My most memorable moments with Nguu was when he and a good friend rendered a serenade to their beloved. I saw and felt Nguu’s deep love and affection for Elvie in his music. Another is that he ate his lunch with Elvie at home, not at the FAO cafeteria.

— Yhe

Nabalitaan po namin pumanaw na si kuya Nguu. Napakabait ni kuya Nguu at sobrang nakakalungkot po ang pangyayari. Pasensya na po at hindi ako nakatawag noong may sakit sya. Ngayon po sinusubukan ko na tawagan mobile number nyo na bigay sa akin ni kuya Bong pero di po ako makakontak. Tinawagan ko po si Ate at sabi nya pupunta daw sya dyan sa Sunday, kaya tatawagan ko na lang po si Ate sa Sunday para makausap ko din po kayo. Ate Elvie magpapadala po ako ng kaunting tulong sa inyo, ipapaabot ko na lang kay Ate.

Most of the world will never know how much we all lost on August 4, 2021. Nguu Van Nguyen, Papa, was possibly one of the kindest, most patient, and most loving people that I’ve ever met. As I struggle through this difficult time, I am reminded of Nguu’s wisdom, “what can you do?” Luckily in this case I can share some of my experiences of Nguu.

We have so many memories together. Nguu and I even have more to remember, especially when we lived and worked in Rome. I pray that Nguu’s spirit will soon return to eternity. The rest of us in the world, we also try to live happily with the rest of our family, especially our children and grandchildren.Wishing Elvie a lot of strength to overcome this difficult situation.Personal and warm regards.

We will miss you very much, Nguu! You shone. You were always humble and caring, putting others first, serving with joy. You were a delight to be with. Your friendship was a treasure. Thank you very much, Nguu. Thank you for opening the gate for us excitedly, for welcoming us warmly to your garden and your home, for sharing interesting stories and brilliant insights, for your gentle ways, for sharing Sikhay/Sarap moments, for introducing us to fresh outlooks and delicious possibilities in food and nutrition, and life. Mai and I, and our vibrant senior citizen group, were blessed to have spent precious moments with you and Elvie. We will always cherish those. You enriched our lives.You will always be fondly remembered, Nguu. We thank God for you!

— Dodgie

We will sorely miss Nguu…our OFPSES and SIKHAY meetings will not be the same without him. Together with Nguu and Elvie, Tito and Lou, we have all journeyed together since the early 2007 to start OFSPES in Rome and later in Manila which led to our starting the LSE program in Rome in 2008 for our migrants. Then when we all settled back in retirement in Manila a few years later, together with Te, Rome, Dodgie and Mai and Maris, we got introduced to the world of herbs that we had never before tasted or even heard of with such exotic names as rau ram, and kaffir lime – thanks to Nguu and Elvie through the cooking delights in their home where they always welcomed us. They got us all hooked into discovering this whole new world of enhancing our foods while benefiting from added health and nutrition. It also started us on our adventures into cooking and trying all sorts of recipes incorporating various herbs and veggies and then into transforming these into lovely calendars that we could sell and give away as gifts. Elvie was the chef among us all, and Nguu was the master gardener who made planting seem all so easy and which inspired us to start planting our herbs and veggies as well. He was always ready to share the seeds or seedlings that he had at home. Nguu was always the quiet one in the ever-boisterous group in our never-ending regular meetings that were more often excuses to partake of the Nguyens’ delicious concoctions than pursuing our objective of producing our not-so-annual calendars. It was Nguu however who was keen for the group to pursue and produce a cookbook and he would say that we need not be perfectionists about it but that we should just put it together as our group’s contribution to advocating more vegetable and herb consumption in the Filipino diet. Each time we would arrive in the Nguyen home, he would often already be waiting for us at the gate to welcome us with his warm smile. On behalf of OFSPES and Sikhay we will really miss Nguu and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Elvie, Le Anh and Francesco and the kids, Le Kim and Trina and Le Mai and family. Incidentally I informed the FAO retirees in FB and some 31 (mixed nationalities) would like to extend their condolences as most of them remember Nguu’s writings in the FAO Staff Coop Gazette. So Nguu, Chin-chin, Salut, Cheers and Kampai.

Tina and Edgar

Noong gabing namaalam si Nguu, naisulat ko sa twitter na “kahapon ,nabawasan ng isang mabuting tao ang mundo.” Nagulat ako sa reaksiyon sa twitter. Siguro dahil kakaunti na ang mabuting tao. Halos 100 ang naglike, maraming nagcomment at nakiramay.

Totoong mabuting tao si Nguu at nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na siya ang napangasawa ni Elvie. Foreigner siya pero hindi naramdaman ng pamilya ang kaibahan niya sa Filipino. Vietnamese kaya katulad ng Filipino ang panlasa sa pagkain. Matulungin siya at halos lahat kami sa kanyang Filipino family ay natulungan niya at binigyan ng pagkakataon.

We have known Nguu for over forty-five years during our time in IRRI, IITA and even after retirement. He was truly special in so many ways. As a colleague in IITA, he expressed himself well in reports and in meetings, and his interventions were timely and assertive. He was very intelligent, sharp, clear minded and straight forward and at the same time, unassuming. He was particularly good at documenting and timely publishing of his research results.

Goodbye Nguu, farewell papa. I will miss your smiles, so big and beautiful, for your grandchildren. I will miss your care in preparing and serving rice for all of us. And I will miss our chats about life and your positive attitude about new things. Good men like you plant strong seeds. The colourful garden you left behind will continue to bear fruit, through the generations. Fly free and in peace. We will not disturb you.

Goodbye my uncle. In Vietnam, my family always misses you. Due to the pandemic we were not able to come to you in the last moments of your life. Your memory will stay in my heart forever. Especially, I will never forget your smile every time you visited my family in Vietnam. The last time you came back to Vietnam, when Be Ha was born in Hoc Mon hospital, Be Ha also had the opportunity to see you. Please go back to your ancestors in heaven.

Hoan just received an email from Mr. Dat saying that Mr. Nguu has passed on. Mr. Nguu, you andthe people you love – Mr. Vinh, Ms. Dat, Mr. Ton That Trinh – have left this world. We will no longer receive poems, short articles, that you write. Not to forget the indescribably delicious chicken cabbage salad that Hoan had eaten many times in Rome. Mr. Sam tried it over and over, still it wasn’t as delicious as you did.

May you rest in peace Mr. Nguu.

With our sincere condolences to the family,

— Hoan

Hi Lolo. I start with hi because I dont like using dear. It sounds too formal and it doesn’t fit my relationship with you. Id rather be personal and friendly, because you were my personal hero. I have vivid memories of the time i spent with you and Lola in the Philippines when I was four. Do you remember the times we went to the market together? Or when you taught me how to write my own name on the blackboard outside? I do. I remember it well. I remember your fried eggs that were cooked with onion and the omelette sandwiches you made. I remember how every meal there had to be some form of soup before you were satisfied. I remember the shrimp chips you bought and I remember the times we watched soap operas with Lola. I remember the time i had pneumonia and you took care of me. Got me to walk with that darn iv attached and how you would smile. The laugh you had when you made a joke. The times you would randomly start singing or playing your harmonica. The time you tried to fix my glasses with a toothpick. All the times I caught you sitting at your desk working, and would silently watch for a bit before going to do things. The times you picked me up from school or when we were in Germany and you brought a bacon flavoured chips packet to the store to look for he exact same kind. The Times when I was small and you picked me up and carried me in your arms. The Times you comforted me when i cried because I missed my mama. The Times you would look over my shoulder while I was drawing, and I’d look over your’s when you drew. You drew so well. I remember the land card of Europe you drew for me. It’s still hanging in my room. I remember hearing you fought a snake for me, and when I called you superman. I remember you waking me up in the morning by knocking on my window and telling me I sleep too much. I remember when we went on a bike like ride and Lola and I were in the carriage that you peddled for us. I remember the Vietnamese dinners you’d prepare. How big your smile was at that one German restaurant when they pulled out the roast pork. How happy you were in your garden. The way you walked. The small phrases you would use like “use your coconut” and “better that we wait for the bus than the bus waits for us” spicy toothpaste you would use to wake up in the morning. Watching you take your afternoon naps. I have many more memories, and each one brings a smile to my face and tears in my eyes. I love you, Lolo. And I miss you. You’re dreaming a long dream now. And you deserve the rest. I hope it’s a good one. I’ll forever treasure the times we spent together. And you will never be forgotten, superman. Lots of love, hugs and kisses, KK.

Okay, well that’s long. Not sure if it’s good but I just spilled my emotions out here so it better be

— KK

In so many ways, Papa feels like a person who was larger than life. He defied so many odds and in so doing raised himself out of poverty and helped his family do the same. Although he was a small man, he knew how to fill a space. His work brought him across the world and his openness and curiosity helped him experience it fully. Most of all, he had a vision of what he wanted for himself, and the temerity and singlemindedness to pursue it. He lived a unique life, and thanks to him, so did we.

Although I’ve known my father for 42 years, it’s clear that there are many parts of him that I can never truly know: his childhood in Hue, a place I have not yet even seen, his love for his friends around the world, his writing and his work, and the breadth of the social impact he has had.

When I first saw Leona, the first thing I said is that she looked like you. I was so happy about that, it was like I knew you’re always here in my heart.

As I’m looking through all the pictures you saved and reading all the letters about you as well as things you’ve written yourself I’m reminded of the loving and devoted person you have always been. KK wrote a letter to you and it pretty much captures you perfectly. That’s exactly who you are and you always stayed true to it.

Dear quy anh chi who had, just like me, shared an unforgettable part of your lives with our very dear friend Nguu, It was very painful when learning the unexpected news last night. Nevertheless, I would like to celebrate Nguu’s life by sharing our personal experiences/feelings about spending time with Nguu as anh Sam just did.

My dearest friend Nguu,

It was very painful getting the news that you had left us forever a couple of days ago. Everybody knows that you were a very productive scientist, bilingual writer and poet; Above all, you will be remembered as a very caring and loving husband and father!

I want to let you know that our precious moments we shared together will never fade in my memory. Now that you are in heaven, you have ample time to enjoy with your parents, Nanay and your loved ones including Le Van, thay Trinh, anh Tung, Vinh… there! I definitely will meet you there one of these days, my friend Nguu!

So rest in peace my dearest friend Nguu!

My dearest friend Nguu,

It was very painful getting the news that you had left us forever a couple of days ago. Since then, I have been spending my time talking about you and the good time we shared while in the UPLB with Mai, Bui Xuan and anh Brian Ngo over the phone. I also enjoyed reading the very first poem showing your love and admiration to your very dear Elvie and tributes written by our friends; those written statements really warmed my heart. I thought it would be easy to recall our precious time together, both happy and sad!- but it is rather tough thinking that this will be the last time I am talking to you, my friend Nguu!

Buong maghapon akong nasa tapat ng laptop halos, nagtatapos ng mga requirements sa darating na semestre. Mag-aalas diyes na nang umaga nang magbasa ako ng email, at doon ko nalaman na wala na si Tito Nguu. Nagkataon na ngayon lang rin nagawa ang telepono namin – na walang incoming or outgoing calls. May facebook, may text, pero bihira po akong magbukas. At marahil makukuha ninyo ‘yung joke ng nanay ko nang sinabi niya sa akin minsan – “Kumusta ang Amerika?” – kahit ang lapit lang ng UP sa Tandang Sora. Ano pa nga ba ang excuse ko sa delayed reaction ng pakikiramay?

It is a sad news for all his friends and family that day when he left us to join our Lord and Savior Jesus and Father God. I will always remember Tito Nguu’s good advises and reminders about respect for our parents whenever we visit their house. He was always hospitable, generous and loving to friends and families and relatives. I know he is happy now together with our Lord and dearly departed loved ones.

Because grandpa Nguu, you stay so far away, so I rarely meet you and your family. I live in Vietnam, and you live in the Philipines. I saw you and grandma when you visited 2 years ago, and I always remember that. I really want to see you if I could. But I think I can’t now, I’m so sad. I am so disappointed myself. I will try to study hard, I make efforts to study, and will make my parents proud of me. I always miss you, my grandpa I love.

Ngưu and me, besides some short gatherings, had three long periods with nearby living:

1) At Sai-Gon Agricultural University 1966-1070 in the School’s Dormitory. Four years with numerous evenings and 1001 talks on earth, we called it “enlarged gossip”.

We look up to , admire and appreciate Nguu’s achievements professionwise ,his coolness and resourcefulness in handling problems encountered and also his generosity in sharing with his friends and that included us his prized plants in his yard specially the herbs. In sum he is a great and very good person and friend.Goodbye Nguu we hope to see you again in the life beyond.May the Almighty God welcome you into His Heavenly Kingdom in everlasting peace.Thanks for your earthly friendship..Thru Risen Jesus Christ’s Almighty Name We Pray.Amen

Dear Elvira, Le Anh, Le Kim and Le Mai in this difficult time we are close to you. We think back to the happy moments we spent together with Nguu in Trapani. We hug all of you warmly.

With this photo, we should like to remember a good friend and ex- FAO colleague who passed yesterday morning. Nguu Van Nguyen, PhD (extreme left in photo) was FAO’s rice expert in AGP and served as secretary of the International Rice Commission. He was also a poet, and a loving father to 3 children. He and his wife Elvira Liwag, PhD journeyed with us to start OFSPES in Rome and here in the Philippines where they settled upon retirement. We have a project group called SIKHAY where we promote food security and nutrition awareness and Elvie and Nguu are active there. Nguu you will be missed but will always be remembered. To Le Anh, Le Kim and Trina and Le Mai your father was a gentleman and a good gardener - we will miss him. Our sincere condolences from OFSPES and Sikhay and from Tina and me. May he rest in peace.

Our heartfelt goodbye to you dear Nguu! We won’t forget you dear friend! With every bowl of rice, every cold beer, every walk in the garden path, we will remember you!

We are all Math teachers teaching at the Department of Math, Stat, and Physics in UP Los Banos except for Es who is a researcher at the Forestry Research Institute. We were living in the same house. There were nine of us (Elvie, Lou, Edna, Vicky, Cecile, Es, Dulce, Cita (Dulce’s younger sister), and myself. Tapos parang nagwork si Elvie sa IRRI and one day, Elvie brought Nguu to the house and introduced him as her friend, who may possibly be interested in one of us. It turned out Nguu is interested in Elvie and vice versa.

I was so saddened by Ngưu’s passing and would like to share with you a personal moment I had of Ngưu many years ago while we were still student at UPLB.

I remember once, Ngưu in a dark vest, wandered alone by the bank of the Molawin Creek at the section running along the back of the Student Union (SU) building on campus. That afternoon, the rain was falling nonstop; I crossed the small bridge over the creek, on my way from the Physical Science Department to the student residential quarter across the SU building. While hurriedly walking to avoid getting soaked, suddenly I heard a rather loud humming voice, in Huế’s accent, reciting a few lines in the poem “Đây Thôn Vỹ Dạ” by Hàn Mặc Tử. Below are what I heard:

We were deeply saddened when Ann messaged me about Nguu’s passing, 10 days ago. I thought that he was on his way to recovery from surgery. Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss.

Nguu was very special to me. Though we only have few conversations, I always felt that he was my true friend probably because of our love of agriculture and just the chemistry between us.

I met Nguu for the first time when I visited my high school classmate Elvie (Nguu’s wife) in Rome in 2000. Elvie asked me to join them for dinner at their home. I brought along a friend who was travelling with me on a “Jubilee Tour”. The food was delicious and I was truly impressed when told that Nguu had done the cooking that night!