He offered birthday soon kyway to Uzin Okkantha (Victor, Aung Chaw) and treated his former SPHS63 classmates (some of whom have not seen each other for a long time). The attendees include :
Aye Ngwe (Edwin)
Kyaw Win (“Birthday Boy”)
Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung, EP69)
Hla Min (EC69)
Uzin Okkantha (Aung Chaw, Victor, C69)
Than Win (M69)
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi)
Tin Tun (M69)
Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, IM1 70, UK)
SPHS Novice Crew at RUBC
Maung Maung Kyi (Bow)
Hla Min (No. 2)
Kyaw Win (No. 3, EE)
Willie Soe Mg (Stroke)
Myint Thein (Cox, SPHS 62, B.Com 66)
We were all awarded Full Green.
When the schools were closed following the first Anniversary of 7th July, Kyaw Win and Maung Maung Kyi applied for scholarships to study in Germany.
Maung Maung Kyi received Dip Ing in ChE with Specislization in Pulp and Paper. He worked at Sittaung Paper Mill and PPIC before moving to Wales, UK.
Kyaw Win had a higher calling. He and his friends protested in front of the Burmese Embassy. The higher authorities were alarmed at their movement and recalled back to Burma. Fortunately, he was able to complete his EE in Rangoon.
GBNF
In alphabetical order
Aung Chaw (Victor Chaw, C69, Ashin Ukkamsa)
Aung Khin
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi)
Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, EC69, 13th in Burma)
Aung Thwin, Dr.
Freddie Ba San, Dr. (Myo San, 3rd in Burma)
Freddie Sein, Dr.
Gilbert Thaw (Min Thaw, EP)
Maung Maung Aye, Dr.
Maung Maung Kyi (11th in Burma)
Myint Soe (Willie Soe Maung, 1st batch BDS, Stroke in my novice crew)
Group photo of Past Captains was taken in the early 1960s.
Several had passed away at that time. They are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
Some have moved overseas.
U Tin U was the most senior among the Past Captains. He passed away on August 19, 2025 (a few weeks after his 96th birthday).
U Maung Maung Than Tun was the oldest among the Past Captains. He was older than U Tin U by a few months. Both are now GBNF.
U Ba Tun (1925) was the first Captain of RUBC
Commodore Than Pe (1927, 1928, 1930, Second President, succeeded Sir Arthur Eggar) : Defense Boat Club, Burma Rowing Federation, Vice Chief of Staff, Revolutionary Council, Minister of Health and Education, Bust)
U Oo Toke (1931)
U Tha Htin (1932) is an uncle of Dr. Tin Wa and Ko Frankie Ohn.
U Tun Thoung (1933, Third President in 1962) : sons — Maurice (Gold in 1961), Dennis (Green), Winston (Gold in 1962), Freddie (Green, basketball, swimming, track and field)
U Zaw Win (1934)
U Aye Maung (1935)
U Sein Tun (1936)
U / Ko Thaw (1937)
G. I. Ba Tun (1938)
U Kin Maung Bo (1939) was the first native Chief of Burmese Navy
C H Chan (U Thet Toe, 1940) and nephews — U Tin U (1948), Dr. Myo Tint (1955), U Tin Htoon(1959), U Sein Htoon, (1962), U Thaung Lwin (1963) — are Past Captains in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The younger generation includes Phone Win and Zeyar Linn.
U Kyaw Thant (1941)
Club was inactive from 1942 to 1946, The Club house was ravaged in the World War. It was rebuilt with the help of Old Members.
U Kyaw Thein (1947, Civil Aviation)
U Tin U (1948, a Captain of RGC, most senior among the Past Captains until his demise on Aug 19, 2025)
U Kin Maung Nwe (1949)
Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick San Pe, 1950, Pediatric Surgeon, Canada) : older brother of H.E Dr. Pe Thein (Tom San Pe)
William Ohn Pe (1951)
U Chan Tha (1952, Soccer star, USA)
Bohmu Maung Maung Than Tun (1953, RUBC, Defense Rowing, Burma Rowing Federation), He has two sons. Hla Maw Tun is Past Secretary and Gold. Aung Khine is Past Captain and Gold
U Ko Ko Lay (1954)
Dr. Myo Tint (1955, Third in Burma in Matriculation, younger brother of U Tin U, succumbed to Covid)
U Tin Htut (1956, won Senior Novices as Rower and Cox, USA) : brothers U Mya Maung (elder) and Dr. Than Toe
Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, 1957, ARAE Champion in 1959 and 1960, Multiple Sports Athlete, Pediatric Surgeon, Hong Kong, GBNF) : brother Victor Saing (Aye Kyaw)
Dr. Than Nyun (George, 1958, President of OMA)
U Tin Htoon (1959, ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960, USA, 40th and 90th Anniversary Issues, younger bother of U Tin U)
U Han Tin (1960, Australia, GBNF) : father Sithu U Tin (4th President in 1963, 40th Anniversary Issue)
Dr. Tin Wa (1961, USA) : U Tin Ohn (father, early member) and younger brother Dr. Frankie Ohn
U Sein Htoon (1962, ARAE Champion, Burma Rowing Federation) : Zeyar Linn (son) is Past Captain and Gold
U Thaung Lwin (1963, Singapore ) : youngest brother of U Tin U
U Myo Tin (William Hone, 1964) : joined Air Force
U Zaw Lin (1965) : joined Army
Higher authorities ignored the Bye Laws from the mid 1960s. I was the last Democratically Elected Executive Committee Member.
U San Maung (Gerald Sein, GBNF)
He is Past Secretary and Gold.
Ko Tin Myint (son of Arzani U Razak) remembered the AGM (Annual General Meeting) where they voted for Ko Gerald for Secretary.
In the Rag Regatta, Ko Gerald rowed as Bow for the EC crew which has three ECs who usually rowed on the Stroke side.
He was an excellent Sculler.
He served as RUBC coach. He would emphasis on practicing with “Fixed Tub”.
He was Shooting / Production Manager for Ah Myo Tha Yoke Shin (managed by U Sein Tin and U Mya Maung) and affiliated movie companies. We met Ko Gerald and his team in Ngapali where they were shooting a movie with War War Win Shwe. He asked if I would like to join them on the “road trip” via Taung Goke back home. The trip was tough but memorable. At Taung Goke, our host (movie theater owner) offered free admission to young people who could translate the movie titles into English. A winning entry was “Fly away bitter bird” for “Pyan Lay Dei Nghet Khar”.
Ko Gerald is GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten). His younger brother is Ko Hardy (Yan Shin, Cox).
Members join RUBC as Novices. The two top teams compete in the Senior Novices event. The losing semi-finalists compete in the Junior Novices event.
The Senior Novices winners were awarded the Pewter Cup donated by Sir Arthur Eggar (Founder and Life President of RUBC). They also receive RUBC Brooch and are among the top contenders to receive Color Awards.
Color Awards
The Color Awards Committee review the the Log Books and the performance at the regattas to award colors.
Half Green
Full Green
Gold
Gold is awarded to members for representing RUBC (e.g. in Inter-Club events)
Only a few became Gold within one year.
Two examples :
1954 : Ko Tun Shein (Willie Saing) won the Senior Novices as Timing Stroke. He became Gold.
1957 : Ko Tun Zan became Gold.
Early System
Depending on the time and resources, novices may have to wait for some time before they have access to Shell Fours.
Novice Start with Fixed Tub Row Tub Pairs and Tub Fours Row Clinker / Shell
Half Green Can cox Row Pairs, Fours, Eights
Full Green Can cox Row Sculls, Pairs, Fours, Eights
Gold RUBC Blazer Coat with Gold lining
Rangoon University Sports Council
For some period, the RU Sports Council also offered RUBC members
Most members enjoy swimming in the Inya Lake after they had finished rowing.
A few members do not know how to swim, but they are confident that the eights and fours will not capsize even if someone “catches a crab”. There were a few instances where the scull and the pairs tripped over, but the non-swimmers felt safe and sound by clinging to the boat.
At one time, Burmese Laungs were loaned by RUBC. They are liable to flip over more than the RUBC boats.
There were two boatmen. U Par Oo was the senior. He and his son Tin Aung sold Than Pa Ya Yay. Ko Mya Hlaing was the junior. He sold Bu Thee Kyaw. They had to maintain the Tub Pairs and Tub Fours, and make patches to the boats and oars.
Before our days, there were many boats that were imported and not so many active members.
Later, due to restrictions for foreign exchange and the increase in active members, some local boats were used for training the novices.
Zeyar Linn added :
Our times 1992-2002, Swimming was prohibited but nowadays it is part of training sessions.
Founder & Director of “Myanmar Ah Than” (Burma Broadcasting Service).
Has a son (Ko Wint Khin Zaw) and four daughters.
U Thein Han / Zaw Gyi
U Thein Han
Co-founder of the “Khit San Sar Pay”
Literary Award Winner
Laureate Poet
Succeeded U Khin Zaw as Chief Librarian of Rangoon University
U Thaw Kaung
U Thaw Kaung
Succeeded U Thein Han as Chief Librarian of Rangoon University
He and Saya U Ba Than (M) were the early supporters of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project. He provided access to the library archives for Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and his team to compile an early draft for the HMEE-2012 book.
Libraries
Universities and Colleges around the world usually maintain libraries and offer cross-loans for rare books and documents.
There are Public Libraries and Private Libraries.
Before the Internet, most libraries use the Dewey Decimal System for cataloging books. Since the distribution of the books is not uniform, some books have several decimal digits following the original three digit category.
ISBN is used by major publishers. A Stanford University Arts Professor wanted to use “The Illustrated History of Buddhism ” by Ashin Janakabhivamsa (Taung Myo Sayadaw) and illustrated by Saya U Ba Kyi. Since the book did not have an ISBN, the book could not be ordered and sold through the University Book Store.
The Library of Congress has a large collection of books. It also has a section for books from Asian countries. The books in the Burma Collection are cataloged using phonetic transcription of the Burmese title.
U Win Pe (Maung Swan Yi) served as Secretary of the Burmese Curriculum and later studied Library Science. He wrote an article in Myanmar Gazette about collecting Burmese books for access via the New York libraries and the Library of Congress.
In most parts of the world, December 31st is celebrated as New Year’s Eve. In the Times Square in New York, many tourists wait for the count down to the New Year.
January 1st is celebrated as the start of the New Year. For many, it is a holiday.
Peasants’ Day
In the early days, Burma celebrated January 1st as Peasants’ Day. It was a holiday.
The Revolutionary Council staged a Coup D’etat on March 2, 1962. The BSPP government moved Peasants’ Day to March 2nd.
Birthdays
Saya U Than Lwin (Eric Lwin, my cousin uncle, GBNF) celebrated his birthday on January 1st.
Ye Than
For several years, U Ye Than (Winner Inn, son of my cousin brother Sayagyi U Ba Than) has celebrated his birthday on January 1st with a Soon Kyway.
Sayagyi U Ba Than lost his “right arm man” U Aung Moung (M73) in early January, 2018.
Whenever Sayagyi asked for U Aung Moung’s help, he will be at Winner Inn as fast as time and schedule permit.
I met him last year at Winner Inn. He was visiting Sayagyi U Ba Than as well as Daw Win Mar, younger sister of his childhood friend.
U Aung Moung was active in RIT-related activities and in his neighborhood monasteries. The monks voluntarily offered to take part at his final journey at Yae Wae. Actions speak louder than words.
Saya U Tun Shwe, Saya U Lin, Saya U Nyunt Htay, U Han Sein, U Tin Tun Aung, U Than Po, U Kyaw Kyaw and several alumni attended the last journey at Ye Way Crematorium/Cemetery.
Aye Win Kyaw (C70)
U Aye Win Kyaw & Madan Chand
He passed away in Pyin Oo Lwin. He earlier lost his son due to a faulty water heater system at the medical clinic (where U Aye Win Kyaw was being treated). It was a double tragedy for the family.
He taught astronomy and astrology at MARB.
Madan Chand (C70)
He was 2nd in his class. He joined the Faculty.
He moved to USA.
He passed away in Illinois.
Aung Thwin, Dr. (SPHS63)
Dr. Aung Thwin
He was a successful OG. He passed away in Southern California. He is the brother of Dr. Khin Khin Thwin (Carmen) and Daw Yee Yee Thwin (Jasmine).
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi, SPHS63)
Khin Mg Bo, Aung Kyi & Tin Tun
He passed away in Yangon.
Khin Mg Bo (Allan Saw Mg, SPHS63, EP69)
He passed away in Yangon.
Tin Tun (Phone Gyi, SPHS63, M69)
He was Joint Secretary of RIT Thaing Association. He taught Naval Architecture. He passed away in Yangon.
Myint Sein (Bobby, SPHS64)
U Myint Sein
He is an alumnus of Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS), St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) and the Institute of Economics. He is Past Principal of BARB (Burma Astro Research Bureau), Visiting Lecturer at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (in Mandalay) and Founder of Idea Astrology.
Aung Myint (Sonny, SPHS64)
He joined RIT EE as Lab Technician. He transferred to UCC as Maintainence Technician. He was promoted to Maintenance Engineer. He lost his job after filling in the 1988-related questionnaire. He gave private tuition on PLA. He passed away at his breakfast table.
Three SPHS & UCC alumni — CO U Hla Min (Pauk Si), U Maung Maung Gyi (Henry Than Htay) and U Aung Myint (Sonny) — are GBNF.
Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, C63)
U Myint Lwin
He was from the Class of 61. He took sabbatical to get married. He is a good vocalist. He passed away in California, USA.
Myint Thein (Kabar, M69)
U Myint Thein (Kabar)
He was a core organizer of the 69ers. He had medical checkup in Singapore and India, but he passed away in Yangon due to his deteriorating health. He is fondly known as Maung Kabar (a famous cartoon character of our younger days).
Chit Tin (Bo Chit, EC69)
Kabar and Chit Tin
U Chit Tin graduated in 1969 with EC (Electrical Communications). He is the third member of the group to pass away. The other two are U Kyaw Soe (EC69) and U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69).
Oo Kyaw Hla (EC69)
He passed away in Canada. He is the fourth EC69er to pass away.
Chan Nyein, Saya Dr. (M67)
Dr. Chan Nyein
He is a retired Minister of Education.
Saw Lin (C71)
U Saw Lin
He had several medical problems, but he was active as a core organizer of SPZP-2012.
Tin Swe, Saya (EE53)
He played soccer for the Prome Hall team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for two consecutive years.
H Num Kok, Saya (C)
He was a saya of our sayas. He passed away at the tender age of 98 in Oregon, USA.
Allen Htay, Saya (C58)
He a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000. Saya’s books were donated to YTU Library by Daw Mu Mu Kin. In saya’s memory, several YTU students have been provided scholarships (with the coordination of NorCal RITAA and volunteers from RITAA).
Khin Mg Myint (Shastri)
Shastri and mostly 69ers
He received the nickname due to resemblance to the Indian Prime Minister.
San Tint, Saya Dr. (EE61)
Dr. San Tint visiting Seattle
He taught at BIT, RIT and YTU. He retired as Professor of Electronic Engineering. He attended SPZP-2000 and took trips to Seattle and New York to have mini-reunion with former students.
Paulians
SPHSSPHS
Aung Khin, Aung Kyi, Aung Thu Yein, Khin Naung Bo, Maung Maung Kyi, Richard Lim and several others are GBNF.
Saw Tin, Saya Dr. (Maths)
Dr. Saw Tin
Win Naing (Dicky Tan, M69)
Win Naing (Dicky)
He passed away in Singapore. He represented RIT in Rowing.
Tin Myint (John Lee, M69)
Tin Myint (John)
He passed away in Union City, California, USA. He represented RIT in Table Tennis. He was selected RIT Luyechun for 4th BE.
Hla Shwe, Saya (T69)
Hla Shwe
He retired as Associate Professor. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
Tin Shwe, Saya (EP66)
U Tin Shwe
He taught at RIT and Assumption University in Bangkok. After retirement, he became a monk. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
intoxicating drinks and drugs that cause heedlessness
eating after mid-day (until next dawn) (a) dancing, singing, playing music, witnessing shows or entertainment (b) wearing flowers, using perfumes, beautifying with cosmetics
using high and luxurious seas and beds
Importune Moments
Being born in hell
Being born in the animal realm
Being born in the Peta realm (of ghosts or ever-hungry beings) and in the Asura realm (of demons)
Being born as a long-lived Brahma in the realms of No-Perception (Asannasatta) and No-Form (Arupaloka)
Being born as a person in a remote borderland inaccessible to monks, nuns, and lay people
Being born as a person with wrong views
Being born as a man with no intelligence to understand the Dhamma
Being born as a man with intelligence but when the Buddha has not arisen
Miscellaneous
Octave Eight notes apart
August Eighth month in the Gregorian Calendar
October Eighth month in the Old Roman Calendar
President’s Challenge Cup (RUBC) Inter-club Coxed Eights
Gallon Eight pints
Mile Eight furlongs
Sabbath includes 8th Waxing day and 8th Waning day
Right speech
HlaMin 