Vera Cruz was born in  Saoang, San Juan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines (then a territory of the United States) on December 25, 1904. As a small boy, he tended to water buffalo (carabaos) for his father, which he described as much easier than the work he would do in California. In 1926, Vera Cruz moved to the United States, where he performed a wide variety of jobs, including working in an Alaskan cannery, a restaurant, and a box factory.
Vera Cruz was born in  Saoang, San Juan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines (then a U.S. territory) on December 25, 1904. As a young boy, he took care of water buffalo (carabaos) for his father, which he said was less demanding than the work he would do in California. In 1926, Vera Cruz moved to the United States, where he held various jobs, including working in an Alaskan cannery, restaurant, and box factory.