Marathon Runner Amy Oh Shares Insights on Three Acts of Goodness Education and Life Challenges

Rey-Mark Garcia
January 2, 2025

On December 24, 2024, Guang Ming College (GMC) welcomed 64-year-old marathon runner and a Mandarin instructor Amy Oh Siew Har accompanied by Venerable Miao Jing, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Teacher Amy met with scholars staying on campus during the holidays. The Abbess encouraged students to reflect on Teacher Amy’s inspiring life experiences—gaining independence, staying hopeful through illness, and cherishing every connection.

Teacher Amy began her talk by sharing her journey as an adopted daughter raised at Nan Hua Temple in Malaysia. After teaching for a decade at the British International School Manila, she returned to Malaysia and joined international marathon, bringing with her invaluable experiences and a passion for personal growth. Teacher Amy engaged students to “cherish time” to learn because learning is a life-long process. She also stressed that the best gain comes from people and thus, it is important to practice Three Acts of Goodness to be kind and peaceful. Her story of resilience and perseverance captivated the audience, becoming a powerful reminder that obstacles can be stepping stones to greatness.

During her talk, Teacher Amy engaged students with personal anecdotes and practical advice. Her words deeply resonated, turning obstacles into lessons for growth. Marry Joy, a Buddhist Studies student, recalled her motivational phrase: “The future depends on your hands,” and was in awe of her resilience, describing her journey as a reflection of endurance and hope.

Justin praised her expertise and engaging teaching style, while graduating student Jerald admired her poise and wisdom, noting how she views challenges as opportunities for learning.

When asked about learning Mandarin, Teacher Amy emphasized starting small and building consistent habits. “Focus on tones and basic characters. Practice daily, expose yourself to Mandarin media, and approach the language with confidence and curiosity,” she advised.

First year Theater student Crishnan Replentes gave a guided tour for Teacher Amy and shared that, “I learn Three Acts of Goodness in Junior High School and am much grateful to meet with Teacher Amy Ng who is a TAG advocate and a marathon runner.” The encounter was both enlightening and motivational. He is reminded of the importance of positivity, persistence, and lifelong learning.