0312 Lunch Get-together

Rarely anybody would ever think of having an opportunity to meet former colleagues and friends, irrespective of their background, positions held, experience and past accomplishments, whom we had ever worked together three, four or five decades ago. By chance, it came a time when someone simply thought of having a gathering to meet friends.

The idea of having a lunch gathering was mooted in early January 2016. Exchanges of information via WhatsApp, phone call, email and sms were communicated. The ball started rolling. The game had started without any preconceived planning.

With Liang Chye, Teo Choon Kiang, Ng Cheow Yang and Aw Chui Seng met and chatted, they started to work as a team once again. The 4th Batch OSs initiated a team to implement it.

Other teammates including Wong Chee Kong, Tok Kim Cheng, Goh Kee Huat, Koh Lee Eng, Andy Lim Seow Yong, Lim Jwee Heng, Chan Chee Kwan, Teoh Leong Huat, Lee Yeow Nee, Yu Su King, Ng Seng Kee, Jessie Thum, Tan Boon Hong, Rich Tan, Koh Lee Meng, Tan Meow Gek, Wong Loke Suan and many others in the diners’ name list also made tremendous effort to encourage others for their voluntary participation. I was lucky to be given a chance to help communicate the idea with the hope that it would translate into a meaningful and achievable action.

Unexpectedly, all our friends responded spontaneously, positively and voluntarily. Out of kindness, a friend even hinted and cautioned us that it was inappropriate to have no one bearing the eventual responsibility for organizing such a gathering as there were no authorized official organizers.

With utmost sincerity and trust, the participants expressed full enthusiasm, willingness, faith and competence. The total number of participants increased to 90 on reaching the closing date on 5 February 2016 for pre-registration.

Many including Catherine Sia Sow Peng , Lim Hai Tong, Low Kim Koon, Richard Tang CK, Low Wang, Chew Soy Miy, Tan Kon Guan, Tan Huah Lee, Chan Hok Chee, Tommy Tan Kah Seong, Jennifer Yeo, Kuek Ah Lek, Ang Gek Hiah, Tai Siew Eng, Tan Choi Eng and others whose names appeared in the name list also willingly lent their helping hands. They were truly very self-motivated as characterized by their usual selves.

Came 12 March 2016, many arrived at the Imperial Court completely engrossed in the fullness of joy to meet friends and former colleagues once again.

All the money collected was fully spent without a need to produce a statement of account. The team was at ease because five kind friends who wanted to remain anonymous had earlier pledged to make ends meet even before we ventured into it. Nothing was left behind except the valuable friendship that lingered on.

Freely mingling around, we chatted leisurely with free flow of drinks to accompany the fine dining. Group photos were taken by the respective dining tables before the lunch.

(This photo was intentionally made blurred)

The digital photos were collated into an A4-sized template. The soft copy was emailed to a printing company for a quick printing and fast delivery to the restaurant. We must express our special thanks to David Tan for his professional photographic work. The combined group photograph was presented as a gift to every participant for keepsake.

May all of us be blessed richly. We hope that all of us, being the Hosts and Guests-of-honor, had a Happy Reminiscence and a Fruitful Get-together.

Our Team takes pride in wishing everyone Good Health, Good Luck and Great Happiness.

(Written by Cheng Chew Peng dated 13 March 2016)