.

Working with Father Nicholas Emo, a Trappist priest, Thomas built one of the first churches in Lombadina. He also gave his own house to the St. John of God Sisters. In Broome, he also built one of the first bakeries. Even though he applied for citizenship to Australia, he passed away not having gained naturalization in the country.

The narrators, Kevin Puertollano, is Thomas’ great grandson, while Evelyn and Ellen are his grand daughters. When Kevin was about six years old, Marcelo Querdo, an old Filipino man lived with them, whom they called lulu. Marcelo was born in the Philippines in 1885 and arrived in 1898 to Australia.