Where It All Began (Part 2)

Travelling by sea was long and arduous, but Sui and his family eventually made it to their destination. They were allotted a piece of 15-acres land in Peringkat 5, one of many Peringkats established at Rancangan Sungai Manila. The first few months were challenging as they had to adjust to their new surroundings, but with the help of the other settlers particularly his good friend Hasin, they soon managed to get all their affairs in order. Both Sui and Hasin worked hard to till the land granted to them and cultivated oil palms as well as some fruits. Their wives, Kisoi and Damba were both working in Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) as general workers, commuting daily to their workplace by boarding the Jabatan's truck.

After several years, all the hard work paid off. Sui eventually managed to send all his children to school, as he fervently believed that good education was the only way to lift them out of the vicious cycle of poverty. He very much did not want his children to suffer the hardships of being impoverished as he did years ago. As years passed, the family prospered. And he and his darling wife Kisoi watched as one by one, their children got married, settled down and started to build their own family.

Their eldest son, Vibis is married to Binip and have 7 children. 

The 2nd child, Minah is married to Joimer Kundayong and they have 5 children (Caroline, Elwen, Benetha, Solvenah & Alleycia).

The 3rd one, Lansin is married to Bingkulud Kapal. They have 6 children (Harlley, Joydey, Herline Ivy, Calvin Fredey, Velenary and Valerie Melanie).

The 4th child, Hanis is married to Jamaliah Hasin and together they have 7 children (Rene Ulysses, Rene Achilles, Michelle May, Natalia Renee, Rene Jorginho, Amanda Christy & Rene Angelo).

The 5th child, Winnie is married to Michael Adur, they have 3 children (Royce Kevin, Vivianna, and Clarence Charles).

The 6th child, Willis is married to Nulimah Johny. They have 5 children (Wilma Fedelia, Wilnie Femelea, Charles Wesley, Wilerita Fyona and Willeryssa Faith).

The youngest child, Palmis is married to Annie Rosley. They have 4 children (Stacey Cosandra, Shaney Chrystalee, Max Jordan and McAscenders).

(Note: I will post an updated version of the family tree once i get sufficient data).

By the end of 1980s, Sui once again moved, leaving the house he built and the land to his eldest son. This time he explored further inland, to another recently cleared area 84 KM from Sandakan, a place called Muanad. Here, he and Kisoi dedicated themselves to the one thing they both loved, work the land. They planted fruits and vegetables of various types, artocarpus, jackfruit, pineapple, banana, breadfruit, cucumber, wax gourd and few others. It was also here that he started rice farming again, although this time instead of planting them on flat, watery fields, he planted them on slopes of the hill. They spent their golden years surrounded by their children and grandchildren who never failed to drop by after every Church service, spending the school break or holiday just to help out during hill rice harvesting. The grandchildren enjoyed spending their time with them, listening to their "Aki" and "Nenek" personal accounts on WWII, local lores, and so many others. Sui never failed to remind his grandchildren to always take their academic studies seriously, so that they could have good jobs, and lead a good life. To remain humble no matter how successful we might be, to always remember our roots. Deep in their hearts, both Sui and Kisoi were proud of what they achieved, never for one moment regretted the decision to move eastward to Sandakan decades ago.

Their story is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and the will to triumph over trials and tribulations. They had weathered many challenges, but their indomitable spirit and their belief in a better future saw them through. At the time of writing, both individuals have passed on in 2015 and 2016 respectively, nonetheless their legacy lived on, their precious memories cherished, unforgotten even as time passed.

 

Now, if you're wondering what happened to Sui's dear friend Hasin, well, he's not doing too bad either, successfully raising a daughter and a son together with his beloved wife Damba. Like Sui, Hasin also moved to Muanad in late 1980s, building a house just 1KM away apart from Sui's. Their friendship over the years persevered and was further cemented as Sui's 4th child, Hanis married Hasin's only daughter, Jamaliah. The couple would go on to have 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls. (Hasin passed away in 2009 while Damba passed in 2019). How am i related to the story? I'm the eldest son of Hanis and Jamaliah, now married with 2 kids (expecting the 3rd one soon).

 

Due to my limited memory this post might not be as detailed as I would've wanted it to be, but I will update it over time or perhaps share them in another post. Thanks very much for reading.