Father, Mr. Francisco Chan, born 1934 Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Dr. Benjamin Que Chan, born 1961, Manila, Philippines
I have been reading a lot recently about China, The Philippines, and Overseas Chinese. I know that as Chinese, we talked a lot about lineage and propagation of the family. As I look at these four generation, my heart is touched. I know that I need to continue to work on this project.
Four generations, from the time my angkong was born to the time that me son was born, it was a span of 97 years, almost a century. That by itself is something worth writing and sharing. It also includes three countries, China, Philippines and United States of America. From the last dynasty of China, to the American occupation of the Philippines, to the independent Philippines and to the big melting pot of United States of America, there seems to a hint of adventurous genes in the family.
Angkong left China for survival. I admire his bravery. Without his decision to leave the chaotic China, the rest of the family will not be around. My father left Vigan and went to Manila to study and have his family. I left Manila in 1989, went to Taiwan for two years and then came to USA in 1991. My son was born when I was doing my Family Medicine residency in Pontiac, Michigan.
I can partly understand my angkong's adventure. Although I would say that mine is nothing compared to what he did. It is probably our overseas Chinese virtues that made us flexible. We do whatever we need to do to survive. Angkong found new land and hope in the Philippines, I found new way of life in USA.
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