At Last, Mr. Benny Ong!

PFAC HAS CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVES ON LIFE.

How did your experience teaching in the refugee camp change you as a human being?

Benny: Let me tell you a little bit about how I got started into teaching in the refugee camp. Well, I was nineteen years old, a young, college student finishing my Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce when a Catholic nun by the name of Sister Tomasa Rivera O.P approached me if I wanted to work as a volunteer English teacher in the camp, which I didn’t know even existed. I was astonished and somewhat hesitant at first because I had never taught anyone in my life, let alone English, but because it was also a part of our college requirement to do outreach programs prior to graduation, I took up the challenge and the rest is history. Immediately after that, I learned to love the teaching profession.

Benny: I worked in the camp for twelve long years. Every day was a great opportunity for me to learn and grow. I met a lot of refugee children who were very fresh from their ordeal and sufferings brought about by their agonizing experience crossing the sea and the pain of separations from their families. I had to deal with a lot of emotional distress, resistance, and language and cultural barriers. I’m proud to say that these challenges made me stronger. They also brought enormous changes in my perspectives and views of what life had to offer. These experiences had taught me to be more compassionate, patient, thoughtful, generous, resilient, and loving. As a result of these empowering experiences, it led me to live a better and more prepared life. I felt blessed and privileged after that.

What were some of the challenges that you had encountered while teaching the Vietnamese refugee children?

Benny: I wasn’t trained as a teacher. Consequently, I found it hard to live up to the expectations of my superiors and colleagues. But as a highly dedicated person, I really worked hard to improve my teaching strategies by attending workshops, teacher trainings, and mini conferences on a regular basis. One of the biggest challenges that I encountered as a teacher was the ability to transform my students into a better person character wise. However, because of my profound commitment to what I was doing, I succeeded in inspiring them to be confident, peace-loving, and hard-working people.

What do the Vietnamese refugees think about your service in PFAC, Palawan. Do they appreciate it? How do you know?

Benny: I believe I did a magnificent job in my service to the Vietnamese people during that time. Modesty aside, I think I was loved and respected not only because of being a teacher but more so of trying to reach out and be one of them. I laughed with them, I cried with them, and celebrated life with them. Many of my students are still in contact with me today. At one time, I was invited as a special guest in Melbourne, Australia for the first ever Grand Reunion of Vietnamese Refugees from Palawan. On that momentous occasion, I was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Palawan Vietnamese Refugee Community of Melbourne. On top of this, I’ve visited Vietnam many times courtesy of my beloved former students.

How do you maintain your communications with your former students and co-workers?

Benny: The social media such as Facebook, Messenger, and Viber have played a great role in helping me maintain my communications with my former students and co-workers and I am truly grateful. These amazing platforms have helped bring us closer together and reconnect with one another. Almost every year, since 2009, there have been groups of Vietnamese from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe who visit Palawan. I always make sure that I’m able to welcome them in Palawan and arrange tours for them whenever I can.

You have a great personality and your students and many co-workers adore you. What is your secret to being you?

Benny: Oh my God! That's very difficult to answer. I guess it is innate in me to be thoughtful, sweet, compassionate, friendly, funny and affectionate. I treat everyone equally and help many of them to reunite with their friends in my own capacity. One of the things that I love to do is to make it a point to greet all my FB friends and students “Happy Birthday” whenever they are celebrating. I make sure that I don’t miss anybody by constantly checking my Facebook in the morning to see who are celebrating their natal days. Besides, it is interesting and kind of funny that many of my Vietnamese students around the world like to address me as "Ong Noi" as their term of endearment for me. I never really mind even if it means "grandfather". In fact, I find it sweet, caring, and respectful.

What do you advise your students to do to make sure that they can live a successful life?

Benny: Follow your dreams! If you have the opportunity to further your studies, pursue it. I strongly believe that education is the main tool in achieving your goals and success in life. Don't forget to pray in any way you can. If life gets tougher and you have nobody to turn to, remember that there is “Somebody up there” who will help you ease your pain. Don't let success run into your head. Help others if you can. And finally, be respectful and kind because in kindness, you will never go wrong!

 If you could turn back the hands of time, would you decide to work as volunteer teacher again and in the same country? Why?

Benny: Definitely! Why? My work as a teacher for the Vietnamese refugees has brought me immense happiness in life. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I met my loving wife in the camp (She was my co-teacher.)  I enjoyed so much the camaraderie of my fellow teachers who are all so kind and supportive of me even until now, and most of all, I have all the love and respect of my beloved Vietnamese students around the world.  I am blessed... I am loved!

Vietnamese Refugee Camp 1981