THE OLD PAULIANS’ ASSOCIATION 98TH ANNUAL REUNION DINNER:
CELEBRATING ST PAUL’S INSTITUTION’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY
By Steven Chan Weng Choy, President of the Old Paulians' Association
The Old Paulians’ Association or the OPA as we are commonly known is a vibrant alumni association for the former students and teachers of St Paul’s Institution. Established in 1922, we have dedicated the past 98 years to fostering friendship and camaraderie among our members, as well as promoting sports, cultural, and recreational activities. Our proud home, the “Paulian House” located in Taman Bukit Kaya, Seremban, serves as a hub for our diverse activities and stands as one of the few alumni associations with its own property. Traditionally, every first Saturday of every September, we host a grand homecoming event, drawing over 1,500 Paulians from around the world to celebrate our shared heritage. Just to name a few, notable and prominent Paulians, include The Minister of Transport for Malaysia, YB Anthony Loke, who is also the Patron of our Association, The Member of Parliament for Rasah, YB Cha Kee Chin, Founder & Group Managing Director of Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad, Dato Seri Lee Tian Hock, Managing Director of ECM Libra, Dato Lim Kian Onn, Supreme Court Judge of Singapore, Justice Lee Sieu Kin, and Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Rev. Julian Leow Beng Kim.
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This year, 2024 marks a momentous milestone in the history of St. Paul’s Institution as we celebrate the 98th OPA Annual Reunion Dinner while commemorating the school’s 125th Anniversary. In the lead up to this grand event, OPA organized two successful initiatives which is the OPA Annual Games Carnival and the OPA Annual Golf Tournament. Both these events brought together Paulians from across generations, with over a hundred participants joining in the spirit of unity. A special highlight was a Honda 1.5L Hybrid Car donated by Messrs. Honda Ban Lee Heng, Seremban, which was put up as a “Hole in One” prize during the golf tournament. Marking this illustrious anniversary, we also introduced two special souvenirs, the Paulian Commemorative Tee Shirts and the Paulian Commemorative Mugs of the alma mater 125th anniversary, which were eagerly embraced by our Paulian community.
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The main event took place on 07 September 2024, at Regent Hall, Taman Labu Utama, Seremban, under the theme of “Our Pride and Legacy” – Celebrating St. Paul’s 125th anniversary. This theme aptly honored the rich history and cherished traditions of St. Paul’s, ensuring that the memories and heritage of our beloved institution endure for future generations. The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including YB Cha Kee Chin, the Member of Parliament for Rasah, YB Nicole Tan, the State Exco for Tourism, Arts and Culture, His Grace Archbishop Rev Julian Leow, Lasallian Brothers, Br. Mico De Leon FSC, Br. Butch Alcudia FSC, representatives from fellow Lasallian Alumni, School Board Chairmen, Headmasters, and esteemed former teachers. The evening was filled with fellowship, camaraderie, unity and joyous memories.
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The Opening commenced with an enchanting lion dance performance, welcoming our honored guests, including Member of Parliament YB Cha Kee Chin and State Exco Member YB Nicole Tan, who each received a specially designed OPA Pendant Flag. Following the lion dance performance, the national anthems were sung with great patriotic fervor, followed by the spirited singing of the School Rally led by the President and his esteemed committee. The traditional toasts to His Royal Highness, the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, our Alma Mater, and our guests were made with pride, fostering a sense of unity among the attendees. In his welcoming address, the OPA President reflected on the theme “Our Pride and Legacy”, highlighting the enduring impact St Paul’s on each of us. He emphasized how St Paul’s Institution has served as more than just an educational center, but also has been a nurturing ground for exceptional individuals, instilling the core values of the Lasallian Foundation.
The President also paid tribute to the unwavering dedication of the Lasallian Brothers, who have persevered through adversity for over a century in Malaysia, selflessly delivering education to “the last, the lost and the least”. He reminded us to cherished their legacy and live by the values they instilled, reaffirming the OPA’s commitment to preserving our rich tradition and supporting our alma mater’s growth. His poignant reference to a remark from the late Br. James Macken, the last Brother Director of the school, underlines the exceptional loyalty of OPA towards the institution.In a heartfelt address, YB Cha Kee Chin, a Paulian himself from the Class of 1994, acknowledged the OPA’s relentless support for its long-standing dedication to advancing our alma mater, a mission driven Institution partially supported by the government. He commended the selfless dedication of those associated with OPA and the significant impact they have made on the lives of countless students. Reflecting on the past 125 years, he urged all present to continue nurturing the legacy of excellence and compassion that has defined St. Paul’s Institution.As testimonials to our legacy, Awards such as the prestigious Tan Sri Chan Choon Tak Award for the most outstanding student of St Paul’s, Congratulatory Awards to Paulians being conferred Royal titles, and the OPA Scholastic Awards for academic excellence were presented. The unity of the Paulian community was further solidified during the cake cutting ceremony by VVIPs and OPA Executive Committee Members through the rendition of Cliff Richard’s “Congratulations”. Throughout the night, the band in attendance, the “Half Baked Duo” comprising Soon King and Liza captivated us and kept us entertained with harmonious melodies and rock numbers, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that complemented the evening. A slide show on the “History of St Paul’s: The Tradition, Legacy and Pride” were also part of the agenda bringing back the many meaningful and valuable memories on St. Paul’s Institution. As Paulians, we certainly take pride in being part of this incredible milestone, having come this far to celebrate our 125th anniversary.
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Another highlight of the event was the unveiling of another OPA project, “The Paulian Arch” at St Paul’s Institution, Mont Lasalle, as a symbol of our unyielding spirit and solidarity, serving as a lasting homage to all Paulians. This project has garnered overwhelming support from our community, reflecting our collective dedication to preserving and enhancing our beloved institution.
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The 98th OPA Annual Reunion Dinner commemorating St Paul’s 125th Anniversary was celebrated more than tradition. It was a renewal of our commitment to uphold and advance the values instilled by St. Paul’s Institution. As we stand at the threshold of our next century, the legacy of the La Salle Brothers and the cherished memories continue to inspire us, ensuring that St. Paul’s endures as a beacon of educational excellence and community solidarity in Malaysia. With gratitude to our past and hope for the future, we affirm, “ONCE A PAULIAN, ALWAYS A PAULIAN.”
