HlaMin

Blog

  • 69ers

    U Hla Min

    Saya U Myat Htoo (Chair, BOD, Norcal RITAA) presented the award to U Hla Min (EC69) at the Annual Dinner

    Alumni Appreciation Award
    Award presented by U Myat Htoo

    U Han Sein / A Pho Gyi (GBNF)

    • Represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo, Diving and Basketball
    • Became a Tone Kyaw when he was inadvertently listed as GBNF in the 69er Contact List (in 1999).
    • He was sentenced to 20 years by a kangaroo court (along with Dr. Aung Khin Sint and Ma Thidar – Sanchaung). He was released after 17 years.
    • He was a Thet Kyee of Latha Township.
    • He took photos at the 69er gatherings and distributed them to selected attendees.
    • He succumbed to Covid
    U Han Sein (GBNF), U Ngwe Tun, Roland (U Khin Maung Win), U Sein Myint (K K Wong), Cyril (U Than Hla), Oscar (U Tin Aung Win) at 69er Breakfast Gathering

    U Ngwe Tun / Tun Tun

    • Every month, he offers Garawa money to Ashin Ukkamsa (Victor Aung Chaw) and Ashin Pannagavesaka (Bobby Myo Tun) in memory of his beloved spouse.
    • He offered to host the 69er breakfast gathering for Sept 2022, but the gathering did not take place. Apology was offered by U Aung Min and team.

    U Khin Maung Win / Roland Thein

    • He was known for his debating skills.
    • He also competed in Scrabble tournaments.

    U Sein Myint / K K Wong

    • He represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo and Rowing.
    • He is a major Donor for 69er HCF and EE69er HCF.
    • He spends time in Singapore, California and Myanmar.

    U Than Hla / Cyril Ba Than

    • Son of U Ba Than
    • Also known as Cyril or Cyril Than Hla
    • He took Training / Studies abroad.

    U Tin Aung Win / Oscar Than Nyunt

    • He is a Moderator of RIT Updates FB group.
    • He uses Zoom to keep in touch with selected 69ers and HIC Colleagues.
    • He gave me rides to attend 69er gatherings.

    U Tin Htut / Harry / Mon Yu

    • Hobbies (old and new)
    • Writing (Hmu Tin encouraged him)
    • Music
    • Tai Chi
    • Very Senior 69er
    Harry Tin Htut

    Albert Kyaw Min

    • Founder & President, Myanmar Pulp & Paper
    • Current President (AFPPI)
      Meeting (of 8 countries) in Thailand
    • Guitarist & Vocalist along with Daniel Tint Lwin (Singapore) & Robert Win Boh (Australia)
    Seated : Nay Win (GBNF), Win Boh (Robert), Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma), Minn Aung (Hla Thaung)
    Standing: Win Naing (Dicky), Tint Lwin (Daniel), Aung Myint, Kyaw Min (Ei Kun)

    Notes

    • U Chit Po Po’s father is U Ba Than (co-founder of Burma Chamber of Commerce). U Chit Po Po (GBNF) represented RIT in Rowing. He is an expert Harpist.
    • Many 69ers have less or no time for their hobbies. e.g U Tin Maung Aye (Accordion)
    • 119 members (about a third of the Class) are GBNF. 20+ passed away (within the past two years; mostly due to Covid)
    • Some have medical problems.

  • September

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Background

    • 7th month of old Roman calendar
      “Sept” means Seven.
    • 10th month of Gregorian calendar
    • It has 30 days.

    Events

    September 18, 1988

    • The hopes of Multi-party Democracy movement was crushed by another brutal military take over.
    • Bogyoke Saw Maung led the Coup. He was later ousted by Than Shwe and Khin Nyunt.

    Autumnal Equinox

    • For Northern Hemisphere
      On or around September 22

    Occasional

    • End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
      The Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut falls in September or October.

    Movie & Song

    • Come September

    Birthdays

    • Saya U Tin Htut (M)
    U Tin Htut
    • Saya U Lay Aung (M)
    • U Tin Htoon (A60)
    U Tin Htoon
    • U Ngwe Tun (C69)
    U Ngwe Tun (Standing Rightmost)
    • U Myint Soe (M79)
    • Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin
    • U Mya Thein (Kenneth)
    • Dr. Aye Kyaw (Victor)

    M75

    M75 members paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on September 25, 2017.

    Attendees include

    • H.E. U Win Khaing (now GBNF)
    • U Tin Soe
    • U Than Po (now GBNF)
    • U Hla Win
    • U Ye Lin Oo
    • U Zaw Min

    The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing.

  • September 2022

    September 2022

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Birthdays

    • Dr. Aye Kyaw (Victor, brother of Sayama Sheila Saing)
    • Saya U Lay Aung (M)
    • Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (Mother of U Aung Mon)
    • U Mya Thein (Cousin)
      91st Birthday on Sep 1
    • U Myint Pe (M72)
    • U Myint Soe (M79)
    • U Ngwe Tun (C69)
    • U Ohn Khine (M70)
    • U Saw Myint Naing (C69)
    • U Than Win (M69)
    • U Tin Htoon (A60)
      84th Birthday on Sep 3
    Three Architects
    U Tin Htut & U Tin Htoon
    • Saya U Tin Htut (M59)
      85th Birthday on Sep 4
    U Tin Htut

  • 1st BE Intake of 64 & 65 (Sept 2023)

    Monthly Breakfast Gathering

    First Sunday of September 2023, gathering of RIT Alumni 1964+65 intake (3.9.23) at Sein Hlyan food house

    Class of 1970 and 1971

    The 1st BE Intake of 1964 is also known as the Class of 1970, since most members graduated in 1970.

    Likewise, the 1st BE Intake of 1965 is known as the Class of 1971.

    The members of the two Classes hold joint gatherings including the “Reunion and Acariya Pu Zwe Pwe”.

    The monthly gatherings were mostly held at Sein Hlyan Cafe.

    Sein Hlyan is the name of the horse owned by U Han Tun Maung (SPHS) and his family. U Han Tun Maung was active in sports : Track and Field, Football / Soccer, Swimming, Archery and Equestrian.

    Organizers of the group include U Khin Maung Thann and U Zaw Winn (Zin Yaw Gyi).

  • Alumni Appreciation Award

    NorCal RITAA

    Annual Reunion Dinner on September 17, 2016

    U Myat Htoo, Chair, Board of Directors presented the “Alumni Appreciation Award” to U Hla Min

  • September Born & Donors

    September Born

    • U Htun Aung
    • Ivan Lee
    • U Myint Pe (Cartoon)
    • U Soe Paing, Saya
    • U Tin Htoon
    U Tin Htoon
    • U Tin Htut, Saya
    Saya U Tin Htut
    • U Toee Maung (Zat Saya)
    • Toni Khaing / Toni Than, Sayama
    • U Wynn Htain Oo (Mg Mar Ga)


    Sponsors for 69er Breakfast

    • ဦးငွေထွန်း U Ngwe Tun
    • ဦးတင်ရှိန် U Tin Shein
    • ဦးသန်းဝင်း U Than Win
    • ဦးချမ်းငြိမ်း U Chan Nyein
    • ဒေါ်ခင်သန်းမြင့်တင် Daw Khin Than Myint Tin
    • ဦးစောမြင့်နိုင် U Saw Myint Naing
    • ဦးဖေဟန်ထွန်း U Pe Han Tun
    • U Zaw Win (Thailand)
    • Albert Kyaw Min (50+ Anniversary)

  • NorCal RITAA (Sept 2016)

    Annual Dinner on September 17, 2016

    • Saya U Myat Htoo (Chair, BOD) presented the Alumni Appreciation Award to U Hla Min
    U Myat Htoo presenting the Alumni Appreciation Award to U Hla Min
    U Hla Min and U Myat Htoo
    • EC and BOD, NorCal RITAA
    EC and BOD, NorCal RITAA

    (L to R) : U San Lin, U Thaung Nyunt, U Aung Myint Oo, Maurice Chee, Walter Tan, U Myat Htoo, Gordon Kaung, U Hla Min, U Myint Swe, U Ko Ko Zin, U Nyunt Than

    • Group photos
    EC and BOD & Spouses, NorCal RITAA
    Attendees
    Attendees
    Dance
  • RU Centennial Group

    RU Centennial Group

    Preparations

    • Kick off in Dec 2019
    • Exhibits
    • Publications
    • Interviews
    • Centennial celebrations in 2020

    Media

    Newspapers (e.g Kyemon) and TV stations (e.g MRTV) helped celebrate the RU Centennial.

    Photos

    There are photos of alumni (with various flavors)

    • Care-free days
    • Gatherings
    • Graduation
    • Couples
    • Siblings
    • Two or three generations

    Posts

    • Censorship
      Publications
      Songs
    • Dark Days
      July 1962
      December 1974
      1988
      Other Ah Yah Ah Khin
    • Education Systems
      Early Days
      New System in 1964
      Regional Colleges
      Proliferation of schools
    • Memories
      SEAP Games
      RU Sports
      Gone But Not Forgotten
      Sweet memories
      Lost love
    • Outstanding Alumni
      Leaders
      Sayas and Sayamas
      Various Disciplines
    • Poems
      Kabyars
      English poems

  • December 2023

    RUBC Centennial

    Preparation

    Gone But Not Forgotten

    • Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain and Gold)
    • Maung Maung Than Tun (Past Captain and Gold)

  • April

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Background

    • 2nd month of old Roman Calendar
    • 4th month of the Gregorian Calendar
    • Has 30 days

    Events

    Thingyan

    • Thingyan means “Change”.
    • Cula Thingyan (small change) occurs every month when the Sun sign enters a new Yathi / Rasi.
    • Maha Thingyan (big change) occurs every year on April 13
      In the Geocentric Model, the Sun sign enters Meiktha on April 13.
    • Three or four days of Water Festival. Some perform meritorious deeds (e.g. helping the Elderly, observe Eight Precepts).

    Myanmar New Year

    • Usually falls on April 16 (for three days of Thingyan).
    • Often fall on April 17 (for four days of Thingyan).

    USA

    Taxes

    • The deadline for filing taxes in the USA is April 15. If April 15 falls on the weekend, the deadline is moved to the following Monday.
    • In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline was moved to July 15.

    Sports

    • NCAA Basketball Tournament Finals. Tournament starts with 64 – 66 College Teams in March. Four teams make to the “Final Four”. The winner is crowned NCAA Basketball Champion.

    Religion

    • Occasional : Passover (celebrated by the Jews)
    • Occasional : Easter / Resurrection of Jesus Christ (celebrated by Christians)
    • Occasional : The Islamic Calendar is purely lunar; so Ramadan falls on different months in the Solar Calendar. In 2020, Ramadan fell in March.
    • In 2020, due to “Social Distancing” measures to contain COVID-19, most celebrations were toned down.

    General

    Name of a Girl / Woman

    • April Chit Khin
    • April Shan Lone
    • April Thein

    Relatives

    Over the years, we lost three relatives during the Thingyan period.

    • U Than Lwin (Eric, uncle)
    • Daw Mya Mya (Emerald, cousin)
    • Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, son of my cousin U Tin U) on April 13, 2020

    On a bright note, there are some birthdays and anniversaries of uncles, aunts and cousins.

    Songs & Saying

    • April Love (Movie / Song)
    • April in Portugal (Song)
    • April showers bring May flowers (Saying)
    • April Fool (Pranks)

    Ngapali Beach

    • Wrote a poem about Ngapali Beach. Visited Ngapali three times.One trip was to give a Guest Lecture at the Ngapali Luyechun Camp for university students in the Summer of 1988.
    Poem

    RIT Alumni Newsletter

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    • Started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in April 1999.
    • It was partly responsible for the “First RIT Alumni Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” (SPZP-2000) in San Francisco in October 2000.

    April 2018

    69er Gathering in Yangon

    There were two Auspicious Celebrations on the 69er monthly breakfast gathering at Royal Rose Restaurant (7 April, 2018)

    • Birthday for Mehm Aye Chan (M69)
    • 45th Wedding Anniversary for Hla Myint Thein (C69) & Myint Myint Than (C71)

    Sad News

    • Ko San Linn C69 passed away on 5th April 2018 at Asia Royal Hospital. Funeral services took place on the April 11 am at Hindi Cemetery, Yae Wai. Ko San Linn is GBNF serial 82.

    Gathering at iNapa Winery in April 2018

    • U Myint Swe (EP74) and Daw San San (EC74) gave us a ride to iNapa Winery to attend the gathering hosted by U Gordon Kaung (M83) and Daw Lillian Kaung (EC83).
    • Attendees include U Aung Soe Win (Consul General) & family, U Kai (Myanmar Gazette) & brother; Saya U Maung Maung (George), Saya U Myat Htoo, U Ko Ko Zin, U Aung Myint Oo, U Nyunt Than, U San Lin, U Myo Aung and spouses; Daw Mu Mu Khin & some guests (including historian of Atlas Peak).
    • U Aung Soe Win presented a Myanmar Flag. Group photos were taken in front of the flags.
    • iNapa Wine presented two bottles of Premium Wine: one for U Aung Soe Win and one for CGLA employees.
    • The event was reported in Myanmar Gazette.

    2018 Thingyan in the Bay Area

    • Ko Yu Ket (Edward Saw, EC85) gave us a ride to the Thingyan Festival at Dhammananda Vihara (Half Moon Bay Monastery). The compound was jam packed. Many cars had to park along Highway 1 (outside the compound). Thanks to EC and BOD of TBSA (Theravada Buddhist Society of America), volunteers & food donors.
    • Among the attendees were Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66), U Thaung Nyunt (M87), U Walter Tan (M70), U Ko Ko Zin (M84), Ko Sein Myint (EP69)’s daughter and grand daughter.