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)

 

Group Photo

Hi,

 

I think the group photo is a bit blurred and its hard for me to recognise all of them... Near me, I think its Sim Kang Loon, Chong Ken Foh, Chang Kon Sang (ie myself), a tall boy (who is he?), Thomas Siew, Chung Tze Ting, Ho Chi Min, Koh Chiat Hong, Khoo Pui Chew, James Chai, Edward Chik, Sin Ka Hiew....

 

Above Jorgy Juana is Kenneth Awang.

 

I remember we have a Kadazan boy by the name of Jimmy Gimbak in our class but cannot recognise him from the photo? He must be the only Kadazan boy in our class. I got to know more Kadazans after coming over to Kota Kinabalu La Salle for Lower & Upper Six.

 

Re the St Mary's Town School Primary Six party, I cannot find the likeness of myself there.... was I there? But I remember there was another St Mary's Boy party held in Frederick Ong house down Singapore Street... it was held at night .... and there because Dennis Ong (Frederick Ong elder brother) was our Primary Six teacher? Anybody from the Town School remember this party?  What about some of our old St Mary's boys in Sandakan getting Dr Frederick Ong onto our old boy network?

 

Wow, the photo taken at the beach....was it Chi Hwa Beach? We were all boys then, young, innocent and idealistic .... (now do we all have hidden secrets and far from innocent?) I used to go to Chi Hwa Beach and remember the atap house.............. Hubert Hiew must also do!

 

Just attach my recent photo taken in April 2008.

 

 

Regards

 

Kon Sang

Primary 6 (Town) Photos

Hi All, (edited by Hubert)
These two scanned photos of St.Mary's (town) Primary 6 with Father Windrom will bring bring back memories. I'd scanned them in as high a resolution as possible so we can 'zoom' in to get a better view. Will see if I can find Form3 class photo. Apologies to those of you from the St. Mary's (Mile 2) - do you have a photo of Primary 6? Could we all help to name those present in the first photo please? Especially the girls (ladies now).
If my memories is correct ..
Benjamin Chan (kneeling)
Seated are the Ladies: Fr.Windrom in the centre....

Ist row standing: ? ? VictorNg ChongNyukFong LawrenceChong
ChaiHingWing ? Chong? EdmundKwan? CamilloCheng JuliusHo ChongManTat ? RjandraPatel ? Tan?(nickname prawnhead) Yousef Humdan Dahalan JorgyJuana MichaelChia

2nd row: ? JamesChiang MichaelHo AlbertKoh LimFookMing ? RichardChan ChanSuOnn ? HoHingWai LeongYinChoi ?

Apologies to those I'd miss named & I stand corrected on any errors &
please add in those I'd marked ? Please do not take offence on my
error.

Absent(?) are: 3 Tan brothers (KungTuan KungHeng CheeFui), Suliaman
Humdan, JimmyGumbad, AhmedYunis, KenethAwang, JamesChai,TommySiew, HoTzeMing, LeongMingYee, LeeLenFook & Wing, CheahPoLim, WongManKong, etc Can't remeber all (as well as mental block).

Edward - I think the young lady 2 to the right of Fr. W is Selina!!??!!

Cheers & regards,

ChanKianNyak, Richard

Name List of Our Class (Form 5)

Dear All,

I have prepared a list of the names of our class (including the teachers) as far as I can remember. Your input in filling the gap or correcting any names will be much appreciated of course.

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

Richard Chan & Clement Chang's Photo

Sorry Richard and Clement, I hope you don't mind I forward this to our blog - I thought this is a good photo of you both.

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

How is this one?

Hi, Guys

 

I hesitated in telling you this one but it's a true story. About two years ago, a former client ("former" because I have changed jobs twice last year in search of greener pastures) wanted my blessing for him to sell a small parcel of blue chip securities. He owned quite a large investment portfolio and his reason for selling a small parcel was to raise some money so that he could go back to Hong Kong for a month holiday to catch up with his former school mates and former work colleagues. I gave him my blessing and strongly encouraged him to make the trip since he was still quite fit at the ripe old age of 82 albeit he needed a walking stick to steady his steps. His mind was sharper than yours and he was able to track his investments very well.

 

A few months later, he walked into my office and I asked him, "Mr Chan, how was your Hong Kong holiday and did you manage to catch up with your former school mates and ex-colleagues?" There was a minute of silence and an audible sigh from him before he answered, "No, I didn't get to meet any of my buddies." "Why?", I asked. With a choke in his throat, he answered, "They are all gone, every single one of them, no longer on earth."

 

Within months after his return from Hong Kong, his health deteriorated quickly and he nearly collapsed on Wickham Street in Chinatown while walking with me to have some yum-cha. I suggested there and then that we should skip yum-cha since he was in no condition to climb up to a "yum-cha-lau" (literally yum-cha in a tower where you would need to climb up a staircase). Shortly after that incident, his wife who was a few years younger, told me that he could no longer walk. His investments were slipping out of his control, and sadly, he couldn't trust any of his grown-up children who were residing in Hong Kong, America and Australia.

 

The moral of this story? Don't leave our reunion until we couldn't walk or couldn't eat too much because of our cholesterol level. You all remember how skinny I was in school. I'm still skinny and it doesn't worry me. What worries me is my rising cholesterol level which means I need to be very careful with my diet.

 

Cheers,

James

FW: What time can do

Dear All,
I think this is cute and so would like to share this with some who may not have read this!

Regards,
Hubert Hiew

---

From: edward_selina@hotmail.com
To: alsuekoh@yahoo.com; camillo@goldenpheasantfoods.com; htsabah@tm.net.my; hhhhiew@msn.com; jdchai88@yahoo.com.au; richard.r.chan@gmail.com; foorfoo@hotmail.com
Subject: What time can do
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:57:07 +1000

Hi guys,
 
 
At one time or another, Robert Foo and I are amongst the most sought after bachelors in Sandakan. If you look at the 1970s photo you will no doubt understand why. However after 30 years, it is another story as evidenced by he second photo. Have we got another 30 years? I guess it is really time for us all to get together and see for ourselves how much time have change us and to share some good old times stories while we still can. We have to make this reunion a reality and soon too.
 
 
Cheers,
Edward

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Hotmail on your mobile. Never miss another e-mail with

Send yur messages or comments/Selected Previous Emails

Some selected previous mails below. You can post new messages or post your comments. You need a gmail account. If you do not have one, use this one: stmaryoldboys@gmail.com and the password is "Goldfinger". Don't forget to sign off with your name!

[A].
Dear All Old boys of St. Mary's (Form 5 1970 batch), How are you all? I trust you are all well. I managed to keep in constant touch with Clement Chang only. So it was good to hear from Richard Chan again. Then I thought of establishing a contact list of all the old boys of St. Mary's (Form 5 1970 batch). Hence this email to all you guys. The list should capture all the old boys from the 1970 Form 5 Class A (others may also be considered) and each and everyone of us should pitch in to expand this initial list of 5 people only. For those who receive this email (now and subsequent to this first email of mine), please
1. complete the attached excel list
2. forward this email with the updated excel file to those with whom you keep in touch, AND copy to all in the mailing list.
With our network list,
1. we can plan our re-union say in 2013 when most of us would be at least 60 years old and would have retired and therefore should be free to travel
2. we can keep in touch by emailing to one another no matter in which corner of the earth we are living.
Looking forward to hearing from you all, Regards,Hubert Hiew
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[B].
Hi All, Wonderful!! Hubert had the jump on me, thanks. Much appreciated. I hadbeen slowly getting emails of the few of us and through other contactsto meet up with old class mates. Guess we are all getting on in lifeand the wish of seeing old school friensds gets stronger every year.(speaking personally that is). Richard
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[C]

Hi All,

I hope & wish this will snowball into a good source of information for"lost" contacts. Thanks Hubert for the extra info on Bros Xavier &Frederick. Edward told us about Victor & Fu Ka Hung but not sure ifthey use emails. Lee Len Hock & L.L.Wing (the twins) are in Sandakan; contact LawrenceChong to find them. As well as Kwan Sang Ming (he was in the townprimary but drop back a year @ Primary 4, I think. Hubert, I'd sent the Old Boys List in a separate email as well - mycomputer at home is playing up. The Form 5 photo is curtesy of EdwardChik (he'd sent that to me a few years back). Cheers,Richard
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[D].
Hi, Guys

Jude Ng has taught us some useful lessons about life. In some way, many of us have been living like Robinson Crusoe, all alone by ourselves on our little islands. The only thing that has helped us in maintaining our sanity is our daily talking companions, our wives. Friday was Robinson's talking companion and he (Friday) was the reason Robinson was able to carry on living on his island.

What I wanted to say is that it is unsatisfactory for us to carry on living like Robinson, even with our Fridays by our side. We need to get off our little islands and re-establish contact and re-build relationships with our former school mates. Life has a lot more to offer us than our hitherto Robinson-like existence.

Welcome, Victor, to our growing club

James Chai
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A blog for our club!

Well fellas, I think a blog will be another if not better means of communication with one another. I just learned to create blog so please be patient and bear with me. I need to post this first. In the meantime I have to figure out if it is possible to insert our details somewhere instead of the Excel file.