Some of the Class of 1973 PDPs at the reunion.
Since leaving SM Inggeris Port Dickson in 1973, some students have become more bald than their teachers.
This led to funny moments at the school’s reunion, where some of the students pretended to be their former teachers.
The guise of one such alumnus who had pretended to be a former Maths teacher was, however, revealed by former Physics teacher Toh Hong Leong who chuckled, “He is pulling your leg! He was your ex-schoolmate in Form Five!”
Organised by former class monitor Thanabalan Mansor, the reunion brought together 63 alumni members of one of Negri Sembilan’s top educational institutions.
The class of ’73 alumni, known as the Port Dickson Pals (PDPs), held their 51st reunion dinner in Port Dickson.
The get-together was the culmination of excitement that began when Thanabalan first messaged about reunion plans in the PDPs’ WhatsApp group.
A “reunion” on WhatsApp then took place as faded old photos were shared on the messaging app, sparking the reminiscing of carefree days by Baby Boomers born in 1955 and 1956.
Among PDPs who attended the reunion were former nurse and US paralegal Lee Ket Ping, Australia-based retired software engineer Mong Kok Leong, corporate employee Louis D’ Cruz and Penang dental surgeon Dr Ong Saw Feng.
Many PDPs from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor also returned to join their former schoolmates who had stayed on in Port Dickson.
Some visited Third Mile Beach, Thana Orchard and The Dickson Dragon Sunset Cruise before settling into Eagle Ranch Resort for the reunion dinner.
The gathering ended with plenty of goodbye hugs.
In a piece dedicated to her schoolmates, PDP Datuk Tan Tang Peng wrote: “Many could not put a face to the once pretty girl or handsome boy in the pictures.
“Some had passed on, some have disappeared, untraceable.
“Hard knocks shaped the lives of many, yet gratitude prevails.
“Hopefully, most will reunite in a coming physical meet.”
