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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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


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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.

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