PETALING JAYA: As the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Ipoh turned 131 years, three of its icons were given a rousing tribute by their alumni.
Its former teacher V.K. Vincent Daniel, 98, actor-director Mano Maniam, 79, and Dr Chai Hon Chan, 95 – all of whom died recently - were given a standing ovation, followed by a moment of silence at the alumni’s Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley chapter reunion at the Kingdom Palace Restaurant in 3 Damansara.
Vincent composed the school’s song ‘Not so very long ago’ as an 18-year-old student after being summoned for the task by principal Rev Ho Seng Ong in 1947, just as Malaya was recovering from the Japanese Occupation of World War II.
After completing his Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1947, Vincent was appointed a teacher at ACS Ipoh the following year, and taught there till 1957.
In 1954, he accepted a scholarship to Illinois Wesleyan University in the US to pursue a degree in English and music.
Upon his return, Vincent became the newly established Methodist School’s principal in Banting, Selangor and served there until his retirement in 1983.
Mano, a celebrated Malaysian drama teacher, voice-over artist and writer, was more famously known as Uncle Chan from the Kopitiam sit-com television series.
He also had roles in the Hollywood blockbuster, “Anna and the King”, and Netflix series “Marco Polo”, as well as starred in several local English and Tamil dramas on TV.
Chai was among the pioneer batch of 150 to graduate from the Malayan Teacher’s Training College in Kirkby, Liverpool, England in 1953.
He was a Colombo Plan and Fullbright scholar and went on to graduate from Harvard University, the United States before becoming among five founding members of the education faculty of University Malaya.
In 1978, Chai joined the World Bank in Washington D.C. and penned several books.
Paying the tribute, chapter chairman Peter Lee Siew Choong, 83, described the trio as unforgettable icons of the school founded by Rev William Horley in 1895.
“We have come a long way and many of us alumni have made great strides in our own careers, contributing immensely to society and the country.
“Vincent, Mano and Chai’s names will be etched in the ACS annals for the benefit of future generations to remember,” said Lee, a lawyer.
Howden Insurance Brokers advisor John Lam Peng Charm, 81, had full of praise for Vincent’s effort in composing the school song, thus, rewriting history.
“The talented Vincent’s tune was fantastic and unique as the song is still very much alive and sung by thousands of students and alumni.
“We have sung it so many times that we have memorised the lyrics and can now sing it (without looking at it),” said Lam.
Chin San Sooi, 85, recalled Vincent as his class teacher with full of energy and specialising in religious knowledge.
“He was instrumental in me returning to the same school to teach english literature and drama,” said Chin.
Kuppusamy Rengasamy, 76, said he was proud to be part and parcel of the three iconic alumni.
“They have brought glory to the school in their very own ways,” said Kuppusamy, a businessman.
1984 Los Angeles Olympics hockey fullback Jagjit Singh, 65, said Vincent’s school song was one of the popular tunes in the country.
“Very easy and melodious, indeed,” said Jagjit, who retired as a lieutenant-colonel with the Royal Signals Regiment and whose father Chet Singh taught at the same school.
Pharmacist James Aw Swee Lim, 83, said the three were very humble personalities who were marvellous in their achievements.
Investment banker Sherman Lam Yuen Suen, 53, said Vincent’s song was very meaningful and expressed the history of the school.
Professional photographer Ng Weng Kong, 57, said the three icons gave prestige to their school which was able to produce an abundance of talent in varied careers and industries.
Former Malaysia Airlines cabin crew manager Premila Teerath Ram Joshi, 79, credited the three icons as amazing characters who further shaped the school.
“They will be remembered for generations to come,” said Premila, whose father was the school’s former principal.
Former Methodist Girls School, Ipoh teacher Teoh Kim Ean, 87, said she was very familiar with Vincent as she was a close friend of his brother P.R. Daniel.
“P.R. Daniel also student at ACS Ipoh and went on to teach at Methodist School Banting. As teachers, we often met with Vincent who was a great talent in many ways,’ said Kim Ean.
