By Za'im Zaini
Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pg Anak Hajah Saleha and HRH Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar consented to attend Sekolah Tinggi Raja Perempuan Isteri's (STPRI) 50th Golden Jubilee celebration and reunion yesterday at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre.
Accompanying Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness were HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, YAM Pengiran Bini Datin Hajah Faezah binti Dato Haji Nasir, HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah, HRH Princess Hajah Masna, HRH Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam and HRH Princess Hajah Noor Ehsani.
Upon entering the Plenary Hall, Her Majesty consented to officiate a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The chairperson of the organising committee, Datin Paduka Hjh Fatimah binti Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Husain, delivered a welcoming speech, which was followed by the cutting of a special cake by Her Majesty and the presentation of the pesambah.
STPRI's alumnae relived their memories from the years 1957 to 1990 as a number of former students sang, danced and acted in performances influenced by their defining years in STPRI.
Her Majesty and the royal entourage were invited to watch video clips entitled "STPRI Perintis Harapan", which introduced the 1957 pioneer students. Former STPRI students from the years 1957 to 1960 sang "Kenangan Abadi" and recited the poem "Sekolah Kami", which was written by Shukri Zain, a famous local poet.
Students from the years 1961 to 1965 performed a sketch entitled "Those Good Old Days", while the 1966-1970 students brought back fond memories of "Mind Your Language", the British comedy television series, in their presentation. Alumnae from the years 1971-1975 showcased "The Break Time Antics", which delighted the audience.
During a short interval, the gulingtangan group continued to provide entertainment. Dr Elizabeth Chong also performed a few crowd-pleasing songs, which was followed by Putri Norizah's stunning rendition of "Memory". Pengiran Salbiah and Azlina performed "Ma Cherie Amour" and "Cha Cha Dance".
The audience was also introduced to familiar and new faces, as principals and teachers, past and present, were serenaded by the theme "To Sir With Love" onstage. The classes of 1976-1980 performed a sketch appropriately titled "Class Acts", while the students from the years 1981 to 1990 re-enacted "Stayfree".
As a finishing touch to the performances, the audience was treated to a medley of "Impossible Dreams", "A Whole New World" and "Kemesraan".
Towards the end of the celebration, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pg Anak Hajah Saleha and HRH Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar consented to tour the exhibition and meet the alumnae.
- Borneo Bulletin
(9th July 2007)
