BMHS Boys Chinese New Year Gathering 2008

It took a phone call from thousands of miles away, California to be exact, to turn this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations rather poignant as well as extremely meaningful for me and no less than two dozens other ex-BMHS (Bukit Mertajam High School) boys. In fact, some have not even seen one another for over nearly thirty years!

Thus, with a little trepidation, I lugged my video equipment along (I had volunteered to be that evening’s unofficial camera-man) and proceeded to Peng Lim’s house right in the middle of a thunderstorm which chose to shower us with its ‘blessings’ an hour before the event. It was a much needed respite after several days of unbearable hot weather. Fortunately, the rain eased up and stopped all together at about seven.

The first to turn up, other than me of course, was Kok Sun (Sunny Tan) who is the CEO of a financial institution in the US. He reminded me of the terrible reality that most of us would have changed drastically the minute he walked right past without even a hint of recognition on his face although he had seen me setting up my camera at the porch. It was only when I asked if he was there for the gathering that he remembered my unmistakable voice (we had talked over the phone a few weeks prior to that).

The same scenario was played out as more of the guys arrived. A few of us had much difficulty putting names to the faces that we met as the guys had taken on a whole new physical appearance not only in terms of kilos gained but also the colour of their hair. Those who had managed to maintain a healthy mane of black were subjected to close scrutiny and interrogated, CIA style, whether they were guilty of using hair dye.

Our host, Peng Lim, had worried unnecessarily about procuring the services of a food caterer for the evening due to the Chinese New Year holidays. Some of the old boys had brought their own food which was more than sufficient considering the fact that everyone was either too excited to eat or had already taken an early meal before they came. Undeniably, what was on everybody’s mind that evening was to renew old ties and catch up on what is happening in one another’s life so the food was secondary. However, after the excitement had died down and the gastric juices had started flowing, everything that was laid out on the buffet table was ‘attacked’ voraciously. Thanks to the ‘angels’ in the food department for their thoughtful gesture.

Perhaps the evening’s mood was somberly vocalized by Pathu who, in his emotionally-charged eulogy, explained how he had to make a difficult decision to be present for this event despite being invited to another one organized by his colleagues and acquaintances on the island. After all, it is not every day that you get to meet up with ex-classmates and friends whom you grew up with. After leaving school, many of them had pursued their individual goals and taken different paths in life. While relentlessly carving a place for themselves in the competitive world, most would have lost touch with one another as career and family took precedence over everything else. Thus, this gathering was a much needed panacea to the pressures of the corporate environment as everyone threw out protocol and conformity and just were themselves for once. Titles like CEOs, doctors, developers, lawyers and others were meaningless. Lines between executives and non-executives were blurred or non-existent. Everyone was just as they were, thirty years ago.

The evening ended at about two the next morning and would have continued further if not for the constant ringing of hand phones from the guys' spouses imploring them to return to the coop. Perhaps, the wives & kids should be encouraged to tag along for next year's reunion.

It has been suggested and unanimously agreed that this be made an annual event. Hopefully, those who failed to make it this year, regardless of where they are residing now, will make it one of their new year resolutions not to miss any future gatherings of the same.

Here are the videos and pictures taken at the gathering.



BMHS Boys CNY Gathering 2008 Clip 01




BMHS Boys CNY Gathering 2008 Clip 02