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On 26th of December 2014 sixty-odd 50
year olds gathered at the Singapore Cricket
Club. The camaraderie, laughter, joy and
absolutely nonsensical chitchat, just like it
used to be in the tuck shops and corridors
of ACS/ACJC, was remarkable. Yes- it was
a gathering of the ACS Class of 1980 and
the ACJC Class of 1982.
As we streamed in, there were occasional
exchanges of blank expressions as some
of us looked somewhat dissimilar to our
younger selves. Some had gained an extra
pound or two and a stray of grey hair,
although there were the suspicious few who
had the same jet-black hair from thirty years
ago. Even an exchange of names did not
help. I shook hands with this buff guy and he
said “Hi I am Eugene”. I went “Huh?”. He
then said “I’m Bukom” and my immediate
response was “Bukom! Of course you are
Bukom (who the hell is Eugene)….and
hey look that is McGoo and on his left is
Hernia!”. The everlasting memories of
old nicknames allowed us to reconnect
in an instant!
As the evening progressed we exchanged
old stories remembering all the fun and
laughter and the teachers and friends from
those wonderful years. Like Neville said in
his Facebook post “It was like we never
left”. And with all such gatherings, the hours
slipped away like the last 30+ years - too
quickly.
Through the exchange of conversations
it became evident that we ACSians had
permeated a wide spectrum of society. One
thing that shone through however was the
ACS spirit, which connected us regardless
of race, language, religion, profession or
social status.
Sadly some were no longer with us ….
a sober reminder that we should meet
more often. We agreed to meet soon and
democratically declared that our Head
Prefect would organize the next gathering
as the Class of 80 celebrates its 35th
Anniversary of leaving ACS, together with
all who joined the ACS family in ACJC.
The fact that the ACS family has a place
for one and all is evident from the fact that
this article was written by one who failed
his GP!!!
This gathering was fantastic………but The
Best is Yet To Be!!!
By “An ACSian thoroughbred”
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