In 1930, Antonio and Mary Villegas immigrated to the United States from Mexico, settling in Richmond, California. Antonio worked for the Santa Fe Railroad while Mary worked at a bakery and as a homemaker. They maintained their Catholic faith and Mexican cultural traditions, passing these down to their son Raul who they sent for in 1956. Raul settled in Whittier and East Los Angeles, California, where he met his wife Mary, and maintained Mexican musical traditions. They raised their family with Mexican Christmas traditions in East Los Angeles before moving to Chino in 1987.