It was a horrible time for many. In Australia, we received so many refugees at the time also and the majority have not looked back since. Very sad, indeed.
Childhood trauma can manifest itself in many detrimental ways long into adulthood and there’s no doubt what you went through must have been hell scary for any kid but damn look at you boy, you done something good with your life. God has blessed you brother make no mistake, keep on doing what you doing. 🙏
You are correct. I have seen some documentaries on Vietnam Vets going to Vietnam to meet the former Vietcongs to have an in depth conversation. Fascinating stuff. What got me most is when they huge and tell each other they don’t know each other to hate one another. It was just war and they shoot each other to survive
Thank you for sharing this important part of history with the world that we as a human race can learn from past events to make a better future for all mankind.
I can only imagine the flood of emotions that you experienced revisiting the camp. I’m sure you’ve had memories throughout your life but it probably isn’t the same as the ones that come flooding back when you actual return their as is quite evident in this video. This is a very powerful and personal video so thank you for sharing it with us and not cutting out your emotions as they add authenticity to the story. If you talk to the office, depending how the conversation goes maybe money can be donated to hire local contractors to do structural and electrical repairs and then some money donated to a local Buddhist church to supply volunteers for cleanup and upkeep on a regular basis. I would like to get involved with something like that to make sure it can be preserved for others to visit.
Many great thanks to the people of the Philippines for their kindness towards us refugees. Having lived both in the refugee camp in Thailand and the Philippines, I can attest that Filipinos treated us like human beings. I got emotional too watching this video. It brought back many memories from 1986-1987. Thank you brother.
I live in US. My friend is Vietnamese. Like you, he escaped. He was one of the boat people. I heard this 1st hand from him and the extreme crowding on the very small fishing boats. These little boats were not made to go on long ocean travels and the massive waves. Some boats sank by a huge wave. Thanks for explaining this story. Many people in US have no understanding of this at all. Even many PH kids do not understand this history.
Since I worked for 10 yrs. in Irvine CA, my Vietnamese coworkers tell me good and bad memories in Morong Bataan. Market day and bus excursions to Manila or the beach. Stories of boats that never made it to shore, rough sea, pirates, female abduction and never found.
That is correct…. may I ask you to share this video with your Vietnamese friends? I’m from Los Angeles and am looking to connect with as much of the “boat people” as I possibly can.
@Q Adventures Will do. Maybe plan your next vlog to Puerto Pricesa Camp and the Vietnamese who decided to remain in the Philippines. Many moved to Manila.
No Roxanne. I have inquired, just to see if records of my family being there. Non exist. Only records of those who passed away there and laid to rest in that cemetery
Okay,thank you for your time sir. I hope my true parents will find me. I had the worst family since stepmom bring me here in masbate,i dont know why,but all i remember i came from bataan.
@RoxanneMarquez wait a minute…. may I ask that you reach out to me via any of my contact info on my description page? I sense there is something historically fascinating by reading between the lines
I’m so sorry. I only visited Bataan for a day. I don’t know anything about it except for the refugee camp that my family stayed in when I was 7 yrs old. I live in Lapu-Lapu City via usa now and Bataan is far
it must have been super emotional for you. I found myself becoming so as well. You asked if you could go to the back of a bunk? You should have permission to go anywhere in that site. (I remember when ‘boat people’ were in the news.)
my family and I stay at this Bataan from mid 1980 to April of 1981. I was 5/6 yr old at the time so I can’t recollect too much. I do have fond memories of us bathing in many of the nearby streams and attending ESL classes. If I recall, one of the teachers was name Mr Red. During this time, I interacted with Pope John Pau IIl, who came to visit in Feb 1981. I was told there were newspaper articles showing a picture of the Pope reaching out to touch my head, perhaps as a blessing. Looking back, it has taught us refugees to be perseverant and stay humble. Before the war, my family was very well off, and we had to leave everything behind from houses, cars, and valuable possessions, and were limited to what we were able to bring. We fled in the middle of the night, not knowing if death was awaiting us. We came upon bad weather and a shortage of food and water. Many families and lives were not so lucky and were drifted lost at sea, killed, and forgotten. It is a reminder that there were many sacrifices and hardships from all facts of life. Fortunately, we landed safely in HongKong without experiencing Thai pirates or enduring the many horror stories we often hear from other refugees. After staying in HK for brief time, we were transported to Bataan. It certainly laid a foundation for my family’s upbringing to appreciate life from a different perspective. We learn to overcome and adapt to a new land and strive for a better tomorrow. I wish to return to this place where my family and I stayed as temporary guests. We are grateful and want to thank you the people of the Philippines, for accepting us in times of desperation.
I’m not sure if it was this particular refugee camp or not but we’re cambodian and spent some time in a refugee camp in the Philippines in 1981. Could you tell me if any Cambodians came through there or perhaps any other camps?
Yes. This place was exclusively for the vietnamese, Cambodian and Loatian. I have made connections with quite a bit of people who has came through here from this video. 1 in particular is also Cambodian, was there the same time I was and now live in Louisiana
Beauty of the Philippines 
Channels
Dating
Ly bro
You are the Best! Thank you!
i can understand you being so emotional. after everything you and your family went through..
It got me good being there
Interesting place 😊
Amazing,, i was gonna ask how you got to usa. Did u come as result of war.. now i know.
My family was sponsored by my uncle through a family unification petition. But, yes, a result of war
back to civilization
It was a horrible time for many. In Australia, we received so many refugees at the time also and the majority have not looked back since. Very sad, indeed.
And most took the opportunity to prosper
yes, exactly. Very hard working people. @Q Adventures
its crazy to think you survive an actual war
I didn’t. I was born after. But my parents did
Childhood trauma can manifest itself in many detrimental ways long into adulthood and there’s no doubt what you went through must have been hell scary for any kid but damn look at you boy, you done something good with your life. God has blessed you brother make no mistake, keep on doing what you doing. 🙏
A part of your family past, and many others as well. War. Not good for anyone. Good things can come from wars. As well as bad, people never forget.
You are correct. I have seen some documentaries on Vietnam Vets going to Vietnam to meet the former Vietcongs to have an in depth conversation. Fascinating stuff. What got me most is when they huge and tell each other they don’t know each other to hate one another. It was just war and they shoot each other to survive
Totally understandable that this was a very emotional re-encounter. Thanks for sharing. Are your parents still allive to see this video?
Yes they are. But for some reason, they don’t like to be reminded of this part of the past
That place is Beautiful Q.
That’s why I chose the Philippines to do my philanthropy work. The filipino people had been great to my family when we were in need
Thank you for sharing this important part of history with the world that we as a human race can learn from past events to make a better future for all mankind.
I’ve been wanna to revisit this place for the last 12 yrs. Finally had the chance
I can only imagine the flood of emotions that you experienced revisiting the camp. I’m sure you’ve had memories throughout your life but it probably isn’t the same as the ones that come flooding back when you actual return their as is quite evident in this video. This is a very powerful and personal video so thank you for sharing it with us and not cutting out your emotions as they add authenticity to the story. If you talk to the office, depending how the conversation goes maybe money can be donated to hire local contractors to do structural and electrical repairs and then some money donated to a local Buddhist church to supply volunteers for cleanup and upkeep on a regular basis. I would like to get involved with something like that to make sure it can be preserved for others to visit.
Great idea. 🙏🫶
Many great thanks to the people of the Philippines for their kindness towards us refugees. Having lived both in the refugee camp in Thailand and the Philippines, I can attest that Filipinos treated us like human beings. I got emotional too watching this video. It brought back many memories from 1986-1987. Thank you brother.
Although you are about 5 yrs my elder, I think we were there at the precise same time. Being neighbors.
@qadventures I was there in late September 1986 to late April 1987.
I live in US. My friend is Vietnamese. Like you, he escaped. He was one of the boat people. I heard this 1st hand from him and the extreme crowding on the very small fishing boats. These little boats were not made to go on long ocean travels and the massive waves. Some boats sank by a huge wave. Thanks for explaining this story. Many people in US have no understanding of this at all. Even many PH kids do not understand this history.
I, myself, is not so clear. My parents don’t talk about it, as if it’s a memory they want to erase
you get to process a 7 year olds feelings its a gift my brother!
It was an emotional roller-coaster being there
Glad you got to revisit your childhood, could hear the emotions in your voice. god bless you your family
I tried to contain it, but it kept cracking
thank you for sharing
Is this also baatan death march of ww2?
Yes. Very rich history, I couldn’t cover it all
Is this also where the baatan death march of ww2 was?
Yes…. Bataan has a rich history. From the death march to the eviction of the tribal people. I couldn’t cover it all.
Since I worked for 10 yrs. in Irvine CA, my Vietnamese coworkers tell me good and bad memories in Morong Bataan. Market day and bus excursions to Manila or the beach. Stories of boats that never made it to shore, rough sea, pirates, female abduction and never found.
That is correct…. may I ask you to share this video with your Vietnamese friends? I’m from Los Angeles and am looking to connect with as much of the “boat people” as I possibly can.
@Q Adventures Will do. Maybe plan your next vlog to Puerto Pricesa Camp and the Vietnamese who decided to remain in the Philippines. Many moved to Manila.
I remember being out at sea coming back from Persian gulf and we picked up several boat people and brought into the Philippines.
Thank you for your service and I remember my late grandfather always speak highly of servicemen that did for him what you did
Is there any list of messing or lift children age 3yo.to 4yo.girl on that time. Thanks to those who are welling to answer.🙏
No Roxanne. I have inquired, just to see if records of my family being there. Non exist. Only records of those who passed away there and laid to rest in that cemetery
Okay,thank you for your time sir. I hope my true parents will find me. I had the worst family since stepmom bring me here in masbate,i dont know why,but all i remember i came from bataan.
@RoxanneMarquez wait a minute…. may I ask that you reach out to me via any of my contact info on my description page? I sense there is something historically fascinating by reading between the lines
I’m so sorry. I only visited Bataan for a day. I don’t know anything about it except for the refugee camp that my family stayed in when I was 7 yrs old. I live in Lapu-Lapu City via usa now and Bataan is far
Ok thanks anyway sir.
it must have been super emotional for you. I found myself becoming so as well. You asked if you could go to the back of a bunk? You should have permission to go anywhere in that site. (I remember when ‘boat people’ were in the news.)
Thank you for being empathetic, Armando. Although I didn’t personally go through it, this is part of my family’s history
@Q Adventures that doesn’t change anything. You are part of that family. I am a retired teacher. My Asian students have always been among the best.
my family and I stay at this Bataan from mid 1980 to April of 1981. I was 5/6 yr old at the time so I can’t recollect too much. I do have fond memories of us bathing in many of the nearby streams and attending ESL classes. If I recall, one of the teachers was name Mr Red. During this time, I interacted with Pope John Pau IIl, who came to visit in Feb 1981. I was told there were newspaper articles showing a picture of the Pope reaching out to touch my head, perhaps as a blessing. Looking back, it has taught us refugees to be perseverant and stay humble. Before the war, my family was very well off, and we had to leave everything behind from houses, cars, and valuable possessions, and were limited to what we were able to bring. We fled in the middle of the night, not knowing if death was awaiting us. We came upon bad weather and a shortage of food and water. Many families and lives were not so lucky and were drifted lost at sea, killed, and forgotten. It is a reminder that there were many sacrifices and hardships from all facts of life. Fortunately, we landed safely in HongKong without experiencing Thai pirates or enduring the many horror stories we often hear from other refugees. After staying in HK for brief time, we were transported to Bataan. It certainly laid a foundation for my family’s upbringing to appreciate life from a different perspective. We learn to overcome and adapt to a new land and strive for a better tomorrow. I wish to return to this place where my family and I stayed as temporary guests. We are grateful and want to thank you the people of the Philippines, for accepting us in times of desperation.
Very nice video
I’m not sure if it was this particular refugee camp or not but we’re cambodian and spent some time in a refugee camp in the Philippines in 1981. Could you tell me if any Cambodians came through there or perhaps any other camps?
Yes. This place was exclusively for the vietnamese, Cambodian and Loatian. I have made connections with quite a bit of people who has came through here from this video. 1 in particular is also Cambodian, was there the same time I was and now live in Louisiana