ADVERTISEMENT
Time for gratitude
Published on: Sunday, August 25, 2024
By: Kan Yaw Chong
Text Size:
The VIP table.
Among the grateful “old boys” is well known Professor Danny Wong – now a leading historian and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – the largest of the 14 faculties at the university.
“I learnt much from the experience of being in La Salle which was a very different school that was run with a school parliament where we were honed to play a leadership role, with good teachers who nurtured and took in interest in what we were doing,” he recalled.
“The bonding is very different and enduring.
Prof Danny Wong and Philip Golingai.
“Even after I have left school, Bro Charles wrote to me, we still kept in touch, we kept writing and visiting each other for many years, I think that kind of bonding and relationship is very different,” said Professor Danny who conceded he owed his top academic career to La Salle.
“The annual dinner is a fantastic gathering, time to take stock of the past and looking forward to the future,” he said.
Another well-known name, Philip Golingai, Senior News Editor and columnist at the Star, said: “I am a product of La Salle, without La Salle, I am nobody,” he confessed.
“It’s a great time to meet friends whom you know when you were very young, now that we are all getting old, it’s good to still have that spirit and energy,” said Philip who flew all the way from KL in a beat to help Class ‘84 win the Best Attendance award.
60th alumni annual dinner – largest turnout at record 120 tables?
Entertainer Pei Pei Annabelle in her elements.
Meanwhile, echoing the sentiments of Danny and Philip, Alumni President, Datuk Ram Singh lauded the virtue of gratitude which creates positive moods towards the welfare and needs of mother school.
“The theme of our annual dinner this year is ‘United in Service’ which stresses the importance of giving back and contributing to the school,” he noted.
He said the thrust of his executive committee had been to forge closeness and promote connection to mother school from ex-students. .
“I think the Exco has successfully stayed close to the entire present teachers, principal, students and LaSallians as we always say: Once a LaSallian, always a LaSallian.”
Alumni – a ‘Voice of goodwill and respect’
“We have organised and celebrated every one of the cultural festivals that matter to Sabah’s ethnic groups such as Christmas Party, Chinese New Year dragon/ lion dance, Hari Raya, Kaamatan both at school and Hotel 5, because we believe in the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity’.
“If you look around, our alumni are a mix of different races, religions, ethnic groups, we do our best to represent a voice of goodwill and respect, we even have former teacher like Mrs Rivai from New Zealand, that’s what Sabah is made of and despite all the differences, we respect our cultures, religions, beliefs and customs,” Ram noted.
Not to be too inward looking, Ram noted the presence of alumni from other schools, including St John Tuaran, alma mater of Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor, All Saints’, KK High School, Tshung Tsin, Asrama Butitin, Nabawan, St. Michael’s, Penampang, were present.
“This is where we want to stay connected with alumni of other schools to widen our networking and horizon,” Ram said.
On giving back to the school, Ram said: “We intend to build a pavilion at a nice open space between the junior school canteen and the Hall of Fame and also to install aircons in the Junior school Students Activity Centre.”
“Of course, we need pledges of La Sallians, we will need money, nothing is free.
“The Alumni is happy Sri Murni Apartment (a 12-unit apartment opposite Senior School) will be confirmed ours as transfer documents from the La Salle Brothers has been reportedly signed.”
He thanked Past President Hermon Yee who played a key role in acquiring the property to generate income for the Alumni.
A ‘milestone’ – Chief Minister
Meanwhile, in his speech delivered by deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Works, Datuk Ir Shahelmey, Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, said a 60th annual dinner must be regarded as a “milestone.”
“Cherish the bonds that have sustained you, may the bonds continue to grow stronger in the years ahead,” he said.
The cake-cutting ceremony was led by Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Alumni President Datuk Ram Singh.
“Your theme ‘United in Service’ is apt as it encapsulates your shared dedication to solidarity, collaboration and collective action aimed at serving others with a unified purpose. It highlights your commitment to make a meaningful impact on the community and for the good of your alma mater.”
Noting the vision of the founder, Hajiji said: “LaSallian education emphasizes the importance of service to youth and the upliftment of those in need.”
‘A testament to vision of the founder’: CM
“This is a testament to the vision and dedication of St. John Baptiste de La Salle and the commitment and efforts of everyone to positively impact the lives of the vulnerable, impoverished and marginalised through a holistic approach to education, fostering not only academic growth but also personal and social development. It is a powerful mission that resonates deeply within the Lasallian community,” Hajiji said.
“I applaud your effort to the in reaching out to the youths who are our assets for the future.”
The LaSallian Brothers had continued the legacy of st John Baptiste all of whom had contributed significantly to the youth development of Sabah exemplifying the virtue of service that deserved our recognition and support,” he said.
“Over the years, the La Salle Brothers had improved the lives of thousands of young people, equipped them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.”
Highest turnout – Class of 1989 as per announced on August 17 at annual dinner based on QR code statistics.
“The LaSallian legacy had grown into a formidable institution renowned for its discipline, character development, education. These have served as a powerful testament to the powerful impact on the community,” he added.
“As Sabah’s economy continues on a positive growth, new development plays a critical role in our economic advancement.”
“La Sallian graduates have proven to be successful individual s in many spheres contributing to Sabah’s growth and progress.”
“Education is as valuable and powerful in shaping a better future for Sabah.”
“The world of work is evolving rapidly driven by technological advancement and changing economic landscape.
“Our educational institution must adapt to these changes and remain relevant and effective.
“All of us must do our part, the State government is placed emphasis on youth development and in this regard, had allocated millions of ringgit to implement various programmes involving leadership and skill development to empower youth in line with the Sabah Youth Policy,” Hajjji exhorted.
Entertainment for the night was provided by a seven-member band ‘Final Fling’ comprising the Wong brothers – Vincent, Harry, David Wong, vocals Judith Santos and Lolet , James Simon and John Willie, in a medley of appearances on stage, two performances from students, climaxing in a vibrant show from Penampang hailed Pei Pei Annabelle.
Awards
Class ‘90 took the Best Class Attire award, while Class ’89 was named Most Improved Turnout, the Highest Turnout by Percentage and the Highest Class Turnout awards, while Class’84 missed by a whisker with a dispute that followed.
During the first of two mediation sessions, Ram noted Class ’84 spent a year to amass 10 tables to celebrate their 40th year of leaving La Salle, merited a special tribute, including Fr Mark Hoo flying all the way from Canada.
Class of 1984: Missed top award by a whisker.
As more queries and feedbacks raised doubts that the head counts from QR Code system used to determine winners may have been compromised and inaccurate, the QR Code data were set aside pending investigation.
It was decided the best way to resolve the dispute was for Class ’84, ’89 and ’79 to produce their respective name lists, supported by photographs, to prove their numbers before a panel of scrutineers comprising Peter Liau, Kevin Padasian, Dino Chung, Romula Sulit and Benjamin Lee, who will recommend to the mediator to declare the outcome.
ADVERTISEMENT
