United in spirit

In her quest to revive BBGS at the Pavilion, Phang Sow Yoong has been meeting BBGSians from all ages, races and genders. Her recent meeting with Sasha and Ebenezer, recent additions to the BB family, has inspired her to write this article. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!


Dinosaur meets "Last of the Mohicans" and Newbie
by Phang Sow Yoong

(L-R) "Dinosaur" Sow Yoong, Newbie Ebbe and Sasha, "The Last of the Mohicans"
Isn't it wonderful that a love for BBGS has united 3 people from different ages, races and religions?

Sometimes, I wonder if it is worth getting 'emo' over BBGS. My maiden trip to Pavilion resurrected memories that I thought were buried with the school's demolition.

Fortunately, I came across Joanna' blog which was therapeutic. Listening to the school song once more gave me goose bumps while answering questions in "How BBGS are you?" evoked nostalgia. Blog stories of successful BBGSians across the world made me proud of our alma mater.

Soon, I was networking with BBGSians from all ages to find out their sentiments about reviving our alumni. Through Facebook, I learnt that Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif is trying to start a BBGS-SBU alumni. Sasha, the "Last of the Mohicans", completed Form 5 in BBGS just before the school was relocated to Seri Bintang Utara (SBU) in 2000. She has been asked to start the alumni and be its first president.

"You must meet Ebenezer Abel Paul who is helping me to register the alumni. He is passionate about BBGS!" enthused Sasha, a busy young lawyer.

"Did you say he? How did a guy come into the picture? Why is he so passionate about BBGS?" I asked Sasha, not knowing that SBU is now a co-ed school. From the centenary magazine, I learnt that there were boys studying in BBGS during its early years - notably the late Mr. David Boler, a former headmaster of Bukit Bintang Boys' School.

"Wait till you meet Ebbe" replied Sasha who arranged for a meeting at Delifrance One Utama on 28 May 2009.

I was simply bowled over by this SBU guy when he answered my pointed question "What makes you so passionate about BBGS?"

"Strangely, I fell in love with BBGS when I joined SBU in 2003. Even though there was only 20 percent BBGS culture left in SBU by then, I was overwhelmed by its rich heritage," explained Ebenezer (Ebbe).

"Hey, I was not the only one who felt that way. My sister loves the school motto which inspires godliness in her. We would frequent the BBGS museum to soak ourselves in the history of this great school," he added.

Formerly an SBU School Captain, Ebbe is now doing his A Levels at HELP University College. He is among the first batch of 77 boys who were admitted to SBU. Goodness, did the girls bully the boys?

"Oh no! The girls took care of us and made us feel welcome. I was so happy in SBU that I turned down an offer to go to Victoria Institution," replied Ebbe.

Awesome! Ebbe was smitten by just 20 per cent of BBGS culture while studying at SBU. No wonder those of us who got the full blast of this amazing school never got over it. Do you blame us for wanting to keep BBGS values alive?

Ebenezer wonders if the Bukit Bintang Old Girls' Association would admit SBU boys as associate members while they wait for the BBGS -SBU Alumni to be registered.

Joanna says "Of course! Anyone who embraces BBGS values should be welcomed with open arms. Imagine how much more of an impact mothers AND fathers can leave on the next generation."