110th Anniversary Reflections: Memories & Tributes from Georgians of 1970 and 1971 (PART 2)
- Malaysia Raja
- Dec 5, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
This article is one of a three-part collection written to commemorate the 110th anniversary of St. George’s Institution, Taiping, Malaysia. Together, these pieces honour the La Salle Brothers, teachers, and values that shaped generations of Georgians. Parts 1 and 2 capture the shared reflections of the Class of 1970, while Part 3 presents the personal tribute of a student from the Class of 1971.
Part 2: Endearing Educators (Tributes from Class of 1970)
Bro. Leo: The Gentle Mentor
Among the Class of 1970, the memories of Bro. Leo Manickasami FSC demand a place of honour. Former students recall him as a leader of steady discipline, quiet compassion, and deep moral purpose - a Brother who guided with firmness yet always with a gentle heart.
Ong Kok Wah recalls meeting Bro. Leo in Standard Six after being brought by his father, who was himself a former student of Bro. Leo. Though initially anxious, he was struck by Bro. Leo’s caring eyes and firm but warm manner, which quickly replaced fear with respect and admiration. Kok Wah says Bro. Leo inculcated a love for English in students. and encouraged them to read Enid Blyton books.
Gea Ban Guan recalls that in Lower Six, Bro. Leo offered him and Hung Beng Guan a holiday job fixing the school’s old desks. They spent a week or two repairing them classroom by classroom. Only later did Ban Guan realise the deeper kindness - the school began sponsoring his fees, suggesting Bro. Leo had noticed their financial struggles and found a dignified way to help.
Alban Lee remembers having meaningful conversations with Bro. Leo in his office, even if the details have faded over time. Years later, he visited Bro. Leo again in his retirement home in Petaling Jaya, a gesture that reflects the lasting respect and connection he felt toward him.
In 1968, when Ong Teng Ping was having difficulty in paying his monthly school fees, Bro. Leo stepped in to help. He arranged a Perak Turf Club scholarship of RM100 for the year - an act of quiet generosity that Teng Ping has never forgotten.
After completing Form 3 in 1968, Cheah Eng Seng was selected for the prestigious Royal Military College. Before he left, Bro. Leo personally handed him his School Leaving Certificate and wished him well - a simple but meaningful gesture that Eng Seng still remembers fondly.
Phuang Siew Kuang recalls dozing off during a geography lesson and later being quietly summoned to Bro. Leo’s office. Instead of scolding him, Bro. Leo gently asked about his sleep and diet, then wrote a letter sending him to Taiping GH. The doctor prescribed Vitamin B Complex, which improved his health and appetite. Khuang remembers this as a remarkable act of compassion – he says, Bro. Leo chose to care, not punish.
Wong Chee Wah remembers Bro. Leo as a Brother Director who understood young people and knew how to bring out the best in them. His defining memory came in 1972, when he was suspended under a new director, Bro. Peter - who remarked that if Bro. Leo were still in charge, the suspension would not have happened. To Chee Wah, this captured Bro. Leo’s leadership: firm yet compassionate, always guiding students with empathy and second chances rather than punishment.
Andrew Anthony Pillai recalls an incident from his school days when he and a classmate were summoned to Bro. Leo’s office after being reported for smoking while cycling near TMGS in their Scouts uniforms. They each received a few strokes on the palms before being dismissed. Although the experience was unpleasant at the time, Andrew reflects with the benefit of hindsight, that the discipline was right – it did him good.
Cheah Eng Huat recalls Bro. Leo as gentle and soft-spoken, a leader who rarely raised his voice but took discipline seriously. He remembers a rare public caning during assembly of another boy - firm but calm, without anger or humiliation. That moment captured Bro. Leo perfectly: kind in nature, principled in action, and respected by all.
In MP. Vijayasegaran’s home, Bro. Leo’s name carried great authority. All five brothers studied at SGI, and even their eldest sister from TMGS invoked Bro. Leo’s name whenever the boys misbehaved. Known for his firm discipline, Bro. Leo commanded such respect that just the mention of his name was enough to keep the household in line.
In 1971, Hung Beng Guan and Gea Ban Guan were asked by Bro. Leo to repair SGI’s rickety classroom desks and chairs. Given full access to the school workshop, Beng Guan used his carpentry skills—honed from helping his brother—to strengthen the furniture during the holidays, assisted by Ban Guan. Bro. Leo’s kindness, including small pocket money and help with scholarships, left a lasting impression of a gentle, supportive educator.
Taken together, these tributes reveal a man whose influence was both strong and tender - a Brother who upheld high standards while recognising the struggles of every boy under his care. To the Class of 1970, Bro. Leo remains a defining figure of their youth: principled, perceptive, and profoundly human. His legacy endures not only in what he taught, but in how he made his students feel, seen, guided, and valued.
Bro. John: The Steadfast Leader
Among the Class of 1970, memories of Bro. John D’Cruz shine with affection and admiration. Former students remember him not only as a teacher and advisor, but as a presence marked by dignity, warmth, and a deep respect for every young person under his care.
Gea Ban Guan recalls Bro. John as a man of quiet poise - always focused and attentive, carrying himself with an air of discipline that never felt stern. What struck him most was Bro. John’s ability to make others feel seen and valued. Even in recent years, when they crossed paths again, Bro. John still carried the same deliberate sharpness, a testament to his lifelong commitment to being fully present.
For Yeoh Hooi San, encounters with Bro. John came in the most unexpected places - once in New York and later in Perth. Despite the distance from home, each meeting felt familiar, light-hearted, and instantly warm. He remembers Brother John as cheerful and kind-hearted, a man whose jovial spirit had a way of making even chance reunions feel like cherished occasions.
Wong Chee Wah shares a moment that revealed Bro. John’s remarkable openness. When the class was asked to write a spontaneous poem or essay, he mischievously submitted a satirical critique of Bro. John’s “lack of preparation.” Instead of reprimanding him, Bro. John laughed, appreciated the honesty, and awarded top marks. It was a lesson in grace, confidence, and the value of sincere expression - one Chee Wah never forgot.
Khoo Soo Keong recalls being deeply moved that Bro. John remembered his name, despite the thousands of students who passed through SGI. Soo Keong, modest as ever, and down playing his remarkable accomplishments, insists he was not an outstanding student, yet Bro. John made him feel personally recognised and cared for. That simple gesture, he says, spoke volumes about the Brother’s kindness and attentiveness.
Cheah Eng Seng remembers Bro. John on the badminton court, partnered with Bro. Christopher (Bro. Dennis). As a Form 1 boy playing doubles against the two Brothers, he was struck by their skill - but even more by their generosity. They shared techniques, taught tactics, and encouraged the boys without hesitation, leaving an imprint that went well beyond sports.
Andrew Anthony Pillai believes that his selection for training at the La Salle Juniorate was largely due to Bro. John’s strong recommendation. He recalls with gratitude the years of formation - punctuality, discipline, teamwork, and the daily responsibilities of housekeeping and caring for others. Andrew says these experiences shaped his character, and he remains sincerely thankful to Bro. John for setting him on that formative path.
Ong Kok Wah remembers Bro. John as the gentle guiding hand behind the Young Christian Students (YCS) society. Bro. John created a respectful space where ideas flowed easily. Through quiet conversations and meetings, he introduced Kok Wah to early lessons in leadership. His lasting advice - “Keep your head in the clouds but your feet firmly on the ground” - became a guiding principle that Kok Wah carried into adulthood.
Together, these recollections portray a Brother whose influence was subtle yet profound - a mentor who inspired confidence, nurtured leadership, and offered kindness with humility. To the Class of 1970, Bro. John remains a symbol of the best of La Salle education: disciplined, compassionate, and unwaveringly human.
In Gratitude to the Other Brothers
Ronnie Lopez recalls Bro. Fabian’s catechism classes as unusually forward-thinking for their time - fresh, engaging, and different from the traditional approach students expected. His style “broke the mould,” leaving a distinct impression on many. Ronnie also notes that Bro. Fabian eventually left the Brotherhood, but his innovative teaching remains well remembered.
A. Raja Sekaran fondly recalls a mischievous moment with Bro. Christopher - known to many as Bro. Dennis. One afternoon in the library, Raja pretended to faint while his friend Jossie Thomas ran for help. As Bro. Dennis tried lifting him, Raja’s ticklish armpit betrayed the prank, resulting in laughter, mild annoyance, and – mercifully - no punishment beyond a stern look.
Wong Chee Wah remembers collecting his MCE results from the Brothers’ quarters. Bro. Denis greeted him with a solemn face and dramatic sigh, making him fear the worst before breaking into a broad smile and congratulating him. That mix of humour, discipline, and genuine warmth, he notes, was the Brothers’ signature style.
Tributes to SGI Teachers
Balasundram recalls Mr. Ooi Chek Huat as a strict yet humorous ‘monster’ of a teacher and ‘a jewel.’ He remembers Mr. Alphonsus Kok fondly and hopes to meet him again. He salutes the La Salle Brothers for shaping students with knowledge. Despite old rivalries, Georgians remain close. Now living in Klang, he often reminisces proudly about his Taiping and SGI days.
Cheah Eng Seng remembers Mr. P. J. Weller, his Form 2 Art teacher, whose calm guidance made every lesson steady and enjoyable. One class became unforgettable: the boys were asked to bring chopsticks, expecting a treat - only to be shown they were holding them all wrong. With good humour and patience, Mr. Weller taught them the proper technique, a skill Eng Seng still uses today.
A. Raja Sekaran recalls a quiet act of kindness from Mr. Kuah Say Kong, his Form 5 class teacher. When Raja struggled to pay his MCE exam fees, Mr. Kuah quietly offered to cover the cost - no fuss, no questions. Raja repaid him later, but never forgot the gesture. At the 2023 OGA dinner, he thanked him personally; Mr. Kuah had no memory of it, but Raja remembers it vividly.
Dave Khoo Hock Chye remembers an unforgettable moment of discipline with Mr. Ooi Chek Huat. After being caught fooling around in class, he was made to stand on the platform while Mr. Ooi held him by the waistband and ordered him to jump down - a punishment every boy dreaded. Mr. Ooi’s famous pinch added to his legend. Yet Dave says these unorthodox methods came from a teacher who genuinely wanted his students to grow, and in many ways shaped who he is today.
Chong Cheng Yan recalls Mr. James Saw Chin Bee as exceptionally kind and attentive. He once rode his motorbike out to check on Cheng Yan during a solo camping trip. His lessons were laced with humour—like joking that “James saw Chin Bee” was simply the past tense of “James sees Chin Bee.” More than just a teacher, he loaned Cheng Yan money to pursue university studies, asking for nothing in return except that he succeed.
Reflections on SGI Values and Spirit
Gea Ban Guan reflects on how the school motto, “Honour is the reward of virtue,” remained a guiding principle throughout life. Many Georgians, he believes, carried these values into adulthood, building lives characterised by integrity, humility, and honour. The strong bond alumni still share is proof of how deeply SGI shaped its students.
Yeoh Hooi San feels that SGI laid the moral foundation for many of its boys, guiding them through life and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. He remembers an environment built on firm discipline but always tempered by the Brothers’ caring mentorship - a balance that stayed with them long after they left school.
Wong Chee Wah also reflects on how the Brothers defined SGI’s identity through the traditions they established - unity, pride, simplicity, and service. Their personal sacrifices and quiet example shaped generations of Georgians. He feels that without their presence today, the school has lost some of the excellence and energy that once made it exceptional.
Ong Boon Lay fondly remembers Brother John and James Saw. He spent much of his school life happily involved in numerous clubs, scouting, camping, and the military band. He even played in the school orchestra, He recalls these activities as joyful, defining experiences that made school a vibrant and enriching place.
As St. George’s Institution marks its 110th year, these recollections remind us that a school’s legacy is not measured by buildings or milestones, but by the lives it shapes. The La Salle Brothers, teachers, and students who passed through its gates created a tradition of character, compassion, and quiet excellence that still binds Georgians across generations. In sharing these memories, the Class of 1970 pays tribute not only to those who guided them, but to the spirit of SGI itself - steadfast, humble, and enduring.
In this spirit, the Class of 1970 also records our deep appreciation for our classmate, Joseph Lau Tee Sun, whose decades of devoted service to St. George’s Institution, the Old Georgians Association, and the wider Taiping community stand as an inspiration to us all. His steadfast commitment, quiet leadership, and unwavering dedication reflect the very values SGI sought to instil in us. We are proud of the roles he continues to play and grateful for the way he has carried the Georgian torch with dignity and purpose.
Continue to Part 3: A Georgian’s Personal Tribute (Class of 1971)':
Return to Part I: The Historical Narrative – Memories from the Class of 1970:
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