In Memory Of Tin Chan Mon Thaw
Written by: CHERID Azel Thara & Kayla Adella Utama
Edited by: Mir Mustaufiq Rahman
Legacy is many things. But for Tin Chan Mon Thaw— better known to those who had the pleasure to cross paths with her as Nari—it’s one thing in particular. Her voice. Nari’s life trails behind a distinct, lingering echo. One that might ring for as long as memory can be kept alive. She was not only sound but also vision. She was vibrant, coloring every person who has met her with emotions that transcend far beyond life as we know it.
We, at APU Times, extend our deepest gratitude to those who have bear witness to her life. And to those who have not, we hope that this will serve as a bridge between the distance that separates her soul from ours. Some of her valued friends have come forward and agreed to speak with us to let her life be known through this remembrance, honoring her. This would not have been possible without them. Tina, Venus, and Victor, we cannot thank you enough for sharing with us your words of courage and love. That being said, the following is not just any article, but an honest veneration towards a life that continues in faith and nostalgia, even after death.
Lasting Impressions
First impressions are often reputed to be what defines the rest of a relationship. Nari, however, was the type of person who left a lasting impression instead. Tina tells us how an MCW assignment brought her and Nari’s ambitions together. Venus met Nari through an online APU group chat, and from there blossomed a friendship full of mutual admiration through their shared policy studies class. Victor met Nari through social media, and upon seeing her unique name next to other Burmese names, he identified their impressive, unlikely commonality, which was their hometown. It was only from this point that the spring of these friendships really came into fruition. Over time, Nari’s overarching traits like kindness, enthusiasm, and familiarity transfigured into more intimate traits like passion, adoration, and familiality.
Tina remembers exactly what she said to herself when she entered that MCW class: “I really want to get that A+.” They were tasked to create a game that promoted interculturalism, and Tina brought up an old board game she had dreamt up with her high school friends. Nari invested herself in it, and loved it. Her passion didn’t stop with the questions and the suggestions. “This is bigger than the A+,” Nari said. She encouraged Tina to bring the game outside of the project and expand it beyond the limits of the student office. The game was called “The Identity Game,” and because of it, Nari and Tina grew closer. Though the project received its desired grade, their presentation had come second in the class. Nari did not shy away from pushing for what she felt her team deserved: first place. Nari’s relentless efforts shone through to Tina, empowering her to never cease going after something with your whole heart. “What she didn’t know was that I admired her. I’m not just doing this for myself anymore.”
An Unforgettable Personality
Her outstanding intellect was also deeply inspiring. Victor shares that she was no less ambitious before arriving at APU, studying IR laws in Myanmar, and doing additional research. Even so, her humble nature made itself known. She decided to use her knowledge not to gloat, but to teach. Tina—previously mentioned as Nari’s friend and board game partner—shares that Nari, interested in all things international relations and intersectionality, had an ultimate dream. It was simple and had everything to do with the board game they were working on. What she really wanted to do was to help people, whether that be as part of the UN or part of an MCW group creating a board game: “She wanted to help people understand themselves.”
Her unstoppable drive wasn’t the only thing that stood out about her— paired with this strong attitude and brilliant mind is a softer backbone of kindness. Venus understood Nari as a nice person, and most did. After sharing a space with her in that policy studies classroom, she observed more closely who Nari was. She had the rare kind of soul that sparked adoration. Bubbly, warm, and considerate—checking in, reaching out, all the while carrying her own battles. Nari relied much on her independence, careful not to bother people if she thought she’d be able to handle things herself. But even with the battle of daily struggles, she poured all the strength she could into shaping a future she believed in.
When faced with a campus like APU that feels like a small simulation of a larger world, most people would feel intimidated and stick to what they know, forming coalitions with people like themselves. But Nari, full of curiosity and wonder for the world around her, never retreated into the solace of simply belonging. Instead, she loved expanding her worldview and would become friends with anyone, translating her outgoing nature into a display of her inner empathy. Balancing multiple jobs, deeply involving herself in diverse extracurricular activities, and committing to her love for learning.
Venus gradually learned to understand this side of Nari through more impersonal actions, like her asking questions in class; she would pose the traits of a critical thinker, and accompanying that was a determined attitude. She stood out in lectures as an active participant, a brimming presence amongst the frozen faces of rather untempted students. She had an unmissable radiance. When asked about the meaningful moments she shared with Nari, she recalls an instance that captures Nari’s kindred spirit: Venus posting a picture of herself on her socials and Nari energetically replying with not only “You’re so pretty” but also “You’re so hardworking, I’m so proud of you.”
In Family, In Faith
Victor and Nari share the same hometown, but what Victor remembers most of all is the connection between the two of them that was closer to family than simply friendship. Nari was close to her family. Victor recalls that she often confided in her mother, being an only child. He realized the significance of their bond when she referred to him as her “big brother.” He didn’t always have the chance to talk to her, but when he did, their conversations were never just casual chats to him; rather, he remembers them to be quite deep. He cherishes the time that he got to spend with her and reflects on the quiet acceptance that it might have been just enough. Though he finds the beauty of what was, he can now only imagine what could have been, “If I could go back, I would want to talk with her more; I still feel the belonging we thrived in from coming from the same hometown; I would want to be a more dependable brother and friend for her.”
Nari lived in faith and passed on with it. Venus, Tina, and Victor all share this faith with her. Tina remembers Nari’s faith through her enthusiasm to go to church with her; Victor wished he could invite her to attend more masses with him, and Venus believes that God loves her very much and wants an angel back at his side. She mentioned one professor in particular who was considerate about Nari’s passing. Sociology professor Sanada Kie allowed students who were grouped with Nari to take the time to reflect, and keep their energies in tune, asking for silence in the classroom in honor of Nari— a spiritual moment of stillness for her to rest in.
Remembering Her Voice
In an attempt to reach her with grief and love, Venus shares a last message to Nari: “I want her to know that everyone truly did love her, and she did a good job. Because I know she has been struggling, and I want her to know: you did so great, and I am so proud of you. I would ask her to hang out even more; even though we were close friends, I never got the chance to ask her to hang out. I really just want to say I miss her every day, and she really did help me a lot.” As for Tina, she is overwhelmed by memories. She says there isn’t a specific “gift that she gave me, or I gave her” to remember her by; instead, there are recollections of vivid memories as bits and pieces of her presence. Finally, Victor hopes for the best for Nari’s family and can only hope to do his best to help them further.
The impressions Nari left on people show that she was a person of many admirable attributes. She was described by Tina as a hard worker, by Venus as a critical thinker, and by Victor as a good listener. One defining trait, however, was her courage to dream bigger and chase further, persisting and insisting against life’s pressings. Nari’s tendency to defy invisible barriers and cut to the chase was more than just a personality; it was a translation of her greatest desires. She was not only a friend but also a cherished daughter, an incredible student, and a radiant dreamer.
Here is evidence that she was, and is, loved forever. Nari’s voice brought rhythm to our community’s heartbeat. This voice is kept alive in memory and now in writing.
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