PFAC Palawan Reunion in Manila

Aren't we glad we have the PFAC Palawan Blog and Facebook Page to share our beautiful memories and reunions like this?

 

Joebel, Sen Kagahastian, Rohima, Steven, Kieu Phung, Jan Top, and Dr. Vic 

 

Conversations taken from PFAC Palawan Facebook Page.

Kieu Phung: From left to right: Joebel, Sen Kagahastian, Rohima, Steven, Kieu Phung, Jan Top Christensen, and Dr. Vic Salas.
Sen Kagahastian:  Beautiful picture!  Great to see all of you again. Thanks, Madam Kieu! May I share?

Kieu Phung: Sure chi.

Khanh Mai Tran: Hi Kieu!  Thank you for posting and sharing this photo. Where did you meet Joebel?

Kieu Phung: Mai oi. Joebel o Manila, gap may lan roi. Mai con nho Dr. Vic Salas khong? Ong noi khi nao Mai qua choi nhan cho ong hay de ong den tham Mai.

Kieu Phung: Sang nam hop mat thien nguyen vien van khong cao uy khong?

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Tuanhien Tran: Hi everybody head quarter PFAC ! Chao c. Kieu con nho em kg? Em la Tuan trong Dam Viet, Thaï, Hung.... O khu 6 Gan Nha chi o PFAC. 2 bac con khoe kg? Cho goi tham ca nha.Nguyen bay Gio thé nao roi chi? Cho em goi loi tham no

Kieu Phung: Hello em bay gio em o dau? De chi nhan Nguyen lien lac cho em. Ca nha chi van khoe. Nguyen da co gia dinh mot con gai. Chi dang o Manila chong chi Jan Top lam dai su Dan Mach o day. Neu qua Phi ghe lai chi choi.

Nguyễn Tấn Phát: Hi chị. Cho Phát gởi lời thăm mọi người nhé.

Kieu Phung: Cam on em. Khi nao gap lai cung rat la cam dong. Hay la sang nam minh to chuc grand reunion?

Nguyễn Tấn Phát: Dạ tháng 4 dịp Easter bọn em sang chị. Rất nhớ mọi người , dì Sen, cô Rohima...

Kieu Phung: Goi cho chi ngay gio. PM chi nghe.

Kieu Phung: Thang 4 sang nam grand reunion?

Dave Chu: Thanks, Kiều. Please convey our best regards to everyone, especially Jan and Joebel!

Dave Chu: Ai dza.. I spent a lot of time to find Joebel's old PFAC Palawan picture!  Here it is. Joebel is the second one on the left next to my younger brother Hien.

Kieu Phung: Dave Chu, next year (in April) we have a reunion in Palawan.

Dave Chu: Thanks for letting me know. I will make plans. Let's see.

 

Benny Ong: wow nice to see you guys..together again.

Kieu Phung: Benny, sorry, we missed you this time. Jan's fault. To next time then.

Benny Ong: It's okay, Madam.  Actually, Chi Sen had asked me if I would be going.  I told her I had no invitation. Hu hu hu... Nevertheless, I am so happy to see former PFAC Palawan volunteers get together. I will join you next time for sure.

Kieu Phung: Sorry he made a mistake. He has been so busy lately. Hope that you can catch the last of Danish days at SM Aura tomorrow.

Nida Ermita Magallanes:  Oh I missed this reunion.

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Meet Doctor Vic Salas

Hello PFAC Family,

 

I worked in PFAC Palawan from January 1988 to June 1989 as the Medical coordinator and IOM medical officer. I took up a position in IOM Thailand and then in IOM Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) from July 1989 to June 1992. 

 

I'm still in touch with former IOM staff since I try to visit Palawan whenever I can.  The last time I visited Palawan was in May of 2011 or 2012. My Palawan and IOM experience was a turning point--I got more involved in migrant and refugee health care and public health, and I left clinical care and private medical practice.  

 

My best memories--and there are many-would be an introduction to cross cultural experiences, and working with an amazing team of people, including our OPD volunteers. It's an experience I will never forget.

Dr. Vic Salas

Dr. Vic Salas served as IOM physician and medical coordinator in PFAC Palawan from January 1988 to June 1989.  He is currently based in Cambodia.

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