The weather was ideal all day. We could not have had a more perfect day for a homecoming if we had ordered it. Windless, warm, and the sky without a cloud. Only the blue was veiled with a haze of light gold, as it is sometimes in September. It was as if the Gods had organised the constellations to provide a perfect setting for a special day. 

years the event has been threatening to burst the seams of the largest hotel ballroom available in Seremban. This year the OPA Reunion dinner squeezed in 118 tables into the Grand to them. On reflection, it is nothing short of amazing that the Old Paulians’ Association has been able to keep the homecoming reunion going for so many years. What seems even more amazing is that the union of Paulian brotherhood is getting stronger rather than ebbing. Unlike years ago when one would not be surprised to see a large number of guests as they would Paulians at the reunion, today the Paulian brothers take up almost a thousand seats for themselves leaving a paltry few tables for very special guests. Over the last 10 6th September 2014, marked the special and auspicious 88th time and 88th year the Paulians of St. Paul’s Institution gathered to give thanks to and celebrate their destiny of having been educated in one the greatest institutions knownballroom of the Royale Bintang, Seremban. This meant that at least 1180 people attended the reunion dinner.

The Old Paulians’ Association is very receptive to Paulian needs. Each year the reunion event is reviewed with the goal of upgrading and refining the homecoming experience for Paulians. In days gone by, the reunion dinner was the single prominent event of the homecoming. Today, however the homecoming is being developed into a day long experience. OPA Golf tournament, the sports activities in St. Paul’s Institution Secondary and the Paulian Homecoming breakfast in St. Paul’s Institution Primary, give the one thousand strong Paulians who congregate for the homecoming, a range of day long activities to participate in. The goal of all these offerings is to provide Paulians with more opportunity for fellowship and a chance to go back into the schools that nurtured them into the wonderful human beings they have become. 

The OPA 88th Annual Dinner 2014, had for the first time in many years a life band, which performed pre-dinner at the ballroom lobby and during the dinner on stage. Many who attended agreed that this was a fantastic addition as the band played songs that were carefully selected to meet that taste of every Paulian age group. The evidence of this success could be measured by that greater number of Paulians who remained in the ballroom until the band played the last number.

The 88th OPA Annual Dinner was a remarkable occasion as Paulians got the chance to celebrate with Rev Julian Leow Beng Kim, from the Paulian Class of 1981, the new Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur.

In keeping with OPA tradition, the dinner saw the following awards being presented

TAN SRI DATO’CHAN CHOONG TAK AWARD 2014
FONG KAH ZHEN

NATIONAL AND STATE AWARD WINNER
MR LEE KIM ONG - For being conferred A.N.S. by DYMM Yang Di Pertuan Besar, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus 

OPA SCHOLASTIC AWARD WINNERS     
                
“A” LEVEL               
Andrew Low Chern Hong    
4A
Mr &Mrs Low Siak San     
     
      
PMR EXAMINATIONS 2014
 
Agneesh Chelvan A/L Malaichelvan    
7A
Mr &Mrs Malaichelvan Maniam     
Jared Chong Tze Meng    
7A
Mr &Mrs Edwin Chong Tze Meng     
                
SPM EXAMINATIONS 2014     
Alyssa Mae Liew E-Juin    
10A+
Mr &Mrs Liew Sim Fook     
Justin Chan Guan Wei    
8A+,2A-,1B
Mr &Mrs Chan Wai Choong 
Shriniven Ganakumaran    
7A+,1A, 1A-
Dr &Mrs Ganakumaran. S     
Sofeanna Long Chi TyengMany Paulians have written in to share their thoughts about the dinner. Many expressed gratitude to the OPA
      
6N
Suhen A/L Kunaratnam    
Kartik Raj A/L Raman    6N
6G
Issac Soloman Stephen John    
Muhammad Azmeel B.Mohd.Nor Azmi    6G
6G
Theodore Mark Vincent    
Kavindraa A/L Thayaparan    6D
6N
David Sheng Yim Kong    
Muhammad Hanif B Mohd Faizul    6D
6E
Servin Kumar A/L Gunalan    
Dirvasthha Stembo A/L Boystembo    6D
6E
Easwer A/L Gopala Krisnan    
REV.BRO. JAMES MACKEN SPI PRIMARY STUDENT WELFARE FUND RECIPIENTS 2014
                
                
Thugadishani Selvaraj    L6
U6
Yong Zi Jian    
Tan Sze Ai    L6
U6
Lee Siew Jing    
Ong Pik Ching    L6
U6
Koo Siew Min    
Lee Xyan Yi    L6
U6
Sim Ying Yee    
Lau Weng Hong    L6
U6
Yap Chai Foong    
Chin Hui Shan    L6
U6
Yap Kai Wen    
Angelina Chui Wan Jing    L6
U6
Ng Qing Min    
Alyssa Wong Sze Minh    L6
U6
Bryan Tan Khuan Yeu    
Justin Chan Guan Wei    L6
U6.
Choon Yee Yan    
Chee Yee Being    L6
U6
Chang Hsi Chen    
SEMESTER 2 / 2014 (Upper Six)         SEMESTER 1 / 2014 (Lower Six)     
REV.BRO.FELIX DONOHUE STUDENT WELFARE FUND RECIPIENTS 2013/2014     
                
Mr &Mrs Santhanasamy     
1A+,5A,1A-,3B
Daryll Darshan Kumar    
Mr &Mrs Vijai Kumar     
4A+,1A,3A-,1C+
Archana A/P Vijai Kumar    
Mr &Mrs Tan Ah Huat     
5A+,1A,1A-,3B+
Tan Wei Zhong    
Mr &Mrs Long Chee Choon 
5A+,3A,1A-,1B+
    fortirelesslyorganising this event without fail every 1st Saturday of September so that the Paulian family can come together in celebration and fellowship. Here are some of quotes

Yesterday was great, got to meet back many guys from year of 81, see you all again 1st sat of sept 2015. To the OPA committee job well done again. - KS Tan

OPA Always does it best c u in 2015 September ! - John Fernandez
Good job. - RoyTuresh Kumar

Paulians for Life! - Suren Raj

Set up more funds to help our younger Paulians in education especially extra tuition and sports. - Richard A Santa Maria

Make it a real home coming... Have the dinner @ SPI itself - KP Sim

The Old Paulian’s Association always welcomes feedback and suggestions from Paulians. Your engagement with OPA provides greater motivation for the committee to do better.

SEE YOU ON 5th SEPTEMBER 2015