The Sisons came as missionaries to work in Kapit at the Christ Hospital in 1961. He was a dentist from the Philippines and was very hardworking. His wife Emma was beautiful and a great singer. They had lovely children.
In 1968 they came to Sibu and joined our Church, the Wesley Methodist Church. Ray and his siblings went to school with many of us and we were MYFers together. Dr. Sison meanwhile also helped with the Iban Church.
Dr Sison was a good leader. He was friendly and very down to earth.
The late 60's were turbulent days and every where soldiers were hanging out, and the Malay Regiment came as if they were the Occupation Army. Even the swimming pool at Bukit Lima was full of British soldiers. So it was quite uncomfortable for families to bring their children swimming. We needed to have one afternoon (I think it was Thursday) for ladies only. Our school swimming team did not do well, while the Sacred Heart Boys' school did very well. I gave up swimming too, and so did many other girls.
One evening the MYF held an International Night for all members and invited guests. Some of the members borrowed costumes from Mrs. Sison for the Filipino Bamboo Dance. They all looked so good!! It was good that we had missionaries who helped us in the school to have a better world vision.
With so much going on, most missionaries had to bring their families home and they all left before 1983 actually. The Sisons left in 1971. It was very sad to see the missionaries leaving one by one.
NOTE : Last month, April, 2018 a group of us from Sibu, led by Wong Meng Lei had the opportunity to do some field work in Manila. It was so good that I was in touch with Lily Sison del Mundo and Ray Sison (in Hong Kong) through Facebook. Meng Lei and I visited Mrs. Sison and the family . Rev Tie, based in Manila drove us to their home.
It was so good to meet them again.)
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