Tze Whay: charting a path of purpose through life's labyrinth
![Tze Whay © Phang Tze Whay](/images/great_penang/penangites/Tze-Whay_01.jpg)
Dr Stefan Phang Tze Whay and I were moulded by the same hands, shaped by the same brilliant and dedicated teachers at La Salle School in Penang, Malaysia. Those formative years, shared with some of the most inspiring educators, laid the foundation for our lives. We were taught to think critically, to understand that our actions impact those around us, to hike, to camp and to revel in the embrace of nature. Our education transcended the classroom, preparing us for life at large. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire," as WB Yeats once said. Our teachers ignited that fire within us.
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Stitching Through Hardship: A Nyonya's War-Time Chronicle
![Emily © Adrian Cheah](/images/great_penang/penangites/Emily_17.jpg)
At the Church of the Assumption, nestled amidst the charming streets of George Town, the hearts of Louis Michael Martin and Emily Elizabeth Surin became forever entwined. Their love story, like a cherished melody, found its harmonious crescendo on that memorable day of 7 August 1926. Officiating their marriage was Rev. Fr. P. Lerond. The church must have looked different from what we see today as it underwent a major renovation in 1928 when two wings were added.
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"Nature At Play", Michael Quah's evocative solo art show
![Michael Quah © Adrian Cheah](/images/great_penang/penangites/Michael-Quah_01.jpg)
Besides my beloved parents, a handful of inspiring teachers have steered my decision to make art my career, and what a rewarding and fruitful endeavour it has been. Among them are Mr Ng Kok Lum (La Salle School, Form 1-3), Mr Michael Quah (St. Xavier's Institution, Form 4-5) and all my lecturers at The Malaysian Institute of Art.
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Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Nawab Khan, Seniman Negara
Celebrating six decades of contribution and achievements in the music industry
![Ahmad Nawab © Adrian Cheah](/images/great_penang/penangites/ahmad_nawab_01.jpg)
On 13 August 2017, Ahmad Nawab shared his musical journey in a dialogue session with Gareth Richards at the Penang House of Music. In a career spanning six decades, Ahmad has composed more than 2,000 songs and almost 70 singers from all over the region have recorded his songs. Many have become standards. Besides ‘Bintang Malam’ (subsequently recorded by Zaharah Agus and Uji Rashid), other songs include ‘Kau Kunci Cintaku Dalam Hatimu’, ‘Setulus Hati Mu’, ‘Sabar Menanti’, ‘Tiada Maaf Bagi Mu’, ‘Antara Matamu dan Mataku’ and ‘Wajah Kesayanganmu’.
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Abdul Rashid Abdul Razak – a self-taught artist of great talent
"In portrait painting, likeness is crucial"
![Abdul Rashid Abdul Razak © Adrian Cheah](/images/great_penang/penangites/fop_Abdul_Rashid_Abdul_Razak_01.jpg)
Under the guidance of his father, Abdul Rashid Abdul Razak honed his artistic skills at a very young age. He was just nine years old when he earned his first commission – a portrait in oil which he sold for RM80.
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