Separated by time and vast distances, nearly 60 members of the ACS Class of 57 converged in Singapore on 12 February for their 50th anniversary reunion dinner at the Temasek Club. Some jet-hopped from as far as Canada, Britain, Australia, Hong Kong and Sabah for this historic occasion – their nostalgic link to the past!

Many had not met for four or five decades. Yet they chatted and bantered with such ease and familiarity, giving the impression they were only separated for a few months. Glasses clinked and chopsticks clicked as the classmates, together with five former teachers, feasted on Yusheng dishes and other delicacies in the true Chinese New Year tradition. It was an enjoyable evening of hearty laughter, wisecracks and karaoke sessions, and a fitting climax after a year of preparation involving tracking down of long-lost classmates through the internet, emails, snail-mails and phone calls.

For the cohort of 1957, this get-together offered a rare opportunity to cement old school ties and relive their childhood and teenage experiences, which many agree were the happiest years in their life. The group is a fascinating mix of men of varied interests with working stints in the Government, military, commerce, finance, industry, the professions and Christian ministry.

This batch of classmates spent the best of the fifties together in ACS. It was a different world then. Singapore was then a sleepy town with slums, private taxis and dirty narrow streets. There were no TV and school children were happy playing marbles, flying kites and catching spiders. The scenario today has changed significantly. School children are now clicking the computer mouse, listening to MP3 players and keeping in contact with each other through mobile phones. Singapore has also transformed into a modern high-tech city state and business hub with high speed trains, trendy shopping malls, posh hotels and tall skyscrapers.

Such is the dramatic, mind-boggling transformation of the Singapore scene and lifestyle over the past few decades. Not surprising, a quick glance at the cohort at the reunion bash also showed that their physical appearances - bruised by the wear and tear of time – have also changed dramatically. But the spirit of camaraderie among them remains intact – and withstood the test of time. This spirit is akin to the ACS spirit – the social glue that binds the Class of 57.

Soh Tiang Keng