MEMORIES of PFAC Palawan Part 2

 

ELEANOR G. STEWART and BENNY G. ONG

Shared some of their memories of PFAC Palawan. Please send me a PM if you want to share yours. Every week, I will be sharing 2 memories written by members of the VOLAGS in the past, starting March 24, 2025.

 

OOOOO

A Big Tribute to Sister Tomasa Rivera, O.P.

SISTER TOMASA RIVERA, O.P.
It is with great sorrow that we announce to you the passing of our dearly beloved Sister Tomasa Rivera, O.P. 

Sister Tomasa served as the School Principal of the HTC-PFAC School for Children from June 1979 to December 1995. Her immense love for the Vietnamese refugees and dedicated service had remarkably inspired the locals and international volunteers in the camp, including the HTC-PFAC Teachers and Staff.

We are deeply saddened by her passing; on the other hand, we are joyful that she has now joined her creator in heaven and forever in peace. Sister Tomasa had lived a life so beautifully lived and deserves to be remembered as a person with a huge heart for the Vietnamese refugees.

A part of who we are today is because of the HTC-PFAC School for Children, Sister Tomasa, and the teachers and staff of the school, who served the camp from 1979-95.

BIG THANK YOU TO YOU, SISTER TOMASA on behalf of the Vietnamese refugees, especially the children, who once lived in PFAC Palawan, Philippines.  May you rest in PEACE

REMEMBERING PFAC PALAWAN

The Second Home We Cherish

THANK YOU, MISS MURIEL KNOX

MISS MURIEL KNOX, UNFORGETTABLE!

August 2, 2014

Hello,
 

My Name is Tien Vo. I was eight years old when I was in the refugee camp in Palawan in the 1982. I am 41 now. I discovered the blog PFAC Palawan yesterday and I saw you were also looking for my former teacher Miss Muriel Knox. I'm also looking for her from France.
 

If you or your friends have any information about her, I would be very happy if you tell me whether she's all right.

Thanks a lot. Regards!

Tien Vo

From France

August 2, 2014

Hello Tien Vo!

Our beloved Muriel Knox lives in England and is all right.  Her brother emailed us last year to say that Muriel doesn't seem to be enthusiastic about reconnecting with anyone from her past and we respect her choices and well deserved privacy.  We and the many Vietnamese former refugees truly miss her and hope that she continues to be well and one day open her heart again to us once more.  We love Muriel and are forever grateful to her for her profound contributions to the VRC, HTC, and the Vietnamese refugees that their hearts she touched.  

Thank you very much for your beautiful letter and we hope you're well too.  This letter will be posted on our PFAC Palawan Blog with accompanying pictures.  Please connect with us on Facebook- PFAC Palawan.  

By the way, your name seems familiar.  Were you also in Andrew Taylor's class? 

Thanks.

PFAC Palawan Admin

 

  
Muriel Knox with Marian Lynch and Sister Tomasa Rivera, O.P. (VRC Palawan 1981) 

ooooooooooo

THE DAY ANDREW LEFT PFAC PALAWAN

                                       BON VOYAGE ANDY!

Your invaluable services to the Vietnamese Refugees is highly appreciated.

June 20, 1992

Our dearest Andy,

Our simple but profound way of saying thank you for the compassion and the dedication you've shown towards your students and also to those who have come to you for advice.  As a teacher, you're "one in a million".  Above all we'll remember you not only as our co-teacher but as a brother working in the vineyard of our Lord for the benefit of our Vietnamese brethren.  We wish you all the best.  God speed and good luck.

HTC-PFAC Teachers and Staff

Dearest Andy,

Salamat.  I can't say anything except thank you for all the things you've shared.  This space is not enough if I will enumerate everything.  You're always the "BEST".

With prayers,
Marivic

Dear Andrew,

Remember that we love you in all your ways.  I shall always bear in mind and heart your total dedication and exemplary services you have always given the HTC-PFAC School for Children that gained so much fame, respect and love for all who have worked with and for it - in the accomplishment of its mission to our beloved brothers - the Vietnamese people.  God will surely bless you and shower you with His loving mercy, so does a sister who will always pray for you.

In Christ
Sister Tomasa, O.P.

Dearest Andrew,

Your most awaited time has come.  I wish you all the happiness, good health, success and prosperity inn all your future endeavors.  Keep PMA always.  Be gracious as you work through your goals.  Keep your love for Van growing.  I will miss you around here.  God bless you and Van always.

Love,
Babes

Dearest Andy,

Wherever you go you're always be remembered.  Stay friendly, sweet and charming always.  Take care.

Love,
Mayette Rodis

Andy,

Wherever you'll go you'll be thought of as one of my real friends.  God bless you and Van.
Missing you lots!


Ate Mona

Dear Andy,

Thanks a lot for your unselfish support and love.  May God bless you always "Big Brother".

Love,
Marissa

Dear Kuya Andy,

God bless you and I love you so much!

Emma

Dear Andy,

I wish you the best of luck.  God bless you and Van.  I'll miss you.

Virgie

Andy,

No words can ever express my sadness of your departure.  I will surely miss you.  Rest assured that our prayers will always be with you and Van.

Lots of love,
Boy

Dearest Andy,

I thank the Lord for having you as a friend.  You've done so much for me.  I will certainly miss you.  You're such a real friend and compadre.  Rest assured of my prayers


Love,
Bessie

Andy,

In a short time that I've worked with you, I have learned to treat you like I do my children. 
I admire your innovative spirit and candid approach to things.  May the Lord bless you and Van.

Ate Linda

Dear Andrew,

Peace!  Pray continually.  Be joyful always.  Give thanks in every circumstances for this is the will of God to you in Jesus Christ.  Always remember, God oppresses the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Take care of Van.  take care of yourself.  God bless you.

Love,
Violet

 

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