An Honest and Touching Letter from Dang Que Can

DANG QUE CAN IS LIKE A SON TO ME.

Hoa, Can, Andy, and Thinh (Underground River, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 1992)

HTC-PFAC School
May 29, 1992

Dear Teacher Andy,

"The time has come to say good bye. So soon... but all good things must come to an end they say". That was a part of a conversation that you taught us and I'd like to start this letter with that quote.

A day without sunshine will be the day that he will leave us, leaving everything that he has shared with us in this lovely camp. I can't imagine how I will be that time. Shall I shed a tear for him? Maybe I won't, but from the bottom of my heart a drop of blood will leak out due to a thorn that pierced my heart because of his departure.
)
The time seems as if is not passing anymore. All the memories of being with him appear in my sight, reminds me of one excellent teacher. The most excellent one I've had in my whole life. He's not just a teacher but also a godfather. He has trained me how to be a good person... how to act politely... how to behave. He has built me up into a very pleasant chap. He has given me a lot of precious knowledge that I can use as a weapon to support me and guide me in my future endeavors. Very soon he will leave the camp. I won't have anymore chance like this. Knowing that fact, I know I have to cherish every moment that I have while he's still here.

Everything about him, mentally and physically is what I long to be. He has everything that a person should have. He is the person that I feel reverent. This is not an exaggeration; it's the truth. I would describe him a lot better if my English were better. How can I forget his face, his advice, his knowledge that he shared. They will always be with me till the end of my life. If I had the choice, I would keep him in the camp... to continue serving the Vietnamese refugees, but then I realized that, that would be selfish of me.

I close this letter with nothing more to say about him. "Who is this gentleman," you might ask. "How can he have that power to inspire and influence people?" "Is he a human being?" "Yeah! Absolutely". His name is Andrew... an English teacher... a very familiar name with the Vietnamese refugees. He has sacrificed his life so that we, Vietnamese, could regain our lost hope; so that we Vietnamese refugees could shine again. Everyone loves his pleasing personality.
I pray to God to be with him and help him. I love you forever, my dear teacher.

Can Dang

British Volunteer Teacher Ruth Myers, Vo Anh Tung, Dang Que Can and Do Thanh Van

Dear Can,

Your letter was so deep and touching. Thank you for validating what I have done for the Vietnamese people.
When I served the Vietnamese refugees in the camp, it was not a sacrifice for me. On the contrary, I considered it as a blessing to be able to make a difference in the lives of the Vietnamese refugees, young and old, who risked their lives in high seas. My service in the camp has helped me grow in wisdom and nobility of character; it has opened my mind to what is possible in everyone's life when one believes in something. In addition, your countrymen have taught me love, patience, perseverance, generosity and respect. I will do the same service to your people again in a heartbeat.

And thank you again, for validating what I have done for the Vietnamese refugees. May God bless you always... all of you!
 
Teacher Andy
February 26, 2009

 

 HTC-PFAC Palawan Education Staff:  Roland, Marissa, Benny, Bessie, Annie, and Andy

OOO

A Beautiful Letter from Dang Hong Le Phuong (May 31, 1992, PFAC Palawan)

Le Phuong and her former teacher Andrew were reunited on December 26, 2007 with 11 other former students at PFAC Palawan. The letter below was written by Le Phuong before Andrew left the camp in 1992. The two photographs below were taken at Miles High Park in Orange County, California on that day.
HTC-PFAC School
May 31, 1992

Dear Teacher Andy,

The time lost is never found. It seems that it is not how much we have but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.

Studying and learning English with you, Teacher Andrew, for a long period of time has been a great and fruitful experience. You have taught me not only the language necessary to survive in the third country but more importantly, you have given me confidence, taught me perseverance, humility, leadership, and the true value of friendship through the many vivid examples that you've shown us in and out of the classroom day after day. These I can use as a tool when I resettle in the third country.

So you're leaving PFAC and your students? I have nothing to offer you but my prayers and best wishes for a better life in your destination. May God bless you always, Teacher.

Dang Hong Le Phuong
Group 83, Subic Bay

Le Phuong, Andrew, and Minh Phuong at Miles High Park in Orange County, California (December 26, 2007).

Hieu and Wife Kyoko Visited Viet Ville

"And I hope I can visit her again someday."

Viet Ville Roman Catholic Church

Former Vietville residents (Spring 2008). Hieu
bought them a hearty meal, and San Miguel Beer.
Vietville Restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese foods.

"We'll be back!" Hieu and his wife Kyoko at
Puerto Princesa International Airport (2008)

Hieu and lovely Kyoko at the world famous 
Underground River in Puerto Princesa City

Our Lady of Vietnam Catholic Church in Viet Ville

***

Do You Know These People?

Hello Folks!

I'm looking for the following people. They are either my former colleagues or friends who used to work with me at the P.F.A.C. Palawan. If you know any of them, please email me or let them know I'm looking for them.
My email address is impeccable37@yahoo.com.

Muriel Knox - Scotland (pictured above) Co-Teacher

Do Thi Het - France (Adopted mother)
Do Thi Bang Tam - France (Adopted sister)

Do Thi Ngoc Huong - France (Adopted sister)

Adrian Seviour - England (Co-teacher)

Ruth Myer - England (Co-teacher)

Ruth Myer is pictured with Tung, Can, and Van

Vo Thi Cung - California/Texas (Co-teacher and good friend)

Le Van - Austin, Texas area (My first Vietnamese close friend, married to Tien)

Anne Kelleran - U.S.A. (Former UNHCR Supervisor)

Luong Ba Thieu - Germany - (My good Friend)

Nguyen Tan Sy - Australia (friend)

Pham Hoang Ho - Former student in 1986 or 87 (lives in the USA)
Tran Thanh Dung - Former student like a son to me (lives in Australia)

Nguyen Van Binh - Former student and like a son to me (Australia)

Phan Anh Tuan -Friend and adopted brother, son of PFAC Chairman mid 80s (Washington State)

Tran Dinh De - Friend in VRC 1981 or 82 (Lives in the USA)

Dao Minh Van - Friend in PFAC (Pictured above)

If you have any info please let me know and I will sincerely appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

ANDREW TAYLOR

***

Reunited after Nineteen Long Years

Hai and I were reunited after 19 long years.

Hai and Andy reunited after nineteen long years.

Hai was one of my students in P.F.A.C. Palawan. He immigrated to California in 1990. We lost contact.

Andy, Hai, his wife Hanh and daughter Isabel

Then in June 2008, I called Vinh Hao in California and we chatted for over an hour. During our long conversation, I casually I asked him if he knew where Hai was. (I knew they were best friends in the camp). To my amazement he said, "Oh Hai is in Canada. He moved to Canada many years ago." Surprised and exceedingly excited, I asked, "Where in Canada?" Hao identified the city (the same city where I live) but unfortunately, he didn't have Hai's phone number.

Andy, Hai, and Stephen

I then immediately searched Hai on the White Pages. There was no exact match but three people in Ontario had his last name. I phoned the one that was closest to where I live. A senior answered the phone and courteously said, "Hai has moved out. He doesn't live here anymore." I inquired, "Do you have his new phone number?" The senior, who luckily is Hai's father, gave me his new phone number after I spoke with him in Vietnamese and explained that I was Hai's teacher at the refugee camp. I called Hai's number immediately but no one answered the phone. After a couple of hours, I called his number one more time and I finally got hold of him. It was an emotional telephone conversation, to make the story short.

Andy, Hai, Stephen, and Van

After nineteen long years, I was talking to Hai again. Six months had passed after that conversation. And tonight, February 15, Hai and his family visited us.

Andy, Sarah, Hanh, Isabel, Hai, Stephen, and Van

O

Wow! Nineteen years later and here we are. Reunited. Amazing indeed.

OOO

AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE

My former Grade 12 PFAC Palawan student Hieu with his lovely Japanese wife- Kyoko Natsui. Their relation defines the real meaning of LOVE. The verses from the Bible is dedicated to you both. 

*

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all of you, FAMILY and FRIENDS, and those who strongly believe in  
FREEDOM and TRUE LOVE.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Love is patient and kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.

***

Dr. Luis Medrano in Black and White

LUIS CALLS ME BROTHER ANDY
My friend Luis is a dentist by profession and an active member of the Rotary International Dentist Association. It is a charitable organization that sends dentists to foreign countries to give free dental services to the less fortunate. Dentists who sign up to volunteer in refugee camps or countries devastated by war or some kind of natural disaster commit themselves to serving for a month. They are not paid. They are responsible for their airfare, accommodation, and food. Luis did just that with all his heart in 1985 and again in 1988. He flew to Palawan, Philippines and served the Vietnamese refugees at the Philippine First Asylum Center. Thank you, Luis, on behalf of hundreds of Vietnamese refugees that you served in PFAC Palawan.


On the way to Nagtabon Resort (1986)

Luis, in front of Caodaist Temple (PFAC Palawan 1985)

On the boat with Sister BernadetteLuis with the I.C.M. volunteers

With his volunteers at the dental office

At Zone 4 (PFAC Palawan)

Luis at the Vietnamese boyscout office (PFAC Palawan)

Luis, Andy, and Benny (Farewell Party, HTC-PFAC Staff House 1985)

Luis and Benny


*****

Rotary International Dentist Volunteer

MY BEST FRIEND DR. LUIS MEDRANO

Mexican dentist Dr. Luis Medrano is a member of the Rotary International Dentist Association. In 1985 and again in 1988, Luis came to the PFAC Refugee Center in Palawan (as a volunteer) to give free dental service to the Vietnamese refugees. Luis and I immediately became best friends. We still maintain our friendship and contact today. In Winter 2006, Luis and I were reunited when he and his family visited Canada.

My friend Dr. Luis Medrano and wife Cira with the I.C.M. volunteers (Buddhist Temple, PFAC Palawan 1988)

Luis and Benny on the way to Cowrie Island on Honda Bay (HTC-PFAC Picnic 1988)

Sister Bernadette, Luis, Bonbon, Cira, and Mona (HTC-PFAC Daycare Center 1988)

Luis and Cira Medrano with the I.C.M. volunteers (PFAC 1988)

The I.C.M. Dental Volunteers surprised Dr. Luis Medrano with a Bon Voyage Party (PFAC Palawan 1988)

Luis at our Staff House in PFAC (1985)

Luis and wife Cira visited the children's school. Sister Bernadette, 

Mona, and Bonbon are also seen in the picture.

***

MY BEST FRIEND AND BROTHER ANH DO

FRIENDSHIP, AN IMPECCABLE BOND

In any relationship such as love or friendship, chemistry always plays a great role in order for it to survive. Then there’s compatibility, respect, and humility (being able to acknowledge one’s shortcomings). All of these, combined, make a solid foundation for a great relationship.

My spouse, Do Le, found a best friend in the person of Andrew Taylor, in very unlikely circumstances and place. Over fifteen years ago, Anh Do, as I call him intimately, left Vietnam and sought asylum in the Philippines. There he was housed in a refugee center on the island of Palawan, where thousands of refugees were in the same situation. And Do had nothing- no money, no family, no English, and almost no self-esteem. Everyday was an emotional struggle. He felt isolated, exceedingly lonely, and sometimes depressed. Then Andrew, an American volunteer English teacher, came into his life. Whether Anh Do was a refugee or desolate did not matter to Andrew. He treated Anh Do with great respect, compassion, and love. With that unconditional love that he was bestowed upon by his new-found friend, Anh Do’s perspectives on life changed. Anh Do gradually regained his lost self-esteem. He started to trust himself and other people again. He believed that he could face the world with optimism and courage knowing that someone else cared.

A relationship that commenced as a casual acquaintance became a bond of perpetual friendship. Anh Do and Andrew soon found out that they were both interested in so many different things. They both enjoyed swimming, bowling, island hopping, pop music, and Heineken beer. In addition, they both shared the same moral values and perspectives. More importantly, they both believed in optimism, true love, respect, trust, forgiveness, and family.

During his visit last year, Andrew said that what really brought him and Anh Do together and keeps their friendship intact until now is their longing for the love of the family. As a middle child, Andrew grew up in a family where he felt that all of his other siblings were loved more than him. Anh Do, on the other hand, was isolated from his family at a young age. Two different persons in two different situations: Andrew lived with his family but often felt rejected, and Anh Do felt rejected when his parents gave him away to a relative when he was a young child. In other words, Anh Do and his friend Andrew were looking for that missing brotherly love and eventually found that love in each other.

In the book All About Love, Bell Hooks pointed out, “Those of us who have already chosen to embrace a love ethic, allowing it to govern and inform how we think and act, know that when we let our light shine, we draw to us and are drawn to other bearers of light. We are not alone.” When people give pure love, elevate others and inspire them to be what they can be, they are bearers of light. They enable others to see light and eventually armed them with the ability to pass on that light to other people. Andrew passed on the light to Anh Do, which eventually is able to pass on to other people now.
Anh Do and his brother Andrew (as he calls him), have known each other for fifteen years and their impeccable bond or friendship is getting stronger and stronger as years go by.

Khang Le
San Francisco, California

***

WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE OLD P.F.A.C.?

What happened to the refugee camp?

The Philippine First Asylum Center, more popularly known as the  P.F.A.C., permanently folded in 1996. The UNHCR determined that the remaining Vietnamese asylum seekers left in the camp were no longer automatically considered authentic refugees but merely economic migrants who left their country for economic reason not for political.  They thought that the asylum seekers should return to Vietnam.

The Vietnamese refused to return to the country that made their lives miserable. They strongly opposed mandatory repatriation. Many of them left the camp and lived all over the Philippines (Cebu, Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Bohol to name a few). They survived by selling merchandise to Filipino communities or doing survival jobs making minimal income.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Manila intervened. With the financial donation from the Vietnamese around the world, CADP and the Catholic Church (of the Philippines) purchased a huge piece of land on Honda Bay (14 kilometers from the former PFAC) and then relocated the remaining Vietnamese there. That place is called Viet Ville.

Viet Ville is now one of Palawan's tourist attractions. Their restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese Cuisine. Only one Vietnamese lives there though. He's married to a Filipino and they have five lovely children. In 2005 and 2007, all others had been resettled in Canada, Australia and the USA on compassionate grounds.

In December 2005, these former Viet Ville Vietnamese residents had an orientation meeting in Orange County, California. A lot of familiar people, including the famous and respected Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh, graced the occasion.

Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh with American actor Alan Alda on the set of their Emmy Award winning TV series M.A.S.H.

At that momentous occasion, Andrew Taylor, a former PFAC Palawan volunteer, was interviewed by SBTN Television about his perspectives on the Vietnamese people and his experience in the refugee camp.

*

 (See the pictures taken by Mr. Hai Duong during that momentous occasion.)

OOOOOOOO