Chong Chi Nai and Richard Lim Ngee Hong back in Kuching

The boys had a little get-together in Kuching ... in fact, more than one makan session, I think.

Here are two photos ... maybe more later.

Dinner at Top Spot

(15 is either their table number or the age they would like to be again)

A bigger group gathering for makan the next day

L to R (standing): Richard Lim Ngee Hong, Bob Chew Pok Vun;

(seated) Robert Chin, Chong Chi Nai, Alfred Wong Kah Kung

Welcome back, boys. Visit more often !

Bertram Chew - Back in Kuching

Just a quick post to share that our former schoolmate Bertram Chew (Form 5 Arts 1, 1976) is currently back in Kuching. Bertram has been resident in Canada for many years.

Here are a couple of photos of a little get-together tonight at Badger Bar, Sarawak Club with boys of that vintage ...

Have fun guys!

Rest in Peace, Rev Bro Albinus

Rev Bro Albinus O'Flaherty was called to the Lord while at Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur at 11:28am on Sunday 4th August 2013.

Bro Albinus was born Michael O'Flaherty into a farming family in the village of Ballyhoneen in County Kerry, Ireland on 23rd May 1930. He has had an illustrious career spanning more than five decades. After working for a few years in Singapore, he was first posted to St Joseph's School, Kuching in 1960 and became its principal later. After a decade at St Joseph's, Bro Albinue was transferred to Sacred Heart School, Sibu where he was principal from 1972 to 1987. After retirement in 1987, he served at St Joseph's Parish Tuition Centre and also at St Patrick's Private School. In 2002, he founded Yayasan Lasallian Kuching.

Part of a Borneo Post article (Tuesday, 6th August 2013) on Rev Bro Albinus ..

The funeral for Rev Bro Albinus took place on the morning of 8th August 2013 in Kuching. He was laid to rest at St Joseph's Cemetery.

Rev Bro Albinus was one of the pillars of the La Salle Brothers mission serving in Sarawak. A great teacher, principal and man. He made an immeasurable difference in the lives of generations of students at St Joseph's School, Kuching, Sacred Heart School, Sibu, and all the other educational institutions he has been involved with.

Thank you Bro Albinus. Rest in Peace. You will be missed.

Happy Chinese New Year of the sssssssssssSnake !

May the Year of the Snake bring Health, Wealth and Happiness to All !

An Appeal for Felix Leong

Today we wish to highlight the plight of one of our fellow Josephians of the Seventies. I heard the news from Leo Sia just a few days ago.

Felix Leong Hsiung Jit was from St Joe Form 5A1 class of 1978. Five months ago, while alighting from a bus, he had an unfortunate accident. He fell and hit his head on an uncovered drainage hole, breaking two vertebrae on his neck (C4 and C5). He lost all feeling from neck downwards.

Felix was admitted to Sg Buloh Hospital in Selangor where he has been ever since. He has regained some sensation in his lower body but not movement. Minimal SOCSO was claimable. He also had no other insurance.

His wife is taking care of him full-time, and apparently they are running out of funds.

The St Joe Class of 78 rallied to his assistance over the past week after being alerted to his situation. They have so far contributed about RM7K+ and deposited into his account, which Felix has acknowledged. A number of them also visited him, lifting his spirits (see photos at end of posting).

He has to remain in Sg Buloh Hospital for the time being, where there are spine specialists to attend to him for rehabilitation and physiotherapy.He indicated that he may be discharged before CNY but needs to remain in Selangor for follow-up rehab and physio. Much as he would love to, he is unlikely to be moved back to Kuching for the time being as apparently the only available spine specialist is not at the General Hospital.

The purpose of this posting is to make more Josephians and friends aware of the predicament of one of ours. If you are able to, any assistance rendered in whatever manner, will be most appreciated. Sons and daughters of St Joseph's, over to you ...


Points of Contact
Dominique Ng Kim Ho (5Sc1 1978), former member of the State Legislative Assembly (Padungan), has done much to rally aid for his form mate. If you like, you can communicate any form of support you wish to give Felix through Dominique. His email is ng_dominique@yahoo.com and his mobile number is +6016-8661718.

Or you may also contact Felix (or his wife) on his mobile +6011-29019908.

You can also leave your comments of encouragement  and well wishes on this  posting, which will be picked up by Felix and family. 

                                   

                                           Former form mates and friends visiting Felix at hospital

Lipp Kee back in Singapore before heading to Canada

Our old buddy Chieh Lipp Kee (Form 5, 1976) is back in Singapore for a couple of days before he heads home to Vancouver, Canada.

We had a late night snack at Newton Food Centre.

Happy New Year 2013

May the new year be even brighter and better than the one just over.

Chieh Lipp Kee back in Kuching

Another mini-reunion of guys from Form 5 (1976), this time in Kuching, to welcome old friend Lipp Kee back to town. I believe the delicious dinner was held at best King's Curry.

A Mini-Reunion in PJ

A few of the boys from Form 5 (1976) were in Petaling Jaya recently and had a catch-up at FRIDAYS at The Curve.

Can you recognise the six handsome individuals?

Condolences to Robert Chin and family

Our deepest sympathies to our friend Robert Chin and family on the passing of Lena Poh Ai Kiang, loving wife and mother.

May she rest in peace.

Merry Christmas 2012

Here's wishing all our friends who celebrate this day a Very Merry Christmas

... and to everyone a Happy New Year and a Relaxing Holiday.

Latest on our Beloved Brothers

Here's a recent photo that I received.

You can see Bro Mark and Bro Columba standing, and seated are Bro Arian and Bro John (biological brother of Bro Adrian).

For those who would like to contact them, they live at

La Salle Pastoral Centre
Castletown
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Ireland.

I also have Bro Columba's new email. Contact me at jslyong@hotmail.com if you want to have it.

Happy Deepavali !

DEEPAVALI (also Diwali or Dewali) marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. It loosely translates to "Row of Lights", or "Festival of Lights" (Sanskrit: dipa=lamp, awali=row, line). This day celebrates the victory of Goodness over Evil, and Light over Darkness. It ushers in the new year.

So here's wishing all our Hindu friends Happy Deepavali !

Peter Tiong in Kuching

Sawasdee krup. Peter Tiong, who currently resides in Bangkok, Thailand, was recently back in Kuching for a few days.

Here are some get-togethers with old friends from Form 5 (1976) ...

Pic 1: After enjoying Kolo Mee at Green Road

Pic 2: Drinks with old buddies at Sarawak Club

Pic 3: Mr Sim and Mr Tiong meet for the first time in 36 years

Pic 4: With Alfred Wong, Kho Kian Hock and James Yong

Welcome back Pete. Hope you'll be back in good ol' PussTown more often.

Happy Malaysia Day 2012

Malaysians celebrate Hari Kebangsaan on 31st August each year.31st August actually commemorates the day Malaya got independence from the British.

However the day which holds more significance to Sarawakians is 16th September 1963, the day that Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore joined up with the Federation of Malaya to form the new nation called Malaysia.We call this Malaysia Day.

So let me wish you all a Happy Malaysia Day !

SKY Back in Kuching

Our buddy SKY was back in Kuching a few days ago. He is a resident in Oz these days.

Here's a group photo taken at Sarawak Club with old buddies.

See how many people you can name ...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2012

How time flies ... Another year has passed  ...

Here's wishing all Muslim friends a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin! And to non-Muslim friends,  have a good holiday.

A Photo 36 Years in the Making

I just met up with my classmate and old friend from St Joe, Chong Chi Nai. He and and his family are in Singapore for a few days enroute to NZ. We met for breakfast this morning and had a good catch-up chat.

Chi Nai and I were classmates for a very long time - from Primary 1 until Form 5Sc (1976). I left St Joe for UK at the end of 1976 while Chi Nai continued to Form 6, then proceeded to New Zealand for further studies. This is the first time we have met since 1976. 

Dr Chong Chi Nai works for the Asian Development Bank, where he is presently Country Director for Laos, and based in Vientiane.

Looking good, buddy. Keep in touch.

Brothers in Sports, Brothers in Law

I recently heard the wonderful news of the wedding of John Lee Jr and Ng Ai Joo on 27th June 2012 at the Town Hall in Huddersfield, England. Heartiest congratulations to the beautiful bride and dashing groom.

Congratulations also to the proud parents, Mr & Mrs John Lee and Mr & Mrs Jensen Ng Koon Teck. As some of you might know, John and Koon Teck were classmates in Form 5 Arts 1 (1976). They were also excellent sportsmen and great buddies during the 70's at St Joe. Check the end of this posting for a nostalgic photo from those days.

Here are the bride and groom with their parents and parents-in-law ...

Photo 1

The following photos are from a selection of images sent to me by John and Jensen ...

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

Photo 7

Photo 8

Let us join together to offer a good ol' Josephian toast to the bride and groom and their families. Lift your glasses now .... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM SENG .... again ... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAM SENG ... and once again .... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM SENG !!!!! Woooooooo!


And finally, for that photo from the 70s ... if I'm not mistaken, this was actually taken in 1973 ...  good looking blokes huh?

WJ's Note: The photo above was first posted in my earlier blog for the Josephian Fifth Formers of 1976. Click HERE to link to it if you are interested.

Middle of 2012 - Musical Interlude

Do you realise that by the end of today, we would have reached the middle mark of the year 2012? Wow, how time flies !!!

Anyway to commemorate the occasion, I pulled in a couple of 70's musical numbers that you may enjoy ... so turn up the volume and sing along if you know the lyrics ...

E.L.O. with "Living Thing" (1977)

Santana's "Black Magic Woman" with some sensual visuals

Simon and Garfunkel with the classic "The Sound of Silence"

Enjoy .... and have a nice 30th of June 2012.