Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

Schools

• MEHS :
  Methodist English High School
• SH :
  Sacred Heart
• SJC :
  St. John’s Convent
• Dio :
  St. John’s Diocesan Boys’ high School
• SPHS :
  St. Paul’s High School
• SPM :
  St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay
• TTC :
  Teachers’ Training College Practicing School
• YM :
  Yegyaw Methodist

Early Matriculates

• U Kyaw Myint (Bar-at-law, GBNF) stood First in Burma with distinction in all subjects. He matriculated from Government High School. He served as Dean of Law, Supreme Court Justice, and Head of Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw.
  For details, see posts by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
• U Ba Khin (SPHS) stood First in Burma.
  He was the first native Auditor General. He also headed three other Departments.
  His Vipassana Mentor was Saya Thet (Ledi Sayadaw Lineage). His Vipassana Mentee was S N Goenka.
• U Ba Than (Dio, GBNF) won Collegiate Scholarship in the Matriculation of 1947.
  He won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate College examinations in 1948 and 1949. He retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
• U Khin Aung Kyi (Central, GBNF) stood 7th in Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship in the Matriculation of 1949. He retired as Rector of Rangoon Institute of Technology.
  

1951

• George Chapman (SPHS) : First in Burma

1952

• Dr. Nyunt Tin (SPHS, GBNF) : First in Burma / FRCP
• Maung Nyi (SPHS) : Second
• Dr. Myo Tint (TTC, GBNF) : Third / Retired MS of Thingangyun Hospital

1953

• Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, YM) : First in Burma / Physics / Moved to USA
• U Ohn Khin (YM) : Second

1954

• Koon Yin Chu (Phillip Chu, SPHS) : First / Architect / Moved to USA
• Dr. Tin Myo Than (TTC) : Second / Psychiatrist / Moved to USA

1955

• Lily Hwang (MEHS) : First in Burma

1956

• Ye Myint (SPM) : First in Burma
• Thaung Tin (SPM) : Second
• Khin Maung Than (SPM) : Joint Third
• Dr. Than Myint (Harry Wang, SPHS) : Joint Third / Physics Honors / moved to USA

1957

• Dr. Htin Kyaw (Hein Kyu, SH) : First in Burma / Physics Honors
• Dr. Nellie Liu (MEHS) : Second
• Dr. Htin Aung (Hein Pu, SH, GBNF) : Sixth / Physics Honors / Moved to Japan

1958

• Dr. Soe Win (SPHS) : First in Burma / Chemistry Honors / Retired Rector of YUFL
• Robert Sein (SPHS) : Second / Physics Honors
• Myint Myint Tin (Pearl Ba Tin, MEHS) : Third

1959

• Dr. Hla Ngwe Tin (Frankie Ohn, SPHS) : First in Burma/ Physics Honors / Founded company in US
• Dr. Shewan Lee (SPHS) : Second / Chemistry / California Institute of Technology
• Dr. Than Nwe Aung (SPHS) : Third / MBBS
• “Rocky” (Koon Yin Chu’s younger brother) : Joint 4th / Doctor
• Oo Oo Tha (GBNF) : Joint 4th / Mathematics Honors / Tuition Saya

1960

• Dr. Austin Kyan (MEHS) : First in Burma
• Dr. Nyan Win (MEHS): Second
• Arthur Hla Maung (GBNF) : Third
• Marie Nyun : Fourth
• Indian lady : Fifth
• Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS) : Sixth / Retired from UN

1961

• Lina Ong (MEHS) : First in Burma
• Dr. Robin Ban (Kyaw Win, SPHS) : Second

1962

• In the previous years, the combined High School Final and Matriculation examination was held.
• Separate Matriculation examination started in 1962.

1963

• Due to changes in the Education system, the following students had to take the first ever High School Final ONLY examination in 1962 and then take the Matriculation ONLY examination in 1963.

• Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS) : First in Burma / MD / Retired from FDA
• Dr. Min Oo (SPHS) : Second / Retired Mathematics Professor from Canada
• Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San, GBNF) : Third
• Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt) : Fourth / Retired after teaching in Malaysia
• Dr. Thein Wai (SPHS) : Fifth / Moved to USA
• Kenny Wong (MEHS) : Sixth / Mechanical / Moved to USA
• Hla Min (SPHS) : Seventh / Computer Science
• Dr. Winnie Aung (Branch Convent) : Eighth
• Dr. Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, SPHS) : Ninth
• Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS, GBNF) : Eleventh / Chemical / Moved to Wales, UK
• Dr. Khin Tun (Dio) : Twelfth
• Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, SPHS, GBNF) : Thirteenth / Electrical
• Dr. Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, SPHS) : Seventeenth / Moved to UK

1964

• Dr. Cherry Hlaing (St. John’s Convent) : Joint First in Burma with Raw Marks / Admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1) using ILA
• Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) : Joint First / Lost tie breaker with ILA / Moved to USA
• Dr. Aung Win Chiong (SPHS) : Third (in raw marks) / Admitted as Roll Number One to IM(2) using ILA /Moved to USA
• Indian Lady : Fourth
• Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS) : Fifth (in raw marks) / Admitted as Roll Number Two to IM(2) using ILA / Practice in UK and Myanmar

1965

• Bernard Khaw (SPHS) : First in Burma / Four distinctions including a high score (80+ marks) in English / Due to the rule changes, he could not apply for the professional courses. / Left to study and work in USA
• Maung Aye (SPHS) : Second in Burma Younger of the two twins / Both completed their doctorates in the USA
• Winston Sein Maung (SPHS, GBNF) : Third in Burma (in raw marks) / Admitted as Roll Number (22) to IM(1) using ILA
• Cherry Than Tin @ May Kyi Nyein : Fourth (in raw marks) / Admitted as Roll Number One to IM(2) using ILA
• Yi Thway (Edwin Ba Hein, SPHS, GBNF) : Joint Fifth (in raw marks) / Admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1) using ILA / Moved to UK
• Paing Soe (Freddie San Shwe, SPHS) : Joint Fifth (in raw marks) / Admitted as Roll Number Two to IM(1) using ILA / Retired as Deputy Minister of Health
• 44 students from SPHS were admitted to the Medical College / Institute.

Some Photos from 1963

Thanks for the feedback / information

• Thit Yine mentioned that Boon Chiong (Dr. Hla Shwe, Yegyaw Methodist) stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1953.
• Sayama Daw Tin Tin Maw (MEHS57) told me that her elder sister Lily Hwang (MEHS55) stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1955.
• Several Peterites provided the names of the Top Three in the Matriculation of 1956. They stood First, Second and Joint Third in Burma.
• Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (MEHS57) mentioned that Dr. Htin Kyaw (Sacred Heart57) stood first and that his elder twin brother Dr. Htin Aung (Sacred Heart57, GBNF) stood sixth in the Matriculation of 1957. Nellie Liu (MEHS57) stood Second.
• Saya Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58) mentioned that Daw Myint Myint Tin (Pearl Ba Tin, MEHS58) stood Third in the Matriculation of 1958.
• Dr. Tin Wa (SPHS57) added the names of the four top students led by his younger brother Dr. Frankie Ohn (Hla Tin Ngwe) in the Matriculation of 1959.
• Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60) mentioned several top students in the Matriculation of 1960.
• Dr. Swe Khin Tun (spouse of Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin) mentioned that her father Dr. Khin Tun (St. John’s Diocesan) stood 12th in the Matriculation of 1963.
• Dr. Aung Win and Dr. Min Lwin (both SPHS64) mentioned the use of raw marks and ILA in the Matriculation of 1964.
• Bernard Khaw (SPHS65) and several of his classmates mentioned the top students in the Matriculation of 1965.
  There are differences in ordering : one using Raw Marks and the other using ILA.
  e.g. Winston Sein Maung (GBNF) stood Third in Burma using Raw Marks, but he was admitted as Roll Number 22 to IM(1) using ILA.
• Dr. Richard Yu Khin (MEHS61, GbNF) provided the following information
  1954 – Second in Burma – Dr. Tin Myo Than (TTC) – Florida Freedom Fighters.
  1955 – First – Lily Hwang (MEHS) – Doctor in Arizona
  1957 – 2nd – Nellie Liu (MEHS) – Doctor in USA – younger sister of Ko Thein Lwin (Singapore Polytechnic)
  1960 – First – Austin Kyan (MEHS) – Doctor in Singapore
  1960 – Second – Dr. Nyan Win (MEHS) – Doctor in USA– better known as Sanjai Lun Pe at MEHS.
  1961 – First – Lina Ong (MEHS) – Doctor in Hong Kong
  1961 – Second – Dr. Robin Ban – sat next to Eddie & Dr. Thein Htut at Eddie’s 77th Birthday Party in Brisbane, Australia
  1963 – 6th Kenny Wong (MEHS) – came with Dr. Jenny Lim, Dr. Primrose Chaudhuri & Lt. Commander Dr. Ivan Teoh (USN) to visit me at my office at University of Texas in 1971.

Family of First in Burma

Four Generations and Five Members (headed by U Hoke Sein) stood First in Burma (which is literally unbeatable).

U Hoke Sein (Compiler of Pali-English-Burmese Dictionary)
Son : U Saw Hlaing
Grand daughter : Dr. Cherry Hlaing
Two Great Grand Children

• SPHS Sayas
• Brother Clementian
• Std. VIII (A)
• Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
• Dr. Nyunt Wai
• Dr. Khin Maung U
• Dr. Nyan Taw
• Dr. Soe Win
• U Myint Sein
• Paulians displaying SPHS Coats
• Two Paulians from SPHS64
• Where are they now?
• Mini-gatherings
• GBNF
• U Aung Kyaw Myint (Eddie Shein)
• Sad News
• Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San)

SPHS Sayas

With contributions by U Myint Lwin (SPHS66), U Khin Maung Zaw (SPHS70), Dr. Thiha Win (SPHS70), Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60), Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63), Dennis Mackey (St. Pat)

Group Photo of SPHS Sayas and Sayamas

We still have several names missing in the group photo. Please add comments if you know the names of the sayas and sayamas.


Seated : xx, Bro. Felix, xx, Bro. Peter, Bro. Edmund, Bro. Gerald, xx, Bro. Charles, xx

2nd row : Ms. Amelia Kyi (Miss Hong Kong) 5th from left; Ms. A Benjamin 4th from right

3rd row : Mrs. Fernandez far right

4th row : Saya Ah Mann 3rd from left; Saya Sein 4th from left; Mrs. Violet Boudville 7th from left;

5th row : Saya Timms 3rd from left; Saya U Aye 8th from left;

6th row : Saya Johnny Myo far right; Mr. Day 5th from right

High School Sayas

• The Brother Directors rotate among the De La Salle Schools (St. Paul’s in Rangoon, St. Peter’s in Mandalay, St. Albert’s in Maymyo, etc.)
• Brother Hubert was the Director when I joined Std IV(D). He was also the Director when we were in Std. X(A).
• Other Brother Directors at St. Paul’s include Brother Edmund, Brother Felix and may be Brother Peter.
• Brother Urban was Sub-Director for several years.

• In our Matriculation class, Brother Austin was the Class Teacher. He also taught English and “Morals and Manners”. He also served as the School Librarian. He later moved to either St. Peter’s or St. Albert’s.
• Saya C. Lewis was the relieving English teacher.

• Saya U Sein (father of Dr. Soe Win) taught Burmese.
• Saya U Nyunt Maung was the relieving Burmese teacher.

• Brother Clementian (see the next picture) taught Mathematics. His funeral service probably had one of the longest queue of cars. Some had not left the SPHS compound, when the hearse had reached the Tamwe Cemetery. He was a former Brother Director, who continued teaching.
• Saya U Kyaw Khin and Saya U Hla Min (RUBC Gold) were the relieving Mathematics teachers.

• Saya Beatson taught Physics. Saya is now a monk.
• Saya U Hla Myint was the relieving Physics teacher.

• Saya DeCruz taught Chemistry. Saya moved to Australia.
• Brother Joseph (later Father Joseph) would demonstrate in the lab. He would later move to St. Patrick’s.

• The Elder Brother Edmund was Brother Director when we were in Std. V(D). He was killed by Wilfred Boudville, but the Brothers pardoned Wilfred.
• I do not know what the younger Brother Edmund taught.

• Brother Clementian taught us Mathematics in Std. X(A). He was a former Brother Director. He would not let the Brother Director and his assistants come near his class.
• Brother Xavier taught us English in Std. VII(A) and Std. IX(A). He was also the Class teacher for Std. IX(A). He later moved to St. Albert’s in Maymyo.
• Saya U Sein taught us Burmese in Std. IX(A) and Std. X(A).
• Saya Lewis taught English for a different section. He was a relieving Saya for our class.

• Saya Chapman taught English for a different section. He wrote several books for quick study.
• Saya U Htwe and Saya U Htay Myint (Padetha Tuition) mainly taught Arts subjects. U Htay Myint wrote notes for History.
• Brother Anthony was our Class teacher in Std. VIII(A).
• Saya Johnny Myo (older brother of Peter Myo) taught Mathematics in other sections. He was a relieving teacher for our class.
• Saya U Nyunt Maung taught Burmese in Std. VIII(A). He can teach several subjects.
• Saya U Kyaw Sein (brother-in-law of Saya U Sein) was Class teacher of a different section in Std. VII.
• Saya Beatson taught us Physics in High School. Several years back, Saya Beatson, Saya U San Thein and Brother Anthony were the only teachers left from our time. Saya Beatson is now a monk.

• We were not taught by Brother Henry Peter and Saya U Tun Shein. According to Dennis Mackey (C73), Brother Henry Peter was one of his teachers at St. Patrick’s in Moulmein.
• Saya Timms is the father of Lawrence Timms (IM, Old Croc).
• Saya U Aye, Saya U San Thein and Saya U Kyaw Oo were Class Teachers for other sections of Std. VII.
• [Dr. KMU] Saya U Aye is a very nice, soft spoken, confirmed bachelor who lives with his mother, and teaches History to our class of VII(A) (and perhaps Geography also to other classes).
• Saya U Pe Tin was our Burmese teacher in Std. V(D) and our Class teacher in Std. VI(D).
• Saya U Nge was our Class teacher in Std. VII(D).
• The Standards mentioned are for our batch. They might not match the Standards mentioned in the photos (which are taken later). Some Sayas (e.g. U Pe Tin) were promoted to teach higher classes.

My Class Teachers

• IV(D) : Ms. A Benjamin
• V(D) : Mrs. Violet Boudville (Mother of Richard G Boudville)
• VI(D) : Saya U Pe Tin
• VII(D) : Saya U Nge
• VIII(A) : Brother Anthony
• IX(A) : Brother Xavier
• X(A) : Brother Austin

Those who attended SPHS from KG or Std I will probably know more names of the teachers.

Brother Clementian

Brother Clementian was loved by his former students. When he passed away, the cortege left from SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) to the Tamwe Christian Cemetery. When the cars arrived at the Cemetery for the Burial Service, many cars were still leaving SPHS.

His younger brother had a couple of Doctorates, but his teaching was not valued as highly as that of Brother Clementian, who did not have a Doctorate.

Brother Clementian was a Brother Director. He retired from being a Brother Director, but he did not retire from his love of teaching.

It was customary for Brother Directors to go round and inspect the classes. Brother Clementian would not allow the Brother Director or the Assistant Director to come near his class.

Brother Clementian did not know or care if a student is a son of the Prime Minister, Minister or a high ranking official. He treats every student fairly.

He taught High School Mathematics. He had several texts and reference books. He would teach a topic and ask one or more students to go onto the blackboard to show what they have learned and to solve selected problems. He reminded students not to impose unnecessary “restrictions”. For example, if he asked a student to draw a triangle, it should be an arbitrary one (not restricted as an isosceles or equilateral) and it could/should be labeled differently from the one used in his example.

Sad to hear that some present day students do not get marks if they deviate from “rote learning”.

Every student would have two (or more) exercise books, so that he can collect and grade the homework. Every week, he would give a test of three questions to be answered in one hour. This training prepared many students to complete six questions in the Matriculation examination much earlier than the allotted three hours and score Distinctions.

He acknowledges that some students (e.g. Min Oo) are gifted and have learned beyond High School Mathematics.

Many remember his smile, and a few remember the strong finger that he used for poking at “badly behaving” students.

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60) wrote :

I have forgotten the name of the maths textbook. It was a govt prescribed one. There was another book to used in college. Brother Clementian finished was the first book but blithely went in with the book for Inter A during our matrix class. It made the questions in additional maths easier for us because of this.

There was only one person who could beat Brother. Often when a maths problem has been solved by himself, Myo Myint (your brother in law) would shout that he could work out the solution using less number of steps. And he was always correct. Do Si at the end of his working out each tine, he would turn to Myo Myint and asked “Can you do better?” which Myo Myint often could.

Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) wrote :

Brother Clementian taught us mathematics in high school. Seem we were the last lucky group (A&B) he taught before he retired. Min Oo was in A whereas I was in B class. The best maths teacher ever !!!

U Than Win (SPHS63, RIT69er) wrote :

Whenever I find “Sequence Geometry “in the old stock of books I always remember our great Maths teacher. We love and revered but sometime we feel somewhat frightened whenever we lack preparation. The most remembered word in this geometry book is QED (which is to be proved) because he always stare at us and stressed the word whenever the problem is solved.

Gone, gone
But still in our heart.

Std VIII (A)

Sayas

• Brother Felix (Brother Director)
• Brother Anthony (Class Teacher)
• Brother Xavier
• Saya Sein
• Saya Nyunt Maung
• Saya Beatson

Some chose to become Engineers

• Hla Min
• Khin Maung Bo (Alan)
• Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, GBNF)
• Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor)
• Than Win
• Tin Tun
• Than Htay
• Caesar Yang
• Maung Maung Kyi
• Kyaw Wynn

Some chose to become …

• Medical doctors (Khin Maung U, Myo San, Nyunt Wai, Thein Wai, Win Kywe, Orlando Thein, …)
• Ph.D’s (Min Oo, …)
• Army officers (Aung Khin, Han Tun, …)
• Priests (Edwin David, Bernard Taylor, …)

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60) stood Sixth in the Matriculation of 1960. He missed the top five spots by a mark each. The Brothers were disappointed although 20+ SPHS students received Collegiate Scholarship.

He worked at the Rangoon Children’s Hospital an taught Pediatrics. He was forced to resign for his involvement in 8-8-88 protest.

He worked for

• UNICEF Myanmar for two years
• China for two years
• Bangladesh for six years
• Oskistan for three and a half years
• Three and a half years in the Pacific based in Fiji

After retirement, he moved to Canberra, Australia.

He considers me as a member of his family. Our parents were Dhamma friends. He took care of the health of my then-young sons.

He was organizer of the “Alumni of the Medical Institutes in Myanmar”.

He added insightful comments to my Trivia posts. Some are about his father and six siblings. Some are about names of notable Burmese professionals.

I re-posted a few of his blogs : one about U Tin Tut and another about his bright classmates and students.

Dr. Nyunt Wai

• Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt, SPHS63) stood 4th in the whole of Burma in the Matriculation of 1963.
• He served as Professor of Physiology.
• He has compiled a list of Professors of Physiology.
• He worked in Malaysia.
• After his second retirement, he is spending time on his hobbies : writing and painting.
• He writes articles and poems.
• He plans to publish a book by the end of 2019.
• He illustrated one of the books by Ashin Ananda (Laureate Poet).
• He suggested a list of names to be covered.
• He also added entries to my posts about names.

Dr. Nyunt Wai wrote :

Thank you Ko Hla Min. But I’m no painter or a poet. Just occasional excursions to these fields. And I’m not a visiting Professor. Had to apply for this job in Malaysia just like any other expatriate from India or Bangladesh. So I’m no 3 “P”s. This reminds me of “No 3 P policy” of the now extinct Yahoo group Alumni-Myanmar-medical-institutes founded by Saya Johnny Thane Oke Kyaw-Myint, which served well as a lively forum for us until the advent of Facebook.

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :

Yes AMIM was a tight small group of us. Those who became friends then remain now as close friends. On FB, there is short attention as well as being bombarded by posts that we have no interest in.

Dr. Khin Maung U

Work Experience

The following is Dr. Khin Maung U’s work experience (in reverse chronological order) :

(1) Clinical Reviewer and Senior Medical Officer at U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(2) Assistant Professor and Physician at Johns Hopkins University
(3) Associate Professor, Physician at Hahnemann University Hospital
(4) Head, Clinical Research Division at Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health
(5) Clinical demonstrator at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)
(6) Demonstrator, Dept. of Pharmacology at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)

Scholar

Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63) stood first in the Matriculation in 1963. He received 100 marks each in Mathematics and Chemistry and 99 points (after one point deduction in the review) in Physics. He scored Distinction in English in HSF (High School Final), Matriculation and I.Sc.(A).

He was selected Lu Ye Chun for several years at the Institute of Medicine (1).

He performed research at BMRI (DMR) in Rangoon and at FDA in the US.

Due to changes in the policy for sending State Scholars, he had to do his M.Sc. (Medical Science).

Later, he completed several Fellowships and an MD from UNSW (University of New South Wales).

Family

His spouse Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Amy Hla Maung) did her DCH (Diploma in Child Health).

Their daughter Nilar is a medical doctor in the USA.

His younger brothers (Khin Maung Than, Khin Maung Win …) are Paulians.

Knowledge Sharing

He has his own blog on Medical Research Reports (about 80+ reports). He has presented selected medical research papers for the lay person.

Earlier, he also wrote and translated articles on Dhamma and acted as an interpreter at the Dhamma Talks and Meditation Retreats.

Dr. Nyan Taw

Dr. Nyan Taw (Dicky, SPHS63) matriculated from SPHS. He studied at RASU and Australia. He worked at RASU and Pearl & Fishery Corporation before going abroad.

He invited us at his son’s wedding in Southern California, and his daughter’s wedding in Yangon. Thanks.

Young and crazy team from Pearl Island four decades ago

Dr. Nyan Taw (Dicky, SPHS63), Soe Nyunt, …

Std. VIII B

Football

He played football with Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw), Phillip Ba Maung (GBNF) and other friends from SPHS and MEHS.

Old Paulians

He attends dinner gatherings hosted by Old Paulians.

Dr. Soe Win

Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58) is the son of Saya Sein and the nephew of Saya Kyaw Sein.

He stood first in the Matriculation in 1958. Robert Sein (SPHS58) was second in Burma.

Saya studied Chemistry Honors. He received his doctorate from the University of London.

Saya retired as Rector from YUFL (Yangon University of Foreign Languages).

In 2018, Saya Dr. Soe Win and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin celebrated their 48th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations.

Additional pictures have been posted by their sons.

Garawa

It is a time honored tradition to pay respect to one’s parents, mentors and elders. Garawa can be performed at any time.

Thadingyut is one occasion where most Burmese pay respect to their elders. In our younger days, some come to our parent’s house with BOC candles, bananas, or token items of gratitude.

Several former students (mostly retired Professors) paid respect to Saya Dr. Soe Win and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin.

Dr. Soe Win wrote :

It’s absolutely amazing how you put together your Trivia (now up to 1537) with accuracy, correct timing and up-to-date. It’s not enough to say you are a walking encyclopedia. I enjoy and benefited by your Trivias as do many others. Thank you.

U Myint Sein

U Myint Sein attended Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS) before moving to St. Paul’s High School (SPHS). He matriculated in 1964 and studied B.Com at the Institute of Economics (IE). He is a cousin brother of U Nyunt Tin (M70, RIT Table Tennis).

He served as Principal of BARB (Burma Astro Research Bureau). He taught Medical Astrology at the School of Indigenous Medicine (Taing Yin Saya Pyinnya) in Mandalay. He later founded “Idea Astrology”.

He is GBNF.

Paulians displaying SPHS Coats

• Ko Myint Swe
• Ko Win Thein
• Ko Myint Toe
• Ko Tin Maung Maung Than (Edward Than Maung)
• Ko Maung Maung Myint
• Ko Kyaw Sein Hla

Two Paulians from SPHS 64

In the Matriculation of 1964, Dr. Cherry Hlaing and Dr. Lyn Aung Thet had the highest marks. They are considered Joint First in the examination.

The controversial ILA system was used to admit students to the Universities and Institutes. Dr. Cherry Hlaing who had an ILA score of 50 was admitted as the Top student to IM(1). She was also selected Tekkatho Luyechun for Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the summer of 1965.

Dr. Lyn Aung Thet had four distinctions, but his Burmese scores were not high enough to get the perfect ILA score of 50. He was an multi-athlete and led IM(1) in Swimming and Water Polo. He was elected Luyechun in a subsequent year.

Dr. Aung Win (Lam Peng Chiong, SPHS64) was a few marks behind Dr. Cherry Hlaing and Dr. Lyn Aung Thet. So, many consider him to be Third in Matriculation (based on marks). But, he also had an ILA of 50 and was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number One (top student).

An Indian student was Fourth.

Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS64) was Fifth. He was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number Two.


Where are they now?

• They were my class mates at SPHS (Saint Paul’s High School).
• I have not heard from them (most for a very long time).
• Hope they are alive and well.

Alfred Lunn Maung
He was a close friend of Edmund Ba Thin in our middle school days.

Anthony Lourdes
He was one of the three classmates who had plans to become Catholic Priests.

Aung Kyee Myint
He was selected Tekkatho Luyechun from Yezin (Agricultural Institute) for the Inlay Khaung Daung Camp in 1965.

A S Soni
He and Dave S Saluja were the two well known Sikhs in our class.

Bernard Taylor
He did missionary work in the Philippines before moving back to Upper Burma. I once received a short message on the Internet, but have not heard from him since.

Edmund Ba Thin
He is the elder brother of Tin Latt who rowed for Ye Gyaung Lu Nge. He is a close friend of Alfred Lunn Maung.

Edward Chow
He took Matriculation as an external candidate along with San Maung (Robert Kyi).

Edward Hla Shwe (1)
His father owned a Photo Studio and was one of the contractors for taking Group Photos of the classes. An unmounted Class Photo sold for one kyat. The mounted version sold for One Kyat and Fifty pyas.
Several years ago, I met him at his “Myet Hman (glasses)” shop on Sule Pagoda Road. The shop later relocated.

Edward Hla Shwe (2)
He was one of the classmates who were allowed to leave early on Fridays.

Han Kan Paw
He was from Chin Hills.

Hla Myint
He was one of tallest guys in our class. His family manufactured Snow White Makeup.

Herbert KCL
Some would try to remember KCL as Potassium Chloride. It stands for Khai Chin Liang.

Khin Maung Khine
I am not sure why he received the nickname “Nga Ye Min Tha”.

Khin Maung Kywe 
He excelled in Track and Field, and Soccer.

Khin Maung Lin (Saw Lin)
He was named Saw Lin because he was born in Nattalin. He became a medical doctor.
His younger brother was named Saw Pun because he was born in PaPun. Both renamed “Saw” to “Khin”.

Jonathan Swamy 
He was close with Patrick Das and Sammy Bi.

Malcolm Maung Maung
He became known as Zi Wa Mya Zaw (Distinguished Tuition Saya for Biology). His parents and siblings operated Recording Studios.

Maung Maung Thaung
He gave his address as 51, Pho Myay Lann.

Michael Oo
He is the elder brother of Bo Bo Oo (Oscar, M71).

Michael Su
He is close with Michael Oo.

Moe Nyunt
He was called “Lay Lone”. He attended the I.Sc.(A) held at SPHS.

Orlando Thein
He was a member of the Marching Band along with Win Maung. He became a medical doctor.

Patrick Das
He was an organizer for games at Lunch Break.

Patrick Ni
His younger sister is the spouse of Ko Maung Maung Gyi (SPHS64, UCC).

Sammy Bi 
He was close with Patrick Das and Jonathan Swamy.

San Maung (Robert Kyi)
He took Matriculation as an external candidate along with Edward Chow.

Sydney Khant
He is the son of Pantanaw U Khant and nephew of United Nations Secretary General U Thant.

Than Htay
He is a cousin of Win Maung. He studied Engineering.

Than Win (Henry Wong)
There were two Than Win. The other Than Win studied Engineering,

Tin Ni
During our Std IV (D), he was the Champion for Track & Field in the Midget class.

Tommy Aung
There were two Tommy Aung. He majored in Physics. The other Tommy Aung (aka Tun Tun Aung) studied Medicine.

Tommy Chit Maung (Naing Win)
He is the son of Widura Thakin Chit Maung.

William Mya
Many years ago, he was a Tuition Saya.

Win Maung 
He is a cousin of Than Htay. He was a member of the Marching Band. He studied Medicine.

Mini-gatherings

Frank Gale’s visit to Yangon

Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, SHPS63) lives in the UK. He came to Yangon at least once a year to visit his 90+ year young mother and his eldest sister (who takes care of the mother). Recently, his mother fell down and was hurt. Worse still, his eldest sister Daw Khin Myo Han was shocked and succumbed to a massive heart attack.

During Frank’s visit, he would also see his Paulian friends :

• Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San, GBNF)
• Khin Maung Bo (Allan Saw Maung)
• Tin Tun
• Kyaw Wynn
• Than Win

Kyaw Win’s Birthday Soon Kwyay

During my visit to Yangon, Kyaw Wynn hosted a lunch gathering at “Shwe Ba” Saing to celebrate his birthday. He offered “Nawakama” to Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor Chaw, “Okkantha”), who resides in Sagaing Hills.

Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi), Aye Ngwe (Edwin Ngwe), and some (whom we have lost contact) showed up. Arthur Kyi used to drive a big motor cycle. Edwin Ngwe was a regular football player on most Saturdays after taking the one-hour Mathematics test given by Brother Clementian.

Paing Brothers

(1) Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54) is a medical doctor. His early assignment was Malaria Campaign. He is a Champion golfer.

(2) Saya U Soe Paing (SPHS56) won a Collegiate Scholarship in the Matriculation examination of 1956. Saya studied BS and MS in EE (Electrical Engineering) at Stanford University in the USA. Upon his return, he joined the EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer. He transferred to UCC as Systems Manager. Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe founded UCC with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF). Saya received an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Southampton in the UK. Saya worked for UN projects in several countries. He wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and his experiences as a States Scholar and UN Advisor. After retirement, Saya spent time playing golf and practicing vipassana meditation. Saya suffered back pain and had a minor surgery in Singapore. Saya had to stop playing golf.

During his UCC days, Saya served as a Golf Correspondent. I helped Saya type about the competition at RGC (Rangoon Golf Club) and BGC (Burma Golf Club) and submit to the English newspapers.

(3) U Win Paing (SPHS64) won several Golf Championships with his younger brother U Kyaw Paing. After finishing the finals for ChE (Chemical Engineering) examination in 1970, he entered monkhood with his friend U Aung Min. He has been a Taik Oke and finally the Chief Resident Monk of KabaAye Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw. He is known as Sayadaw U Wara.

(4) U Kyaw Paing (SPHS67) represented Burma in the Putra Cup. He is a lawyer and an entrepreneur.

U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :

For number of years, I was the carrier-cum-postman to bring Saya U Soe Paing’s typed golf news to the WPD, Working Peoples’ Daily at Theingbyu Street! Just one of the chores I had in those days.

I remember jokingly asked Sayadaw U Wara how he felt seeing the (18th??) hole over the fence from the Sunlun Kyaung’s “Thein”. The new golf course was built for VIPs inside Kabaaye, and that particular hole was seen from the “Thein” less than 40-50 yards, of course over the fence.

GBNF

• Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San)
• Dr. Freddie Sein
• Dr. Maung Maung Aye
• Rev. Edwin David
• U Aung Khin
• U Min Thaw (Gilbert Thaw)
• U Shwe Zan Aung
• Uzin Patrick Ba Maung

U Aung Kyaw Myint (Eddie Shein)

Aung Kyaw Myint (Eddie Shein) is alumni of SPHS and RIT. His daughter Thiri Soe is now FRACGP.

Sad News

Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, SPHS63) wrote :

Dear Friends,

My mother had a fall a few days ago but luckily no broken bones. However she is still in considerable pain and from being ambulant and able for a 96 year old she has been bed bound at home with a carer and closely attended day and night by my very close, knowledgeable and reliable friend Sayargyi Professor Dr. U Aung Myint.

Despite all this, my eldest sister (Daw Khin Myo Han), who was 79 found the situation too stressful and had a fatal massive heat attack this morning at around 6am GMT.

Sayagyi U Aung Myint arrived for his regular day time visit and tried but to no avail.

Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San)

Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San, SPHS 63, GBNF) stood third in the whole of Burma in the Matriculation of 1963.

He had mastered phonetics. He also had read lots of English books. One would not be surprised that he scored distinctions in English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

He was a little bit older than us, and that might have given him a slight advantage in the early years.

He gave me a quiz. “How do you pronounce GHOTI?” I gave an answer which he corrected as “FISH”. He had read George Bernard Shaw, who posed the quiz as a lesson on the eccentricities of English.

• GH is phonetically equivalent to F as in ROUGH.
• O is phonetically equivalent to I as in WOMAN.
• TI is phonetically equivalent to SH as in ATTENTION.
• Thus, GHOTI is phonetically equivalent to FISH.

He became a surgeon, but the stress caused him to take early retirement.

Sadly, he passed away.

Young Myo San (Freddie) could be seen fifth from the left in the third row in the picture of Std VIII(A) of SPHS. Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor) is next to him. He can also be seen third from right in the photo from Myanmar Ah Lin Newspaper.