Faces of RTPC 2007

This is actually the very first time that I write a blog. So a total beginner and I really struggle to come up with this. Anyway, since I am currently in Singapore in a company of many wonderful people in the course, I think it is appropriate to start my blog on my experience during this course.

This is my first post in this blog which I call Remembering Nomenclature. I believe participants of the 1st. WTO Regional Trade Policy Course in partnership with National University of Singapore (NUS) will always remember that magic word. Anyway, so that I will always reminisce all my dear friends from RTPC 2007, let me start this blog with ... presenting the faces of RTPC 2007:

The lady in red is Ms. Nu Zun Sun whose nickname is Sun Sun from China. She has such a big heart and loved by everybody and not forgetting, a good cook as well. The guy holding the cup will always be remembered as the one who made famous the word nomenclature, Mr. Anouphab Sayasensouk from Lao PDR. No one else can say that word better than him and we will always have such a good laugh when he said it. The guy on the far right who always can't stop smiling is Mr. Nara Thol from Cambodia.

This two gentlemen came from neighbouring countries. Mr. Ajay Kumar Srivastava in blue from India while Mr. Khawar Fared Maneka in yellow shirt originated from Pakistan. Ajay is the one who always have something in his mind to ask the lecturers anytime any class. He is special in a sense that he is able to come up with questions even from some lectures that actually bored most of us to death. By the way, Mr. Maneka is really a persuasive man with his famous style ... listen! listen! A very generous man. You want to know how generous he is? Ask Sun Sun! Perhaps the most senior government officials among us.

I can’t help it. I have to use this unique, photogenic photo of Mr. Lal Krishna Sharma Paudel from Nepal. The photo is just so special. See the eyes! He looks like an actor from Bollywood movie that is ready to sing and dance and believe you me he really likes to dance. Give him good music and watch him move. By the way, he loves hindi songs too. Go Mr. Paudel!

This three ladies came from Pacific Island countries which explains why they always together in most of the things they do such as eating and shopping. On the far left, Ms. Etita Puamalie Morikao from Tuvalu, Ms. Jenny Kokosi Barile in the middle originated from Solomon Island and Ms. Cindy Koae Flood in purple dress is from Kiribati. One thing that I will always remember about them was the story about the difficult situation related to global warming and the rise of sea water level from Ms. Etita and Ms. Cindy in their countries. It will remain in my heart and my mind. I can only pray for the best for them as I am powerless to help in anyway.

The two quietest female participants in the course. Ms. Sandar Tun on the right from Myanmar and Ms. Tuyatsetseg Nyamsuren from Mongolia. A story to share, for theme session, I was assigned in the group with Ms. Sandar. Everytime she asked me when are we going to discuss about it, I will always tell her (with serious face) that she will do everything herself while Nara and me will not do anything. I think she was scared and probably upset with me and complained to everybody that I bullied her. (Ha ha ha, relax la Sandar, I was joking!) Well, Tuya you are so quiet thus I don't know what to say about you except good luck in negotiating "FTA" with Tonga! By the way, she speaks 4 languages, Russian, Mandarin, English and Mongolian. Impressive isn't it!

The one pointing the finger is Mr. Cong Huan Nguyen a.k.a Mike who came from Viet Nam. I guess his main hobby is shopping and shopping. Probably the biggest spender of per diem among us, ha ha. Anyway, he is a good friend of mine, my dining and movie partner and really love nasi goreng ayam. Since he studied for a while in Singapore, it was just very easy when going outing with him. Next to him is Mr. Dennis Alenabon Gamaya, a central banker from Philippines. He loves outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and kayaking. By the way, he is the only lawyer in the class.

Three tough guys of Pacific Islands. On far left, is Mr. Sekope Daini Tamanitoakula from Fiji. A big fan of rugby and Australian Football. He is also a very good guitar player and have successfully entertained us for countless times. My dedicated 10.30 am tea buddy and probably Sun Sun’s good friend. Also served as the buffer between Himalia and Elara, (if u know what I mean). The big guy in the middle is Mr. Aloisio Alipate Tavo, best known as Ali coming from Tonga. The very first name that I remember since it was very easy to memorize. This loyal customer of Detention Class is the biggest dude in the class and probably the funniest (and not forgetting Phab). Can you forget interesting questions from Ali such as is WTO logo copyrighted or can Tonga negotiates FTA with Mongolia? It was really funny, creative questions and unimaginable in the first place. The one on the far right is Mr. Timothy Williams Sisi from Vanuatu. If not in class, you can always find him in the gym at Frasers working out. Very dedicated in his gym work, the strong man of RTPC 2007.

Most of the time, he is always quiet but when he do speaks in class, the questions from him sometimes very constructive which surpise many of us. It is my pleasure to know Mr. Alex Katalon Kerangpuna from Papua New Guinea, who is the one in light blue. On the left is prospective Harvard grads. A casual coffee chat with him can lead to discussion on universal issues which I really appreciate. This 31 year old gentleman is Mr. Sounman Michael Hong from South Korea. If you have a chance, look at his handwritten notes, it was so neat, I thought it came from HP printer!

On the left, is the mummy to be, Ms. Pei-Li Chin from Chinese Taipei. She is also known as Tiffany. She announced the good news here during class and we were treated with a nice cake that day. In the middle of the photo is Ms. Tika Wihanasari from Indonesia, an ASEAN neighbour of Malaysia. Since she speaks the same mother tongue language like mine, so it is nice talking to her, at least I won't forget my own language in these three months. By the way, along with Sun Sun, she always treats us with nice home cooked dinner. The guy on the right need no introduction. One of the WTO expert in the group, he should actually teach us not learning it with us. Probably got one of the best photo in the booklet that NUS provided us where he adorned the military typed dress, I thought he is in the army or something. Anyway, he came from Thailand and his name is Mr. Chet Suksang or sometimes I heard people called him Jackie. His interest ... ermm, should I tell people? Never mind Chet, it is our secret. Ha ha! By the way, if he shows photos of his officemates, I think all the guys would want to work there and the first one will be Ali!

I present to you the Wise Man from Bhutan, Mr. Penday Dorji (The one in white okay). An ardent basketball player, he is the Michael Jordan of the group. Every afternoon around 6 pm, you can catch him playing one-on-one with Paudel at the Fraser's court. By the way, next to him is someone he met in Sentosa, what is his name Penday?

All smiles from the two largest contributor to Mustafa. Everytime we met after class or during weekend, somehow they always just came back from Mustafa. Amazing! The one with the largest smile is Mr. Sumedha Arachchige Ponnamperuma from Sri Lanka. He was also the Honorable Minister of Himalia. The speckie guy came from Bangladesh, never miss to wish me Selamat Pagi (Good Morning in Malay language) everyday at Fraser's cafe. Probably the quietest male in the class. His name is Mr. Rahman Khan Hamidur.

Since this is my neighbour from day 1 in the class, I have to give special preferential treatment for this lady from Macao, Ms. Ming Yan Kong or known to everybody as Vivian hence this nice single photo. She is very hardworking and committed in any exercise given in class, (negotiation, theme session and so on) so I could imagine she must be the same in her work. I admire her for that. There is no way for you to tell her to take it easy. I tried and failed everytime, ha ha ha! Always writes and writes (I don't know what she writes though).

Our host countries participants, Mr. Teck Yong Lim and Ms. Sheow Wei Yeo from Singapore. Teck is from the Trade Ministry while Sheow Wei is from Foreign Affairs. During the negotiations simulation, Teck was the tough tackling Honorable Minister of Elara who is ready to open all sectors for his country especially NAMA. Even ready to be in Developed group! Anyway, between him and me, we did have great discussion on the whole things of WTO, RTPC, things like that and I really appreciate the intelligent discussion. Another great discussion partner in the group, Sheow Wei has been very nice to me and I believe, everybody. The only child in the family probably awaiting her posting destination after this course and I wish her good luck on that. Don't forget to tell me where you will be posted so that I can disturb you, if I have the chance to go wherever that will be.

By the way, the one in RED is me!