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

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HTC-PFAC DRUM and LYRE CORPS

PFAC Palawan Interviews

Teacher Sammy Taylor.

PFAC Palawan:  So... Sammy, I stumbled upon one of the many  pictures of the HTC-PFAC Drum and Lyre Corps while visiting the PFAC Palawan Facebook page, and for some reason I felt kind-a sentimental seeing you, Jan Top Christensen and Sister Bernandette.

Sammy:  That group was my baby. I love every minute of my interactions and bonding with the refugee youths as we practiced every afternoon after classes.

PFAC Palawan:  I feel you, but please tell me.  What inspired you to train those students?

Sammy:  The idea was actually conceptualized by our dearest HTC-PFAC Executive Director, Sister Bernadette. She called me one day to her office to tell me that she was thinking of buying those musical instruments and starting a drum and lyre group and that she wanted me to train the students. I immediately fell in love with the idea and assured Sister Bernadette that I would do it in a heartbeat.

PFAC Palawan:  You said yes, just like that? And knowing that it would entail an enormous amount of work? 

Sammy:  Well, substantial amount of work was definitely a requirement, but I didn't mind that at all because when you love what you do, it's not work but a hobby.  I am a professional singer and I love every form of entertainment, especially music.  But the point is, the refugees, especially the youths, needed to do something productive to fill their precious times in the camp while awaiting resettlement.  Teaching them how to play the xylophone and the drum was a great way to help them take away their boredom and distance themselves from smoking, alcohol, and stuff like that. 

PFAC Palawan:  Wow!  Impressive and truly amazing.  How often did you practice?

Sammy:  We rehearsed five days a week every afternoon after their English classes.  Everyday brought energy to everybody.  To me... to them... to the students and the school, and to the whole camp in general.                

PFAC Palawan:  I can imagine.  Was participation in the band extended to everyone or just to HTC-PFAC students?

Sammy:  Everyone, but I'd say, ninety-nine percent of the participants were HTC-PFAC students. 

PFAC Palawan:  Awesome.  Was there any age limit ... requirement?  I mean... 

Sammy:  Quite honestly, I can no longer recall, but the participants were between the ages of eight and fifteen. 

PFAC Palawan:  Where did the band play?  I mean on what occasions?

Sammy:  They played in parades, school graduations, PFAC sporting events, Bon Voyage parties, Christmas parties, Tet and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. 

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PFAC Palawan:  Fascinating!  Do you have any message to your former HTC-PFAC Drum and Lyre Corps members who might see this interview on line?

Sammy:  Yes!  My service to the Vietnamese refugees, United Nations, and PFAC Palawan was one of the best and probably the most significant highlights of my life not just as a teacher but as a person in general. I appeal to you my dear Vietnamese refugees to not ever forget your foundation which played a big part of who you are today.  Your membership and participation in the band was not accidental.  God brought us all together for a purpose... to entertain, to educate, and to inspire others. And we all succeeded, didn't we?  Thank you for supporting our beautiful music together.  If in the future we have the opportunity to reconnect or reunite, I will definitely be here with open arms and warm heart.  You can find me on Facebook under Sam Taylor.  God bless you all.

PFAC Palawan:  Thank you, Mr. Taylor, I mean, Sammy, for this splendid interview.  I feel that I have grown emotionally and intellectually from this.

Sammy:  So have I, PFAC Palawan.  Let's keep the fire of PFAC Palawan burning.

Minh Chuong, Alexander Cao, Linh, Thuan, and Minh Dang

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