Apa Ada Dengan Cheering?

I have been meaning to blog on this but have not had much time (oit give me a break la). It is close enough to my heart (and many other MCKK boys I suppose) that I am willing to take the wrath of the powers-that-be to blog about how things are in MCKK; in spite of the risk being considered critical to the school (which may bring a series of other consequences e.g. deemed to be interfering yada yada yada). But I have always thought that an institution that belongs to all (a national heritage at that) should be ready to accept the reality that its conduct will always be subjected to scrutiny by the public - some will be good, some will be bad - precisely because what is at stake is a public interest. So those who accept the responsibility to administer this institution, must also be open, agile and articulate enough to accept and evaluate the public scrutiny - it does not belong to any particular group; it belongs to all the stakeholders.

(Enough of the disclaimer).

Cheering has always been close to us, Class of 94.

We were bad in almost everything - even our top jambu does not rank very high comparedto some other batches' (looking back in restrospect). The only notorious thing that we did not do was to burn the school down (but that was because smoking was unofficially tolerated and endorsed, so people don't have to skulk around too much hiding in the store room to smoke).

But we were good in cheering; and we were proud of our cheering. Much as Class of 91 should be remembered for the initiatives to build the grand stand, a practice which lasts until today; we too have some innovations with the cheering.

Growing up in koleq during my years, the greatest honour that one can have is to sing Gemilang for the right occasion; after you have earned the right to sing the song. I earned that right twice - winning PPM in 1992 and 1993; as well as the PHT in those 2 years (being a part of the contingent). Gemilang in those days was normally reserved for a victory at least at the state level or higher.

It's very hard to explain the jubilation and the deep impact of pride that you would have - having practiced year after year to sing the song for the right occasion; when you finally earn the right to sing Gemilang, I felt I have earned my place as an MCKK boy.

(If the present boys find this too philosophical to understand; think of this analogy: it is as if you have been studying porn for so long and had even attempted limited experimentation - singing Gemilang when you have earned the right is like your first sex after all those years of secretly watching porn and cleaning your browsing history so that mum does not catch you)

The pride that we have for our cheering is symbolised with the honour that we accord to the song Gemilang (after all this is the most snobbish, self-publicity driven self-proclaimed song that MCKK could ever come up with over the years; it perfectly summarises everything that people hate about MCKK ha ha) - so each time we were asked to sing Gemilang (even if it is a practice); we took it very seriously.

But things have changed so much over the years; judge for yourself.

And keep the answer to yourself:

Ada Apa Dengan Cheering?
a) Putih Tulang
b) Putih Mata

POST SCRIPT
If we don't even allow the boys to have adequate practice for cheering, obviously they will not be good at it. If we don't allow them to enjoy the cheering during the games, obviously they will not put their hearts at it and shout to the top of their lungs. If we don't allow a little hardship to instill the right discipline for cheering practice, obviously the junior boys will not memorise the songs and the claps by heart to make it perfect.

We make them; after all they are just kids. I don't believe boys become monsters over the years (otherwise I rather donate all my sperms to the sperm bank and give up the thought of having kids) so to presume that we did tolerate the cheering practice in the past because the cheerleaders were kinder (obviously you did not go through cheering practice with Tong & The Bunch from Class of 91); was a bit off the mark.

Maybe we grew more regimented and less tolerant over the years; just as our society has also become.

Points to ponder (ok ok this is the last time I will end a posting with this, I know it's annoying).

pps: Yeap I am back in Bukit Antarabangsa, at my desk blogging from my PC. I miss home so just wanted to see and to feel at home again. And an advice to all of you out there - please don't give me the lecture about how dangerous it is and about people should move out. It is very easy to say that since you are not in that position. I have all the means to move out but what about others who can't? If you want to be spared from my more vociferous lecture, stay away will you? Last night I spent half an hour shouting to an MP on the phone about this "holier than thou" attitude, and I felt good. Shouting is addictive.