Revisiting Refugee Camp in Bataan Philippines

[@oxennguyen3148]

I was there in 1988, Neighborhoods 6, we lived upstair unit 107H, cycle 127, we were there for 7 months. Thanks you Philippine for your generosity ❤❤❤

[@qadventures]

We left right before you arrived

[@johnlim6108]

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.

[@qadventures]

Although you are about 5 yrs my elder, I think we were there at the precise same time. Being neighbors.

[@johnlim6108]

@qadventures I was there in late September 1986 to late April 1987.

[@Mary-zd8xo]

@@qadventures I remember my college classmate’s sister was a Filipino peace corps volunteer at a Vietnamese refugee camp in Palawan. She told us her experiences. Mostly preparing the refugees for life in the US. She taught them English.

[@kathydoan782]

​@qadventures bro, this is crazy. We were probably there at the same time. Our family was there in 86, too.

[@qadventures]

If possible, I would really like to hook up sometimes. Heading back to LA in April

[@tommytodatnguyen1413]

I was here Sept 89-May 90; unforgettable . Love you Philippines ! Bataan and Bataan camp is like a poem feeling so internal and part of . I cherished the dearest- The mountains and rivers , the serenity , the wildness, the people here were the most beautiful earthly. Philippines is the best and I thank them for preserving and honoring this special place . I was lonely and homesick here at the the time but I had a love for it. You have quite an attached and emotional comeback; very nice!

[@qadventures]

I concur and that's what brought me back. These fond memories

[@huongta645]

I was there June88.Came to TX 89.Cycle 120 neighborhood 9J

[@kathydoan782]

I was also there in 1986 when I was 7 years old in this same refugee camp! My goodness. It's great to see all of my Vietnamese brothers and sisters who have made it out to America or other free nations after escaping from the communist party. I, too, would love to revisit this great place one day. I'm very grateful for the Filipinos who were so generous to our family and other fellow refugees... Thank you very much for this video!

[@qadventures]

Thank you Kathy. I had the privilege of reaching out to a few people like ourselves from this video

[@chanlybob396]

Thank you for sharing this documentary. I was there too in 82 and your footage brings back much memories and tears.

[@qadventures]

Then my purpose is served. I have also connected with a few Cambodians that reached out from this video

[@edic2619]

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.

[@qadventures]

I, myself, is not so clear. My parents don't talk about it, as if it's a memory they want to erase

[@jimbo8888]

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.

[@qadventures]

And most took the opportunity to prosper

[@jimbo8888]

yes, exactly. Very hard working people. @@qadventures

[@demantoidgem2709]

This makes me feel emotional. I am a Filipino.

[@qadventures]

I was full of all kinds of emotions as I walked the geounds

[@sandiepetersonsellsraleigh]

We were in the PI located at Subic Bay four full years from 1975 - 1979 and I was in 4th grade - 7th grade at the school on the base. I love the Philippines and the people so much. We lived off base in Olongapo and then moved to a little gated ranch style apartment situation to the north of the second gate. My mom and I were involved in the baby lift from Vietnam, from what I understood, some moms in Vietnam baby’s that had service men fathers were given to the navy to bring to America. They stopped over at the base for a day or two before continuing to America. This was so sad and I have often wondered about them😢. I am so sorry that you and your family went through such scary, rough times. Thank you so much for sharing such an important part of history.

[@qadventures]

My grandfather, uncle, aunties ans elder brother went through a tough time. My experience with my parents and sister was actually very pleasant. I wish I can get your story on camera. Fascinating

[@flybreath2788]

Glad you got to revisit your childhood, could hear the emotions in your voice. god bless you your family

[@qadventures]

I tried to contain it, but it kept cracking

[@heidoninthephilippines]

you get to process a 7 year olds feelings its a gift my brother!

[@qadventures]

It was an emotional roller-coaster being there

[@dangydank]

I was there in the summer of 81...928A...I would love to join if anyone plan to visit...

[@CanadianBisdak]

I can imagine how traumatic it is to relived the past traumatic memories 😢😢😢 am from the southern Philippines but I never knew this story up until now through your channel. Thank you sharing your story. I am happy that you are doing well on your life now.

[@qadventures]

Bataan is on the way opposite end of you. I think there used to exist. Refugee camp for Russians to the south

[@johngrisham3703]

I remember being out at sea coming back from Persian gulf and we picked up several boat people and brought into the Philippines.

[@qadventures]

Thank you for your service and I remember my late grandfather always speak highly of servicemen that did for him what you did

[@ironhorse7588]

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.

[@qadventures]

I've been wanna to revisit this place for the last 12 yrs. Finally had the chance

[@ammegs778]

oh yan mga hindi na lumayas.

[@tivanbounma2769]

Thank you for making this video. I've been looking for a walk-thru video like this for a few years. One day, I too will make a video of this place and talk about what I remembered during my time there.

[@johnnguyen7192]

I was there in 1983 and my family total are 11 family brothers and sisters. With small dome room.

[@qadventures]

Wow!!! Lots of family

[@mydeargio]

Thanks for this 🩷 I’m from Bataan just 45 mins away from the refugee camp

[@qadventures]

We just missed you then

[@jesscasalla224]

i can understand you being so emotional. after everything you and your family went through..

[@qadventures]

It got me good being there

[@gina_borrman]

I was so amazed finding and watching this particular video. I only heard about the Bataan Refugee Camps back when I was in high school (1975) And the way you were explaining the occurrences, made me feel emotional what refugees went through. That was back then, but now mostly refugees were able to have a better life in countries like the USA and Canada. And seems like a cliche , that you will be back to re tell the historical story of your life. I enjoyed listening to your stories rather than reading it on google. Derek, let’s celebrate you finding back your home you left behind which is the Philippines. I just love this content of your video. Welcome back Derek! Hope you enjoy your stay ,in a different situation now. A very interesting video. Full of painful pasts, and yet there were a happy future for those refugees. Thanks for visiting the place and sharing the story . Watching here in Jacksonville Florida USA 🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@qadventures]

Wow, Gina!!! Beautifully said. I will go back to Los Angeles to visit, but the Philippines is home now

[@markbergman4667]

Impactful. It must have been a gut punch to go back to this place for you. Amazing that you can visit this now after a successful life. Good stuff Derek!

[@qadventures]

🙏🫶😇♥️

[@thanhliembui8506]

If you could go to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. will find more info about Vietnamese Boat people..

[@WisdomTree2024]

I actually was there as well, great to see this, beyond words, thanks for doing this.

[@qadventures]

Thank you for acknowledging

[@BrandSolutions]

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.

[@qadventures]

Great idea. 🙏🫶

[@denismoreau3646]

Interesting place 😊

[@qadventures]

🙏🫶

[@eddydavis9548]

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.

[@qadventures]

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

[@josephkumnick7696]

You are the Best! Thank you!

[@qadventures]

🙏🫶

[@ronmutuc8009]

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.

[@qadventures]

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.

[@ronmutuc8009]

@@qadventures 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.

[@Petzi47]

thank you for sharing

[@qadventures]

🫶🙏

[@phuclam9230]

If i am not mistaken the temple name was Vạn Hạnh.

[@qadventures]

I still haven't learned the name of the temple

[@TitoGeorgeTravel]

That place is Beautiful Q.

[@qadventures]

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

[@thanhtu623]

I live here 1985 vùng 510B

[@qadventures]

Oh cool. 2 years before us. Thank uou for reaching out♥️🫶🙏

[@johnnguyen7192]

tôi Cũng ở vùng 9A hay là vùng 9B ( không nhớ rõ lắm) có quen với 2 chị em tên Phượng và Chi, có học chung lớp học với bạn tên Phân’ trong lớp học tiếng anh ngữ và để chuẩn bị lên đường đi sang Mỹ.lúc ấy là năm 1985

[@johnnguyen7192]

@@qadventures tôi rất mong tìm gặp lại 2 chị em bạn quen trong căn hộ 9A-B tên Phượng và tên Chi và có quen với bạn tên Phân ‘nữa..

[@demantoidgem2709]

I would like to see you cover the Bataan Death March. I am a Filipino but don't know much about it.

[@qadventures]

I don't have any ties to that, neither am I filipino nor historian. I am afraid I will butcher a history that is so meaningful

[@MrTrollHunter]

Totally understandable that this was a very emotional re-encounter. Thanks for sharing. Are your parents still allive to see this video?

[@qadventures]

Yes they are. But for some reason, they don't like to be reminded of this part of the past

[@johnnguyen7192]

I was 21 years old at that time.

[@qadventures]

🙏🫶😇♥️

[@Project.Phumibot]

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?

[@qadventures]

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

[@kimdang5464]

I been there 1988-1989

[@qadventures]

We left 1987

[@coco19661]

Very nice video

[@qadventures]

🙏🫶😇

[@phuclam9230]

I was there in 1990

[@qadventures]

Wow!!! I was a few yrs before you

[@phuclam9230]

@qadventures i was 17 in 1990 watching your video brought back many memories. Thanks for sharing brother

[@qadventures]

@phuclam9230 for sure😇 I was only 7 in 1987 when I was there. Please continue your support of my channel by watching. I am here to give back to this beautiful culture

[@JayandLisa]

Wow I was there in 1984. Can you tell me how I could get there? I’m in the states and would like the route to take to get there but I would like to visit the exact spot I was in 1984.

[@qadventures]

Oh yeah. Fly to Angeles City Airport or Manila and take transportation to Bataan. Angeles is closer and best to rent a bike. Fun journey but do so soon. Saw lots of construction going on there

[@walterperry4565]

Amazing,, i was gonna ask how you got to usa. Did u come as result of war.. now i know.

[@qadventures]

My family was sponsored by my uncle through a family unification petition. But, yes, a result of war

[@bigbearlife6642]

Is this also where the baatan death march of ww2 was?

[@qadventures]

Yes.... Bataan has a rich history. From the death march to the eviction of the tribal people. I couldn't cover it all.

[@c.a.sreacts]

back to civilization

[@qadventures]

Indeed

[@bigbearlife6642]

Is this also baatan death march of ww2?

[@qadventures]

Yes. Very rich history, I couldn't cover it all

[@danielj3010]

Ly bro

[@qadventures]

🙏

[@c.a.sreacts]

its crazy to think you survive an actual war

[@qadventures]

I didn't. I was born after. But my parents did

[@CanadianBisdak]

I can feel the emotions😢😢😢

[@qadventures]

A walk down memory lane

[@suskagusip1036]

1986 was EDSA People Power Revolution. We stood in the streets and kicked out our 20 year long president. Why would you rather be on the boat than stood up against your government? I think you all just want to go to the USA with due respect. With due respect my family have a big vacant houses and towns in Panay island but none of your People went there? Never been to Palawan and Bataan but we do our own business in our own islands. Glad you're successful now and able to go back to your roots. You're all welcome to all islands there. I myself going back there cuz my own parents now gone but their generations were the ones that took all refugees from Vietnam, Europe Jews and white Russians. Don't hesitate to go back and improve that place because it's part of your own history. He said if you want to renovate that sacred place you're welcome. We are catholics majority and sad to say no ona pay attention to the Buddhist temple. Not sure why the colonizers totally erased our Asian heritage. It's even ridiculous why I can't understand Japanese language when I stopby Japan. What a Shame. We all should have one united dialect. Good luck you're welcome to protect your own heritage in the Philippines. We are a people of freewill. You can come back anytime as long as you're not a Pogo.

[@qadventures]

Kind people like your family are the ones that motivates me to do what I do on this channel

[@suskagusip1036]

@qadventures Thanks for sharing your story. It was heartbreaking but as asean we are blood, DNA runs through us. Next time you visit enjoy the more fun side of island hopping. We are nextdoor to Palawan, island Panay. Iloilo City and it's provinces in the mountains might be similar to Vietnam. We have Indigenous Aetas there too that arrived way before us in Nagpana villages.

[@HoaiAnh-es9qv]

Rất tiếc chủ kênh nói tiếng Anh, những người bị hồi hương về Việt Nam sẽ không hiểu bạn nói gì cả, mọi người muốn xem và nghe bạn nói tiếng Việt. Thiệt vô cùng Tiếc cho những đứa trẻ con định cư nước ngoài mà không chịu học nói tiếng Việt cho rành, Tiếc 😢😢😢

[@qadventures]

Not everyone needs to behave the same. It's free will

[@HoaiAnh-es9qv]

@@qadventures Ðúng là tự do xem,..... nhưng càng biết nhiều thứ tiếng càng tốt và thoải mái cho chính mình hơn, nhiều công ty cũng rất cần người làm biết nhiều thứ tiếng hơn. OK

[@qadventures]

@@HoaiAnh-es9qv i understand and i appreciate your comments. I grew up in the USA and my parents worked very hard to raise 4 children. I was mostly around friends that only speaks English. I visit Vietnam often, but I feel the residents there doesn't have much patience with my Vietnamese abilities. but i try

[@MinhBui-y2b]

Q Adv you have been got the big mistake for Vietnamese -Laos - Cambodian refugees in PRPC of the Philippines . THEY were not the refugees for war . Because the war were finished since the end of April and May of 1995 .( The third Indochina war). Those refugees were victim of communist regimes. They were discriminated for opposite opinions , religions, political and the different levels of social . - They were forced to go to the jails, labor camps which the communist labeled as RE-EDUCATED PROGRAM (brainwash ) if they were government employees , or who were service in military . - I you are not poor famer , or who were running business for services , trading , and student were graduated high school they named you in the capitalist and minor capitalist then forced you must go to new economic zone which located in the wild jungle where were battle field , secrete zone which communist army were based before . - Your house in the city , villages , markets they confiscated and delivery for them self after that. - In new economic zone you must clear the jungle land turn into the farm land to grow the corn , tapia , or rice field to get the food to live for your self . - Mines, boo bee trap , hand grenade , rockets, bombs , cluster bombs which were dude were exploded when you accidently steep on , or plough on its . - Infact they are not escape from VIETNAM ,LAOS, CAMBOGDE for war . Thet escape for their life were oppressed in cruel situations . I was one of them . i had been 5 years in PRPC ( Philippines Refugee Processing Center ) Which located in SABANG (village ) MORONG (district) BATAAN (province ). - The PRPC in Manila out skirt of Manila international air port ) in the transit camp to move refugee from Manila to Morong and against . Your title were mistake to type MORONG in to MORON ( look like LUNATIC )

[@qadventures]

I may, perhaps, been misunderstood. I was born in 1978 and the war was over. I got my history lessons from my grandparents who may be biased