THE STORY OF A MIRACLE CHILD

Dr. Luis Medrano and Sister Bernadette with Bonbon

 THE STORY OF A MIRACLE CHILD

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The baby in the pictures above and below is Bonbon. Tran Ba Duy is his real name.  His young parents fled their homeland on a small fishing boat with sixteen other refugees hoping to find a safe haven somewhere outside of their country of birth. They sailed across China Sea for weeks. One morning they saw an island from afar. 

Andrew Taylor and Bonbon

Thirty minutes before landing on the island their boat capsized when it hit an underwater rock. Shortly after that, everyone sank into the water and drowned because they couldn't swim; they were too weak due to dehydration and hunger. Bonbon's mom tried to stay afloat while holding her precious child. Her husband was nowhere in sight. She was too weak to swim and hold on to Bonbon but she refused to let him go. Seconds before she was about to give up, she heard her husband calling, "Em oi!" Em oi!!!". She responded to him and they found each other. Moments after she handed the baby to her husband, she sank deep into the water, never to emerge again.

 

Dr. Luis Medrano and Bonbon

Bonbon's mother was forever gone. His father was helpless. He tried to swim to the island in sight, but he was too exhausted. He was about to give up when he saw a Filipino fishing boat coming to the rescue . All the boat people during that trip died except Bonbon and his father. After they were rescued by the kind Filipino villagers, his father cried like a child calling the name of his wife. When he couldn't cry anymore he stopped but fell into a deep shock. When he and Bonbon arrived in the camp he refused to speak to anyone. He stayed speechless for months. He just sat in one corner looking at one direction and sometimes his tears rolling down his cheeks.  

Sister Bernadette Izon, O.P.,  Dr. Luis Medrano and wife Cira, Mona San Luis, and Bonbon

Sister Bernadette then volunteered to take care of Bonbon while his father was recuperating. After seven long months, Bonbon's father started to speak and interact again. He started doing his normal routine.

For the benefit of his miracle child, Bonbon stayed with Sister Bernadette and the Dominican Sisters at the convent downtown Puerto Princesa City. Two years later, Bonbon and his father immigrated to France.

 Everybody loves you, Bonbon! With Benny Ong

If you know Tran Ba Duy's AKA Bonbon's whereabouts, please email us at impeccable37@yahoo.com. He lives in France and is now around 28 years old (2014)

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