|
 Michael Hwang wrote (16
January 2006, 1101 hours):
There was an ongoing cultural battle between
Tock Cheow and myself. I was a great fan of the Perry Mason
novels: Tock Cheow thought they were all crap and favoured
novels by James Hadley Chase – does anyone remember this, and
which side did they favour then and now? (:
click here for new thread on this topic under
Michael Hwang vs
Tan Tock Cheow)
Teck Long
wrote (16 January 2006, 1057 hours):
Thanks for sharing this account with us,
Mike. Don't remember the incident as I don't think I was in the
top class.
I am now documenting all these (and
subsequent threads) on our web site. Check it out this evening.
I hope others with stories and interesting
experiences of our school days would share them with us.
Mike Chan
wrote (16 January 2006, 1030 hours):
Thanks for such a speedy response Bob! Have
you seen the acs57 website?
Just saw your sister Aileen in the directory
but without her particulars....i.e. totally empty. Maybe you
could forward the website to her for her contact nos as I
believe they are planning a big bash next yr being 50 yrs
reunion. Ours will be in 2009 and hoping all of us are still in
good health, alive and kicking.
Important question: Did you remember the
incident I narrated about TTC? How about you, Teck Long?
Robert Gay
wrote (16 January 2006, 0843 hours):
I remember Tock Cheow well. He, Tay Theng
Huat (chess champion and Hercules of our class) and myself were
always booted out by Mrs Lau at Chinese class, so the three of
us used to sit out and chat until the next class started. Tock
Cheow was a Javelin thrower. His hair turned white even before
mine. Have also, sadly, lost touch with him.
Mike Chan
wrote (16 January 2006, 0809 hours):
Talking about the fearsome YAC, I wonder how
many of you in my class form 3 in 1957 (half-a-century
ago), Earnest Lau's class, remembered this incident.......
We were in the top F3 class and were waiting
for the next teacher and of course, as expected of 14-15 yr-olds, were
pretty noisy. Suddenly YAC walked into our class and glared at
us with his pock-marked big face...just his huge size and fierce
demeanor, and of course, reputation, was enough to quieten us
fast till u cld hear a pin drop. But he made the mistake of
rebuking us loudly and insulting us that we were not fit to be
in the top F3 class. Up stood Tan Tock Cheow from the back to
confront YAC's insults asking why he was belittling us just for
making the usual class chatter. We were all shocked at TTC's
foolhardiness. YAC was also clearly taken aback at this
student's daring impudence (we're talking about 1957 and not
now). He muttered "How dare you?" and we were all waiting for
the inevitable to happen, i.e. YAC walking to TTC and slapping
him hard on the right cheek, as is his usual custom. Guess what
happened? YAC took a few steps forward but then made a quick
U-turn and chabotted out with his tail between his legs. We were
all in euphoria and cheered and patted TTC, our hero of F3! TTC
as usual blushed like a tomato. YAC never dared to step into our
class after that. Imagine, TTC at age 15 dared to stand up for
his belief/rights to confront a fierce authority..... He would
have made an ideal Opposition politician!
Anyway, CTL, where is Tan Tock Cheow, my F3
hero? Why is his emadd not in the list above? Has anyone tried
to approach him to join us? I believe he is still in S'pore with
3 grown-up daughters.
PS: Sorry, but I have so much time to
surf due to my fractured right ankle tarsals and fibula. Maybe
3-4 mths in crutches....u will hear more from me. |