Some 40 years ago, they were young teachers in their twenties when they bid farewell to each other after graduating from the Batu Lintang Teachers’ College (BLTC), in batches in the years of 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980.
They were posted to teach at various corners of the state; in the towns as well as rural settlements. Some even ended up in Sabah and Semenanjung Malaysia.
It was the first reunion dinner for some 167 of them, after four decades. Many of them have not seen each other ever since they left the college.
Not surprising that some of them could not even recognise the faces of their group mates or college mates (whose appearance had changed so much, some with all silver hair or semi bald head), not to mention remembering their names, due to the passage of time, which have taken a toll on their memory.
It was a moment filled with joy and some even burst into tears when they met and greeted each other. They emotionally shook hands and hugged each other at the dinner held at The Banquet Restaurant in Kuching last Sunday evening.
The event started with the singing of the college song. The song brought back memories of their college day’s happenings, especially their orientation week, during which they first learnt to sing the song.
They sang it for the last time during the Graduation Ceremony some 40 years ago. By now, most of them could not fully remember the lyrics of the song. Luckily the organiser had posted it in the WhatsApp group, so they read it from their mobile phones.
However, there was also a solemn movement, when the organiser led the participants to observe an one-minute silence to pay respect to their former college mates, more than 10 of them who had passed on over the last few years. Many of them just came to know about the sad news few days ago through the WhatsApp group.
At the age of over 60, all of them have retired from the formal teaching service in government schools. However, some still continue to work with the private sector or run their own businesses.
BLTC is now known as Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Batu Lintang (IPGBL) .
It was not easy to get such an event organised, and to get them to come together from different parts of the state.
Some flew in from Miri, Limbang, Lawas, Baram, Mukah and as far as Kuala Lumpur and Sabah. Some drive all the way from Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu areas.
This reunion was made possible, with the initiative of Johnny Bihud Apok, who is the former Social Secretary of the BLTC Students’ Union for the 1977-1978 batch. He took the first step by setting up a WhatsApp Group on June 18 known as BLTC Reunion 77,78 and 79, by adding some ex-college mates. Several of them responded and supported the idea.
Then each of them tried to pull in their ex-college mates. The list grew longer each day, in just over a month, the number had reached about 200.
“Initially, we targeted only some 60 participants, but it turned out to be 167, minus those who cannot made it due to other commitment,” explains Johnny, the organising chairman. A committee was formed later, to get the event going. Among them are co-chairman Paka Siam, Abdual Razak, George Bidol and Tony Unja. The secretary is Rosina Patrick, assisted by Elisabeth Nyaoi. The treasurer is Pauline Peot.
While enjoying the food and chit-chatting with one another over the stories of the good old days, they were entertained by the “BLTC Band” formed just for the function. It was led by Paka Siam — known as a talented musician ever since the college days — on the keyboard and violin, with Johnny Bihud as drummer, Tonny Unja and Raymond Sului as guitarists, with the help of another young guitarist Meldric Paka, the son of Paka.
The oldies music and songs they performed helped bring back more memories of the college days. Some even took to the floor for line dances, making the night more memorable. They are as energetic as they were young.
There was also a lucky draw session with prizes donated generously by the participants.
Abdul Razak Sepawi, the former president of the BLTC Students’ Union for 1978-1979, who had left the teaching profession and opted for the business sector well before retirement, was also supportive of the reunion. Not only did he turn up for the function, he also sponsored some of the prizes for the lucky draw.
When interviewed, he commented that the retired teachers who are knowledgeable and have vast experience in life are an invaluable asset to the society. While enjoying their freedom of time, they could keep themselves socially active by using their free time to get involved in community services to improve the welfare of the needy people, such as the old folk’s homes.
“Get yourself organised and I will try my best to give you the support if needed,“ he advised.
All the participants gave their thumbs-up to the organising committee for making the reunion possible and successful.
Some even commented that the evening of meeting was too short for them. “I wish the night had not ended so soon. There is just not enough time to talk to everyone. We have so many things to talk about. Imagine after over 40 years of not seeing one another. Oh, lots and lots of stories to tell and share,” Danobaque Anyie Eng said.
“Thank you so much the organising committee for the superb dinner. It is like a dream meeting all of you after more than 40 years. Hoping to see you all in the next reunion dinner,” a thankful Mutang Paturan who came all the way from Miri said. He was seen busy capturing every precious moment of the reunion with his camera.
After the success in organising the first reunion, with the feedback and requests from the participants, the organising committee is looking forward to have a grander reunion event early next year, hopefully with more participants and the committee is also planning to invite some of the former lecturers.
Chairman Johnny Bihud also hopes that more teachers who were in BLTC from 1974 to 1980 will come forward to join the next reunion dinner.
