Upperstar Get Together - 18 July 2009

Hi,

On Friday (17/7/09) morning , I called Victor Sin Ka Hiew in Sandakan and was told that Lawrence Chong Shui Lung and Robert Foo Ka Hung were flying to Kota Kinabalu that morning.

I contacted Lawrence Chong re arrangement. After his Saturday golf, most likely we could have a drink together in the evening. I had not met Robert Foo Ka Hung since we left St Mary's Form V in 1970.

After my Saturday (18/7/09) badminton games, I soon got a call from Lawrence Chong, asking me to join him, Robert Foo Ka Hung and Lawrence Chung Hee Meng for a drink at Upperstar Pub in town. I was keen to meet up with Robert Foo and Hee Meng (whom I had not met for years). Shortly after I arrived, Edmund Kwan Kar Choi and Albert Lee also showed up. Sim Kang Loong was also contacted but could not make it. Tommy Siew was again not in town and away in China.

We talked about our St Mary's happenings ......

Although most were approaching 60 years of age, we talked about our St Mary's days as if we were still in our secondary school years! But we all knew we were getting on and looking forward to the Old Boys Reunion in Sandakan.

Whilst Kar Choi and myself had to go back for our family weekend dinner at home, Robert Foo Ka Hung, Lawrence Chung Hee Meng, Chong Shui Lung and Albert Lee went on for a dinner in town.

When we met up, we treasured our moments together.....once we were all together in the same classroom as boys and now we are fathers of adult sons and daughters.

Kon Sang

Hello

Hello all my fellow classmates.

Greetings from Sandakan. Seems that we have been very quiet lately.
Is the Re-union still on. Met up with Ronnie Chung when he was back in Sandakan and he proposed to have it some time in late July or early August 2010. Noverber will not be aporopiate as normally School will be closed for the last term holidays. What say all of you.

Robert Foo is now in Sandakan and will be here until early August 09 and we too have discussed on the issue and he confirmed that he will be back for the occassion. We are really running out of time and someting really needed to be done if we are serious about it. Lawrence Chong is trying and working very hard but not me.

Nothing was in the blog for the past few weeks.

Regards,
Name: Sin Ka Hiew
14th July 2009

Fwd: FW: THE PASSAGE OF TIME LEAVES OUT NO ONE !!!

Dear All,

This was sent by Richard some weeks ago which I should have put on our blog but never got round to doing it until now. I think this photo is really a gem, with all these young & handsome men. (Sad though, Lee Len Fook is not with us now in this land of the living).

Richard,

Was this taken in Sandy Beach (or whatever the name is)?


Regards,
Hubert Hiew

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FW: Aword sorry to Ronnie

Dear All,

This message from Phun is very much valued as it is very difficult to get any message from most of you. I just thought it would be nice to post this in our blog. Well done Phun! And thanks for the effort. This is our blog so make use of it!

Regards,
Hubert Hiew




Subject: Aword sorry to Ronnie
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:27:39 +0800



(This email is written in chinese)
Encoding: Chinese Simplified (GB2312)

Ronnie 同学，晚上好，

英文写不好， 只好用汉文代写了。 我孩子从学校回来时告诉我"你哥哥子庆，说你上个星期在山打根时找过我三次，失望而归"。真是对不起，那段日子，我是在亚庇 Kota Kinabalu，和外孙，孩子，女婿一起过我六十岁的生日。

日子过的太快，一眨眼六十年人生路就过去了，这些风风雨雨的日子里，真体会到"人在江湖，心不在已"，我在想是不是还有很多的日子还没过呢。废话少说吧，还是怪老天爷在玩弄我们吧。

My god bless you always,

Phun

---

This message has been scanned by TM antivirus for viruses and spyware and found to be clean.

Tommy Says

Hello Everybody,

I am trying to post on the blog for the very first time.

I am surprised to read that I have so much $$$$$ and I thought it was indeed a sweet dream and I don't want to wake up and also afraid to wake up to face the cruel reality of life..

Clement is too kind to me to tell you all that I enjoy such "luxury" in life and that was because he only saw one side of the coin ... seeing me spending all my $$$ in true Bumiputra spirit.

My philosophy in life is from "From Dust We Come and To Dust Shall We Return" and for every dollar I earn, I want to spend $1.10 if i could and I would .... I am a Born Free Man to live my full life in this world and do not want to have regrets in life later .... Amen!

I prefer my own life style - as we do not know what tomorrow will bring you. I want to enjoy and see this pleasant world whilst I can still walk and exist on this planet. This is my way of finding happiness and fulfillment in life...... I don't care what other people think of me as I do not owe anyone a living. As long as I earn a decent living, enough to lead my care-free life style and do no bad deed against my conscience, I will have peace in mind, here and hereafter. I am a believer of the philosophy of "Cause & Effect" meaning "You Sow What You Reap".

Whenever I am in a position to do so, I do charity and community work ... giving small donations and leading young people who are lost in their path and "coach" them back to the right track in their life journey - morally and physically - to find love again!

Even now, sometimes I am also lost myself and need to seek love and happiness before I sing Auld Lang Sye- that's the irony of life!


Tommy (Kota Kinabalu)

Meeting with Chung Ket Cheung, 11.06.09

Regards,
Lawrence Chong

RONNY MET UP WITH KK SAPI GANG MEMBERS

Hi,

On Sunday (7 June) I got a urgent late night call from Thomas Siew asking me to join him to welcome our US returned and ex Sapi Gang Member flying in from Sandakan. Ronny Chung has not met Thomas for over 30 years and Thomas was most excited to see how he looks and how he talks .....

On Monday morning, before I could warm up my office chair, Thomas called me at 9 am to say that he was driving over from his Api Api Apartment but would want to go to the airport in my company car instead. This was to give Ronny a grand welcome! So we drove off but were early, sitting in the car waiting.... then Ronny in his Yankee cap walked out of the Arrival Lounge towards my car. I pointed to Thomas that he was Ronny but Thomas wasn't so sure as he had not seen his gang budddy for > 30 years. It was a warm meeting at the airport and we decided to adjourn to a kopitiam (coffee shop) for drinks and "catch up" chit chat.

I brought my camera for the occassion as the last mini reunion in Burger King in Damai KK was not captured in photos ............ We asked the pretty daughter of the coffeee shop boss to snap the shots for us. Now, you old boys can get a first glimpse of (you can view the ENLARGED photo by clicking on the photo above) Thomas Siew who is so fortunate to be blessed with lots of $$$$$$, a strong and robust waist (maintained in good shape with constant live exercises in bed) and so able to still enjoy his envious "happy go lucky life style" after all these years! Ronny was most keen to join Thomas on his next China "canon" trip but he was forewarned by Thomas that his heart must be large enough for more than one woman!

The meeting was not too long as Ronny needed to catch his 12 noon flight to KL where he would stay in his relative house in K Lumpur USJ Section 9 for two weeks. Believe that Ronny would squeeze the very best out of his stay in this most vibrant city. Ronny, without a middle age bulge, still looks 40s in his cap and therefore should still be in demand and much sought out by our Asian & China dolls (compared to the hugh Yankee/ African/Latino varieties in Texas or LA) in this truly Asian city.

Just before we left the coffee shop, a scuffle broke off between Thomas and Ronny as they tried to settle the drink bill leaving me as the innocent bystander.

We dropped Ronny off at KKIA at 11 am (Monday 8 June) and we treasured every moment when we were together chatting about "those were the days".

Regards

Kon Sang

gathering with Ronnie Chung and Chiang Piang Thiam, 05.06.09

In the picture (from left to right): Sin Ka Hiew, Chiang Piang Thiam, Ronnie Chung

We had a short gathering at Bandar Sibuga Jaya, Mile 8. and had chatted a lot of the good old days stories.

Regards,
Lawrence Chong

FW: A little get together

I have taken the liberty to consider that this photo and the mail below all from Richard are meant to be published in our blog. A very nice photo of you all in the picture. I must say I can't quite remember the two Leongs and also Benedict Tai. Is Benedict the one who used to live next door to Edward Tan of Mile 1 1/2, Labuk Road? I can still recognise Albert Lee - his sweet smile!

Regards,
Hubert Hiew
---------------------------------------------



From: richard.r.chan@gmail.com
Hi All,
It had taken a few weeks but here is a photo of seven of us have a bit
of a "chin wag"at a KopiTiam in KK recently.

Leong Yun Choi, Richard Leong Ming Yee, your truely, Edmund Kwan Ka
Choi, Benedict Tai, Albert Lee Fook Foo, and Lawrence Chong Shui Lun.

We had a good old laugh re the "old school days" - brought back a lot
of fond memories. I'd not seen Leong Yun Choi, Leong Ming Yee & Albert
Lee since 1969!

Thank you to Lawrence Chong who make the initial suggestion.

Cheers & regards to all,
Richard Chan

Gathering with James Chiang in Sandakan, 21.03.09

A short gathering with James in Sandakan. Unfortunately, only 2 turned up that are Chong Ken Foh and Sin Ka Hiew.

Regards,
Name: Lawrence Chong

FW: [St. Mary's Old Boys - 1970] The Sound of Music Actors Re-union: How about ours?

---

Hi Hello I am Tommy Siew we did not meet for almost half a century.Times really fly . Nostigia bring back memory of those good old school odays when everyone of us is so care free, hopeful and cheerful and I really hope we can turn back the times and down to the memory lane.It is a good idea to hv a reunion to reclloct those lost treasures where no monetary value can match esp those inherent truth and frank childhood friendship estahlished through those school days together. To hv a Reunion during our economic life is a race against time before we say the final Auld Lang syn ! am glad to know all our classmate are doing well and contribute to the society

From: Hubert Hiew

To: jdchai88@yahoo.com.au ; htsabah@tm.net.my ; alsuekoh@yahoo.com ; lawrence8chg@yahoo.com ; edward_selina@hotmail.com ; richard.r.chan@gmail.com ; camillo@goldenpheasantfoods.com ; hm_chng@yahoo.com ; jongfui@hotmail.com ; chiang.james@hotmail.com ; hhhhiew@msn.com ; foorfoo@hotmail.com ; chongkhenfoh@yahoo.com ; sengalee2@hotmail.com ; sinkahiew@yahoo.com ; khoopg@tm.net.my ; ronnietc@hotmail.com ; wecare68@gmail.com ; ajorgy@streamyx.com ; samlim38@streamyx.com

Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 9:21 AM

Subject: FW: [St. Mary's Old Boys - 1970] The Sound of Music Actors Re-union: How about ours?

---

Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 07:51:01 -0700
From: stmaryoldboys@gmail.com
To: hhhhiew@msn.com
Subject: [St. Mary's Old Boys - 1970] The Sound of Music Actors Re-union: How about ours?



<A href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AghK1rd7XBY/SMPn_AfvC3I/AA

Merdeka Ball in HK with Robert Fu

Sorry this is few months old. Robert Fu & I attended the Hong Kong Malaysian Association Merdeka Ball last year. The photos may be too small to show the faces.

Regards,
Name:

Reunion between Lawrence & Hubert

Hi Guys,

Kind of late to let you know Lawrence Chong met me at the Venetian Casino/Hotel in Macau recently. It was quite a coincidence that I happened to be working at the Venetian project and my office is just 10 minutes away from the venue for meeting up.

We had a great chat about old times and the proposed re-union programme. It was a brief reunion but I treasure every minute of our time together as I probably hadn't seen him since after Form 3!

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

Letter from Bro Xavier (David)

Dear All,

I would like to share this letter from Bro Xavier with you all. Please also note Bro Frederick as mentioned in the letter is not well and is 79 years old. Please feel free to write to him. I think you can use Brother Xavier's address but pls remember to use "C/O Brother David (Xavier)".

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

FW: Edward, Apart from testing the validity of your...

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 18:29:22 +1000
From: edward.selina@gmail.com
To: hhhhiew@msn.com
Subject: Re: Edward, Apart from testing the validity of your...

Hubert,

 

Only manage to meet up with Chong Khen Foh, Chong Sui Loon, Sin Ka Hiew, Jorgy Juana nd Victor Ng while in Sandakan.

 

Edward

On Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 11:29 AM, Hubert Hiew <hhhhiew@msn.com> wrote:

Edward,

Apart from testing the validity of your new e address, just a reminder for you to send some photos (I hope you did take some) of your reunion with some of our ex-classmates and post them on our blog.

Pls acknowledge receipt of this mail.

Rgds,
Hubert

Turkish Delight

Hi,

Just introducing my family by sharing a photo of me and my wife taken in Turkey. My 3 sons all shy away from posting their images on this blog ........

We were married on 4 November 1978 and so we have just celebrated our 30 year wedding anniversary.

We have 3 sons and as much as my wife would like to have a daughter to keep her company, our 3rd child turned out to be another son and we decided to call it a day.

My wife is a home maker since 1 October 1984 when our family moved from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. My eldest son is 27 and a lawyer and second son is 25 and an accountant. My third son is taking his Form 5 Government examination now and is 17.

Regards

Kon Sang

Goldfinger attending Hubert's wedding dinner

Dear All,

I thought you may like to see some photos of Goldfinger attending my wedding dinner in 1983. You may note in the bottom photo his habit of putting his finger over his left eye - can you still recall? In the middle photo, next to him on his left is a Mr. Lai - our old boy but can't remember how many years our senior. Further next to him is Alex Wong, son of one of the Chung Kong Company partners (Sandakan) - he studied in St Michael I think.

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

Dear All,
 
A snap of our mini-mini re-union when Chong Khen For came to visit me recently. I meant to attach a photo of us two back in 1970 but alas I couldn't find the photo yet.

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

Tommy Says

Hi Classmates,

I was asked by Tommy to post these 2 photos for your viewing.

Tommy Siew just came back to KK from China on 25 Oct (Saturday).

According to Tommy handwritten notes on the back of the photos, it was a Soul Dance Competition on Chi Hwa Beach on 1 April 1970.

Tommy was dancing with Chung Hee Meng. Hubert Hiew was not such a good dancer and settled down to solo guitar playing.

In the background, were Chiang Piang Thiam and Pang Mui Po.

In the oher photo, Chung Tze Ting was in the photo but not Chung Hee Meng.

Presume Chung Tze Ting and Chung Hee Meng were taking turn to snap the shots!

Tommy told me he was burnt by the Stock Markets but he regarded these as mere "Paper Losses" and it does not deter him to fly to Canada for his next holiday!

Some are just born lucky!

Regards

Kon Sang (for Tommy Siew)

KK ST MARYS RE-UNION on 2 Oct 2008

Hi Classmates & Friends,

We already had a Mini Reunion in K Kinabalu on the second day of Hari Raya.

I got a call from Sin Ka Hiew (SKH) about 12.10 pm to come out for a drink at Burger King, Damai, near Foh Sang. I asked if he was with his family as SKH lives in Sandakan. No, he was with old St Mary classmates and rolled out a few names whom I had no inkling. Never mind, I said I would be there within 15 minutes and I bet I knew them.

As I entered Burger King, I saw 3 men sitting at the same table with SKH and as I approached, I found out that I knew none! But they all gave me a friendly smile as they knew I was Kon Sang and most probably they had not seen me for years as well. As I shook hand, I began to recognise one (Chung Tet Chung), his face but not his name. Then the second face (David Leong Yun Choi) also looked familiar after a few glances but again no clue as to his name. The third face (Pang Su Kiong) was not so familiar but he came from St Marys Town School and I must knew him!

SKH then called Chung Hee Menn (he could not come as he was in Kolombong visiting his Muslim friends but promised to look up SKH that night), Chong Sui Lun, Lawrence (could not get through as out of range? He drove from Sandakan and spent the night in Kundasang and could be on his way down to KK), Benedict Tai (who came), Richard Leong Min Yee (who came) and Albert Lee (no answer).

I called Thomas Siew to join us but he was in KL enroute to China yet again! So SKH talked to him briefly over my hand phone enquiing if there was anything good in China for him (SKH)!

We did not have Julius Ho and Kwan Kar Choi handphone contact with us and could not contact them to meet.

We talked about old times until 4.30 pm when the downpour began and we headed for home.

Personally, I was touched to see all of them, all so friendly in our advanced ages talking about our school days in St Marys.

Most of them left St Marys after Form 3 Government Exam as one needed a Grade B minimum to proceed to Form 4.


Regards

Kon Sang

Re - union

Sorry, I forget to put down my name.

Regards,
Name: Sin Ka Hiew

Reunion

I am making reference to the mail from James Chai. I do agree with him that we will take years to get everyone on board to attend the Reunion. But what can we do ? Better half the class than no Reunion al all, Right ? This should not have dampened ou spirit for the Reunion. Let us go ahead with what we have planned.
I do not know whether the following contacts will help

Chung Hee Menn - K. Kinabalu 0168379548
Chu Sai Kee - Sandakan 0168218204
Chang Piam thiam - Sandakan 0138339638
Francis Fong - Sandakan 0198336433
Sim Kang Loon - K. Kinabalu 0128670548
Poon Vui Poh - Sandakan - Operting a coffee shop directly opposite he Sandakan
Police station at mile 1 1/2, Will look for him
Looking forward to the Reunion.
Thanks


Regards
Name:

Reunion of less than half the class?

Hi,

Are we planning a reunion of less than half the class? Is it possible to have a reunion of less than half the class?

It seems that we still have not been able to locate the whereabouts or establish email or any form of contact with the following gentlemen:-

1. Chong Nyuk Woo (Canada)
2. Wong Wan Kong (where?)
3. Julius Ho (where?)
4. Julian Chong Voon Hing (where?)
5. Lawrence Chung Hee Meng (where?)
6. Poon Vui Po (where?)
7. Khoo Puay Kuan (where?)
8. Chin Lee Wah (Sandakan but where?)
9. Ho Chi Min (where?)
10. Jimmy Augustine (where?)
11. Sulaiman bin Hamdan (where?)
12. Kenneth bin Awang (where?)
13. Francis Fong (where?)
14. Chu Sai Kee (Sandakan but where?)
15. Chang Piang Tiam (Sandakan but where?)
16. Jimmy Gimbad (Sandakan but where)
17. John Bagiu (where)
18. Sim Kang Loon (where)
19. Many more (where)

That's why I believe we'll need at least 5 years to locate them and bring them on board. Wthout them, it's going to be a reunion of less than half the class!

Once we landed in Sandakan, we can easily drop invitation cards at Klinik Ong, Camera Studio and C H Koh & Co. But it's not going to be so simple with regard to those gentlemen listed above.

Can anyone suggest some bright ideas?


Cheers,
James

Brother Rapael Egan

Bro. EGAN, Raphael FSC
賴斐爾修士
　　
Brother Raphael Egan, F.S.C. R.I.P.

Brother Raphael Egan joined the Brothers in Castletown, Ireland.

He was posted to Hong Kong in 1947 and took up a teaching post in La Salle College and his past pupils still speak of his kindly manner and of the new impetus he gave to their formerly boring hours in the classroom.

After two years he was appointed Director and Principle of St. Joseph's College which was still recovering from the ravages of war. He set about re-furnishing and reorganising, recruiting better teachers and encouraging the pupils to make up for the four years of schooling they has missed as a result of the Japanese Occupation. When he left after nine years, St. Joseph had regained its former reputation of being one of the leading schools in Hong Kong.

After a lapse of some thirteen years, Brother Raphael was later transferred back to Hong Kong and took charge of La Salle College, Kowloon. He discovered that the school was over-crowded and some of the classrooms were not up to the standard he would like. He soon set his mind on a new College. We now see the result of his planning in the new College on La Salle Road, acclaimed by many to be the finest school building in Asia. Even some Brothers on holiday from famous colleges in America were heard to say "Gee, Brother, we have nothing like this in the U.S."

One of his great assets was his candour and the hold he had over people who got to know him; they were willing to spend time, energy and where possible, money to help him to adchieve his plans. He never lost a friend and even during the painful days towards to end of this life he was constantly writing letters to rich and poor alike in Europe, Asia and America. He was always very concerned about the pupils in his school and very generous in a quiet way to those in financial need. On one occasion a little boy fell on a broken bottle near the school and received a deep gash. He was brought into the Office bleeding profusely. Brother Raphael immediately phoned an ambulance and accompanied the boy to Queen Mary Hospital. The Doctor decided that a blood transfusion was advisable. A Nursing Sister come to Brother Raphael and said there was a severe shortage of blood and if no donor came forward they would have to charge a fee. Brother immediately stretched out his arm, pulled up his sleeve saying: "plenty of it here Sister."

There is no doubt but he will he remembered by many and his passing will be deeply mourned. He was always a very deeply religious person, but it came so natural to him that it could pass unnoticed to casual observers. He had a strong devotion to the Mass and to our Blessed Lady. During his final painful months he never complained and it would seem that during much of his time alone was given to prayer. He died in Ireland on 23 July 1990.

17 August 1990
　

---------------------------------------------------


Dear All,

I got this article on Brother Raphael from Google. I believe it's an obituary or eulogy. Sorry I can't upload his photo for some unknown IT technical reasons. It's very touching. It's a pity that there is no mention of his time in Sandakan - I think that's during the 13 years' lapse mentioned in the article.

I visited him a couple of times here in Hong Kong. He also attended my wedding dinner party (Hope to post the photo taken then). He confided to me in one of my visits that he valued the true friendship of Malaysians, hinting that those so-called friends in HK are very much benefits-orientated.

My only regret is: I didn't know he was leaving HK for Ireland for good and therefore was not able to bid the last farewell to him.

What are your memorable recollections of our beloved Brother? Come on everyone just say something even short and concise. Don't just let the few of us do the "talking"!

Regards,
Name: Hubert

Switzerland

Hi,

When I do not have money to travel overseas, I make do with replicas of famous foreign tourist destinations...

So I pretend to visit Switzerland this week and got photos to prove...

Regards,
Name: Kon Sang

Old postings; Simple way to send your postings; Mysterious readers?

Dear All,

1. You will have noticed that I have deleted some of the postings which do not have our common sentimental nostalgic value. I put them up to liven the scene a bit during the previous lull.

2. To view the oldest postings which may not appear on the screen, refer to the right hand side of the blog screen and click into the month when they were posted.

3. To send your posting, simply send it to "stmaryoldboys.?????@blogger.com". For restricting this access only to you guys, I have not revealed the five letters in front of "@blogger.com". The missing 5 letters are the letters of the name of the road for the address of our school.

4. Our blogg is visited most from (refer to the map on the right hand side of the screen)

• Hong Kong
• Sabah (KK & Sandakan?)
• Brisbane
• USA West Coast (Ronnie & Camillo?)
• USA East Coast (who?)
• Sarawak (who?)
• Singapore (who?)
• Sydney (who?)

Can someone shed any light on who the mysterious visitors are from the last 4 last places in the above list?

You are encouraged to send in your postings. Happy blogging,

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

Re: Old Photo

Hi Guys,



I manage to get another photo from my album. The photo was taken during a party held inside a classroom same as those Kon Sang has posted. That night I have sang a song . The guy sitting on my left hand side was Chong Voon Hing and the guy at my right if I'm not mistaken was Wong Man Kong. Any body know where they are ?

Hubert. I shall seeing you on 29th or 30th, please wait for my call!

Regards,

Khen Foh.

More chit chat from Down Under

Hi, guys

I'm sure you all will remember Edward's older brother, Dr Thomas Chik. He lives in the same suburb as Edward. Since their suburb is adjacent to mine, their places are just a 5 minute drive from my place. Thomas taught us Boyle's Law and Archimedes' Principle in Form 1. I haven't got a clue now what those things were all about although I could remember the subject headings! Matter of fact, I could remember exactly what subjects I chose to study for the Senior Cambridge exams but I couldn't remember even 2% of the subject contents! So, I don't know whether or not I've got a good education! Does anyone of you have this same problem? I guess many of you could do better than my <2%>

And there was also Peter Ha who taught us Maths in Form 1. That guy was a no nonsense, rock solid personality. I like the way he taught Maths which was my weakest subject. I believe Maths geniuses are born, not self-made. No matter how hard I tried, I found it hard to unravel Mathematical problems. I finally graduated with the minimal Mathematical skills, namely, addition and subtraction with reasonable speed, which were just enough for me to enter the accounting profession.

My Canon digital camera broke down immediately after the expiry of the warranty period. What rotten luck! And I haven't found time yet to shop around for a new one. As soon as I got a new one, I'll try to get my kids to take a good shot of myself and I'll post it on the blog. The rest of the family members are opposed to posting any of their photos on the internet. So, I need to respect their wishes.

Cheers,
James Chai

Chong Khen Foh: before and after leaving St Mary's

Hi Hubert,
I enclose herewith one of my recent photo and one taken during Form 3 for your viewing. Hope you still can recognise me. Please help me to post it to the blog first as I still trying to dig some group photo for the blog.
Thank you

Regards,
Name: Chong Khen Foh

Australia, Australia, Australia.........

Hi, guys



King Soloman once said that there is nothing new under the sun. He must be right since he has been recognised as the wisest man who ever lived. When I was about to leave Malaysia for good in January 1993, I thought to myself - 'Oh, good, no more flies, mosquitoes & cockroaches' in a cool clean climate. Was I disappointed? You bet I was sorely disappointed. It turned out that it's worse in Australia, particularly in Queensland where I chose to settle down. They not only have all those vermins listed above. They also have numerous species of spiders of which the most common and poisonous ones are called 'redbacks'. You could be killed if not quickly treated within a few days of being bitten. Frankly, I couldn't remember ever being bothered by spiders back in Malaysia. And wonders of wonders, they also have household lizards running wild in residential homes. These are of the same kind and colour as those we were used to back in Malaysia.



And termites have been responsible for household repairs worth hundreds of millions of dollars around Australia. Almost every household needed to spend money on termite prevention treatment.



Last but not the least, we also need to look out for dangerous 'red ants' in our gardens. These are not your kind of red ants. These are very dangerous ones so much so that the Australian government needed to spend a lot of manpower and money to try to exterminate them.



The place where I live is very close to some private farm land where cattles roam around like free range chickens. The daily mooing and groaning from these beasts are a real nuisance and because of these animals, my locality has more flies during the summer. Every door and window must have a fly screen otherwise the daily invasion of flies will drive us crazy. The brief 3 or 4 cooler months in a year do provide us with some relief.



The constant talk about climate change is the most boring subject in this southern continent. And the Climate Change Minister in the Rudd Government, Ms Penny Wong, who was originally from Kota Kinabalu, was reckoned to be arguably the most influential person in Australia today. What a credit to Sabah's brain exports!



Cheers,

James Chai

Back in the loop

Hi, guys

My apology for having been out of the loop for a while. No time to visit the blog during office hours and by the time I get back home every day, I'm only interested in hitting the pillow by 9.00 pm. I've just managed to follow up with the latest postings. Would someone be kind enough to provide an English translation of the Chinese essay for the enlightenment of the other 40% inadequately schooled old boys who can't read a word of Chinese? Not all our old boys are Chinese and many of the Chinese ones never went to a Chinese primary school. Unless an English translation is provided, this sizeable group of old boys will, regrettably, miss out on any wisdom that might be found in the Chinese essay.

I'm not ashamed to confirm that apart from the three characters of my Chinese name, I can't make head or tail of any other Chinese characters except, perhaps, the numbers 1, 2 & 3. You're blessed immeasurably if you also have a good command of both written and spoken Mandarin. But in my 15 years in Australia, I've found that a total lack of this blessing has not impeded my rapid rise in the professional world in Australia!

Happy blogging in the Queen's language (hopefully),

Cheers,
James

Gald to be able to send Mails to the Blog

I have been reading all mails from you guys all this while and some of us have been extremently quiet. Richard Chand was back in Sandakan last week and we managed to meet up with few others like Francis Fong, Lawrence Chong, Chong Ken Foh, Jorgy and myself. So nice to be together. All of us are in favour of 2010 for the re-union. Camillo, if you are reading this, you have been very quiet lately. I though you are not going to stop talking. When are you coming back to Sandakan ? Ronnie Chung, You still remember the good old days when I used to see you almost every Sunday when you are still in Kuala Lumpur ? To all those who are in KK, people lime Clement Chang, Tommy Siew, Sim Kang Loong, Benedict Tai, David Leong, how come I ws not able to see you fellows all the time I am there. I used to go to KK every now and then as both my children are working and staying in KK. The places I used to grequent while in KK are Damai, Taman Fohg Sang and Lintas for my tea and snack. Any chances of seeing you guys?
How about Foo Ka Hung and Edward Chick, Where are you guys now ? To Victor Ng and Chong Nyuk Voo, how are you ?



Regards,
Name: Sin Ka Hiew

hi guys

After reading the comments by Clement Chang, I am just trying if I can send e-mails

Regards,
Name: Sin Ka Hiew

Railway Trip To Papar

Hi,

This is for the few St Marys Form 6 Science students in 1972 (or 1971?). They were the selected to represent Sandakan in a Science Quiz or Debate on RTM Sabah (or Radio Sabah).

I remembered Kwan Kar Choi, Hubert Hiew, Camillo Cheng, Julius Ho and Khoo PK looking me up in La Salle. So I took leave from school to bring them around. I remembered Edward Chik and Lawrence Chung were having (Literature which I did not opt for in Form 6) classes. As Sandakan has no railway, I thought all must be thrilled to be able to enjoy a train ride! Somehow, we managed to go to the Kepayan Railway Station and took a railway trip down to Papar. I was familiar with Papar and been there by car (during my years in KK schooling in La Salle) but that was also my first train trip.

Those pictures tell a thousand words and I hope it can bring back memories to those on that memorable trip - at least to me!

Hopefully, this article can trigger some comments from them.

Regards

Kon Sang

Participation

Hi,

After managing to post a few comments on the blog, I am taking the next step to write up.

I am tasked by Hubert to wash my dirty linen on the blog and bare my life for all to enjoy! I could not do it as a comment on the blog as it is too small to contain my 38 years of failure and desperation in a tough world.

I need to post a write up to do justice to my 38 years after leaving St Mary's in 1970.

Before deciding YES or NO to Hubert suggestion to bare my life story (which I have yet to make up my mind) I need to re-test if I can post a write up onto the blog. I used to be able to but not after Hubert made some changes to block out intruders!

Here I go by posting a recent photo of myself taken in May 2008 in Kudat giving out a retirement souvenir and cheque to my then retiring Kudat Branch Manager. He was cropped out of the photo as he looks younger than me in the photo.


Kon Sang

Ironies & Facts of Life

人啊！(真一針見血)
沒錢的時候，養豬； 有錢的時候，養狗。
沒錢的時候，在家裡吃野菜； 有錢的時候，在酒店吃野菜。
沒錢的時候，在馬路上騎自行車； 有錢的時候，在客廳裡騎自行車。
沒錢的時候想結婚； 有錢的時候想離婚。
沒錢的時候老婆兼秘書； 有錢的時候秘書兼老婆。
沒錢的時候假裝有錢； 有錢的時候假裝沒錢。
人啊，都不講實話： 說股票是毒品，都在玩； 說金錢是罪惡，都在撈；
說美女是禍水，都想要； 說高處不勝寒，都在爬；
說煙酒傷身體，就不戒； 說天堂最美好，都不去!!!
當今社會，窮吃肉，富吃蝦，領導幹部吃王八；
男想高，女想瘦，狗穿衣裳人露肉；
過去把第一次留給丈夫； 現在把第一胎留給丈夫。
鄉下早晨雞叫人， 城裡晚上人叫雞；
舊社會戲子賣藝不賣身， 新社會演員賣身不賣藝。
人生是什麼? 只 用 了 4 4 個 字 , 就 把 人 生 講 完 了 ...
所 以 人 與 人 , 有 啥 好 計 較 的 咧 ? 快樂好相處比較重要啦！

1 歲 時 出場亮相
10 歲 時 功課至上
20 歲 時 春心盪漾
30 歲 時 職場對抗
40 歲 時 身材發胖
50 歲 時 打打麻將
60 歲 時 老當益壯
70 歲 時 常常健忘
80 歲 時 搖搖晃晃
90 歲 時 迷失方向
100 歲 時 掛在牆上
祝大家愉快，好好做人

Regards,
Name: Hubert

Movies - old & new

Hi All,

Are these showing yet in Sandakan? I still can remember with fond memories all the good western films (Ben Hur, the Graduate) & Mandarin films (one armed swordman) were screened in Rex cinema (one employee used to fight with our beloved Tommy Siew whose father's shop was just next door) and the Cantonese films in Happy Valley (correct name?) in Tanah Merah where Sim Kum Lung grew up. I suppose these two cinemas and Cathay cinema are now gone?

Regards,
Name: Hubert

Our Re-union: Let's brainstorm some ideas

Dear all,

Richard reminded us our plan for our re-union. I think it's about time that we start brainstorming some ideas. Bear in mind, purpose of brainstorming is to gather all possible ideas. No matter how weird they are, at the brainstorming stage we should not shoot down any ideas we don't like or we don't think are practical. If possible, give reasons to support your idea.

I'll start with mine as below:

1. WHEN? I propose 3 years from now. Should be long enough for those from far away countries to plan ahead. Originally I thought of 5 years as by that time we should have retired but I heard some voices saying they can't wait that long. Can't be shorter, as I think we have less than 20% of the "lost sheep" found so far!
2. WHERE? Sandakan, as that's where our alma mater St. Mary's is.
3. WHAT? The highlight would be a ball at a hotel say the Ramada (formerly Sabah Hotel) with dinner, a live band belting out oldies, shows, speeches, lucky draws, contest for the most youngest looking, most mature looking, most hair, least hair, etc. However, one evening will not be enough to catch up with everybody. So there should be some lunch and/or dinner buffet before the day of the ball event. This would allow everyone to freely mix around. During or after the buffet, there should be some workshop sessions for each to talk about himself followed by Q&A.
4. HOW? A souvenir booklet will be produced. Advertisement from companies owned or associated by some of us will help towards the cost of the publication and the costs of organising the re-union.

So Richard as you meet differnt ones you can remind them to generate more ideas. Before I sign off, remember don't comment on the above proposals yet at this stage - instead let us hear your ideas.

Regards,
Name: Hubert

Life after St. Mary's - Hubert

Well, Ronnie had written his - see the comments under the trip to Telupid. So I better do mine and I hope others will follow suit.

Kwan Kar Choi (Edmond), Julius Ho, Khoo Pui Guan and I went to UK together to study. We were kindly met by Albert Goh who took care of us in London. Then after that we went our separate ways, with Edmond staying at London, Julius and Pui Guan to North England (Teeside?) and myself to Nottingham, Robin Hood's 'home', where I pursued a degree in Quantity Surveying.

I spent my third year training in Southampton and after graduation in 1977, worked in London until I got a job with the Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong in April 1979. Never thought of going to or settling down in HK - I thought if someone paid me an air ticket more than halfway to Malaysia, why not take the job?

I met my wife in the office and that's the main reason why I stayed back in HK. I had visited Canada a few times and liked it very much and as my parents and siblings (by 1980) have all emigrated to Canada, I would have liked to join them but alas Quantity Surveyors are unheard of in Canada. I would not want to change my profession. I did apply to Australia vis-a-vis the perceived threat of China's control after 1997 and was asked by the Australian embassy to go for an interview but as my parents preferred me to join them in Canada, I did not proceed further with the application.

My Malaysian passport is the last resort in case things went sour after 1997, so I did not bother with going elsewhere.

I worked for various companies but stayed with China Light & Power longest (20 years). Now I'm working with a QS consultant looking after one of the Phases of the Venetian Hotel & Resorts project in Macau.

Although I have met a few of you, on and off, I think I'm the loneliest one as far as being able to see our former classmates. In fact, apart from Robert Foo, I have not seen anyone of you guys at least over the last 13 years and the majority of you since St Mary's days. How I yearn to see you all in our re-union!

Regards,
Name: Hubert (Most of you knew me as Henry Hiew but as there were a few Henry Hiews around in Sabah I thought Hubert would be cool and so have adopted it since don't know when, maybe soon after landing in UK!)

CAMPING TRIP - TELUPID


Hi,

The camping trip was organised by Thomas Siew in Form 4 to Telupid.

As much as I would like to join, my father would not allow me to go so I gave it a miss. Then, how did I laid my hand on the photo? No idea!

I remembered the gang (without me) were supposed to camp in the open but somehow, they sweet talked the local school Principal to allow them to camp overnight inside a class room.... in the photo, are Sim Kang Loon, Hubert Hiew and Ho Chi Ming.

Were the two lying down ,,, Thomas Siew and Chung Tze Ting?

Thomas Siew kept telling me that he would get me his old photos for posting on the blog but .......


Kon Sang

Jumping for Joy

Dear All, This is what Clement wrote first before my posting. Sorry for the confusion.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hubert,

Our blog is so quiet.... maybe you can post this on our blog.

I used to be able to post the e-mail but with the latest change made to safe guard it, I am out and cannot post it anymore!

Kon Sang

----- Original Message -----
From: Management Department, KK(Web Mail)
To: stmaryoldboys.away@blogger.com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 3:59 PM
Subject: Jumping For Joy

Hi,

I believe this photo was taken after our Form 5 examination... hooray, the exam was at last over!

But then, we had to go our separate ways (I mean the whole class and not just those featured in the photo) ..... Some continued our Form 6 in St Mary's ... 3 (including me) went to KK to study Form 6 in La Salle. Sim Kang Loon went to work in MAS. Sandakan.... etc etc

Now after 38 long years, (1970 - 2008) we are trying to re-establish contacts again.

Some are still in Sandakan, a few in K Kinabalu, some in Australia (Edward Chik, James Chai, Richard Chan), one in New Zealand (Ho Chee Min) also in Canada (Victor Ng, Chong Nyuk Woo, Robert Fu) , USA (Camillo Cheng, Chung Tze Ting) and HK ( Hubert Hiew).

Gosh, we were all then in the same class room in Sandakan in 1970!

Kon Sang
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Regards,
Name: Hubert

Jumping for Joy

Thanks Clement. I didn't even remember having this fantastic photo taken. Can you remember where it was taken and who is that guy with his face blocked? I must admit I haven't tried hard to search my old photos in my "attic" where my Mrs. kept all what she considers "junks"!!!

Other guys, come on, send me some old photos and also your recent ones too as I haven't seen most of your faces since we separated after Form 3,5 or 6 as the case maybe.

Regards,
Name: Hubert

Form 3 Class Photo

Dear fellas,

Here are two versions of Form 3 Class Photos, the top one with courtesy of Kwan Kar Choi and the other courtesy of James Chai. Now can somebody tell me why there are two versions??? I'm confused! It's interesting to read the names (if your aging eyes can read and see the distorted photo) - honestly, had it not been for the name list, I wouldn't have known that some of our classmates had ever existed!

Regards,
Name: Hubert

Hubert's Family Photo

Guys,
It's been very quiet these few weeks. Has the novelty of our blog worn off? Hope not!

Just heard from Ronnie. I would very much like to see his latest photo. And those of most of you guys as well! Here's mine - not a proper saloon taken one. Richard, the one you sent me is a very good one of your family. Would you like to post it?

Regards,
Name: Hubert

FW: picture on airport roundabout

Ka Hiew,
Thanks for your recalling of the day out. BUt why did we stop at the roundabout?

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2008 20:22:05 -0700
From: sinkahiew@yahoo.com
Subject: picture on airport roundabout
To: hhhhiew@msn.com

If I can remember very well, we were on our way back after a class visit to see our "ancestors" at the Sepilok Orong Utan Centre at mile 14, with Mr. George Zakara. Am I right ?    Sin Ka Hiew

FW: Blog for St Mary's Old Boys 1970

Hi Jorgy (your name always remind me of that nice Seekers' pop song "Georgy Girl"),
Thanks for the lovely photo of yours. Maybe next time include the rest of the extended family! Well, this blog with our old photos is the time machine!

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 21:10:32 +0800
From: ajorgy@streamyx.com
Subject: Re: Blog for St Mary's Old Boys 1970
To: hhhhiew@msn.com

Hi Hubert,

thanks for the guide and manage to see the blog and the pics! Wow! imagine how happy all of us during those years.

Anyone have the time machine??? This pic of me taken in Dec,2007. Well guys! i am kungkung now with 6 grandchildren(3boys n 3girls)having ONLY ONE wife.

rgds.

Chi Hwa Beach

Hi,

 

Hubert, I think you were correct, the group photo in front of the atap house is likely to be along Sandy Plain ( Bah Sai Kong).

 

This attached photo must be at Chi Hwa Beach. The bare chest man introduced by me was Tommy Siew... Hubert in his jacket was wondering why always the attention on Tommy when he was obviously more handsome! Lawrence Chung Hee Meng was looking the other way and having none of this nonsense... his body language said it all... I did not belong to this gang... I was the pillar of the Ming Sing gang. .....Chung Tze Ting and Chiang Pin Thiam looked on as innocent supporting actors.

 

Tommy has agreed to look for old photos to post on the blog.... meanwhile he is again flying off to China on 10 June.... he saw the blog and told me that he would be searching for some old photos to share with you all.

 

 

Cheers

 

Kon Sang

Labuk Road Primary

Thanks Edward. Ka Hiew, are you talking about these photos? I think the first one is Primary 5 and the second is Pri 6. A few faces coming back to me e.g. Bonaventure (spelling?) Very interesting - pity they are not clear enough to identify some of the faces. I think I have lost these photos or I could not afford to buy them then? I think I was standing in the back row in both photos - first from the left. Didn't know I was that fashion conscious, with the Elvis hairstyle and turned up sleeves (trend in those days).

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

Hi Hubert,

I found these photos in my album. Two of them should be in primary 6( I think) and the other is our form five farewell party. You may want to put it on the blog.

Cheers,
Edward

Golfinger & His Boys

Hi,

Remember the party....could not figure out whether its Form 3 or Form 5... likely to be Form 5 judging from our age at the time. But I thought the party was staged outside Form 3 class?

Once, Tommy Siew was late for school and he tried to sneak in from the Teachers Quarters and through the banana trees outside our Form 4 class.Goldfinger saw him from the Principal office window and caught Tommy .... asked to see him (Goldfinger) after school. Tommy was asked to explain why he was late! His explanation was simple .... that morning, he took the wrong bus.... he boarded the Leila Road bus instead of the Labuk Rd bus! As you know, St Mary's is situated along Labuk Rd and is served by Labuk Road Bus Company.

Also once in Form 4, somebody put a big limestone rock in Tommy school bag... he carried it home and next day when he opened his school bag in class, he was surprised to find the rock inside .... it went to show he never opened his school bag to study when at home!..
..

Kon Sang

Inventing Bombs for bin Laden?

Victor,
Thanks. It seems only Camillo managed to apply this skill in life. As for me, it's been a total waste of time (doing the extensive non-stop homework dished out by Balam Goong) for a quantity surveyor!!!.

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

From: jongfui@hotmail.com
To: hhhhiew@msn.com
Subject: Photos
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 00:50:08 -0700

Are you familiar with these pictures? Regards Victor

---

At Sandakan Airport Roundabout

Hi,

 

I have posted 2 photos on our Form 5 outing ... see the happy faces on us before we ventured into the larger society to face the reality of life!

 

One photo (of the smaller group) is on the "Kampong Dog" gang members headed by Tommy Siew (who was not in that picture). The core members were Tommy Siew, Sim Kang Loon, Chang Kon Sang (ie myself. Hubert Hiew, Chung Tze Ting & Pang Mui Poh (correct spelling?).

 

The other gang is the "Ming Sing" (Movie Star) gang, some members whom you see in the other photo. As pointed out in Edward Chik/ Robert Fu posting, the Ming Sing gang members (ie including Edward and Robert) were the most sought after guys in town at that time.... still remember that Robert Fu had his much envied girl friend, Bernadette Kan, during his Form 5 days!

 

Of course, Hubert Hiew had the look of the Ming Sing gang and Tommy Siew always asked him to leave the Kampong Dog gang as he looked too handsome to be a gang member, Tommy was less harsh on Chung Tze Ting who equally possessed good look!

 

From the photo of the larger group, spot Tommy Siew (above Robert Fu and Ho Chi Min)? I was above Sim Kang loon and Edward Chik!. Some did not belong to either gang like Francis Fong, Camillo Cheng, Koh Chiat Hong, Kwan Kar Choi, Chong Vun Hing etc

 

Was the teacher Mr Zakaria ..... The Biology Teacher? 

 

Was the roundabout the one on the way to the Sandakan Airport?

 

Regards

 

Kon Sang ( Clement)