ALUMNI

AAXS in Hong Kong and Shanghai

Posted Friday, 15-Sep-2005 7:50 AM

      Last 13 August, Saturday, Fr. Johnny Go (`79) met with the Xavier alumni residing in Hong Kong . He was accompanied by the Golden Jubilee Chairman, Hero Yu (`72) and the Chairman of the Alumni Homecoming `06, Dobbin Tan (`81). The meeting was organized by Mr. Ben Tan, Jr. (`80), who had learned about the school’s efforts in organizing our alumni overseas (also called “X-PATS”). Upon Ben Tan’s suggestion, the School Director paid Hong Kong a visit to get to know the Xaverians residing there.

      A total of twelve Xaverians gathered at the METROPOL for a dimsum lunch, ranging from batches 1971 to 2000. After lunch, Hero Yu presented the school’s plans for our celebration of the Golden Jubilee next year, while Dobbin Tan invited them to participate actively at the Golden Jubilee Homecoming next year. Fr. Go noted the enthusiasm of the group. It was a most enjoyable meeting, thanks to the entertainment provided especially by Nokky Huab. Matthew Lim from EFG Bank dropped by with his son. Benjie Azada agreed to construct the Yahoo Group for the AAXS HK Chapter to ensure that the X-PATS of Hong Kong keep in touch with one another.

      On 14 August, Fr. Go flew to Shanghai with Hero and Dobbin to meet with the X-PATS of Shanghai at Bellagio, a Chinese restaurant that has a deceptively Italian name and offers delightful Taiwanese cuisine. Ludwig Tsai (`88) gathered the Xaverians in Shanghai to make this event possible.

      As in Hong Kong, the alumni were informed of the various activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee. They were also invited to join the planned real-time simultaneous celebrations in US, Canada, and Greater China (China, HK, and if possible, Taiwan) via webcast during the Golden Jubilee Homecoming scheduled in December 2006.

      Listening to the group of ten Xaverians, Fr. Go said that he was really proud to hear Xaverians conversing fluently in Mandarin. He noted that it was the Xavier School Jesuit founders’ dream to return to China, and that in a sense, our alumni working in Shanghai are already fulfilling this dream.

      As a fitting end to the celebration, the X-Pats also brought out a birthday cake to celebrate Fr. Go’s birthday in advance.

      The next day, Ludwig Tsai brought Fr. Go, Hero Yu, and Dobbin Tan to the Xu Guangqi (Hsu Kuangchi) Memorial Park. Most of us think that “kuangchi” is simply the Chinese translation of “Luceat Lux!” Very few are aware that Kuangchi is Paul Hsu Kuangchi (Xu Guangqi, an eminent scientist and government official who converted to Christianity, thanks to the Italian Jesuit missionary, Matteo Ricci. Last 15 August, on the Feast of our Lady’s Assumption, Fr. Johnny Go, Ludwig Tsai, Hero Yu, and Dobbin Tan visited the Xu Guangqi Memorial Park to pay their respects to this man and to learn more about him at the museum dedicated to him.

      Afterwards, they drove to the Xu Jia Hui Cathedral, formerly known as the St. Ignatius Cathedral, where Fr. Louis Papilla had been ordained before he left China for Manila. They prayed for the Xavier School Community and for the success of the Golden Jubilee celebration.

      After a sumptuous lunch at South Beauty, courtesy of Hero Yu, they drove around the Bund area and the Lu Jia Zui financial district in Pudong. They capped the day with a dinner at cozy residence of Sherwin Chua, former AAXS President.

      Based on the X-PATS’ enthusiasm, the trip was a success both in Hong Kong and Shanghai. To our Hong Kong and Shanghai chapters, xie xie! Jia you!

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