Reunion Dinner Ipoh Friday Night 20 Feb 2009

Venue of the dinner : Oversea Restaurant 海外天 Ipoh

Tonight we met as a group for our 2009 Ipoh Reunion and some R&R. Some had more R&R than others! I will leave it to you to make the interpretations! Suffice to say many of us had not met for the past 30 years and so the scenes at the Reunion were a bit emotionally charged at times.

Ng Tuck Weng, Au Chee Keong, Yok Seng, Jeffrey Ong, Kong Jai (Yee Hong)

" Hey Big Tauke Ong, what important point are you making and gesturing? "

Teoh Seng Kian, Seong Pin, Weng Wah, Hock Choong, Tuck Weng, Chee Keong

" Yeah, yeah. yeah; we get your point Tauke Ong "

Seong Pin, Kong Ho 江胡，Tong Leong, Seng Kian
" We meant Peace To Tong Leong "

Yok Seng was the organiser of the 2009 Reunion event, and he did a splendid job. We awarded him THE BEST ORGANISER OF THE YEAR award because we did not have any other yardstick to base our judgment on. Albeit, we were "generally" happy that he was competent and I would say no one would object if we re-nominated him for the organising committee chairman's job for 2010! I think in coming days YS would send some suggestions to the Group as to the 2010 venue and perhaps even associated activities.....

Sneak previews for the 2010 Reunion:

Date: Before 16 Feb 2010 （年初二）

Venue: Pangkor Island

Psst! I didn't tell you this secret!

Pre-dinner drinks (beer only) were available at the Excelsior Hotel's Karaoke Fun Pub (the live band only started strumming and singing at 8pm, by which time we were trooping out to the restaurant for our dinner) for early birds. Dinner started at 8pm at the Oversea Restaurant opposite the hotel. We were seated in 2 tables, and were offered sumptuous food. Many were more impressed with the array of whiskey available (12 years, 15 years, black, green blue etc)than the food and promptly dived for the booze than the food! The whiskey lubricated those present and it was not necessary at all for those present to have to break the ice. Such was the power of the liquid.

It was note worthy to state that all present were merry and unpretentious. There was no barrier, we did not have our guards up and enjoyed each others' company and were happy to renew friendships. We were transported back in spirit to when we were boys in school uniforms once more that night ....

Tuck Weng, Chee Keong, Yok Seng, Jeffrey Ong, Kong Jai, Kong Jai's you-know-who, Siew Fook Kheong, Seong Pin

" Hey Tauke Ong, how many times do we have to hear from you? "

Tuck Weng, Chee Keong, Yok Seng, Kong Jai, Kong Jai's you-know-who, Fook Kheong, Yee Wah, Tuck Ming, Boon Chee

" Yok Seng: What the @#$%^?

Fook Kheong: There we go again ... "

Tuck Ming: I am putting my foot down! Oops I can't see my feet! "

At some point the dinner party reached its crescendo and I felt my ear drums were doing their maximum workload trying to cope with the din and voices (read noise). It was truly difficult to want to make a conversation, let alone be heard in this boisterous crowd! Such was the dBA (Noise level) and gaiety that was present at this reunion. I cannot begin to imagine if we put these 17 people in a board room meeting and ask them to express themselves, can you?

I can say on behalf of those present that were were happy to be in each others' company that night. It was quite touching and out-of-this-world. Are all reunions dinners like The One we just had?

After dinner we adjourned for karaoke at a nearby joint. Tuck Ming left after the dinner (his wife rang, apparently; or was I mistaken?). The guys who came from KL for this occasion (Seng Kian, Boon Chee, Kong Ho, Fook Kheong, Au Chee Keong, Kong Jai & partner, Weng Wah) gladly submitted themselves to this activity and we marched to this KOK. I mean we did not want to be seen as anti social or "weak" did we?! (In retrospect, Tuck Ming's wife probably did him a great favour ..... )

Mummy 7 was promptly summoned by you-know-who to his presence and pretty young things from one neighbouring super power country (some 6 hours away) were paraded in front of eager customers. Not all were weak-kneed but some were happy that the girls were there to provide some help with their singing or just for their company. Singing and chatting continued until just past mid night. We parted company and bid farewell. Some of us went for tauge chicken, chicken feet and hor fun at Oon Kee. Kee Mun and I left at 1.00am and hoped that the rest of you got home safe and sound with some fond memories created and stirred, ready for the big one next year.

Best regards, SP

P/S This is my brief summary of our reunion dinner for 2009. E&EO. I cannot guarantee clarity and correctness of information presented here as I might still be trying to recover from the said activities the night before! I welcome you to add your comments and new posts to this brief. If you are busy like some of us believed you were (but you read this blog as you do other Google group mails) then I hope you can at least get your secretary to send in some comments or posts on your behalf; after dictating to her your view of course! Cheers and many thanks for your company and friendship!

Update On Finding Class Of 1978 Classmates And Singapore/Johor Sam Tet Gathering

Hi All:

On behalf of the Group I would like to extend warmest welcome to new members:

Philip Lip, Kong Ho, Chong Hock Choong, Chin Yee Hong, Lee Boon Chee, Siew Yee Wah, Au Chee Keong, Leong Chee Hoong, and last but not least Ng Chut Ngeow (UMNO).

I thought I should comment that we have made very strong progress in finding additional 1978 classmates to join the Google Group and reunion gatherings that are going on right now.

If you look at the "Finding and Keeping 1978 Folks" post which I have just updated you will agree that there is still a few more people that we need to get hold of but we have found quite a few since Jan 09; thanks to Tali, Kee Mun, Boon Chee and Chee Keong!

I certainly hope the rest of them (16 of them) can be contacted to join us. Let me highlight their names below to focus our minds and efforts in locating them:

Updated March 27:

Chong Yoon Kheong

Leong Yuet Fai (Now a Member)

Lim Chen Shen (Now a Member)

Chan Kean Khuen

Chee Keng Lam (Lives in Singapore?)

Heng Ek Kok (Now a Member)

Chin Yew Sin (Now a Member)

Lee Teck Voon (now a Member)

Low Ching Kam

Chai Ko Chuan

Fann Wei Bao (now a Member)

Choong Yoke Can (Now a Member)

Ooi Boon Hock

Wong Chun Ngan

Chin Wei Keong

Foo Wan Juin (BASF Petronas Chemicals)

Thanks Guys!

Regards

SP

Sam Tet Singapore/Johor Gathering Held @ NTU On Feb 8

Chan Kiang Por and Chin Yong Yong were as usual jovial and friendly; the years that had gone past us did not affect our friendship. We spent some time talking about their families and work. Yong2x works as a warehouse/logistics manager, Kiang Por is a consultant with a GLC linked entity. Both seemed settled and happy with their lives! The rest of the Sam Tet guys were mostly our junior except for Thai Kwong and Lam We Soon of 1974. I was pleasantly surprised to meet Umno and Philip Lip's brothers and was able to get their contacts.

Having attended the gathering I am convinced that the Sam Tet Alumni spirit is alive and doing well provided a small group of people is committed to keeping the gatherings organised! Tali and Kee Mun you have your jobs cut out for you!

Ipoh Reunion Get Together 27 Jan 2009

Dear All,

We had a great nite on 27/01 in the get together hosted by Tong Leong at his house, attended by Kim Peng, Dii Hwan, Kee Mun, Tuck Ming, Fook Keong, Gim Keat, Chee Kean, Siew Yee Wah & me. Attached a group photo for your view. It was indeed a wonderful nite meeting these long lost friends. Hopefully we could have more of this get together to catch up & make the next year big occasion a successful event.

Best regards.

YS

DSC04125.jpg 56K View Download

We Were Young, Once ..... 我们也曾年轻过。。。。。

Shoe boxes are great to me because I store my old pictures, photos and memorabilia in them. I still have my old Scout proficiency badges in one of the boxes, for example.... I look at them a few times a year and not surprisingly my mind wonders back to when the photos were taken, what could have been if I had done certain things differently.....

Where are your shoe boxes? Have you looked into their contents lately? If you have some treasures I would like you to share them with us!

It was a "popular" thing for us school kids to keep a passport size photos of class mates. We used to exchange photos during Forms 3 and 5. Do you remember that practice? What is interesting to me are also the words written behind the photos by these individuals. Some were meaningful. Some were XXXX. From left to right in the uploaded shot above I detail their comments as follows:-

KC Mak - It says " Bye, goodbye, bye-bye.....I just want to said good bye....."

KC Mak again - A little funkier. The words written on the photo were $500,000 WANTED!

Ng Chun Mun - 一路顺风

Chin Yong Yong - 身心愉快 Yong2 头1975-5-9 (That is some 33 years ago)

This other pic was of me riding a bike just outside our former Ipoh house..... Biking was popular, remember? We used to ride a bike to school, and for school activities. The more well-to-do rode "cub jai" .....

In this photo I can see Weng Wah, Chen Kim Wah, Khoo Tuck Ming, Chun Mun, Yuet Fai, Tong Leong, Siew Fook Kheong, Seng Kian and Ah Hor.

This is my Standard 6 photo. Not sure. Maybe Remove Class?

Scouting Activity @ Lord Baden Powell camp. I can see Philip Lip and Yee Chut Ngeow in this picture

I was fascinated by martial arts in my teens and I was a keen Tae Kwon Do practitioner

KC And The Sunshine Band (KC 与太阳乐队）

Some old pictures bring back some good memories for some of our friends..... Introducing, again, KC and The Sunshine Band!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KC Mak Jamm'in And Jazz'in (The Rest Are SPECTATORS)

Bring It Back, Rock On Baby!!!!!

Images from the 1978 School Magazine 我们的老师

Click on the images to enlarge the photos. Can you help identify their roles in our Alma Mater then?

Teachers in 1978

Mr Wong Min Fah - Brass Band, Volley Ball "Supremo" 1A to 3A English & Form Teacher
Mr Koh Sek Khoon - Scout Master
Mr Chee Nin Kim - 5S1 Form Teacher
Mr Ng Chin Choo - PE Teacher
Bro Paul Sung - Disciplinary Teacher?
Mr Chin Chee Keong - 5S1 chinese
Mr Ng Beng Kiang - Science (never taught us)
Mr Chan Yew Weng - English (never taught us)
Mr Boris Pogos - Math Teacher, 4S1
Mr Lai Pin Khan - BM Form 3
Mr Lam Weng Wah - Arts & Singing & Human Science (taught us about masturbation...remember ??) (excuse us? comment from SP)
Mr Kong Moon Khow - BM Form 1
Mr Chin Lean Seng - Chinese Form 3
Mr Ong Eng Seong - Scout Master
Ms Foong How Yam - The unforgettable? some more ! some more !
Mr Khoo Heng Lee - GP Lower Six Biology
Mr Lim Heng Wah - Physics (never taught us)
Bro John Moh - Principal
Mr Chong Thiam Fook - Fi-Ki-Cheong (Remove Class afternoon class)
Mrs Tham Weng Yam - Lower 6 Pure Maths
Ms Lee Bee Lian - 5S1 Chemistry (good view at the lab for some...remember ??) (yes I remember. We were bad, especially Seng Kian - SP)
Mrs Soo Kang Chew - Form 5 Biology Teacher

(Above article contributed by Kin Fong)

Class of 1978 50 Years Old Reunion 五十岁联合会

Fook Kheong's answer is a classic...usually majority rule...well obviously not in a case of excessive tolerance....here we definitely need a state-of-the art salesman....yes! that's you Allen!

I think we should hold our reunion in our original classroom...otherwise we should design a setting with everyone sit in their original place in the year 1978.....and we should get hold of any teachers if they are around....this will be truly memorable and meaningful..nostalgic satisfaction guaranteed...

Not everyone is enthusiastic about reunion....I did get a chill through my spine when i saw the sam tet school logo on the internet...come on man that was an age of abusive school discipline ...both verbal and physical...years of repressive development...leaving psychopathic and emotional scars in your souls which you carry through the rest of your life!...

Nevertheless we do look back for different reasons...especially when today is not as plain and simple as yesterday...ha!...when all my troubles seems so far away...and of course... the human mind tends to keep the good and forget the bad and the ugly in reminiscence....the truth is 1978 may be a great year for someone and a lousy one for someone else..and no one wants to come to a place to compare or to be compared...especially when many dreams don't come through....but what the hack...that's not reunion is about....it is about celebrating and remembering a time when we were together...when we all were young and have no careers, "educations" and social status.....when we were all placed into the same stuffy classroom day after day....well we might not be as glorious as our senior or juniors...but 1978 was ours...and we are accountable to it...

Now I think..I really do think that we need to get everyone in the class to attend this one...other wise don't have it..we don't want cliques, sub-groups or sub-standard gathering...this one will be
unique and special...THIS WILL BE THE FINAL REUNION!....the very last one.....after all a day is only meaningful when we live it as the very the last one....a final farewell party for all our mates in 1978....now how about that....

Of course if we are still around we can always organize a 60s reunion...and if we have ENCORE from the 50s...we can always do a 55s....but don't let them know yet...

This Post is by Mak Kwai Choon (a.k.a. KC Mak and Ben Mak) as expressed in Google Group. Please comment.

Sam Tet Old Boys Class Of 1978 三德1978 初中五班同学们

Dear Ex-Class Mates

I have created this blog to further enhance our opportunities to communicate on line and to tap into the each others' happenings, particularly those in 5S1 (sorry to be parochial, to those who are from other Form 5 classes).

You are free to write and comment, start any new topics..... but no abusive language and frothing in the mouth, please.

If you agree with any opinion expressed by any individual or if you feel offended by some comments, please speak your mind on this blog or forever hold your peace!

The blog can only be successful in achieving its objectives if you contribute. If you like it, comment on it. If you don't like it, comment on it!

I hope I am not rubbing it the wrong way.... Let me just say that I encourage all of you to participate in posting or commenting topics that are relevant to you. It does not take up a lot of your time. We hope we can re-establish contacts with EVERY SINGLE ONE of our old class mates before our very first reunion salted at this stage on 16 Feb 2010.

Happy communicating.

Seong Pin (also known by Aussie name Allen Chen)

PS: I think Mak Kwai Choon's subject of the proposed Class of 1978 50 years old reunion is an appropriate start to our discussion. For his convenience I have cut and pasted his recent views on the Reunion venue as a post.