Penang Free School Class of 99 Reunion Dinner
22nd September 2009, Vistana Hotel Penang, 8.00pm
Let me put a brief chronology of events that night. Please note that the time is not exactly correct, but rather estimation:
7.20pm – The arrival of the earliest guest
8.15pm – Guest’ arrival pick up pace. Most of the attendee arrived and seated at their place
8.35pm – Headmaster Mr Ismail Ibramsa making his way to the hall accompanied by Farid
- Mr Ismail taking his time to meet everybody to shake hands and pass a little word or two to some students he know very well.
8.40pm – Mr Ismail Ibramsa is at his place. All guest stand up preparing to sing the school anthem
- Sing along the school anthem passionately. Feels like wants to play it one more time, but I guess everybody is hungry as hell.
- Mr Ismail Ibramsa makes his opening speech before the crowd. Memories of the school assembly flashes back, but it were without the famous sentence, “Guru- guru dan para pelajar………………. Selamat pagi…”
8.50pm – All are seated and rushes to the buffet counter ala recess time at school
- Serving for VIP is taking place
9.20pm – Hazairi perform some jokes about teacher’s accent and trademark signs. Then he continues with a song performance albeit some minor hiccups in the process.
- Sanjay introduces Yu Jian to give a little piece of his mind regarding school times and opinion about this event. He needed some encouragement to come forward to the rostrum.
- After Yu Jian, it’s time for Arif to make his statement on what really happened in 1998 leading to his sacking from PFS. Whatever the story was, he sums up quite brilliantly, “You kicked me out of the school, and it was the right thing to do.”
- Pro MC Zachry ‘Danok King’ Know showing a little bit of his profession in front of the stage.
- Sanjay introduces Mahadhir for a quick speech in front of his father. Although he was scheduled to perform, he declined politely but instead he gave a speech with some rhymes in it. He made a confession though, that “I never paid the mamak a single cent for the meal”. That answers all doubt I guess..
- The reluctant Farid & Nizar take center stage during this slot. While Farid strums to some classic melody, Nizar compliment by addressing a spontaneous poem. “Saya ponteng sekolah 150 hari, tapi hari ke 140 saya kantoi dengan guru besar”, follows by big laughter from the crowd.
- Farid turns to go solo with Kau Ilhamku by Man Bai. The crowd follows the chorus. I heard Choo Meng’s voice the loudest of them all. Hahahaha…
- Ridhuan’s turn to make a short speech, thanking all the committee members who worked hard to make this event a reality and especially all the guest and Mr Ismail who found the time to come to this small event. Without them, this event is as good as nothing.
- Mr Ismail Ibramsa takes the stage once again for his closing speech.
- Sanjay making some announcement regarding the planned group photo at the end of the show, reminding them not to leave just as yet. The crowd mingles around, having some chat, photo opportunity, eating and laughing.
- Time for the group photo with Mr Ismail Ibramsa.
- Event ends
The final headcount that night was 61 including VIP & spouses out of 270+. There is no doubt that this event can improve and will improve in the future. But with a proper planning and execution in a space of just 6 weeks does make it an event well done. Please bare in mind the organizing committee members was assembled in those 6 weeks window, including invitation, location surveys, program planning and artwork designs.
In terms of the attendance, the success rate was only about 23% making it quite disappointing reading. But in the space of 4 weeks to make all the invitation proves that our hard work does pays off. In 120 people invited, 55 responded.
In terms of programs, we have to be honest that it could improve a lot more. The originally planned slideshow didn’t materialize because of materials problems, and lucky draw because of budget constraint. In fact most of the programs that you witnessed that night were either spontaneous or pre- planned that very evening. Comparing to time, it was also a huge success.
The conclusion is, in the short space of time that we had, the event was well planned and executed without any major flaws and miscommunication involved, except the delivery of the door gift which had to be postponed due to not being ready on time. We had only about 6 weeks to assemble the committee members, meetings, designing the artwork, making the invitation and revision on certain issues. Although there are a lot of improvements can be made, this event does exceed our expectation in every area that we can think of.
Everyone had a great time and I’m sure this event is one to remember for a very long time. This is all about friendship & passion, with zero political motivation & ill intention.
To all the doubters, critics and non believers, I guess this has silence you all, but I would like to thank you because of you guys, we pushed even harder to make it happen..
This is the essence of PENANG FREE SCHOOL CLASS of 1999
See you guys in the next event!
