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

 

 

Teacher Sammy Taylor, A Slice of My Experience

Bancao Bancao Elementary School

After my teaching in the old PFAC Refugee Camp in 1995, the Vietnamese Elementary school children were accepted in Bancao Bancao Elementary School (Mauricio Reynoso Memorial Elementary School) in the following year, until the year 1997.

 

The Department of Education, with the support of Mayor Ed Hagedorn, requested me to teach the Vietnamese children. There, I taught Grade 4, 5, and 6 in one gigantic classroom. I was very happy to teach the Vietnamese children in Bancao Bancao.
 
In Bancao Bancao, I met a very sweet, loving and thoughtful Vietnamese student named Tang T. Nguyen. Unfortunately, I can no longer remember the names of other students or have any idea where they are now. ( or where they have resettled.)

I'm planning to go to that school to look for my old records so I can recall their names again.

In 1997, The Vietnamese in PFAC were relocated in Viet Ville in Santa Lourdes. The school children were then accepted in many different schools in Puerto Princesa City.
 
I was also accepted as a permanent teacher in public school as a result of the good performance I had in teaching the Vietnamese.

These are some of the pictures I'd like to share. People in PFAC knew me as Teacher Sammy Taylor

OOO 

A SINCERE CHAT WITH DO MINH DAI

PFAC Palawan was My Foundation

ANDREW:  I'm sitting here with my former PFAC student Do Minh Dai.  We have just been reunited after 26 years. Dai, when did you arrive in the camp and when did you resettle in the United States?

DAI:  I arrived in PFAC in 1988 and left for the USA in 1990.

ANDREW:  What was your best memory of the refugee camp?

DAI:  I think my best memory was the movie night every Friday and Saturday nights.  I  enjoyed watching movies in front of the ocean.  I thought it was absolutely beautiful.  Also I met a lot of good friends there. Lots of unforgettable memories.  I kind-a-love everything about the camp.

ANDREW:  Name three international volunteers in the camp that you believe have made an enormous difference in your life.

DAI:  Obviously, you are one of them. Well, I'm not gonna name two other people because everyone of them, especially the teaching staff; all of those people have helped made a positive difference in my life.  I wouldn't be who I am today in America if I didn't have them as my foundation.  A lot of volunteers in the camp have all contributed in making my life much better. 

ANDREW:  When you were in the camp what was your normal routine?

DAI:   Woke up and hang out with friends, had a lot of fun, went to school five days a week, did some homework, and watched movies on Friday and Saturday nights.  Those were pretty much my routine.

ANDREW:  When you were in the camp did you make a lot of friends?  How did they treat you?

DAI:  I definitely made a lot of good friends.  Unfortunately, I am no longer in touch with a lot of them.  We were all there without our families, kind-a unique 'cause we had a lot of freedom for kids my age.  Well, I think, friends made the refugee camp more special.

ANDREW:  You said that before you were promoted to my class you were with Sammy Taylor.  Do you have any message to Teacher Sammy?

DAI:  Sure.  Teacher Sammy, thank you.  Thank you very much. I enjoyed every moment in the school.  I learned so much from you.  You have an excellent teaching technique.  Once again, thank you and a round of applause to you and the rest of the HTC--PFAC teachers.

ANDREW:  Do you have any message to your teacher Andrew Taylor and to your former classmates?

DAI:  Well, you know I'm grateful to you, sir.  You're the best.  Thank you for your dedication.  It's hard to describe it, but your way of teaching, your interactions with the students... I mean, we saw everything.  You were very passionate with what you were doing. Nowadays, it's really rare to find someone who truly enjoys their job the way you did serving the Vietnamese refugees and we are truly grateful.  So thank you, really.  And to my classmates.  I'm not sure if anyone of you still remembers me but if you do, please connect me up and I'd like to chat with you guys.

ANDREW:  Do you have any message to the Philippine government that gave the Vietnamese refugees a safe haven for more than two decades?

DAI:  Well, again.  Thank you very much.  I feel so fortunate to have a chance to associate with the Filipinos when I was in the camp.  I just love the Filipino people not just because they were helping the Vietnamese refugees.  I love the Filipino culture in general.  The people were very friendly... very simple. So again, thank you.  If I may repeat.  I think I'm really so fortunate to get to know the Philippines and so many Filipino people.

ANDREW:  You're a very successful person in my opinion.  If the camp were still in existence today, do you think you would return to the camp and work as a volunteer?  Why and why not?

DAI:  I would really love to, but to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be able to because of the nature of the job I'm in right now.  However, I know for a fact that I would be able to lend a hand in a different way if the camp were still there.

ANDREW:  You've touched about this a little bit earlier but would you say that PFAC has given you foundation in order to be a better person in the United States?

DAI:  No question about it.  First, I learned English in the camp, which you know, facilitated my integration into the US.  PFAC definitely gave me a strong foundation not just academically but more importantly, I learned to be a better person.  I learned love, respect, sharing, friendship, camaraderie and hope.  I learned to look forward with so much courage and great optimism.  And because of all of these, I'm extremely grateful to the Philippines, the Filipinos and the international volunteers, especially the HTC-PFAC teachers.

ANDREW:  Well said, Dai.  Thank you for doing this interview.  You are the epitome of what is possible for immigrants when they believe in themselves and work very hard.   You're a PFAC Palawan son and we're extremely proud of you.  Any final thoughts?

DAI:  Thank you to all the teaching staff and to everyone that helped many, many thousands of Vietnamese refugees.  You've all contributed in making our integration into the United States and all over the world way much easier. Without your dedicated service, we wouldn't be doing what we are doing today.  To other former refugees, if you have a chance to help other people who need assistance, please do so. There's nothing more joyful than helping the less fortunate.

     Do Minh Dai

     Group 127 Mary Ship

     PFAC Palawan