This year's event was held in SMK Assyakirin, a secondary school located on a hill in Sungai Plan, an area further up the Kidurong highway. You can imagine how the ride to the school was. Maybe the bumpiness would be less prominent if the roads were patched up a little better. I always figured that maybe it was a way to keep drivers on the way to MLNG, SMDS or Bintulu Port a little more alert. Feel drowsy? Bump!
So 20 of us were the representatives for SMK Kidurong (Maju Terus Maju!). It should be less 15 minutes to get there but somehow the roads were an impediment to us. Oh, and were led by Cikgu Awlia and Cikgu Wong.
On the way up the sloppy road, a friend asked me,
"Why is there a bump on a hill? It's not that people will be speeding uphill, right?"
I questioned back "What about those going downhill?".
"Yea.. But still.."
"Still what? Are you suggesting that half of the bump is to be removed?"
Upon arriving at our destination, we alighted the bus and were ushered to the hall. Just as soon as we stepped through the door, the crowd goes wild. It was no standing ovation and I thought Michael Jackson came back to life. To my surprise, they were actually cheering; screaming would sound more appropriate; for us, and for a reason that was oblivious to all of us. It didn't matter, I got a taste of stardom now.
The same thing happened when the group from SM Teknik arrived. Guess they stole our limelight.
So,t he event began by singing the national anthem and I must say that it was sung patriotically. Even though it is not an original tune, it is still the national anthem.
Next came the inevitable speech by our country's leaders read by the teachers and principal. By the King, Deptuty Prime Minister and one of the minister in education (can't recall who though).
The part where everyone would be anticipating, for the "Sekian, Terima Kasih" part that is. Before the speech there would be an almost audible claps from the audience but it would end with thunderous roars accompanying their claps.
Next came the poem reciting from the three schools. As soon as the first reciter enters the stage, the crowd goes wild. A climax arrived while reciting. The crowd goes crazy. Poem reciting ends. The crowd goes nuts. You can imagine what happened when the next two reciters appeared on the stage. It didn't matter if there was a mistake in their performance. It was like a Gun's N' Roses concert, Slash missing a note on his guitar would not effect the crowd's chanting and roaring.
The event continued with a traditional fashion show. This includes the Chinese, Indian, Malays and some of our local ethnic groups. As soon as a female models start cat walking, the crowd is on to it again. They're getting better at it this time. Cheering and screaming like they were doused with liquid iron. There was nothing that could ease the over excited students. When a lady in "cheongsam" came on stage, it felt like whole world was about to collapse. Although it was an informative and entertaining show.
Then came a talent show where nine - yes nine - guitarists appeared on stage along with two vocalists. It was an unplugged performance - exclude percussion- . Need I mentioned about the crowds? Just for the sake of saying it :
The crowd goes wild.
They performed three songs of their choice I guess. They began with a rather interesting rendition of "Barisan Kita". It was followed by their school's anthem. I was flabbergasted upon listening to them. A rock ballad for a school anthem? It was close to being one though. The only problem was the song lasted too long. Literally longer than waiting in line at McDonald's where the person behind the counter does not speak English.
A friend beside me said "Cubalah lagu sekolah kita cam tok. Malu jak mok ngakuk lagu skolah kita eh". Couldn't have said it better. I still love "Maju Terus Maju" though teachers. :)
And lastly, they performed an Iban song entitled "Anang Nguji Aku". Oh, before I forget to mention, when the song reached its vocal part (after a peculiar long intro), the crowd goes wild. If you asked me, I guess this was the climax of the event. Most of the students were joining in the singing. If only I knew the Iban song. Help me someone?
And then came a video presentation which was prepared by the two teachers from SMK Assyakirin. The video depicts pictures of our prime ministers and their contribution to the country. Well, not really in the sense that because of our Prime Ministers that we achieved great glory.
The video actually illustrated the achievement Malaysia had achieved during the reign of our Prime Ministers. For example, the video showed pictures of Datuk Azhar Mansor who sailed solo around the world after the picture of Tun Mahathir bin Mohamad is displayed - it does give the impression that it happened because of our PM if you actually watched it -. Is this fallacy, fellas? I don't know. The best part about the video though, was when it came to the picture of Najib Tun Razak, the video ended. I guess he did nothing for the country.
Then came the gift presentation to those students who did well in their exams. This too made the crowd go wild. 2 hours into the event in a torrid hall was no barrier for them. A big size girl enters the stage. Scream. A softy guy receives his prize. Shriek. I thought the gift presenting would be a bore, but the students kept me invigorated.
Before it ended, we all yelled at the top of our lungs - "MERDEKA!" for seven times. Don't ask me why seven. (Drop a comment if you do). Oh, and we wave the Jalur Gemilang as well. And some of the students were literally being thrown in the air as well. The funny thing is that the teachers did not seem to care about their demeanor. Supererogatory patriotism is a righteous act I guess.
Then it was the photo taking session and the end.
One thing that I would never forget about the school is that anything as arid as standing up to go to the toilet can make the students go wild.
*One guitarist and a vocalist are not in the photo*
Cikgu Wong ngan Cikgu Awlia, enjoy sik torang tek?
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