SSP76 50th Birthday Celebration (II) Part 1: Getting Ready

Just before six p.m., the first batch of members comprising mainly of the organizing committee arrived at our venue of rendezvous – Pontian Shangri-la Restaurant. Behind their smiles which reflected unison jovial mood, there was a keen sense of purpose as Lee Chaw Leng and Ng Chun Lan – the registration team, Chin Sik Foong the organizing chairperson and Seah Yong Kwong her assistant, Loh Bee Heng the secretary, Tan Kui Chen the treasurer, Tan Ban Hua the banquet organizer, Tan Soo Gek the door gift/lucky draw coordinator and grogram planners Lee Song Kia and Neo Say Yew set about getting the dinner hall ready to welcome the guests together with Ong Chee Peng and Lin Lian Yin who were part of the welcoming committee.

Appropriately attired in casually smart jeans and shirts with a general demeanor of youthful enthusiasm about the get-together not unlike any similar school events in SSP in their school days so long ago, they seemed young again though they were celebrating their 50th birthday!

Now there is reason to marvel at the ingenuity behind the idea of celebrating midlife birthday with former classmates; it imparts an indescribable meaning to the occasion.

Loh Bee Heng and Tan Ban Hua took specially care to run a final check on the set-up of the premises including banner display and the sound system while early guests Yap Kok Meng and Lim Hong Koon looked on and gave comments. The color combination of the banner, with its blue background which contrasted well with the yellow balloons rendered it striking in the simplicity of a small town restaurant and the wordings on it were appropriate and meaningful whilst the large-print class photos added to it a special touch. In addition, SSP school magazines available for circulating around during the dinner had received much appreciation too. All this was the result of attention to details by these two organizing committee members.

Ho Siew Foong, Yeoh Ah Yong, Goh Yong Khiaw and Koh Mui Cheng took delight in helping to pin the orchid corsage on organizing committee including Master of Ceremony Tan Meng Kwang and Tan Ban Hua. Early guests Yap Foon Peng, Tan Soi Moi and Mr. & Mrs Lee Chai Eng joined in the fun. They laughed, hugged and chirped merrily like a flock of delightful birds.
Such was the fun participation.

SSP76 50th Birthday Celebration (II) Part 2 Guest Arrival

Tan Siew Kiat and Tong Siew Bee were among the first to arrive to be followed by Loh Hong Tian and Oon Pek Choo . TMIS teacher Mr. Chew & wife and Mr. Chua and other students filled in by and by. En masse, an account of such nitty-gritty seemed trivial and unnecessary, but being thus welcome has a special personal meaning to each guest. Worth mentioning is one late comer to the group – Yeo Sak Aip (5SD)who took the trouble to drive all the way from Penang just to be part of the group. The reunion had meant so much to him.

The company and conversation must have been excellent judging from the sustained enthusiasm and the how deeply they had engrossed themselves in the lively exchanges. Good natured bantering and hearty laughs filled the whole place as people got into high spirit seeing more and more once familiar faces appearing before them. Identifying ‘who was who’ became an exciting game as guests tried to guess who each other was.

Think about it, when is the last time in a social setting in which you can turn around and come upon people with whom you have no reservation about striking up a conversation? There is some truth in what Tan Jin Wah and Tan Boon Chip had mentioned in the very beginning while we were deciding on the mode of rendezvous for SSP76’s first reunion : that a three-hour gathering would be too short a time for adequate intermingling for such a special occasion. There was just too much to catch up.

I arrived a little late with Lee Fei Fung at about 7 p.m. as my friend who drove had a busy schedule on that day. The first moment of contact was scintillating and walking past the ‘tunnel’ of former schoolmates to be greeted warmly by each was such a touching sensation. There was no time to register each person as extended hands were offered me but that I must do:
…‘Chan Kok keong ‘…. ‘Ng Bak Seng’…. ‘Tan Ban Hua’ …..‘Tan Ee Keng’…..‘Yeoh Ah Yong’…. ‘Chin Sik Fong’… ‘Tong Siew Bee’… ‘Tong Siew Peng’…….

The Pekan Nenas representatives comprised of Tan Jin Way, Chin Kek Ming, Koh Hoi Eng and Tan Mei Leng. They seemed well pleased with the crowd and joined the party earnestly though they had had their own close-knit reunion a few months ago this year.

The rest of the teachers including Mrs. Mattew & husband, Mr. Tan King Sik, Mr. Wong Kim Hong, Mr. Josepf Santiago etc arrived to be welcome warmly by all. Some of them greeted SBS actor Yap Say Ping, recognizing him from television drama series. I went forward to shake hands with him and his companion Sim Kian Chua and they commented that I was easily recognized. In turn, I had no trouble identifying my Bin Chong Primary School classmates Lee Beng Huat, Goh Yok Loong and Yeo Chan Huat. It was such a happy moment just to see their faces yet once more.

Once most students had arrived, they sought out their classmates in SSP for more in-depth catching up as relationships among them are especially intimate. It was interesting to note how they had intuitively gathered together and seated themselves at a chosen table.

SSP76 50th Birthday (II) Part 4: The Party Goes On

CATHING UP

During this period of time I was engrossed in two separate sessions of lengthy conversations with Yap Say Peng who told me about his life in Singapore after leaving SSP and Tong Siew Bee who talked about her teenage children. One of them aspires to be a writer and I shared with her my attempt.

Then my SMR buddies Yeo Sek Aip and Tee Kian Tee came over to catch with me. The moment I uttered ‘Ah Chiew’ (Yeo Sek Aip’s nickname), thirty-two years of separation seemed to have melted away instantaneously. After that, my Bin Chong primary school classmate Yeoh Chan Huat, the top boy in my class who thwarted all my attempts to challenge his position told me about his decision to quit auditing to run a sundry shop in Pontian– a tough decision to make, after getting an accounting degree in Singapore University. I am glad for him that it turned out to be a smart move which has strengthened his current financial standing. With him was Lee Beng Huat who trailed slightly behind me in Bin Chong. Graduated late at the age of 35, I was running scared all by myself in Singapore with little prospect of a stable job. This old friend of mine who took pity on me due to my plight showed up, drove to the out-of-the-way Anglican Church headquarter to get me an application form for the position of Admin Officer. As a result, my life began to stabilize.

Who but our trusted old friends would extend a helping hand to us in times of desperation?

Too much has happened in that one evening of reunion. My being oblivious to the programs on stage I deem understandable.

LUCKY DRAW

While engrossed in deep conversations with several people, I was vaguely aware of the commencement of the Lucky Draw on stage with the MC’s announcement. The Invocator thanked all contributors of the prices and door gifts including Tan Meng Kwang, Koh Mui Chen and Tong Siew Bee. Teachers were invited to perform the draws and the lucky winners included Lee Chai Eng, Tan Bay Wah, Irene Chuang, Koh Mui Cheng and Chin Sik Fong who won the grand price contributed by Tan Meng Kwang – a set of Ultrasonic Spa Equipment with 2 bottles of Essential Oils worth S$2400. The Invocator mentioned that she deserved to win as reward for starting the idea of our reunion. Many crowded around the stage to witness the draw which was a cheerful interlude from dining and chatting. Two persons from my table won too. Tan Bay Wah shrieked in delight when her name was called. She came back with a lovely bracelet but found it too small for her wrist to her dismay. I slipped it on and waved my arm to make the costume jewelry sparkle in the down-lights, jokingly announced that perhaps it was meant for me for it fitted perfectly. Incidentally, Koh Mui Cheng – also seated at my table, was the price contributor and she agreed to exchange it for another item which would be wearable for the winner. At that moment, Koh Mui Cheng herself also won a price.

I was glad to hear someone commented that the inclusion of this program was evidence that the reunion was well organized because there were members who cared enough to make gift/prize contributions and a member (Tan Soo Gek) who volunteered to coordinate the Lucky Draw.

BIRTHDAY CAKE CUTTING CEREMONY

Five SSP76 members born in the month of December – Chan Kok Keong, Tan Soo Gek, Lee Chaw Leng, Tey Siam Cheng and Tan Soi Moi represented the group to perform the ceremony. All members joined in to sing the birthday song after which five candles were lighted and then blown off jointly by the representatives as they beamed under the floral decorated arch on the left of the stage. The cake looked so luscious that I wish I was not seated so far back as to have missed having a slice (Sigh…). Moreover, to partake it would be symbolic of being one with the reunion group (Sigh again…actually, I have sweet tooth!).

GROUP PHOTO SESSION

There was a commotion when group photo taking was announced. All small groups broke up as all participants got ready for this moment of significance as it would capture the monumental event on film for future remembrance. The MC had no problem this time to draw the audience’s attention; all crowded around the stage voluntarily to prevent the regrettable event of accidental exclusion from a particular grouping to which they belong.

Firstly, photos were taken for each class from 5SA to 5AD with teachers who had taught it. These were followed by sessions for various primary and lower secondary schools including TMIS, SMTK, SMR, SMPN, SMPC and finally a session for the Organizing Committee. The excitement of the program or perhaps the event itself climaxed during the grand finale – the all-participants group photos which the hired photographer took seriously with a keen sense of urgency. He implored us not to break up while he moved tables and chairs for shoots from various angles. From the stage, Gay Bing Shyan – a professional photographer gave him directions on how to take the best pictures loudly before he appointed himself the official photographer free-of- charge for the group’s next reunion! – the final touch of goodwill and appreciation for the formation of our reunion group - SSP76!!

With that, the formal reunion dinner had concluded to everyone’s satisfaction.

SSP76 50th Birthday Celebration (II) Part 5: The Night is Still Young

THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG

Teachers Dearest

The teachers started to leave a little while after the formal dinner ended at about ten p.m.
Mr. Tan King Sik was one of those who last left. When I first saw him, I was quite struck by how young he looks now for he looks our age. He taught us Physics in form 4 and Chemistry in form 5. As our class comprised of students from various schools other than SSP, the way he had always treated us kindly had done much to ease our apprehension of being in a new school. Hardly an unkind word spoken and never needing harsh punishment to discipline us or to maintain order in class, he had helped foster in the new students a sense of belonging to the school. He had a way of looking into the students’ eyes with genuine concern for their studies; always ready to give a smile of encouragement. This special touch of his as a caring teacher set him apart from some who seemed a little indifferent though no less responsible by comparison. How pleasant and soothing was the way his red lips curled upwards to reveal his even white teeth when he smiled. Soft-spoken, gentle and slow to anger, he was easily one of our favorite teachers.

It was such an honor to have the opportunity to meet him again after three decades and to thank him for his kindness to us personally. When I mentioned this to him, his red lips split into the pleasant smile I have remembered so well. It was such a mutually gratifying moment for us both, thanks to the reunion dinner which had granted us the gratification. It is such warm feelings exchanged between people that build up our sense of self to cushion us when we fall. In retrospect, I begin to understand what Tan Boon Suan had meant when he suggested reaching inside us for support in times of need. Yes, delve into the reserve of strength stored within us from the hoard of lovingkindness others have bestowed upon us. That would see us through trying times in our lives.

Allow me to proclaim here once more: Thank you, Mr. Tan, for being so kind to us when we were your students!

Before he left the party, I promised to email to him my write-up on him. He was very please to hear that.

(NB: Mr Tan’s Reply - Hello Michelle! Thank you for your interesting write-up and photo of Dec 10. I read your email on Saturday after coming back from outstation. I will be away again after Christmas until mid-January next year. By the way, you gave me such praises which I don't think I deserve. It is only expected that a teacher carries out his duty to his students to the best of his ability. He derives much satisfaction from the success of his students under his care. Anyway it is such a pleasure to have students like you who still remembers her teacher in retrospect.)

Then I shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Lim Jin Siew and thanked them for coming. They in turn expressed their appreciation for our gesture of honoring the teachers. It is heart-warming moments like this that makes our life meaningful. My heart swelled as I watched the departure of these kindly persons who have touched our lives in a profound way.
An Amorous Moment

Most of the students stayed on for more fellowship. As the atmosphere had changed from formal to informal, people were more relax. Many moved about to mingle with different group as they were no longer stuck to their seat at a particular table. Somebody turned the music up; the mood got hotter and the people more jovial. Having taken so many photos in prim and proper posture, I put my head on Teresa’s shoulder for a sultrier pose and she returned it by putting her arms around me amorously! Ooh, that’s hot! Off guard from the excitement of the moment, I laughed heartily, exposing my orthodontic braces before the camera. Gosh! My Dracula smile has gone down in the history of SSP76’s first reunion dinner!

Shake Your Body

Ng Kam Hui went on stage to entertain us with various Hokkien songs. Pretty good, I must say. I was all too happy when Koh Mui Cheng, Ivy Chua and Lim Kong Kok danced to the music. ‘Come on, people, do something. What story am I going to write if you don’t?’ I hollered to the crowd randomly. To some, the party has just begun to feel like a party. Despite my encouragement, there were not that many dancers among us, I soon discovered.

The Fever of Reunion

There were several people who I had expected to see but had not manage to come for some reasons. Tan King Nwa, Tay Kuan Seng, Low Meng Kuan, Kua Seng Tee , Koh Ai Boo were the few among them. Then out of the blue, another such disappointment – Tan Boon Suan showed up, to our pleasant surprise. He had made an effort to attend even though the dinner was already officially over. I squealed in delight and welcome him warmly. He was in high spirit to see us all. Someone from Elsie Chua’s table offered him some whisky to drink and that turned his face dark red and his high spirit even higher. He soon became the center of attraction as we showered our attention on him because he had just arrived. He rewarded our attention with exaggerated theatrical antics including going down on knees ostensibly to propose to his close friend, Elsie. I hovered around to cheer him on, saying: ‘A second proposal please,’ to which he obliged in good sport. ‘Now I have got the stories!’ I proclaimed happily.

Romancing Once More

I turned around and seeing Tan Ee Keng still sticking around Oon Peck Choo, I teased, ‘Still not finish with Romancing Once More?’ He confessed how ardently he had crushed on Pek Choo and had to wait thirty years for the opportunity to pour his heart out, calling her Choo Choo incessantly. Such sentiment seems to be an inevitable part of alumni reunion. Everyone took it for fun.

When I rejoined my 5SE group, Sim Kian Chuan was in the midst of telling Tong Siew Bee, Tan Bay Wah and Tan Siew Kiat how Yap Say Ping used to make his daily round to the front seat area just to walk past me. Everyone laughed at him and they asked me if I knew what he was up to at that time. ‘I knew, but he didn’t know I knew.’ It was my turn to be a good sport. ‘Ooh, what a missed opportunity!’ Everyone pitied him.

Blunders and Giggles

I sat down beside Neo Say Yew while Lee Fei Fung was showing her house photos to him. She flipped to the page with her Tudor mansion whereupon I sniggered cheekily and confessed for having uploaded some samples in Facebook long ago. She raised her eyebrows and chided me for not obtaining her permission first. I flicked out my tongue and giggled. Say Yew giggled along with me knowingly as if laughing at me for having blundered yet again as is my character flaw in my interaction with the reunion group. She closed her album and sighed in resignation but smile kindly. Tan Bay Wah and Tan Soi Moi who are yet to join Facebook took the photo album eagerly to view her photos with interest and this delighted the attractive hostess of that magnificent house.

Uncorking Champagne in Celebration

I caught sight of Chin Sik Fong, Tan Kui Cheng and Yeoh Ah Yong fumbling with a bottle of pink sparkling grape juice before a table with cocktail glasses. I sauntered over to join them for a toast. It would be a memorable moment to commemorate the occasion and a lovely sight to behold when captured in camera. The cork wouldn’t come off and Sam came to the rescue. The few of us watched him in cheerful anticipation for the climax of uncorking of ‘champagne’ which symbolizes celebration.

‘Pop!’ we all clapped and filled our glasses and held them up to be photographed before saying cheers to one another and then bottomed up. What a lovely moment to have shared with your old, old friends!

Time Passes but Friendship Remains

Goh Yook Loong, Lee Beng Huat and Yeo Chan Huat came over to me and we had another round of photo session to commemorate the rare occasion of reunion for all four of us who had made it to SSP from Bin Chong Primary School. We looked at one another with images of us as children still fresh in our memory and marveled at how the elapse of time has failed to nullify friendship.

Miscellany

I looked around at the clusters of people strewn across the dining hall. I guess they must be engaging in similar sharing of moments no less wondrous than those I have experienced.

….Tan Ban Hua and Ng Bak Seng played gracious hosts by serving the guests with cognac or whisky from one group to another gallantly.

….Gay Bing Shyan was effusive in his vociferous appreciation of the pioneering team’s effort to form SSP76 which has made possible the reunion of 1976 batch of SSP students.

….Lim Hong Koon, Lee Song Kiah, Ng Bak Seng, Tan Ee Keng, Onn Peck Choo and Loh Hong Tian seemed to have endless subjects of conversation which lasted through the evening.
No one seemed inclined to calling it a night.