Tuesday 28 April 2009

Nusa Laila Puteri Berakas - The Reunion Part 2

After lunch was followed by a photo session, committee members of the event started arranging chairs for some games. First, we played the good-old-fashioned musical chairs. Then, we had the "Tunang, Kahwin and Cerai" (Engaged, Married and Divorced) game. This is a partnered game where one of the partners will play the role of the female while the other the male. When the game master shouts "Tunang", the teams have to face each other with the male character on his knee in a posture of a guy making a marriage proposal. If "Kahwin" is shouted out, the pair must meet their shoulders and lock their arms together while at the command of "Cerai", the pair will have their backs on each other. The freeze dance was played last which everyone would dance to the music and freeze when the music stops.

It was so much fun watching everyone enjoying the games, both teachers and ex-students and there were some really hilarious moments.

Before the event ended, a band played followed by the prize giving ceremony, which then led on to a final song number by the committee members.

Getting ready for musical chairs


Chairs are filled with excited players


The music stopped and everyone rushed for a seat


Quickly grabbing an empty seat


Lots of action going on the instant the music stops


The fight for an empty seat ended with laughters


With fewer chairs, the chairs were placed far apart.


And, we have a winner!


Next, the "Tunang, Kahwin, Cerai" game when "Tunang" has been shouted out.


"Cerai"


Teachers joining in the fun


Ustaz and another teacher playing the game


The teacher did the wrong action when "Tunang" was shouted, sending the audience in mad laughter as the teacher rolled on the floor in amusement. The judges who monitored the game were pointing fingers from on stage.




"Kahwin"


The judges on stage, giving out the commands and monitoring the participants.


Freeze!


Frozen in an odd position




Dance




This is a funny picture because the guy in red was scratching his nose when the music stopped and he had to freeze with his finger on his nose while the judges tried to distract him to lose composure. Participants are not allowed to laugh, smile or blink as well. Otherwise, they would be disqualified.




Friends trying to distract participants


Frozen facial expression


Funny poses












A volunteer performer joined in when the band was playing


Prize-giving ceremony








Committee member singing "auld lang syne" in Malay and other songs





Nusa Laila Puteri Berakas - The Reunion Part 1

26th April 2009 marked the reunion of Nusa Laila Puteri Berakas School, which is located near the Brunei Airport roundabout.

I arrived some time before one in the afternoon. Ex-students who were committee members of the event were busying about, getting final preparations ready. Some were cleaning the chairs while a few were standing by the gate ushering people in. Some girls oversaw to the registration and others were doing final rehearsal runs on their performance.

About an hour later after the arrival of the school president and school principal, the event kicked off with a beautiful emcee in lively yellow making warm introductions to welcome everyone who attended. This was followed by the invitation of several ex-students on stage for some life updates. Nusa Laila Puteri Berakas School ex-students have all grown up and are now living different lives. Some got married, some are still studying and some are working.

As everyone rose to the national anthem with flag hoising, a memory of customary school assemblies flashed in everyone's minds. The temperature of the afternoon was high but more so were the spirits of Nusa Laila Puteri Berakas' ex-students. Friendships rekindled from unforgotten memories as the afternoon progressed with remarkably inspiring speeches from the school president, Datu Diraja Dr Pg Hj Amir Muhd Yussof bin Pg Abas Al-Haj, and Dr Hjh Sharifah Noor binti Syed Ibrahim, the school principal. Next, came speeches by teachers before prayers were said to bless the event. We proceeded with games after a group photo session took place.

Cleaning the seats


Ex-students working on some final preparations


Rehearsing for a performance


Arrival of guests


Registration to keep contact details of everyone








Picking out a name tag


Comes in different colours.


Your name is to be written on one


Nope, it's not supposed to go in your mouth


But, stuck on somewhere visible to everyone


Ex-students seated and catching up


Enjoying pieces from the programme booklet


Ex-student greeting teacher Hj Abdul Razak








Pretty emcee in yellow, colour of Nusa Laila Puteri school uniform


Ex-students sharing with everyone their goings-on.




Flag Hoisters


Teacher, Principal and President


Ex-students singing the national anthem on stage




An ex-student making a speech




President making a speech


Performers are chilling backstage




Principal giving a speech




Male teacher giving a speech


Lady teacher giving a speech


Ex-student reciting a "sajak" (poem) with ardor






Principal was asked the reason for Nusa Laila Puteri's school uniform being yellow




A little play


Mass prayer recital


Ustaz Abdul Hadi leading the prayer recital


Time to eat!




Meeting old friends


Group photo of boys


Principal trying to coordinate the girls


Group photo of girls